Results 141-160 of 993 for speaker:John Browne in 'Written Answers'

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

John Browne: Research and development is under way into the development of alternative energy possibilities including the joint initiative by the Marine Institute and Sustainable Energy Ireland on ocean technology. The Minister will shortly announce a new initiative designed to create an enhanced strategic planning and co-ordination structure for energy RTDI priorities and to support additional research...

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

John Browne: The marine tourism grant scheme, which was a sub-measure of the tourism measure under the national development plan aimed specifically at supporting marine access infrastructure for tourism purposes, was suspended in December 2002 due to budgetary constraints. This scheme remains suspended and is now unlikely to be reactivated. There is no other funding available in this department for marine...

Written Answers — Harbour Authorities: Harbour Authorities (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to outline in detail the background and context to this matter as well as indicating the current position. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for 2005 raised two key issues in connection with the five fishery harbour centres owned by the State and operated by the Department at Killybegs, Castletownbere, Ros a Mhil, Howth and Dunmore East, in accordance with the...

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

John Browne: The development of ocean energy possibilities is currently being progressed by Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, and the Marine Institute. The Marine Institute and SEI, in conjunction with the Department, recently opened a wave energy test site a mile and a half off the coast of Spiddal, County Galway. The 37-hectare site will be open to entrepreneurs and engineers to test prototype ocean...

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

John Browne: The Taoiseach, accompanied by both the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Finance, attended the recent spring European Council. 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...

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

John Browne: Ireland currently has approximately 790 MW of renewable capacity connected. This consists of approximately 520 MW of wind powered plant, 240 MW of hydro powered plant with the balance, approximately 30 MW made up of different biomass technologies. The renewables directive, Directive 2001/77/EC, obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of...

Written Answers — Social Partnership Agreement: Social Partnership Agreement (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Labour Court recommendation has put in train a process, which clearly involves the unions in An Post and the company, with regard to the payment of the back money owed to An Post workers. Therefore, the Minister has no function regarding the process but would encourage all parties to engage as set out in the recommendation.

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

John Browne: Under the Fisheries Acts, the fisheries boards are primarily responsible for the protection, conservation and management of inland fisheries stocks including coarse fish stocks. As Minister I rely on the advice of the boards in determining policy and legislative measures aimed at protecting these stocks. The Central Fisheries Board is currently undertaking a review of coarse fish policy in...

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

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 216 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of today.

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

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 219 to 221, inclusive, together. I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 9 of today.

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: Plans to develop and streamline the gas industry involve three main strands: the further liberalisation of the gas market to include domestic customers; the extension of the Commission for Energy Regulation's, CER's, 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 integrated utility....

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

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 54 of today.

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

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 26 of today.

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

John Browne: Within the electricity market, the renewables directive, 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 is firmly committed to ensuring that we meet the target. Targets beyond 2010 will be determined in the context of the development of...

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

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 74 of today.

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

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 104 of today.

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

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 79 of today.

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

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 7 of today.

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

John Browne: The provision of electronic communications services is a matter, in the first instance, for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market. The regulatory framework which governs the provision of electronic communications services, including broadband services, is set out in the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations which transpose the EU regulatory...

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

John Browne: The security of supply of energy is a key policy objective. The relatively small size of our national electricity and gas markets underlines the need for greater interconnection as a means of enhancing security of supply, promoting competition and integrating the Irish electricity and gas markets into the wider European market. The Government is fully committed to progressing the development...