Results 1,801-1,820 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (20 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together. In January 2014, an independent panel of experts, chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuiness, was established to examine the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The Panel met on several occasions since then to consider and approve the terms of reference for comprehensive, route specific studies and reports of fully undergrounded and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (20 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The Grid25 Strategy focusses on major transmission system investment in order to meet Ireland’s long term energy needs and aligns with the Government’s target of having 40% of electricity generated from renewable resources by 2020. EirGrid has a statutory obligation to explore and develop opportunities for interconnection with other transmission systems. Enhanced security of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Data (20 Nov 2014)

Alex White: My Department has one whole-time equivalent Data Protection Officer who is responsible for handling data protection requests.  In accordance with the Data Protection Acts, my Department has registered as a Data Controllor with the Office of the Data Protection Commission and has accordingly fulfilled the obligations required under the Data Protection Registration process.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (20 Nov 2014)

Alex White: Under Section 20(4) of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927, as amended by Regulation 8 of S.I. 445/2000, EirGrid is empowered to enter lands to undertake appropriate investigations, inquiries, and examinations. This access is intended to support the function set out in Regulation 8(1) whereby EirGrid is required to "operate and ensure the maintenance of, and if necessary, develop a secure,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (19 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together. While this is a matter in which I, as Minister, have no statutory function, I am aware that Electric Ireland has been offering a micro generation feed in tariff since February 2009. The reasoning behind a decision to close a scheme is a commercial matter for the supplier. No other electricity supplier has chosen to provide such a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Transport (19 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The information requested by the Deputy on the total cost to my Department of Ministerial transport in the years 2010 to 2013 is outlined in the table. - 2010 2011 2012 2013 Minister’s transport costs 0 €63,550 €103,136 €107,642 Minister of State’s transport costs 0 €63,370 €96,685 €104,188 In 2010, all Government Ministers were...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland, through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in network upgrades and approximately 1.6m of the 2.3m addresses in Ireland are expected to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy Review (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: One of the central themes in the Green Paper on Energy Policy was citizen empowerment. In September I launched the current phase of the consultation process on the Green Paper, which takes the form of a series of stakeholder seminars on the various priority areas. The four seminars held to date have covered the topics of infrastructure, empowering energy citizens, markets and regulation, and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Projects (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 535, 536 and 538 together. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy. In 2013, 7.8% of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Production (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The fuel used in the coal-fired generators in Moneypoint and in the peat-fired generators in the Midlands is a matter for the relevant operators and not a matter in which I, as Minister, have any role or function. I am advised that ESB has conducted some limited trials on biomass co-firing at Moneypoint and will continue to monitor developments in this area. Notwithstanding this, I am advised...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: EirGrid and ESB Networks are the system operators of the transmission and distribution grids respectively. There are currently 187 wind farms in operation in Ireland (154 are attached to the distribution grid and 33 to the transmission grid). Further detail on these wind farms is publicly available on the EirGrid and ESB Networks websites. Wind is a variable source of renewable energy and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: EirGrid’s Grid25 strategy is a major initiative that involves building 800km of new transmission and upgrading 2,000 km of existing lines. It comprises over 100 projects ranging from large projects such as the North South transmission line, to smaller projects such as upgrades of existing lines. Grid25 will provide capacity to facilitate regional economic development, together with...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Rehiring (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: My Department currently has two people on temporary contracts who are in receipt of public sector pensions. The abatement rule is being applied in both cases.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State-led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Incentives (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The Government is committed to developing and promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy as part of a secure, sustainable and competitive energy mix. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy Review (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The written consultation process on the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland concluded on 31 July 2014. Over 1,240 submissions were received. The process of developing a definitive Energy Policy is continuing with further engagement at stakeholder events at various Dublin and regional locations over the coming months. My Department is focussed on ensuring that the assumptions on which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Speeds (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State-led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Postcode System Implementation (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: On 8 October 2013, the Government approved the appointment of Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited as the company which will develop, roll-out and operate the National Postcode System following the conclusion of the public procurement process. This company will operate the postcode under licence for an initial ten year period extendable at the discretion of the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Postcode System Establishment (18 Nov 2014)

Alex White: A contract was signed with Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited in December 2013 to develop and roll out the National Postcode System over a 10 year period. Total spend to date on that contract is €3.22 million. Aside from the contract with Capita, the table below includes all costs from 2010 to date associated with the National Postcode System. Company Duration of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Communications (13 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) manages and administers the National Numbering Scheme which lists all numbers and codes that are available for use on public telecommunications networks. ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions, has established a variety of access codes types, in accordance with international norms, including: - geographic numbering...