Written Answers Nos 335-354
335. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if appeals processes will be enacted on particular special areas of conservation/natural heritage areas when concerns appear over the criteria used to designate lands; his views on whether such a process would be well received in many communities where concerns exist on the fairness of original designations. [41991/12]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Wildlife Amendment Act 2000 and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, following public notification of the intention of the Minister to designate an area as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or a Natural Heritage Area (NHA), affected parties are given three months to appeal, on scientific grounds, against the inclusion of land within the site.
These appeals are decided upon in the first instance following an internal review by officials of my Department. If the appellant is not satisfied with the decision at that stage, they can appeal. The case is then considered by an independent Appeals Advisory Board, which advises the Minister on the merits of the case. The boundaries of sites intended for designation as SACs are transmitted to the European Commission and are subsequently adopted by the Commission as Sites of Community Importance.
Article 9 of the Habitats Directive provides for the de-designation of SACs. This is a function of the European Commission and, in accordance with the Directive, is only permissible where it is warranted by natural developments noted as a result of surveillance undertaken by the Member State. Natural developments are understood to mean situations where habitats may be damaged by erosion, landslides or other occurrences in nature.
NHAs are designated under the Wildlife Acts, which provide for an area being removed from a site if it no longer retains its scientific value. I have no plans currently to amend the boundary of any NHA.
336. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon daoine a lorg an pacáiste tacaíochta faoin scéim Ag Tógáil do Pháiste le Gaeilge, briste síos de réir contae, Gaeltachta agus iar-Ghaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [42038/12]
View answerTá pacáiste tacaíochta á chur ar fáil ag mo Roinnse faoin gClár Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh a bhfuil sé mar aidhm aige tacú le teaghlaigh atá ag súil le páiste nó a bhfuil páistí acu agus a dteastaíonn uathu a bpáistí a thógáil le Gaeilge. Is ar theaghlaigh de bhunadh na Gaeltachta atá an tionscnamh seo dírithe go príomha, cé go n-aithnítear go bhfuil éileamh air chomh maith lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht.
Go nuige seo, tá 116 pacáiste tacaíochta dáilte ag mo Roinnse: 27 chuig seoltaí poist sa Ghaeltacht agus 89 chuig seoltaí poist eile. Tá tuilleadh eolais sa tábla thíosluaite faoin éileamh atá ar an bpacáiste tacaíochta ón uair gur seoladh é faoin gClár Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh i mí Aibreáin 2012. Tá i gceist cur le hábhar an phacáiste go luath.
|
Contae |
Líon dáilte |
|
Dún na nGall |
12 |
|
Maigh Eo |
28 |
|
Gaillimh |
17 |
|
Luimneach |
1 |
|
Ciarraí |
1 |
|
Corcaigh |
7 |
|
Port Láirge |
3 |
|
Tiobraid Árann |
2 |
|
Baile Átha Cliath |
34 |
|
Cill Dara |
1 |
|
Cill Mhantáin |
3 |
|
An Mhí |
1 |
|
Lú |
1 |
|
Aontroim |
1 |
|
Áiteanna eile |
|
|
Poblacht na hAifrice Theas |
1 |
|
Londain |
2 |
337. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has been consulted by the Courts Service in relation to plans for court services in the Connemara Gaeltacht considering the importance of ensuring a continued court service through the medium of An Ghaeilge and also given the acceptance and commitments contained within the twenty year strategy on the Irish language. [42073/12]
View answerThe Courts Service, which is responsible for the administration and management of the courts in Ireland, recently invited my Department to offer observations in relation to the provision of court services in the Connemara Gaeltacht. This was in the context of a review of that service which is being undertaken by the Courts Service. My Department responded to that request on 10 September 2012, making particular reference to the need for careful consideration to be given to the ongoing ability of the Courts Service to meet its commitments in the context of the Official Languages Act 2003.
339. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42660/12]
View answerI assume that the Deputy is referring to all current positions, where the appointment was made by me within my Department, or to the boards of State bodies and agencies under my Department's aegis.
I can advise the Deputy that no such appointments were made.
340. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if any contact has been made with RTÉ regarding the possibility of RTÉ being made available abroad in territories in which it is currently not available through tv receptions or satellite networks to help with the promotion of the Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41909/12]
View answerMy officials and I have met with RTÉ on several occasions over the course of the last 12 months and we have discussed a wide range of issues, including provision of RTÉ services to the wider Irish Diaspora. Section 110(4) and (5) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 require RTÉ to review and report on the provision of such services and I received RTÉ’s latest report in April of this year.
