Results 521-540 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: As to whether it is fair, it does not really matter whether I think it is fair. These are the European Union rules and I sometimes find some of them to be massively frustrating. However, given that the Government has decided the commercial sector is doing a job in the cities and towns of Ireland which is comparable with anything that happens throughout the European Union and that the very...

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: There has been a shift in the European policy approach to this issue, which is that the Commission is looking for a future-proofed system. Whereas it was previously technology-neutral, without specifying the type of network, European policy now essentially states that a fibre-based solution is required. Therefore, the answer to Deputy Kyne's question is that from the regular contacts the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I beg your pardon. I missed the point.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Thank you very much. I may need it. In response to his point on renewables, Deputy Moynihan will be interested to examine the SEAI report on renewables which I published on Monday morning of this week. The SEAI considered what savings accrued in 2012 as a result of the supports for renewable energy. It concluded that savings of €245 million were realised. If one adds to that the...

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos 6. and 11 together. The Government’s national broadband plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to change radically the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. That will be achieved by providing a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: While I have no statutory function in either the regulated or non-regulated markets, I am acutely conscious of the impact of energy prices on citizens across the country. Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation, which is an independent statutory body. Prices in the electricity retail market are fully...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I am aware of Ofgem's public statement in Britain. In addition, I have noted the comments by Ofgem's chairman, who is the former chairman of our own Commission for Energy Regulation. The situation is not directly analogous; the main driving force here is the wholesale price of gas, over which we have no control. I take the Deputy's point that I am ultimately accountable to the House but,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy stated, in some cases the speeds promised are not delivered, for which there are technical and complex explanations. This is one of the reasons we have gone for a fibre solution. The roll-out of a network the foundation of which is a fibre solution means that the matter raised by the Deputy will not be an issue in the future. Fibre has the capacity to meet any reasonable...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government's national broadband plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring high speed broadband services, comparable with high speed services available across the European Union, are available to all citizens and businesses. This is being achieved by providing a policy and regulatory framework to accelerate and incentivise commercial investment and a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is correct in that there are several reports. The report on which the Department and I rely is ComReg's quarterly data review. I must make a decision on the barometer of measurement. According to ComReg, in December 2013 Ireland was 15th lowest of 26 countries in the case of fixed-lined business broadband services, six places below or 16.5% cheaper than the average; 13th lowest...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The EU has set a goal of reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions by 80-95% below 1990 levels by 2050. Under the Government’s planned Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill, which was recently published, those sectors of the economy with significant carbon emissions are required to produce plans to lower these emissions. The Bill and the associated National Policy Position, which were...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Exports (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: It is important that Ireland's energy policy ensures that we sustainably capture the potential economic benefits of our abundant, indigenous, clean energy resources. Ireland’s position at the Atlantic edge of Europe provides an unparalleled offshore energy resource, with suitable conditions available for the development of the full range of current offshore renewable energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I recently published the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland to stimulate an informed debate on future energy policy. Set against the backdrop of the three energy pillars of ensuring security of supply, sustainability and competitiveness, and the further need to stimulate economic growth, the Paper focuses on a number of key themes. The six priority themes are: empowering energy citizens;...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Directives (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The European Commission has raised issues in relation to how Ireland has addressed three Directives that are within the remit of my Department. In January 2014, the European Commission decided to refer the transposition of Directive 2009/28/EC on Renewable Energy to the European Court of Justice, proposing a daily fine of €25,447, to be effective from the date of the judgement of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Issues (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and the Programme for Government include a commitment to roll out a Better Energy Financing energy retrofit scheme (formerly known as Pay-As-You-Save) for domestic buildings. The key benefit to homeowners of the Better Energy Financing (BEF) mechanism is that it will allow them to secure upfront financing for energy efficiency upgrades to their...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Mobile communications is dependent on access to spectrum. The Government recognises that spectrum is a valuable natural national resource, which needs to be used as effectively and efficiently as possible for the good of the state - both economic and social – and the good of all its citizens. Policy in this area therefore aims to ensure that mobile communications contribute to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland is currently heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix for some time to come, progress is being made towards increasing the share...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Government policy on energy affordability is founded on the fundamental principle that everyone should be able to afford to adequately light and heat their home. The Government’s affordable energy strategy “Warmer Homes” identified three key interlinking factors which determine whether a person falls into energy poverty namely energy costs, incomes and thermal efficiency....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 23, 26, 30 and 35 together. The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:- - a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together. As set out in the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, which I published earlier this year, Ireland's marine energy resources - in particular wind and wave - are among the very best in the EU. However, as also highlighted in the OREDP, a route to market is critical for the development of each of the technologies in this sector. ...