Results 101-120 of 2,339 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Seán Power

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 62 together. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Act, 2007 provides for the development of digital terrestrial television in Ireland and for the closure of the national analogue TV network. The Act requires RTÉ to provide a free to air national digital terrestrial television system with capacity to carry RTÉ, TG4 and TV3. Under the Act the Broadcasting...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The consultation period for the Next Generation Broadband policy paper has now closed. Officials have examined the written submissions received and the contributions made at a one day consultation forum on 30 September 2008. The final report will be published shortly having regard to the contributions received. Any future broadband investment decisions, including investment in further...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: Following scientific research conducted by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), indicating that the European eel stocks are in a critical state, the EU introduced Council Regulation 1100/2007, the objective of which is to achieve recovery of the stocks to previous high levels. The Regulation requires the Irish authorities to prepare a national Eel Management Plan...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The Minister met the new RTÉ Authority this week and a range of issues were discussed, including but not limited to the current economic climate and the impact it is having on RTÉ. RTÉ is not alone in facing such problems. Officials from the Department and the Minister have cause to meet, from time to time with various interests that comprise the broadcasting sector. All broadcasters,...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The rollout of the national smart meter programme is progressing in line with the commitment in the Government's Energy Policy Framework and in the Programme for Government. The Smart Meter programme is a pivotal part of the Government's strategy to significantly enhance management of energy demand and to achieve radical improvements in energy efficiency through the use of cutting-edge...

Written Answers — Energy Usage: Energy Usage (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: As the Deputy will be aware the reconfiguration of Government Departments in 2007 resulted in the transfer of certain functions to other Departments. In that context, my Department has significantly reduced staff numbers and consequently we now occupy considerably less office space in Dublin. We have also vacated the Department's former offices in Castlebar. As a result it is not feasible...

Written Answers — Regional Fisheries Boards: Regional Fisheries Boards (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: As part of the overall rationalisation of State agencies that the Minister of Finance announced in Budget 2009, a new national inland fisheries body will be established, which will replace the existing Central and regional fisheries boards. I have set an ambitious target for implementation of the decision. A restructuring implementation group has been established and is developing the key...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The Department has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). 3 will be required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are located within the NBS coverage area and who seek a service. 3 is currently planning the construction and rollout of the required infrastructure for the purposes of the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: There are a range of financial and other supports now in place to encourage the development of microgeneration. These include the new programme, administered by ESB Networks and supported by ESB Customer Supply, to support up to 4,000 microgenerators with a guaranteed price for electricity produced. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has published practical guidelines on connections for...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 58 together. In addition to the circa 1,400 megawatts (MWs) of renewable energy generating capacity already connected to the grid, there is a further 1,400 MW of projects with signed connection offers. EirGrid and ESB Networks, following decisions by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), are in the process of offering connections for a further...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The Minister has consistently affirmed the Government's decision in the Energy Policy White Paper and the Programme for Government, to transfer the ownership of the electricity transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid. It is also fundamental Government policy that the electricity and gas networks are retained as strategic national assets in State ownership which will never be privatised. The...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The European Commission has recently introduced rules to harmonise conditions for the provision of pan-European mobile communication services on aircraft. The rules clear the way for airlines to allow their passengers use their mobiles phones while the aircraft is in flight. It is a matter for airlines and service providers to decide whether to offer the service or not. Commercial...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I have no plans to extend the universal service obligations in the communications sector to broadband. The Government has recognised the importance of ubiquitous access to broadband and its widespread provision continues to be a priority. Government policy has been to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector providers. Where market...

Written Answers — Energy Usage: Energy Usage (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: 40% of all energy used in the Department is from renewable sources. All of the electricity supplied to the Department's main buildings at Adelaide Road and Tom Johnson House and the storage facility at Sandyford, is from renewable sources. This results from a contract with a specific supplier negotiated by the Government Supplies Agency under which 100% of electricity supplied to my...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I presume the Deputy is referring to the Community Support Scheme which is available to those affected by the cessation of the mixed stock salmon fishery through the Leader companies, Comhdháil Oileain na hÉireann, in respect of island communities and Meitheal Forbhartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta in respect of the Gaeltacht areas. This scheme is directed at the development of additional...

Written Answers — Electricity Interconnector Projects: Electricity Interconnector Projects (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The European Commission has included the interconnector project between Ireland and Wales on its list of proposed energy projects under the European Economic Recovery Package, which is currently being negotiated in Brussels. EirGrid, as the National Transmission System Operator, is progressing the construction of the interconnector on behalf of the State. I welcome the Commission's...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The Department intends to establish the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) as soon as is practicable after the enactment of the Broadcasting Bill 2008. The Bill has been passed by the Seanad and Report Stage in the Dáil is expected to be taken shortly.

Written Answers — Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicles (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 69 together. The Minister together with the Minister for Transport, announced plans last year for the large scale deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. The target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020, will represent up to 250,000 cars on Irish roads over the next 12 years. A number of initiatives to advance the strategy...

Written Answers — RTE Reports: RTE Reports (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: RTE was established under the Broadcasting Authority Acts, 1960 to 2007, and is an independent statutory body. I have no role in its day-to-day matters. The information requested by the Deputy is provided in RTE's annual reports which have been laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 67 together. In designing the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which was approved by the EU Commission, the Department needed to strike a balance between reaching as many unserved areas as possible and minimising the impact of the scheme on businesses already providing broadband services in rural areas, thereby minimising market distortion in accordance...