Section 114(1)(f) of The Broadcasting Act, 2009 requires RTÉ to establish and maintain a television broadcasting service and a sound broadcasting service, which services shall be made available, in so far as RTÉ considers reasonably practicable, to Irish communities outside the island of Ireland.
As the Deputy may be aware, in the present financial conditions, it is not possible for RTÉ to provide a Diaspora television channel. RTÉ has indicated that this decision was made as a result of the economic downturn, which has adversely affected RTÉ’s commercial service, and is part of a necessary cost saving exercise being undertaken by RTÉ. RTÉ has indicated that this decision may be reviewed if circumstances change significantly in the future.
RTÉ is already providing a service to the Irish Diaspora through the RTÉ Player, the international version launched in January 2010, which allows overseas viewing of RTÉ television without charge, subject to certain rights restrictions. RTÉ has informed me that worldwide audiences can now catch-up on RTÉ Television programmes for up to 21 days through an integrated online media player. The international version of the RTÉ Player carries a range of programmes and sports content that have been cleared for international audiences. In addition to the catch-up services, ‘News Now’, RTÉ’s 24-hour live and looped online news service will be also available to global audiences.
I understand that RTÉ always seeks to improve the international availability of its programmes and services where possible and a number of online services have been rolled out recently for worldwide audiences including the RTÉ Radio Player and the mobile RTÉ television and news apps.
RTÉ has informed me there will be a “Gathering” series broadcast in Ireland in the near future promoting this upcoming event. They have advised that there is currently no plan for special extensions of service to Irish communities abroad as part of “The Gathering”.
341. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his policy regarding the provision of uncongested high speed broadband to industry as in some areas where large scale employers are located (details supplied) and in view of the fact that these companies have not got required Mbps speeds; and if he will examine these two locations as pilot areas [41952/12]
View answer342. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will in conjunction with the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland participate in the National mapping exercise being conducted in the National Broadband Plan to identify priority areas for upgrading to uncongested high speed broadband where currently there are existing employers whose businesses are severely hindered by deficiencies in existing service. [41953/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together.
The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses, well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020, and that significantly higher speeds are available to as many homes and businesses as possible.
The National Broadband Plan for Ireland commits to high speed broadband availability across the country – specifically: 70Mbps – 100Mbps will be available from the commercial market operators to more than half of the population by 2015; At least 40Mbps, and in many cases faster speeds, to at least a further 20% (and potentially as much as 35%) of the population during the lifetime of the Government; and A minimum of 30Mbps for every remaining home and business in the country, also during the lifetime of the Government.
During the preparation of the National Broadband Plan, the commercial market operators indicated that they expect to provide 70Mbps to 100Mbps services to 50% of the population by 2015. The areas to be provided with those services will be determined by the commercial market operators.
One of the first steps in delivering on the 30Mbps and 40Mbps commitments will be the completion of a formal national mapping exercise to determine the exact position in relation to commercial service providers’ existing and planned broadband services throughout the country.
The National Broadband Plan contains a commitment that my Department will undertake a full mapping exercise in respect of high speed broadband deployment. The mapping exercise will identify the areas of the country where there is market failure in the provision of high speed broadband services. It will also identify where the market is expected to succeed and fail in the delivery of high speed broadband over the coming years. Until that process is complete, the precise areas of the country which will require State intervention will not be known. I would reiterate however, that the Government remains committed to the delivery of the speeds referred to above, to ensure that all parts of Ireland, including areas such as Fossa and Ballydesmond, will have at least 30Mbps connectivity.
My Department has already begun some of the necessary preparatory work, and the full mapping will commence as soon as the current spectrum auction being managed by ComReg is completed and final decisions are taken by the ComReg in respect of Next Generation Access regulation. It is necessary that both these processes are finalised before the mapping exercise begins, as they will critically inform the investment plans for telecommunications service providers over the coming years.
I have already emphasised to industry the importance of my Department securing full cooperation from all the commercial operators in completing this aspect of the Plan’s implementation.
As regards current broadband speeds, the Communications Regulator, ComReg, publishes on its website, www.callcosts.ie, details of broadband packages available in all counties, including County Kerry. The Companies referred to by the Deputy may wish to access this information to ascertain if better broadband services than they currently have may be available to them.
343. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will arrange to have a detailed reply compiled.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41354/12]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Local Management of Inland Fisheries Ireland had been in correspondence with the person in question on the issues relating to the River Feale.
Subsequently, I was in receipt on 12th July 2012 of correspondence from the person in question and following further consultation with Inland Fisheries Ireland a detailed response has been compiled. This response is due to issue in the coming days.
I am arranging for a copy of the response to be forwarded to the Deputy.
344. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if the review on the status of the eel here and across Europe under the 2007 EU Eel regulation has been completed; if he will indicate the status of the eel stock here and the potential for commercial fishing in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41365/12]
View answerThe International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) advice is that the eel stock continued to decline in the period 2009 to 2011 and urgent action is needed. In 2011 ICES reiterated its previous advice that all anthropogenic mortality (e.g. recreational and commercial fishing, hydropower, pollution) affecting production and escapement of eels should be reduced to as close to zero as possible until there is clear evidence that both recruitment and the adult stock are increasing. In 2011, glass eel recruitment has fallen to 5% of their 1960-1979 level in the Atlantic region and less than 1% in the North Sea area, and showed no sign of recovery.
In Ireland, recruitment has been declining at many monitoring sites since the mid-1980s, for example in the 2000-2011 period, the glass eel catch in the Shannon was at 2% of the pre-1980 numbers. In summary, recruitment of glass eels and elvers remained low during the 2009 to 2011 period both in Ireland and across Europe.
In Ireland it is anticipated that there will be a considerable decline in silver eel production, as indicated by recruitment history, yellow eel stock indicators and modelled projections for index stocks. As part of Ireland’s eel management regime, every three years, a review of the status of eel stocks is conducted, this coupled with input from stakeholders, supports the decision making process on the future of the commercial and recreational eel fishery. Inland Fisheries Ireland has just completed a full public consultation on the future of the commercial and recreation eel fishery; the recommendations from this review are being finalised.
Inland Fisheries Ireland has made a number of reports on eel stocks available on its website including The National Eel Stock Recovery Plan, The Status of Eel Stocks in Ireland and The Implementation of the Eel Management Plan for Ireland.
The review of eel stocks in Europe is a shared concern involving many countries on a pan European basis and it is likely that a summary of all European reviews will not be available for some time.
345. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the reason Irish pre pay mobile phone customers are paying up to 42% more than the European average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41373/12]
View answerI am aware of the recent OECD survey which reported that Ireland was more expensive than the EU average for pre pay mobile phone customers.
The OECD pre-paid basket includes at least two operators for each country, once they cover 50% of mobile subscriptions. In Ireland’s case only two operators are included. The methodology used takes the cheapest offer from these two companies and not the cheapest offer in the market. I am advised that there are currently an estimated 30 pre-paid mobile packages available to Irish consumers, some of which are cheaper and the assessment does not therefore reflect the actual range of pre pay offers available. In addition to the prepay option, mobile consumers can also avail of post paid options and it should be noted that Irish prices in this basket were below the EU average.
ComReg’s website Callcosts.ie, provides a useful source of information to consumers where they can compare prices of different operators. Consumers can input their usage requirements and see the cheapest available in the market based on their usage. I am also aware that ComReg has, in recent months, promoted the ease at which consumers can switch mobile operator and that there is no retail charge for consumers who wish to switch. Furthermore, the Digital Agenda for Europe scorecard reports that the number of days required to switch between operators in Ireland is among the lowest in the EU.
346. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will publish details of all allowances paid to staff in his Department; the business case made by his Department in respect of these allowances to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; the cost of each individual allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41409/12]
View answerAllowances payable by my Department are common to more than one Department. These allowances were accordingly reviewed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of the recent review of allowances and my Department was not required to prepare a Business Case in respect of the allowances. As part of the overall review, the Delegates allowance which was payable in my and in other Departments was discontinued.
The table below sets out the allowances that are currently being paid to qualifying staff in my Department.
|
- |
- |
Modified (pre 1995) |
- |
PPC (post 1995) |
|
Allowance |
Full |
Half |
Full |
Half |
|
Children’s (Annual) |
€113 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Private Secretary (Annual) - to Minister - to Secretary General |
€19,653 €10,405 |
€9,827 €5,203 |
€20,685 €10,951 |
€10,343 €5,476 |
|
Franking Machine (Weekly) |
€32.60 |
€16.30 |
€34.29 |
€17.15 |
|
Keyholder (Weekly) |
€33.90 |
- |
€35.67 |
- |
|
Machine (Weekly) |
€34.32 |
- |
€36.09 |
- |
347. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the options or remedies available to a person (details supplied ) in County Waterford in view of the fact that this is one of the areas that is unable to receive a Saorview signal, taking into account that this person does not wish to purchase multichannel satellite or cable based TV packages [41451/12]
View answerRTÉ has built, owns and controls the Saorview TV network and is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of that network. This is in accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides that the development of the RTÉ network is an operational matter for RTÉ.
