Results 361-380 of 5,769 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: One of the main issues with regard to wind farms that gives cause for concern to local communities tends to be setback distance. Setback distance is addressed by the Wind Energy Development Guidelines published by the Department of Environment and Local Government, a review of which is currently being undertaken by that Department, in conjunction with my Department and the Sustainable Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Staff (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: There are two civil servants engaged on constituency matters within my Department at a cumulative salary cost of €79,122 per annum.Constituency staff working on constituency matters share office space with other staff in my Department's building on Adelaide Road. Its is not possible to seperate out accomodation costs for a small number of staff in one area as these are invoiced and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Planning Issues (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The consideration of planning applications for wind farms is a matter for the relevant planning authority and not one in which I, as Minister, have any role or function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Investigations (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for the management of spectrum in Ireland.Comreg is independent in the exercise of its functions and is accountable directly to the Oireachtas in accordance with Section 34 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002. The investigation of any alleged unlicensed radio transmissions including any subsequent...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Regulation (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. I have no statutory function in the setting of gas or electricity prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated parts of these markets. Since 4 April 2011, prices in the electricity retail market have been fully deregulated...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Regulation (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions No 625 to 627, inclusive, together. Since 2002, the regulation of the gas market has been the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is independent in the performance of its functions. I have no direct statutory function in relation to liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, including the Shannon LNG project. Decisions on the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of broadband services in the Irish market is in the first instance a matter for the private commercial providers operating here. The State does not become involved in the provision of services unless there is evidence of clear market failure.The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is one such example of State intervention. This scheme was designed to provide basic broadband...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Matters relating to the post office network, including post office closures, are an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. In the time available, it was not possible to collate the information required. I will revert to the Deputy in due course following consultation with An Post.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Programme for Government Implementation (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The recently published Programme for Government Annual Report sets out the progress over the last 12 months of an extensive number of Programme for Government commitments. A copy of the Annual Report is available on the website of the Department of the Taoiseach at . My Department’s Statement of Strategy 2011 – 2014 lists all of the Programme for Government commitments which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Services (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Matters relating to the postal agencies, including those raised by the Deputy, are an operational matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function.Postal agencies were originally introduced in 2002 as a mechanism to facilitate the rationalisation of the network by ensuring that when a Post Office contract was ceased, Department of Social Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Semi-State Bodies Remuneration (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The salary rate for CEOs of Commercial Semi State Companies under the aegis of my Department is as set out in the table below. Salary Rate for CEOs of Commercial State Companies Name of Company New Appointment Rate An Post €240,448 BGÉ €250,000 Bord na Móna €226,000 EirGrid €170,000 ESB €295,000 RTÉ €219,871 TG4...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Unfinished Housing Developments (13 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: While this is a day to day operational matter for the ESB and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory role or function, it is a matter of concern to me. I am aware of one estate in Kildare which was the subject of media coverage last week. In this case I am advised that Electric Ireland reached agreement last week with Kildare County Council to take over the account. Kildare County...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (13 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. The regulation of the industry, including regulatory issues surrounding...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (13 Mar 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.Both States remain committed to concluding an Inter Governmental Agreement which would facilitate the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Administration (13 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Homes and the Better Energy Warmer Homes schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme. There is no waiting list for the Better Energy Homes scheme as it is delivered to homeowners by private contractors managed by the homeowner. As of 7 March there are 4,795 homes on the waiting list to receive energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (13 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 1 of 11 March. I have agreed to meet with the Irish Postmasters’ Union shortly to discuss the post office network. I have no plans to set up a working group in the manner proposed in the question.

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

Pat Rabbitte: 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 including those in County Cork. This will be achieved by providing: - a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Phillips 66, the current owners of the infrastructure referred to, confirmed in mid-2013 that they had commenced a process to market their Irish business with the process expected to last for several months, during which time the company would operate on a business as usual basis. This entirely commercial transaction is underway and neither I nor officials at my Department are involved in it....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: International Agreements (12 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Question No. [11495/14] of 11 March which sets out the position in relation to the renewable energy export project. The three pillars of the Aarhus Convention are access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. Ireland has adopted the necessary legislation to implement the requirements of the Convention...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Reports (12 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Details of all external reports commissioned by my Department are set out in following table. The majority of the studies referred to are technical and specialist in nature and were necessary to enable the Department to discharge its policy and project responsibilities in the areas concerned. The information sought regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational...