Results 1,461-1,480 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 to 94, inclusive, together. The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland is currently heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix for some...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The interconnected power systems of Ireland and Northern Ireland form a single synchronous power system and all electricity generated on the island is traded in the Single Electricity Market (SEM), the wholesale electricity market for the island of Ireland, regulated jointly by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and its counterpart in Northern Ireland, the Utility Regulator (UR). The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services Provision (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of mobile telecommunications services networks within Ireland's competitive telecommunications market is subject to a requirement to secure access to the required radio spectrum. The allocation of radio spectrum, including the imposition of coverage obligations, are matters for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which is independent in the exercise of its...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 100 together. Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are a matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. As shareholder, however, I have a strong concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I regularly liaise with the Company in this regard.An Post has many strengths and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Completion of the Corrib gas field development works, by the developer, is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. Pending such completion, it is not possible to state a date for when gas from the Corrib gas field will become available.It is estimated that construction of the onshore section of the pipeline, which began last year, including the construction of a 5km...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Industry Data (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: There have been no commercial discoveries of oil or gas within the territory of the State in the last three years. However, Ireland now has the highest number of petroleum exploration authorisations in place since exploration began in our offshore more than four decades ago. With new company entrants this year including large independent oil companies such as Cairn Energy, Kosmos Energy and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Responsibility for the regulation of these markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent statutory body. While I have no statutory function in the setting of energy prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated market, I am acutely conscious of the impact of energy prices on citizens and businesses across Ireland. Similarly, I have no function...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fuel Prices (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The European Commission maintains a Statistics and Market Observatory, which presents consumer prices and net prices (excluding duties and taxes) of petroleum products in EU Member States (known as the Oil Bulletin) on a weekly basis. The Oil Bulletin is designed to improve the transparency of oil prices and to strengthen the internal market. The relevant link is: .In addition to the weekly...

Electricity Infrastructure: Motion [Private Members] (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:“acknowledges the Government’s commitment to retain the electricity transmission and distribution networks in public ownership as strategic infrastructure and to ensure they are developed and maintained in the national interest; recognises that investment in the...

Electricity Infrastructure: Motion [Private Members] (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I say to Deputy Browne and his colleagues opposite that I am not opposed to independent assessment but we are in the middle of a public consultation. This motion prejudges the outcome before the public consultation has been completed, and for that reason I must oppose the motion, although I accept that it raises some very important issues. The motion does not adequately acknowledge existing...

Order of Business (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Martin must be wanting to get out the huskies. Does Fianna Fáil have a base down there in the South Pole?

Order of Business (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Fianna Fáil must have a fierce amount of policy work going on.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Some Fianna Fáil Deputies must be preoccupied with policy preparations.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: It did happen on Fianna Fáil's watch.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Ireland Issues (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department has been working closely with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) on a comprehensive modernisation and review of fisheries legislation, essentially seeking to bring legislation dating back to the1950’s and older instruments into the twenty-first century. The aim is to ensure that the sector, valued at €755m annually to the national economy and supporting 10,000 jobs in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ, through its subsidiary company 2RN, is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network and I, as Minister, have no function in this matter. Specifically, the Act requires RTÉ to provide digital coverage to the same extent as provided over the previous analogue...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department does not pay fees for any staff member in respect of club or sporting and recreational organisation membership.As the Deputy will appreciate the staff of my Department includes key professional, technical and specialist practitioners who underpin our strategic policy role in important economic sectors. In that regard, the Department pays membership fees for key staff to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I assume that the Deputy is seeking information on courses of third level study, funded by my Department and pursued by staff outside of working hours. Each year my Department invites staff to make an application for funding within the terms of the Refund of Fees Programme (Post-Entry Education) under Department of Finance Circular 23/07. Applications are considered for approval where the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Gas Grid (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I welcomed the decision made by EirGrid last week to extend the deadline for the consultation process on the GridLink project to 7 January 2014. Any steps to be taken after 7 January, including any analysis of issues such as costs, environmental impacts and technical efficacy, will be considered then. The period between now and 7 January will, no doubt, be useful in providing EirGrid with an...