Results 1,961-1,980 of 10,962 for speaker:Timmy Dooley

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan: Discussion (22 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: I accept that, but the Department will recognise the difficulty we have. As politicians, we are charged by the Taoiseach to consider alternatives, examine what the Department is doing and not rule out the plan the Department has in place, but without information it is difficult to make a value judgment. I am not calling into question Mr. Ó hÓbáin's judgment if we are all in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan: Discussion (22 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: That is a given. I am wondering what analysis was done or what information the Department could provide on that optimum model somewhere between 20% and 25% wireless.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Administration (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: 56. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost-benefit analyses conducted by his Department or on behalf of his Department with regard to each alternative option considered for the national broadband plan; the cost of each of the options considered; the state aid considerations and the meetings and-or communications with the Department of Public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Administration (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: The question concerns the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment's consideration of alternatives to the national broadband plan in 2018 and earlier this year. Costings were made but this information was not released. Will the Minister outline the indicative cost of each of the options considered by the Department?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Administration (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: I find that hard to understand. Earlier I heard the Taoiseach respond to a question about the ultimate value of the contract. There has been an effort by the Minister and the Taoiseach to suggest that after 25 years the only value that will accrue for this massive State investment will be the value of the fibre optic cable. That fails to recognise the tremendous amount of money that will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Administration (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: The Minister knows full well what will happen if the take-up does not meet this company's projections. The company will walk away. The Minister has already provided for that. He has indicated that the State will step in and take the stranded asset. It will then be left with the burden of completing it to protect the investment and the customers to whom the Government has already rolled...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: My impatience was not with the Minister's appropriate due diligence in regard to the signing of the contract. It was the fact that he rushed to the pulpit at the first possible opportunity, right in the throes of an election, to announce that he had conferred preferred bidder status on the only bidder that has been in existence for 15 months and so it would not be lost on the general public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: 53. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the contract for the national broadband plan will be signed. [21777/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: As the Minister knows, this is an issue of timing. As he is aware, the Oireachtas communications committee has started an investigation into the national broadband plan, as signalled previously. The past few weeks have seen a number of announcements that a cynic might say are timed to coincide with the elections on Friday. I refer to announcements on the NBP, sports capital grants and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: Is the Minister not in a position to give greater clarity, rather than stating the date will be later this year? As I stated previously, a number of issues remain to be addressed before the NBP can be delivered. The committee is carrying out an investigation that must be completed before a contract can be signed. That can happen. In light of the continued drip of information on the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: 50. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position with regard to the declaration of a climate and biodiversity emergency; the actions he will take in view of this decision; the status of the response to the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22061/19]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: Two weeks ago the Dáil declared a climate and biodiversity emergency. The Taoiseach subsequently described the declaration as a mere symbolic gesture. He failed to note that the declaration was part of a motion which endorsed immediate action in the form of implementation of the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action. Will the Minister confirm that the Government's...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: It has already been widely reported that the Minister's plan will be different in including new measures and responsibilities to be introduced across the public sector. Indeed the Minister has used the word "radical" on a number of occasions. This would be a welcome development but this plan will be this Government's third climate related strategy. Previous strategies have lacked not only...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: It is well accepted that this cannot be solved through legislation alone, but the legislation will have to show leadership, as will all of us in this House. While I know issues of biodiversity are somewhat outside the Minister's sphere of influence, the declaration of this House was significant in asserting a biodiversity emergency and in calling for a citizens' assembly to address the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: 48. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role of companies (details supplied) in the national broadband plan; the contractual and financial powers of the State with regard to these companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22060/19]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: This question relates to the companies which may be providing the financial backing to the national broadband plan. In response to a parliamentary question tabled by Deputy Cowen, Fianna Fáil received the following answer:The holding company and Granahan McCourt Dublin (Ireland) Limited will have agreements in place with the ultimate investors, Granahan McCourt Dublin (Ireland) Limited,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: The Minister has gone ahead and appointed Granahan McCourt as the preferred bidder for the national broadband plan, yet he has not received basic information on the bidder. What is the full membership of the consortium and who is ultimately financing it? The Minister has confirmed that Granahan McCourt did not even have the €175 million in equity that was needed up front so who is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: That is not enough.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: The Taoiseach indicated that there was €2.4 billion on the hook but now we are being told that the capital is all that is involved.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Timmy Dooley: It is clear now that the only commitment that Granahan McCourt has to make, along with the myriad of companies that sit behind it supporting it and providing it with letters of comfort, is to invest €175 million of equity. It is also clear from the Minister's answer that all of that €175 million may not be in the company by the time the contract is signed. The Government has...