Results 121-140 of 993 for speaker:John Browne in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 76 and 103 together. Future energy policy for Europe was the central issue for this Council with the discussions focusing on the European Commission's recently published Green Paper, A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy. The discussions on energy were very much a first step in what promises to be a long and complex process. It...

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

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 91 and 180 together. The Minister received the Deloitte & Touche report on the electricity sector in December. The Minister is currently considering the report in the context of the energy policy consultation paper, which is being drawn up by the Department. The Minister intends to publish the report in that context in the coming months. Any forthcoming...

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

John Browne: By the end of 2005 there were more than 270,000 broadband subscribers in Ireland. This is a 106% increase from the figure of 131,500 at the end of 2004 and is equivalent of 19% of households. The Department keeps a number of issues, both supply and demand, under constant review. Earlier this year, the Department initiated a consultation process to examine the level of demand for broadband...

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

John Browne: The priority issues to be addressed by the legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new broadcasting Bill are as follows: the establishment of a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters; the establishment of RTE as a company under the Companies Acts; the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the...

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

John Browne: The report to which the Deputy refers has been examined in detail. It recognises there have been a number of positive developments in the broadband market. There has been considerable growth in broadband connectivity in the last 18 months with a 103% increase between December 2004 and December 2005. The report also accepts that broadband availability and platform competition has increased and...

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

John Browne: The Minister is aware of the recommendations in regard to security of oil and gas supply expressed by Engineers Ireland in its recent submission to the Department of Finance on the National Development Plan 2007-2013. As a member of the International Energy Agency, IEA, Ireland is required to maintain emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports of crude oil equivalent...

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

John Browne: Digital television is available in Ireland. Both cable-MMDS operators and satellite operators provide subscription digital television services. Free-to-air analogue television services are provided on a terrestrial basis. Over time it is expected that analogue terrestrial services will migrate to digital terrestrial services in most countries. This migration is happening on a significant...

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

John Browne: I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. Local loop unbundling is mandated by a European Council Regulation and responsibility for its implementation is a matter for the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the transposed EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and...

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

John Browne: Catch reporting by member states to the Commission consists primarily of six separate reports that are designed to cover a wide range of aspects of fish landings. The reports relate essentially to quota and non-quota species, the nationality of the fleets concerned both from the EU and third countries and also the place of landing. Two of these reports are monthly and four are quarterly. The...

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

John Browne: Within the electricity market, the renewables Directive 2001/77/EC obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. The Minister has stated his firm commitment to ensuring Ireland meets the target. Targets beyond 2010 will be determined in the context of the development of...

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

John Browne: The Department is in discussions with the company proposing to build the marina at Killybegs fishery harbour centre with regard to making available a site within the fishery harbour centre for such a marina and is separately processing a foreshore application in respect of this proposal. However, this is at an early stage in the process and no consent has been given to the construction of a...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: Overall responsibility for special areas of conservation, SACs, and special protection areas, SPAs, rests with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Concerning the cockle fishery, the launch of the management framework for shellfisheries in Ireland in 2005 recognised that work was needed to improve the management of this type of fishery. Under this framework, BIM...

Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: Under the Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003, the primary function of the digital hub is to procure and secure the provision of and to promote and facilitate the development of the digital hub as a location for digital enterprises and related activities. The digital hub project, managed by the independent Digital Hub Development Agency, has been and will continue to be successful in...

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

John Browne: Responsibility for the regulation of the content and promotion of premium rate telephone services is a matter for Regtel, the independent regulator of these services. I have no plans to incorporate the regulation of such services under the direction of ComReg.

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

John Browne: The report to which the Deputy refers has been examined in some detail. In its report the Commission recognises that, outside the metropolitan areas of the EU, population scarcity and distance can discourage commercial investment in telecommunications. It concludes that states should intervene to deliver infrastructure in these markets in a well-targeted manner compatible with state aid...

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

John Browne: On 27 March the Minister launched the Greener Homes grant aid package of €27 million for the domestic sector which includes funding for wood chip and wood pellet boilers and stoves, solar and heat pump technologies. The scheme will be rolled-out over a five-year period and it is anticipated that it will support the conversion to renewable energy in up to 10,100 homes. The following is a...

Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: This digital sister city initiative is designed to stimulate economic development by connecting cities from around the world through advanced technologies. Digital sister cities identify ways to positively impact the global economy and, in so doing, strengthen their own economic foundation. The digital hub is very enthusiastic about opening new collaborative channels for digital hub companies...

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

John Browne: The Government has no plans for the privatisation of Bord na Móna plc or Bord Gáis Éireann.

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

John Browne: Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service are operational matters for the board and management of An Post and ones in which the Minister has no function. ComReg is the independent regulator with responsibility to monitor the company's compliance with its universal service obligation. I understand that the Minister does not intend to issue directions to ComReg on this matter.

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

John Browne: The management of the .ie domain name is carried out by IE Domain Name Registry Limited, the IEDR. It is responsible for the day-to-day management of all aspects of the administration of the registry including dealing with resellers. The registry has recently announced on its website that it has over 59,000 customers. Regarding the regulation of the .ie domain name, the Minister proposes...