Results 1,841-1,860 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Topical Issue Debate: EU Directives (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The Deputy asked how many times the interdepartmental group had met since July. I do not have this information but I will revert to him on the matter. The Deputy also made a not unreasonable point on consultation with farmers who are directly affected by the directives. As I indicated, there has been engagement with representative bodies of farmers. The Deputy indicated that specific ad...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Consultancy Contracts Data (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: My Department administers a very diverse, complex and extremely technical brief. It has a total complement of around 250 full time equivalent staff of whom a limited number are technical personnel. This reality necessarily requires my Department to procure specialist external professionals to assist in discharging its functions. In procuring these specialised services, my Department always...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan the Government 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. Since the publication of the Plan, the commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in network upgrades and at least 1.6m of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: In order to provide mobile services, mobile operators must secure a licence from ComReg to get access to the required radio spectrum. These licences include terms and conditions on quality of service and coverage. ComReg monitors compliance with all such licence requirements. Compliance with quality and coverage conditions is carried out by means of bi-annual drive tests and I understand that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: 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. No other electricity supplier has chosen to provide such a tariff, to either domestic or commercial customers, though they have been invited to do so by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Irish Water Staff (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The employment terms and conditions for Ervia employees, other than the Chief Executive, are an operational matter for the company and not a matter in which I, as Minister, have any role or function. The current pay model in place in Ervia was implemented as a result of the successful conclusion of a suite of cost improvement measures in Ervia, or BGE at that time, in early 2013. I...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together. Through the National Broadband Plan (NBP), the Government 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The ESB submission referred to in the Question is one of over 1,240 received during the period of public consultation on the Energy Policy Green Paper. That submission, like all those received, is a useful contribution to the process of developing a definitive Energy Policy. ESB and EirGrid are fully in agreement on the need for critical energy transmission and distribution infrastructure....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: Since taking up office as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I have met very many interested parties in connection with issues across the energy agenda, including on wind energy, in many different fora. Such interactions are a critical input to policy formation and development. I am keenly aware of the need for on-going communication with all stakeholders if we are to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 255 together. My Department does not engage the services of employment or recruitment agencies. Information in respect of bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those organisations and my Department does not have the information sought by the Deputy. I will, however, request the relevant Agencies and bodies...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postcode Implementation (5 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 203, inclusive, together. In December 2013, a ten-year contract was signed with Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited to develop, roll-out and operate the National Postcode System following a public procurement process. The design for the National Postcode System was approved by Government last April. The ‘Eircode’ brand was...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Infrastructure (5 Nov 2014)

Alex White: As Minister for Communications, one of my key objectives is to ensure that Ireland is best placed to avail of the emerging opportunities provided by the commercial telecommunications sector through the promotion of investment in state of the art infrastructure and the provision of a supportive legislative and regulatory environment. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Appointments to State Boards (5 Nov 2014)

Alex White: This Government, almost immediately on establishment, made important changes in relation to appointments to State Boards with new arrangements widening the opportunity to participate on such Boards by extending a wide invitation for people to submit expressions of interest to serve on the boards of public bodies. In accordance with the Government Decision of 12 April 2011, my predecessor...

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: Financial Resolution (4 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I move:THAT provision be made in the Act giving effect to this Resolution for the amendment of section 739B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39 of 1997), in the manner and to the extent specified in that Act, to provide for the similar treatment of Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles for tax purposes as for investment undertakings already within the meaning of section 739B.

Housing (Homeless Prevention) Bill 2014: First Stage (4 Nov 2014)

Alex White: No.

An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Uimh. 3) 2014 - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 3) Bill 2014 (4 Nov 2014)

Alex White: For clarity, there is no opposition to the Deputy being granted leave to introduce the Bill.

Terms of the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol: Referral to Select Committee (4 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I move:That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approve the terms of the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, done at Doha on 8 December 2012, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 23 October 2014, be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Environment, Community and Local Government in accordance with Standing Order 82A(3)(b) and (6)(a), which, not later than 19...

Estimates for Public Services 2014: Leave to Introduce (4 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I move:That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2014:Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Supplementary Estimate).

Estimates for Public Services 2014: Referral to Select Committee (4 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I move:That, subject to leave being given to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on 31 December 2014, the Supplementary Estimate be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(c) and (6)(a) and 159(3), which shall report back to the Dáil by no later than 20 November:Vote 33 -...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy Review (4 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland was published in May and sets out six energy policy priorities as follows: - ; - ; - ; - ; - ; and - . The publication commenced a period of public consultation under which written contributions were sought by the end of July. Over 1,240 submissions were received. The process of developing a definitive Energy Policy is continuing with further...