Results 1,901-1,920 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne
- Fisheries Protection. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: It will make a recommendation that will be considered by the Department and will then go to the Government. If a financial recommendation is made, which I expect will happen, it will have to be approved by the Government. The establishment of the group by the Government means there is an expectation of some monetary compensation. The most recent figure I have been informed of is â¬30...
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The State has no plans to nationalise Eircom infrastructure or regain control of any part of it. The telecoms market is fully liberalised and independently regulated by ComReg in accordance with the EU regulatory framework. This is the case in all EU member states. Privatisation of Eircom took place against a background of liberalisation of telecoms markets and was part of a broader trend,...
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: There are no plans to re-nationalise Eircom. There are some problems with Eircom services in every constituency. It is useful to reflect on the positive elements of the telecoms sector by examining ComReg's latest quarterly data, covering Q4 of 2005. It shows the telecoms sector in Ireland employs about 14,500 people and is worth around â¬4 billion. For fixed calls Ireland is better than the...
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: In 1999, the Government decided to sell off Eircom and took in â¬7 billion. I am certainly not in the pocket of Tony O'Reilly. I never met the man and do not know him. He would not influence me one way of the other.
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The development and roll-out of broadband technology is primarily a matter for the industry in a fully liberalised market. However, broadband providers in Ireland were slow in launching competitive, affordable broadband. The delays in broadband roll-out can be attributed to the lack of competition between providers and the reduction in investment in infrastructure in the aftermath of the...
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: Some 18.7% of households have broadband. Obviously, there are some roadblocks and the Minister initiated a discussion document in this regard. As I indicated, more than 100 responses were received which are being reviewed by officials in the Department to see how some of the roadblocks can be lifted. The 27 MANs projects have now been handed over to the people who will manage them. In...
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market. The Department's regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructural deficit by building high-speed, open access broadband networks in association with the local and regional authorities. Some 27 metropolitan...
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The fact that Tuam and other large towns throughout the country, including three in my county, had DSL meant the Minister decided to invest in towns without DSL. It is now acceptable that the MANs programme and networks far exceed the DSL programme. For that reason, towns such as Tuam, Thurles, Shannon, Enniscorthy, Naas and Ennis are being considered by the Department. The capital involved...
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I will certainly have discussions with the officials. The Deputy can take it that we are anxious that towns such as Tuam will be brought up to the same status as MANs programme towns. We will put every effort into securing the finances for that.
- Offshore Exploration. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: Five applications were received for frontier exploration licences in the recent Slyne-Erris-Donegal licensing round which closed on 15 March. These applications were from Statoil Exploration (Ireland) Limited with Shell E. & P. Ireland Limited as a partner, Serica Energy (UK) Limited, Grianan Energy Limited and two applications from Island Oil & Gas plc with Lundin Exploration BV and...
- Offshore Exploration. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I should have included in the reply that a strategic environment assessment is being undertaken for the Slyne-Erris-Donegal basins. The result of this will be known by early April. However, it is subject to a public consultation process during April and May and no licence will be awarded until after this time. Regarding a review, the Deputy will be pleased to know that the Minister, Deputy...
- Offshore Exploration. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: Deputy Broughan made the point this morning that we need to be sensitive in making decisions and to take into account people living in the area. In respect of the Slyne-Erris-Donegal round, a strategic environmental assessment is under way which will go to public consultation before licences are issued. I worked in this Department in the past and saw that companies are not in any great rush...
- Offshore Exploration. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: At that time I met the union and had several discussions about reviewing the terms. I am pleased that the Minister has decided to carry out a comprehensive review and to involve consultants to ensure an independent point of view, although sometimes we complain about consultants.
- Offshore Exploration. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I take the Deputy's point and will put it to the officials to see if it is being considered in the review which covers all issues.
- Offshore Exploration. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I do not accept that leaving the oil or gas in the ground is the answer. The cost benefit analyses in respect of the Corrib gas line found it would be important to bring the gas ashore. That would create many jobs but as Members said this morning, if we bring it ashore we need to take account of the sensitivities involved. We need to learn lessons from what has happened and make decisions...
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 30 and 106 together. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully-liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. In comparison with other European states, broadband providers in Ireland were slow...
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The State is providing funding for the roll-out of broadband. As outlined, the MANs project is going to 120 towns and cities nationwide, with phase 1 completed and phase 2 under way. The Government-funded schools broadband project will be completed this year. The county and group broadband scheme is grant-aided by the Government and my Department. We are disappointed in the response from the...
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: As I stated in my reply, the Department's target for this year is 400,000 by the end of the year.
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: We have invested substantial sums of money in the MANs, rural areas and school projects and this investment will continue. As I outlined earlier, we are seeking a further â¬6 million to continue to invest in major towns throughout the country where the MANs project does not operate.
- Telecommunications Services. (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I understand that I will answer a later question which concerns Babcock & Brown, a company which is interested in a takeover of Eircom. Department officials have held meetings with the company. I am aware of the broadband related problems in Wexford. I sent a message to the woman in question which informed her that if she contacted the Department, it would resolve matters for her.