Results 321-340 of 5,769 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electric Vehicle Grants (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In April 2011, I opened the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme to incentivise and support, through grants of up to €5,000, the early deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. The scheme remains open this year and the grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to electric vehicles. Additionally, the ESB, through its ecars programme, is continuing to roll...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Data (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates a number of schemes on behalf of my Department that promote the retrofitting of homes. The Better Energy Homes scheme provides support to homeowners towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades, including solar thermal, with the works being undertaken by privately appointed contractors....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Funding (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Under the National Rollout of 100Mbp/s High Speed Broadband to Post Primary Schools, all second level schools (26) in County Mayo were connected to the high speed network during 2012. The total cost to date of this programme is approximately €15.8m and it is not possible to definitively break down costs on a per County basis.Basic broadband services under the National Broadband Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Licence Fee Payments (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In accordance with Section 142 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, any premises at which a television is located requires a TV Licence regardless of its use. Therefore, owners and controlling management companies of all holiday home accommodation premises, which include a television set, are required to purchase a separate TV Licence for each accommodation unit.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: EirGrid plc is a state-owned commercial company which was created in July 2006, providing transmission and market services for electricity consumers. The shareholders of the company are the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. As one of a number of corporate entities operating under the remit of the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 335 together. On 28 January last, I announced that I had appointed an Independent Expert Panel, chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, to decide terms of reference for comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both Grid Link and Grid West. The outputs from those studies, which will be required to be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together. Since market liberalisation in 1999, broadband services are delivered in the first instance by private sector operators who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Details of broadband services available in each County, including County Clare, can be found on a number...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Infrastructure Issues (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The matters which the Deputy raises are day to day operational matters for the relevant energy and communication providers and not matters in which I, as Minister, have a role or function. The Deputy may wish to pursue the matter directly with those providers.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Question No. 106 of 5 February 2014. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Digital Television Service Provision (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires RTÉ to provide digital coverage to the same extent as provided over the previous analogue network, i.e. 98% population coverage, and I am advised by RTÉ that this level of coverage is being provided by the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network which was launched on 26 May, 2011. For the remaining 2% of the population, RTÉ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Section 103(4) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that where I propose to give my consent to a new broadcasting service or a variation in channels of the public service broadcasters, I am required to consult with the corporation concerned and such other persons as I consider appropriate.It is, therefore, at my discretion as to the extent of consultation in any given case. In the case to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 332 together. Since market liberalisation in 1999, the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The market has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Digital Television Service Availability (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ, through its subsidiary company 2rn, is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network and I, as Minister, have no function in this matter. Specifically, the Act requires RTÉ to provide digital coverage to the same extent as provided over the previous analogue...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 338 together. Wind energy developments are undertaken by a number of commercial State companies including ESB (Electricity Supply Board), BGÉ (Bord Gáis Éireann), and Bord na Mona (BnM). I understand Coillte is also active in wind energy initiatives. The decision to undertake such developments are operational matters based on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Exports (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland and the UK have made good progress on both States' joint, innovative and ambitious work in the area of renewable energy trading since my signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey M.P. in January 2013. However, it is recognised that the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and the key decisions yet...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Following a public procurement process, my Department appointed Wood MacKenzie in March of this year to provide expert advice on the fitness for purpose of Ireland's fiscal terms for oil and gas exploration, development and production. It is expected that this work will take two to three months to finalise, will help inform decisions to be taken going forward.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Responsibilities (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together. The Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act, 1993 provides for the primary legislative basis in Ireland for the interception of postal packets and telecommunications messages. By reason of the fact that the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Justice and Equality have a role under the 1993...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (27 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In relation to the question of the future of the post office network, I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 1 on 11 March 2014. The position is unchanged. The issue of post office closures is an operational matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. I have asked An Post to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Infrastructure (27 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Since market liberalisation in 1999, the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The market has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (27 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Aurora Telecom is a division of Bord Gáis Networks. It is a carrier-neutral operator specialising in Dark Fibre services for both telecommunications carriers and large corporate organisations. It operates a website at which contains details of its fibre network. Aurora Telecom is a division of a commercial semi-state body and I have no function in its investment or day to day business...