Results 701-720 of 5,764 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: International Agreements (11 Dec 2013)

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 of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (11 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 101 together. Ireland has one of the best offshore renewable energy resources in Europe. Cost effective harnessing of the potential of this sector will be crucial to reducing our dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports, creating a low carbon energy system and delivering jobs in the green economy. My Department is currently finalising an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (11 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are a matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. As shareholder, however, I have a strong concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I regularly liaise with the Company in this regard.An Post has many strengths and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: International Agreements (11 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 102 together. Under Directive 2009/28/EC (the “Renewables Directive”), each Member State has been assigned a legally binding individual target for the development of renewable energy that they must achieve by 2020. The Directive provides a mechanism whereby renewable energy produced in one country cannot only be exported to another but...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Directives (11 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: There are three infringement cases in my Department concerning transposition of EU Directives. Transposition of the Third Energy Package, designed to facilitate completion of the internal market in electricity and gas, is a complex process. The European Commission has issued two Reasoned Opinions to Ireland in regard to its transposition of certain electricity related aspects of the package....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Legal Costs (11 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that there have been no such costs incurred by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Issues (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 300, 303 and 309 together. I refer to the reply to Question No 219 (51905/13) on 3 December last which addresses comprehensively the issues raised by the Deputies. The legislative code governing inland fisheries is dated and scattered across a range of instruments, with a clear need for modernisation. This is an important task and I have organised a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: There are three stages in the development of the Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework. I have stated on a number of occasions that transparency in the development of the framework is crucial and that the views of local communities must be at the heart of the transition to renewable energy. The Stage 1 consultation, which involved the publication of Stage 1 information...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The figures referred to by the Deputy which relate to the various Gate processes and those in the queue awaiting connection agreements, are under the Commission for Energy Regulation's Group Processing Approach for the treatment of generation facilities seeking access to the Irish electricity grid. These projects are aiming to supply the domestic Irish market and contribute to achieving 40%...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Conservation (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Hotels are able to receive grants to improve the energy efficiency of their business through the Better Energy Community Programme. This programme, launched in 2013, provides Exchequer funding to support energy efficiency projects within local communities. It encourages innovation and pioneering partnerships between public and private, domestic and non-domestic, commercial and not for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: EirGrid’s Grid25 Programme, launched in 2008, is the most important investment in Ireland’s electricity transmission system for several generations.Grid25 will take several years to complete and it represents an investment of €3.2 billion. It involves extensive work throughout the country, including building 800km of new power lines and upgrading 2,000 km of existing...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I am aware that many people are concerned about the impact that new transmission lines and other energy infrastructure can have on the landscape, the environment and on local communities. I have, therefore, repeatedly said that it is essential that Grid25 and other energy infrastructure plans are taken forward on the basis of the best available knowledge and informed meaningful engagement on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The total capital expenditure by my Department from 2008 to the end of November 2013 is set out in the table. Generally, expenditure in my Department is not allocated at county or regional level. Table: Capital Expenditure by Sector - 2008 to end November 2013 - 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 (end Nov) Sector €000s €000s €000s €000s €000s €000s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Pléifidh mé le Ceist Uimh. 311 agus 312 le chéile. Comhlacht reachtúil neamhspleách is ea Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann a bunaíodh faoin Acht Craolacháin 2009 agus atá freagrach as ceadúnais a thabhairt do Chraoltóirí. Tá aidhmeanna Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann leagtha amach in Alt 25...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Incentives (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together. Electric Ireland has been offering a feed in tariff for domestic microgeneration since February 2009. No other electricity supply company has to date chosen to enter the domestic market and to offer a microgeneration feed-in-tariff on a commercial basis, although the Commission for Energy Regulation invited them to do so. In addition,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Capital Programme Expenditure (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I can confirm that there is an Capital underspend of €22 million against expenditure profile to the end of November. Profiled expenditure including capital carryover was €79.631m against actual expenditure of €57.675 million. This is mainly due to lower than anticipated expenditure in a number of programme areas as set out in the following table. The figures to which I...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Warmer Homes Scheme Issues (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme. The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to homeowners who are vulnerable to energy poverty free of charge to the customer. Since commencement of the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme in 2000, the technical specifications have been amended and improved upon on a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is the statutory independent body responsible for regulation of the broadcasting sector, which includes regulation of the community radio sector, and as such, I, as Minister have no role in this matter. The role of the BAI includes the provision of funding for the sector, by way of the Sound and Vision II Scheme. In addition, through the Sectoral...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (10 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Academic and industry research suggest that there is a potentially significant role for biogas in meeting our renewable energy requirements as well as contributing to wider Government policy in agriculture, waste management and air and water quality. However, the technologies underpinning the sector are at a relatively early stage of development with the result that there is uncertainty...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (10 Dec 2013)

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...