Results 10,361-10,380 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The licensing or authorisation of operators in the telecommunications sector is the responsibility of the regulator for the sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. ComReg has statutory independence in the exercise of its functions and the Minister has no function in the matter. NTL, which offers a telephony service, a cable television service and a broadband service was...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411, 427, 429 and 430 together. An post pensioners are paid from An Post pension fund which is founded by employer and employee contributions. 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...

Written Answers — Public Service Obligations: Public Service Obligations (26 Jan 2005)

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

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 423 together. The Government is committed to a viable and sustainable nationwide rural post office network providing a range of services to meet consumer needs. The Government has already made an equity injection of €12.7 million into the network in 2003 to facilitate modernisation measures. Furthermore, the Government has strongly supported An Post...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, an indicative €200 million of Government and ERDF funding is being invested, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the creation of high-speed open-access broadband networks and fibre trunks. These facilities will remain in State ownership while allowing the service providers open access at competitive costs. The first phase...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Mobile telephones are in widespread use on a global basis. The limits for non-ionising radiation are global limits established internationally by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, ICNIRP. There is no evidence that exposure up to these limits is damaging. Accordingly, I do not propose at this stage to put maximum radiation information on each mobile handset....

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have put out to consultation the recently expressed view of the Commission for Energy Regulation, which is an independent body under paragraph 9 in the Schedule to the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I am aware of reports that one company has decided to invest in other locations instead of this country for now. That is a commercial decision for the company. It is important to optimise the...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I do not have primary responsibility within the Government for industrial relations issues. However, I am very much aware of the ongoing talks process established by the Labour Court in response to a request by the national implementation body under the Sustaining Progress agreement. These talks are aimed at resolving a number of industrial relations issues in the ESB. It is public knowledge...

Written Answers — Electronic Communications Infrastructure: Electronic Communications Infrastructure (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Digital broadcasting is now 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 — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 421 together. In the first instance, it is an operational matter for Bord Gáis Éireann, BGE, under the supervision of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, to arrange the safety of its natural gas network and this includes works to upgrade the network or to replace cast iron pipes. I am aware that gas safety is a high priority for BGE. The...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: From the details in the question it is not clear to what the Deputy is referring. If the Deputy provides further details to my office I will be happy to have the matter investigated.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department, which are not subject to the Freedom of Information, FOI, Acts are: An Post; Broadcasting Complaints Commission; ESB; Eirgrid; Bord Gáis Éireann; Bord na Móna; National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA; National Salmon Commission; Irish Maritime Development Office; Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has no funding or scheme, which would be relevant to this matter. Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements initiatives on renewable energy and energy efficiency on behalf of my Department. I received an application for a grant from Banada Development Agency Limited last Thursday, 20 January 2005, which has been...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has responsibility with regard to public service pensions for former employees of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs who retired prior to 1 January 1984, (the vesting day of An Post and Telecom Éireann — now Eircom. If a person retired prior to 1 January 1984, an application should be made to my Department, together with any relevant details of previous service, for...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The following staff appointed by me during my tenure as Minister for Education and Science have been re-appointed by me in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources: press adviser; personal assistant; and personal secretary. In addition, the special adviser appointed by me during my tenure as Minister for Education and Science has been reassigned to me at the Department...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (26 Jan 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is committed to a viable and sustainable nationwide rural post office network providing a range of services to meet consumer needs. The Government has already made an equity injection of €12.7 million into the network in 2003 to facilitate modernisation measures. Furthermore, the Government has strongly supported An Post initiatives such as the channelling of new utility and...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (23 Nov 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is committed to a viable and sustainable rural post office network providing a range of services to meet consumer needs. This commitment is illustrated by the Government injection of €12.7 million into the network in 2003 to facilitate modernisation measures. The Government has also strongly supported An Post initiatives such as the channelling of new utility and banking...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (23 Nov 2004)

Noel Dempsey: There is no scientific medical evidence that mobile telephone masts are injurious to health. In recent years, more than 25,000 peer-reviewed studies into possible health effects of non-ionising radiation and the class of electromagnetic emissions associated with mobile phone technology have been published. No definite causal link has been proven between the emissions and any adverse health...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (23 Nov 2004)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Turf Development Acts, Bord na Móna plc is charged with the management, development and working of the bogs and other lands vested in the company. Bord na Móna plc owns approximately 7% of the total peatland in Ireland. The estimated reserves of peat for energy in the ownership of the company is calculated at 45 million tonnes. Neither my Department nor Bord na Móna plc is in a...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (23 Nov 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of broadband is a matter for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by ComReg. Several companies are marketing broadband services in the Athy area. Broadband can be delivered by a number of technologies, including DSL, fibre optic cable, coaxial cable, fixed wireless links and satellite. My Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie,...