Results 101-120 of 993 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:John Browne

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

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to the Minister's reply to Question No. 142 of 21 February 2006.

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: Payments that fall to be made in respect of leases and licences granted under the Foreshore Acts are collected by the Department, as part of its overall responsibility for the administration of the foreshore in accordance with those Acts. Considerable progress has been made in the recent past in recovering rental arrears. The amount of arrears in respect of leases and licences was reduced...

Written Answers — Salmon Management Report: Salmon Management Report (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I announced on 24 March that I had decided to adopt the recommendations made to me by the National Salmon Commission, NSC, on the total allowable salmon catch for 2006. This will involve reductions in the quota available to both commercial fishermen and anglers in 2006. In doing so I have also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to fully align with the scientific advice provided on the...

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

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 63 and 95 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 19 of 6 April 2006.

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

John Browne: The Department, the Commission for Energy Regulation and relevant national players monitor developments and potential developments in international energy markets that may impact on the Irish market. This includes developments in the British wholesale market. Bord Gáis Éireann, BGE, has advised that the gas balancing alert in question resulted from an atypical coincidence of events:...

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

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 73 together. The future development and continued viability of An Post and its services is, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post. The welcome resolution to the company's recent industrial relations difficulties has, the Minister understands, facilitated all parties to sign off on the change programme, implementation of...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I can inform the Deputy that the Minister engages the Department in regular discussion with all market players on energy issues, including electricity market liberalisation. The Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, established by the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, is the statutory body with responsibility for regulation of the electricity market in Ireland. Under the Act, the CER may...

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

John Browne: The Department is examining the regional interconnectivity issue at present. It is recognised there are obstacles in ensuring that customers in regional towns can gain access to quality broadband services at competitive prices. Although the newly constructed metropolitan area networks, MANs, ensure that there is significant capacity available at extremely competitive rates in the urban areas...

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

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 107 together. The problem of dealing with high fossil fuel dependence as carbon constraints become more pressing is not unique to Ireland. At EU and international level, energy policy is increasingly focusing on the development of alternative renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency and managing energy demand in response to the need to...

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

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to the Minister's reply to Question No. 93 on 21 February 2006.

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

John Browne: The drafting of the Electronic Communications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was approved by Government this week and this legislation is a priority for the Minister on the communications side. The Bill includes proposals on: enforcement of regulatory obligations; powers for ComReg to investigate over-charging; regulation of .ie domain name; and emergency call handling service. The proposals...

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

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 98 together. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully-liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. A principal reason for the slow roll-out of broadband services generally has been the...

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

John Browne: Buncrana harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance. Donegal County Council submitted an application to the Department for funding to construct a breakwater to prevent siltation at the ferry slipway and a proposed boat harbour south of the existing pier. The proposed development would...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Department is in contact with the Commission for Energy Regulation, the national grid and other players on all the issues inherent in the need for the commissioning of additional generation capacity for operation in 2008 with a view to ensuring that decisions to be taken are fully informed by reference to security of supply, competition and all relevant considerations.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I recently announced proposals for revisions to the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme for the 2006 season. In doing so, I also reaffirmed the Government's intention to introduce measures to align fully the management of the fishery with the scientific advice for 2007. Following careful consideration, I have decided to adopt the recommendations made to me by the National Salmon...

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

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 67, 212 and 213 together. The Government's policy is to encourage further exploration for hydrocarbons while maximising the value added to the Irish economy. With regard to oil and gas, this has been done in the past, and is and will continue to be done in the future, by offering licensing opportunities in frontier areas through licensing rounds. A...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: On Tuesday afternoon last, 4 April, the EU Commission issued a press release stating it is taking action against several member states, including Ireland, regarding the full transposition of Directive 2001/77/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. The Department has not received the formal correspondence on this matter.

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Minister met Energy Commissioner Piebalgs on the occasion of his recent visit here. The Commissioner outlined the main priority areas of the Commission's Green Paper, European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy. He emphasised the need for Europe to respond more cohesively to the many challenges facing it in the energy area. Commissioner Piebalgs also gave an update on...

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

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 71 together. The total installed capacity of CHP in Ireland to end of 2004 was 290MWe, 150MWe of which relates to the recently commissioned Auginish Alumina plant. Data for 2005 are not yet available. The following table gives a breakdown of the number of CHP installations for the period 2001 to 2004 for which figures are available. Year 2001 2002...

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

John Browne: Plans to develop and streamline the gas industry are under way. These involve three main strand: the further liberalisation of the gas market to include domestic customers; the extension of the Commission for Energy Regulation's, CER, mandate in the gas industry to include responsibility for the regulation of natural gas safety; and the unbundling of Bord Gáis Éireann as a vertically...