Results 541-560 of 5,767 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: On 28 January last, in response to EirGrid’s recent public consultation process, I announced that I have appointed an independent panel of experts, to be chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, to decide terms of reference for comprehensive, route-specific studies of fully underground options for both Grid Link and Grid West. Studies of the overhead and underground options will...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department is responsible for co-ordinating the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan which commits all organisations in the public sector to achieving a 33% energy savings target by 2020. To achieve this target, my Department works with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the Office of Public Works to develop, enhance and embed good energy management practices in the public...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Multimedia Services (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), which is a Division in my Department, is working on developing apps for geological data, particularly for Tellus and Infomar projects. The work on this to date has been undertaken by project and in house staff at no additional cost to my Department. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland developed a Smartphone App in 2011 to support its Power...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (4 Feb 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. Details of broadband services available in each County can be found on a number...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 411 together. 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. Details of broadband...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland has the capability to achieve its national targets for renewable electricity from onshore renewable generation alone, with capacity to spare. This means that, under the co-operation mechanisms outlined in Directive 2009/28/EC, there is potential for projects of scale both onshore and offshore that are aimed at export markets. It is in this context that the United Kingdom Secretary...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: As a public service broadcasting corporation, RTE is obliged under Section 101 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to prepare a Public Service Statement within 12 months of the passing of the Act, and every 5 years thereafter. Every such statement is required to set out the principles to be observed and the activities to be undertaken by the corporation in order to fulfil its public service...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: On 28 January, in response to EirGrid's recent public consultation process, I announced that I had appointed an Independent Panel of experts, to be chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, to decide terms of reference for comprehensive, route-specific studies of fully underground options for both Grid Link and Grid West. The Panel will be asked to ensure that the underground studies are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focussed network of post offices in the community. The importance of maintaining a network of post offices around the country is recognised in the Programme for Government. That said, the Deputy should be aware that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network, including capital investment in the network, are a matter for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I have a function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2014 Budget provided for a €2.5 billion adjustment in the Government's fiscal position. Expenditure cuts of €1.6 billion were central to this adjustment and difficult decisions were required across all Departmental budgets. As the Deputy is aware, a decision was taken by Government as part of this process, on the proposal of the Department of Social Protection, to reduce by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Job Creation (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: It is estimated that the energy sector overall employs in the region of 30,000 people in Ireland. Renewable energy, in particular, and the use of our indigenous resources is widely seen as having the potential to support the Green Economy and sustainable employment opportunities. In terms of achieving our 2020 targets, to date wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Renewable Energy Action Plan Publication (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. The Directive requires that Member States set out in a National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) their trajectories towards meeting these targets and the measures to be taken to achieve these targets. Ireland's NREAP assumes Ireland's 16%...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 26 together. The Government’s overriding energy policy objective is to ensure competitive, secure and sustainable energy for the economy and for society. Renewable energy has a critical role to play with regard to each element of this objective. Prior to the publication of the Commission's 2030 proposals, I supported, along with seven other...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Internet Safety (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I established the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group late last year with a view to providing expert advice on a number of issues relating to online content and commentary. This Group met for the first time on 18th December 2013, and has met on two subsequent occasions since. At it's first meeting the Group agreed to an ambitious and detailed Terms of Reference which requires them...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013, if enacted, will provide an explicit legal basis to enable the ESB to engage, now or in the future, in the installation and operation of electronic communications networks and services, either alone or by agreement with one or more other companies, and to provide for consequential matters. Prior to formally entering the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Usage (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: There is currently no international ranking of countries in terms of an energy efficiency league table published by either the European Union or International Energy Agency. The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) is the overarching policy framework for energy efficiency in Ireland and contains Ireland’s commitment to a 20% energy savings target across the economy by 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Retail Sector (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: According to the most recent CSO statistics available, some 75% of businesses in Ireland have a website. However, only around 1 in 5 Irish small businesses employing between 10 and 49 employees are currently selling online. A recent international study by McKinsey indicated that businesses that use the internet to operate their business and sell to their customers can grow up to twice as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) was accepted by the EU in 2009 under the 2007 EU Eel regulation (1100/2007). The plan outlined the following main management actions aimed at reducing eel mortality and increasing silver eel escapement to the sea: - a cessation of the commercial eel fishery and closure of the market; - mitigation of the impact of hydropower installations; - ensure upstream...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (30 Jan 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. This will be achieved by providing: - a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and - a State-led...