Results 301-320 of 5,768 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Communications and Energy Infrastructure (9 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Communications and electricity distribution networks worldwide, like many buildings and other structures, are occasionally damaged during storms, e.g. when trees fall across the lines. Occasional storm damage does not suggest that the infrastructure provided by our State companies is inadequate. The network investment programmes pursued by EirGrid, ESB Networks and Bord Gáis Éireann...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (9 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network and I, as Minister, have no function in this matter. Specifically, the Act requires RTÉ to provide digital coverage to the same extent as provided over the previous analogue network, i.e. 98% population coverage, and I...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (9 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and - a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Since market liberalisation in 1999, the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The market has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Motor Tax Exemptions (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Question Nos. 339 and 340 together. The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) is the only part of my Department which has a pool of motor vehicles. The vehicles are required to be taxed and are currently taxed for the year 2014. The GSI currently has 9 vehicles which do not hold a commercial insurance policy. All insurance claims in relation to these vehicles are handled...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Issues relating to the post office network, including the opening or closing of post offices, are an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. I will request An Post to issue a direct reply to the Deputy regarding the future of the post office at Park Shopping Centre, Prussia Street, Dublin 7.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Costais Aistriúcháin (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: An caiteachas a bhí ann thar na fo-cheannteideal riaracháin i mbuiséid bliantúil mo Rannóg i 2013 ná €21.629m. Curtha san áireamh bhí íocaíochtaí ar méid €23,189 le haigdh seirbhísí aistriúcháin. Tá briseadh síos déanta ar na seirbhísí seo a leanas:- €200 ag...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Since market liberalisation in 1999, the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The market has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: A comprehensive cost benefit analysis (CBA) is nearing completion to determine if it is mutually beneficial for Ireland and the United Kingdom to enter an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to facilitate trade in renewable energy. The potential for investment, jobs and growth are among the matters under consideration. Ireland and the UK have made good progress on both States’ joint,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Parliamentary Questions Costs (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The total number of Parliamentary Questions answered by my Department during 2013 is as follows:Oral (incl Priority) 316 Written 1204. It is not possible to isolate the administrative cost of processing PQs from the overall administrative costs of my Department as processing of PQs is carried out as part of the normal day-to-day work of Divisions. By their nature, however, there is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer the reply to Question Number 331 of 1 April which addresses the issues raised by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Independent Expert Panel, chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, has been tasked with deciding the terms of reference for comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for the proposed Grid Link and Grid West transmission line projects. I have also asked the Panel to oversee the integrity of the process that will be undertaken by Eirgrid to complete...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy Review (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 350 together. The energy policy landscape has undergone considerable change since the Energy Policy White Paper was published in 2007. Having regard to this, my Department is currently preparing an Energy Policy Green Paper identifying issues that need to be considered in the development of Ireland’s energy policy to meet current and future...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Responsibilities (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer the Deputy to the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2011 which set out the respective responsibilities of Ministers and officials in relation to the performance of administrative functions that are assigned to Departments. The Deputy will also wish to note the initiatives in the Programme for Government dealing with the formal accountability relationship between Ministers and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electric Vehicle Grants (3 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Question No. 319 of 1st April 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (3 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I met with the Irish Postmasters' Union on 24 March and we had a useful and wide-ranging discussion on their concerns in relation to the future of the post office network. Securing the future viability of the post office network in the longer term will entail the network continuing to modernise, as it is doing, to provide the services that its customers require. An Post has undertaken a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Services (3 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department does not provide services to the public where payment is accepted by debit or credit card. However, the Geological Society of Ireland, a Division of my Department, operates a bookshop which accepts payment by cash, debit and credit card. The total gross turnover of the bookshop is in the region of €30,000 per annum. The credit/debit card facility is provided by Bank of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (3 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government's National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing: - a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and - a State-led investment...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (2 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 162 together. Since market liberalisation in 1999, broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is primarily a matter for the service providers concerned who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (2 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The broadband service contracted under National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is a basic, affordable product in keeping with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme. Under the terms of the contract which my Department has in place with “3”, the NBS service provider, the NBS mobile wireless service is required to offer minimum download and upload speeds of 2.3Mbps and 1.4Mbps...