Results 541-560 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (3 Nov 2009)

Conor Lenihan: Ireland needs to reduce its dependence on imported energy and successful development of indigenous energy resources including our hydrocarbon resources, can help achieve this. The Department is actively engaged in promoting opportunities for exploration for oil and gas offshore Ireland in order to attract an increased share of mobile international exploration investment to Ireland. The terms...

Written Answers — Primary Schools Inventory: Primary Schools Inventory (20 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: In order to improve the information systems available to my Department in relation to primary and post-primary schools, my Department's Forward Planning Section uses Geographical Information System technology which contains a certain level of information on all schools in the country, at both primary and post primary level. To further expand and improve the capabilities of the system,...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (20 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or guardians, dependent mature students or as independent mature students. An independent mature student is defined as a mature student who was not ordinarily resident with his or her parents from the October preceding entry to an approved course. When assessing the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (13 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 56 together. The results of the Geothermal Working Group are being finalised and I intend to publish these, when complete, on my Department's website. However, I am strongly committed to the early provision of a legislative framework for the exploration and use of geothermal energy. I believe that the issues to be addressed are now known and having...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The Department and others have been working, and continue to work, on addressing the digital divide with a range of measures to promote digital engagement. One of the issues has been access to the technology and infrastructure – this is being addressed both by the market and in the case of areas where broadband provision remains an issue through the National Broadband Scheme in which the...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (13 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I have been advised by the Northern Regional Fisheries Board (NRFB) that no mediator has yet been appointed in the case referred to by the Deputy. As I outlined in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1034 on 6 October 2009 the Court has recommended that the parties consider mediation. The NRFB has indicated that it welcomes this initiative and the matter is currently being discussed by...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (13 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: VP Power Ltd. has a prospecting licence for the Kish Bank area since August 2007. The holder of a prospecting licence is entitled only to prospect for minerals. Any application to mine would require a State Mining Facility from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, which would be subject to a public consultation process. Mining would also require planning...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (13 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The only petroleum discovery that has been declared commercial but has yet to be developed is the Corrib Gas Field. The developers of the Corrib Gas Field, Shell E&P Ireland Ltd, have stated their expectation that first gas will be available in the first quarter of 2011. Completion of the development works by the developers is the principal factor that will ultimately determine the date for...

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I thank all Members who contributed to this debate. Their contributions were extremely positive. I take this opportunity to reassure them with regard to some aspects of their contributions. Deputy Coveney focused on the increasing revenue stream companies derive from premium rate services, a valuable benefit to those companies. However, it is important, as Deputy McManus said, that the...

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: -----who had concerns about the transfer or change from Regtel to ComReg, namely, that similar powers, sanctions and scope of action should be available to the industry and consumers of its many different offers. She may take some reassurance from that. I cannot tell the future as to whether I shall be supervising the Committee Stage of the legislation, but I should like to reassure Deputy...

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I am sorry, I thought the Deputy was referring to her husband. Whatever the case, we should welcome the details if that is agreeable to the constituent, because it is these examples or practical experiences that help us to understand what is happening. It is very disturbing and the industry needs to take warning from us and the Government generally, if there is a suspicion that people are...

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: Yes. We can easily facilitate the Deputy in that regard. I will ask the officials present to make contact with the Deputy with a view to ensuring she is fully au fait with the Bill before Committee Stage.

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Order for Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I was about to address the Acting Chairman, Deputy Charlie O'Connor, as "Ceann Comhairle".

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: Perhaps he will be Ceann Comhairle next week.

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I would love it if he was appointed Ceann Comhairle next week because I would have an easy ride in the next general election.

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: It would make my work as a Minister of State a lot easier. I am pleased to present the Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009 for the consideration of the House. This Bill is an important part of the Government's legislative programme and when enacted will transfer the regulation of premium rate services from the current regulator, RegTel, to the Commission for...

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I hope it is not an unsolicited premium-rate text message.

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The Deputy does not know how to stop her.