Results 1,701-1,720 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 43 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 333 [44826/13] of 22 October.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Garda Investigations (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Any criminal investigation in this jurisdiction such as the one referred to in this case by the Deputy is a matter for An Garda Síochána to consider and not one in which my Department or I, as Minister, have a role.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mine Sites Remediation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: A study commissioned by my Department and undertaken by CDM set out a plan for full remediation of the Avoca mines site, with costs identified in excess of €50 million. Given current pressures on the public finances, resources are not available to fund the full series of measures recommended in the report. My Department has, however, provided funding of €3m for a programme of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (24 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government's National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and a State-led investment for areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Development of the high voltage electricity grid as planned in the Grid25 strategy is critical to Ireland's economic and social development. The businesses that sell goods and services and provide employment need a reliable energy supply that enables them to compete in an increasingly globalised economy. Ensuring secure reliable and safe supplies of electricity is critical to Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Expenditure (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government will spend €13 million in Exchequer funding by the end of 2013 on over 80 community based energy efficiency projects under the Better Energy Communities and the Better Energy Areas schemes across the country. Both schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme. The funding will deliver energy efficiency...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Issues (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: This is a matter for EirGrid and one in which I, as Minister, have no function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The broadband service contracted under National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is a basic, affordable, scalable product in keeping with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme in September 2007. Under the terms of the contract which my Department has in place with Hutchison 3G Ireland Ltd (trading as “3”), the NBS mobile wireless service currently offers minimum download and upload...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government's National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and - a State-led investment for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Issues (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: This is a matter for EirGrid and one in which I, as Minister, have no function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: While several of the issues raised in the Question are matters for Eirgrid, and not ones in which I, as Minister, have any role or function, I will respond to the issues that fall within the ambit of my Department and Government policy in this area. Neither the Government nor I seek to direct the energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies as was made...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: This is a matter for EirGrid and one in which I, as Minister, have no function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The development of wind farms to ensure that Ireland continues to meet its legally binding renewable energy targets and realise the export potential of trading energy with other Member States should also ensure wind energy does not have negative impacts on local communities. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, in conjunction with my Department and the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Cyber Security Policy (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Online media are not subject to a formal regulatory regime akin to that used to 'regulate' traditional radio and television broadcast media, either in Ireland or in other jurisdictions. There are a range of reasons for this, not least the rapidly evolving nature of the technologies involved, the sensitivities around 'regulating' onlinemedia and the multi-jurisdictional nature of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Regulation of the electronic communications market, including the gathering of market data and publication of national statistical reports, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg, has established a callcosts website which provides information to the public on the alternative broadband services marketed by competing service providers on a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Services (24 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Natural Gas Grid (24 Oct 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 5...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services Provision (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: An EU Commission comparison of “3G” mobile telephony coverage across the EU member states for 2010, the most recent such study available, ranks Ireland 6th highest for coverage at 99.5% compared to an EU average of 89.9%. The provision of mobile telephony services is subject to the award of spectrum licences by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). In late...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government's National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing: a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and a State-led investment for...