Results 10,301-10,320 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147, 161, 291 and 302 together. On the website of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, there are over 130 companies listed as offering internet access. An indicative €200 million is being made available from Government and ERDF funds under the NDP's regional operational programmes 2000-2006 for the development of high-speed broadband...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 288 together. The An Post annual report is brought to Government every year as provided for by the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 and, at the same time, relevant issues in relation to An Post are noted by Government. In addition, the Cabinet is updated on relevant issues as they arise.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 304 together. This reply has the same information as in Questions Nos. 44 and 126 of 21 October 2004 and Question No. 271 of 30 November 2004. With regard to oil and gas exploration, one exploration well was drilled in 2004 by Providence Resources plc on the Blackrock prospect off the south coast. The well did not yield any significant shows of...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 292 together. Section 32 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 provides that An Post is required to keep a set of accounts, including a profit and loss account and balance sheet, and also requires that the accounts are to be audited annually. After submission to Cabinet, the An Post annual accounts are laid before the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Mining Pollution: Mining Pollution (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The former mining company has acknowledged that it has a contractual liability to rehabilitate the tailings pond, among other sites. To this end, the most recent proposal for the rehabilitation works was lodged with the Department on 3 November 2004,and additional information sought by the Department was supplied on 17 January last. When the proposals have been assessed by the local...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I welcome the publication of the joint Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, and Ofcom report on cross-Border telecoms issues. The report covers cross-Border mobile telephone roaming; cross-Border leased line costs; telephone dialling codes; and illegal broadcast radio stations operating in Border areas. I am delighted that ComReg and Ofcom have adopted a common approach to tackle...

Written Answers — Digital Broadcasting: Digital Broadcasting (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Digital television services are available in Ireland through a number of cable and satellite networks. The terrestrial broadcasting system is an analogue platform, and it will be necessary to upgrade this platform to a digital terrestrial platform over time. I am examining proposals in this regard. Specific analogue switch-off dates will be considered in light of progress in upgrading to a...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 295 together. The provisions applicable to staff transferred to An Post are set out in section 45 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983. The benchmarking process applies to public service bodies only and An Post, as a commercial State body, was not included in the benchmarking process.

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 259 together. I am not aware of any national or international health advisory authority which has recommended that the siting of telecommunications masts should not result in direct beam falling on school property. It may be that some paper somewhere may have made such a recommendation — if the Deputy can identify any such work I shall have my...

Written Answers — Semi-State Sector Remuneration: Semi-State Sector Remuneration (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The remuneration scale for the chairpersons of State bodies is decided by the Government. Essentially, the remuneration package is dependent on the size of the body. Because of its size and the importance of the services it provides, An Post is a category one State body and the fee level for the chairperson is €19,046 per annum. However, on occasion a higher fee level than the norm can be...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in setting of pricing for telephone services. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including pricing for mobile services, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation in accordance with the requirements of the Communications (Regulation) Act 2002 and regulations made under the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications....

Written Answers — Digital Hub Project: Digital Hub Project (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: MediaLab Europe was formed by an agreement between the State and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was in operation since early 2000. It was established to conduct non-directive research in the field of digital media. The Government invested €35.5 million in start-up capital for MLE. Property was also purchased for MLE to the value of €22.5 million. The property remains in...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Policy: Broadcasting Policy (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My core broadcasting policy objectives are detailed in my Department's Statement of Strategy, 2003 — 2005. These objectives are: to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTE; to secure a viable future for high quality public service broadcasting; to seek to retain access to a range of...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I do not have primary responsibility within the Government for industrial relations issues. The present difficulties between ESB management and the ESB group of unions are matters to be resolved by the parties within the context of the industrial relations machinery available to them. This includes the process established by the Labour Court currently being facilitated by Mr. Peter Cassells....

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The universal service obligation which, includes nation-wide delivery requirements, is enshrined in EU and Irish law and therefore, it is a statutory requirement for An Post, as the designated universal service provider. Furthermore, the European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations 2002 sets out the area of the postal market solely reserved for An Post to allow the company fulfil...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The authority to implement pension increases was delegated to An Post, subject to certain conditions, as this activity was considered part of the day-to-day operations of the company. In practice this allowed the company to implement pension increases following pay increases to employees. However, decisions outside the scope of the original delegated authority still require the consent of...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no statutory function in relation to this matter. It is an operational issue for the board and management of An Post.

Written Answers — Acmhainní do TG4: Acmhainní do TG4 (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Is mian liom aird an Teachta a dhiriú ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar cheist uimhir 147 ar 9 Nollaig 2004.

Written Answers — Electricity Supply Board: Electricity Supply Board (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 318 together. Five-year rolling corporate plans show the medium-term thinking of State-owned companies. I am aware of views expressed on how the company sees itself being positioned going forward, including its stated desire to retain its vertically integrated structure. I have been informed by the chairman that the question of privatisation is not on...

Written Answers — Broadband Infrastructure: Broadband Infrastructure (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Under the second and third phases of my Department's regional broadband programme, high-speed, open-access broadband infrastructure is being provided in a further 94 towns countrywide in association with the local and regional authorities. My officials are in discussions with Cork County Council regarding the design and technical details for the broadband networks for Bantry and Skibbereen in...