Results 81-100 of 993 for speaker:John Browne in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos 20, 100, 214, 215 and 232 together. An interdepartmental biofuels group was established in 2004 to ensure close co-operation and communication between the relevant players on biofuels and biomass development and related policy initiatives. The group comprises representatives of the Department, the Departments of Agriculture and Food, the Environment, Heritage...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The draft heads of the electricity Bill to provide for the conversion for ESB to a public limited company status are being progressed and the timeframe for its reinstatement on the Government's legislative programme will be kept under review during the year. The Minister does not consider that the revised timetable for the Bill has implications for commercial or strategic decision-making by...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Minister is favourably disposed towards the introduction of postcodes because of the case made that a national postcode system would offer significant potential benefits for the postal business, public utilities, business and consumers and the general public, including addressing the issue of non-unique addresses. To examine the introduction of a postcode system in Ireland, the Minister...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 35 and 47 together. Following pressure from the Taoiseach, the European Council emphasised the importance for competitiveness and ease of travel of reducing roaming charges. This is an issue that affects many people travelling throughout the EU and is a clear example of impediments to the Single Market negatively affecting the citizens and businesses. The...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to the following appendix that outlines the information requested on the number of post offices converted or closed since the Minister came into office in September 2004. The opening, conversion and closure of individual post offices is a matter for the board and management of the company. With regard to the post office network, as clearly set out in the programme for...

Written Answers — Energy Market Regulation: Energy Market Regulation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: Government policy in regard to the creation of an all-island energy market is set out in the all-island energy market development framework which was jointly launched in November 2004. The key priority within the framework is to put the all-island wholesale electricity market in place by 1 July 2007. The two regulators have already agreed the high-level principles governing the operation of...

Written Answers — Energy Market Regulation: Energy Market Regulation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Minister has recently published the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006. This Bill, which builds on recent secondary legislation to implement the electricity and gas market EU directives, will enhance competitiveness within the energy market and bring consequent benefits to the consumer. The Second Stage of the Bill was introduced to the House earlier today. One of the key...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 108 together. As a member of the International Energy Agency Ireland is required to maintain emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports of crude oil equivalent in the previous year. The EU imposes a similar requirement based on consumption. The National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, is responsible for holding Ireland's strategic oil...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 70 together. The powers and responsibilities of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources with respect to An Post are as set out in the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 and in the memorandum and articles of the company. As set out in the 1983 Act, the Government has a 100% stake in the company. The Minister's...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Government is supporting the development of the seafood industry through a number of integrated schemes designed to secure a sustainable future for the industry under the aegis of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The two successful fleet renewal programmes and the recent introduction of a decommissioning scheme with a budget of €45 million over the next two years will together...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to the Minister's reply to Question No. 82 on 21 February 2006.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The harbour at Greencastle is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance. In 2006 the Department has allocated funding of €2.4 million towards the commencement of the first phase of a development project for Greencastle harbour under the fishery harbours development programme. Under that...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The domestic grants scheme is being rolled out on behalf of the Department by Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI. The availability of trained and certified installers is an important element of the quality assurance mechanism and the grant scheme in general. SEI is facilitating consumers by maintaining a list of installers who qualify for use under the scheme. Actions to increase this number in...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Department has brought to the Minister's attention recent press reports indicating that the European Commission may be preparing to adopt a package of infringement procedures against a number of member states in respect of issues around the transposition or implementation of Community energy legislation into national law. At this point, the Department has not received any formal...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Minister is generally satisfied that arrangements for access to the grid reflect the need to enhance the contribution of wind and other renewable energies to electricity generation in a way which manages in particular the actual or potential impacts of wind powered plant on the grid. ESB Networks publishes a list of renewable and alternative projects connected to the networks and other...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: In the December 2005 budget, funding of up to €65 million over five years for renewable energy schemes was announced. The first stage of this funding is the greener homes scheme which was launched on 26 March 2006 and provides up to €27 million in grant aid for domestic renewable heat technologies including the installation of wood pellet stoves and boilers, solar panels and geothermal...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: In the last six months my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, has met twice with An Post management to discuss various issues that relate to the safeguarding of shareholder interests in the company. Additionally, officials in the Department continue to meet with An Post management on a regular basis to discuss ongoing issues in the...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: As the Deputy will be aware the fishing vessel lost at sea scheme was introduced in June 2001, following consultation with the fishing industry representative organisations. The purpose of the scheme was to enable qualifying applicants, who were otherwise unable to do so for financial or related reasons, to provide replacement capacity for the purposes of introducing a replacement vessel in...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The markets in electricity generation and supply are now liberalised and in that context the Government is committed to increase the contribution from renewable energy technologies to electricity generation and consumption. The current minimum target is to increase the contribution from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total electricity production by 2010. The Minister has confirmed that...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 81 and 87 together. The Minister has no function in regulating pricing for services or quality of service in the telecommunications market. The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including...