Section 130 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 Act provides that RTÉ must roll out a national digital TV network to the same extent as its existing analogue network. In this regard, I understand from RTÉ that their analogue network covers 98% of the population and the Saorview network will also provide 98% population coverage. It is impossible to cover 100% of the population by terrestrial means.
In addition to Saorview, RTÉ has developed SAORSAT, a new free-to-air satellite service unique to Ireland to ensure the RTÉ television services are available to the remaining 2% of the population. RTÉ is not obliged to provide this satellite service and is doing so on its own initiative.
SAORSAT launched in March 2012 and provides access to the RTÉ channels including the new RTÉ channels developed for SAORVIEW and TG4. TV3 has not yet made a decision regarding SAORSAT.
Further information on SAORSAT is available from SAORVIEW on www.saorview.ie and on LoCall 1850 222 012 and from RTÉ Networks Limited (RTÉNL) on www.rtenl.ie.
348. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the level of price reduction expected for a three person family in typical accommodation as a result of the completion of the cross channel interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41564/12]
View answerThe East West Interconnector is a 500mw High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnector linking the electricity grids of Ireland and Great Britain for the first time. The EirGrid project is of strategic national importance in terms of Ireland’s economic infrastructure.
Electricity interconnection improves security of supply, promotes further competition in the electricity market which in turn exerts downward pressure on electricity prices. Interconnection also facilitates the penetration of wind generation and the East West Interconnector will facilitate export of surplus electricity generation output.
I do not have a statutory function in the setting of energy prices, whether in the regulated or unregulated market. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body.
Prices in the retail business and residential electricity markets are now fully deregulated. Since 1 October, 2011 residential gas customers supplied by Bord Gáis Energy are the only segment of the electricity and gas markets where prices are still regulated by the CER. Prices in the electricity and gas markets, with the exception of residential gas customers supplied by Bord Gáis Energy, are wholly commercial and operational matters for the suppliers concerned. Ireland’s electricity and gas markets, both wholesale and retail, are characterised by vigorous competition regulated by the CER.
The domestic retail electricity market is a competitive market and consumers are able to switch their business between suppliers, who in turn purchase their power on the all island wholesale market, the Single Electricity Market (SEM). Overall electricity prices in Great Britain are lower than those in Ireland and, as might be expected in this situation, there has been strong interest from traders on the interconnector in importing power into Ireland from Britain. The interconnector in these circumstances is capable of carrying additional power into Ireland from a lower cost market, to the extent of 500MW, with that capacity representing more than that of an average modern power station. The interconnector therefore means that there can be even greater competition for existing generators operating in the SEM leading to additional downward pressure on the wholesale prices otherwise charged by generators.
It is difficult in the deregulated electricity market to identify the precise impact of the downward pressure on prices brought about specifically by the interconnector, as against the impact of any other factors at play in the wholesale and/or retail market. Accordingly, the impact on the price charged to any single household customer in the residential segment of the retail electricity market cannot be estimated.
349. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the progress of the broadband for schools scheme; the number of schools who have received high school broadband to date as part of the scheme; the number of schools still waiting for access; when he anticipates the roll out of the scheme will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41622/12]
View answerIn 2009, under the initial pilot phase of this project, a total of 78 post primary schools were provided with 100Mbps broadband. I subsequently announced the full rollout of 100Mbps to all second level schools in Ireland, to be completed over a 3 year period commencing in 2012.
202 post primary schools were selected this year for the first phase of the national rollout. Of these, 37 schools have been fully completed and already are using their enhanced broadband. A further 162 schools are scheduled to be completed by the end of October. 3 schools are currently completing major building works and this will delay the finalisation of their connections until sometime in November/December.
I hope to be in a position shortly to announce details of a further 200 schools to be connected during 2013 with the remaining 250 schools being connected in 2014, after which all second level schools in Ireland will have a high speed broadband connection.
350. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether it is vitally important to have in place high quality broadband at Carraroe, County Sligo, where there is a high level of retail activity and small and medium enterprises located in County Sligo; the reason Eircom is not proceeding to activate from their exchange at Carraroe; if the communications regulator is aware of the lack of proper broadband at this industrialised area of County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41693/12]
View answerThe Government is firmly committed to ensuring that all Irish businesses and citizens have access to high speed broadband services and the recently-published National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020, and that significantly higher speeds are available to as many homes and businesses as possible.
The Plan commits to high speed broadband availability across the country – specifically: 70Mbps – 100Mbps will be available from the commercial market operators to more than half of the population by 2015; At least 40Mbps, and in many cases faster speeds, to at least a further 20% (and potentially as much as 35%) of the population during the lifetime of the Government; and A minimum of 30Mbps for every remaining home and business in the country, also during the lifetime of the Government.
During the preparation of the National Broadband Plan, the commercial market operators indicated that they expect to provide 70Mbps to 100Mbps services to 50% of the population by 2015. The areas to be provided with those services will be determined by the commercial market operators.
One of the first steps in delivering on the 30Mbps and 40Mbps commitments will be the completion of a formal national mapping exercise to determine the exact position in relation to commercial service providers’ existing and planned broadband services throughout the country. Preparatory work has commenced within my Department to expedite this mapping exercise.
The mapping exercise will identify the areas of the country where there is market failure in the provision of high speed broadband services. It will also identify where the market is expected to succeed and fail in the delivery of high speed broadband over the coming years. Until that process is complete, (it is expected to take a number of months) the precise areas of the country which will require State intervention will not be known.
I would reiterate however, that the Government remains committed to the delivery of the speeds referred to above, to ensure that all parts of Ireland, including areas such as Carraroe Co. Sligo will have at least 30Mbps connectivity.
Decisions by eircom on which of its exchanges to upgrade are taken based on the anticipated commercial return on such an investment. As eircom is a private company I have no role to play in this matter.
351. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding TV reception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41695/12]
View answerRTÉ has built, owns and controls the SAORVIEW TV network and is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of that network. This is in accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides that the development of the RTÉ network is an operational matter for RTÉ and therefore one in which I, as Minister, have no function.
I have however been informed by RTÉ Networks Limited (RTÉNL) that digital terrestrial television signals fare far better than analogue in the presence of wind farm interference. Some areas, such as Kilgarvan are still affected by some interference. In most cases in these areas SAORVIEW reception will still be possible, but it will require careful equipment installation. SAORVIEW and a local installer will be able to advise further.
Should the Deputy have any further queries in relation to television interference and SAORVIEW availability I will pass them on to RTÉNL for direct response.
352. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will respond to a query (details supplied) regarding fracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41810/12]
View answerI note from the details supplied with the Deputy’s query that his constituent would like to have fracking banned.
I would like in this regard to clarify for the Deputy that in October of last year, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct research and advise on the environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing as a means of extracting natural gas from underground reserves.
In May 2012, the EPA published its preliminary research into the environmental aspects of shale gas extraction in the form of a small desk based study, which was carried out by the University of Aberdeen.
The study provides an introduction to the environmental aspects of fracking including a review of regulatory approaches used in other countries and areas for further investigation and research such as geological principles of relevance in fracking and shale gas extraction, potential environmental impacts and establishing best environmental practice
While the study is a preliminary study it will inform the development of the terms of reference for a much more detailed research study to be commissioned by the EPA later this year. The terms of reference for this more extensive research are currently being drawn up by a steering group including representatives from the EPA and my Department.
The outcome of the further research to be commissioned by the EPA will assist in a robust scientific based assessment of any future application proposing the use of this technology.
I can confirm that until there has been time to consider the second stage of the EPA research, the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration drilling will not be authorised.
353. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the cost of installing a Metropolitan Area Network cable for broadband services in Newcastle West, County Limerick; the operating structure of the MAN; the numbers of businesses and others whose broadband service is provided in Newcastle West through the MAN.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41876/12]
View answerMetropolitan Area Networks (“MANs”) are State owned, underground telecommunications networks that are located in regional cities and towns. They consist of carrier-neutral duct and fibre rings linking the main commercial and public buildings to “co-location centres” where service providers locate their telecommunications equipment and access the network. These state-of-the-art facilities are available to service providers to enable them offer high-speed broadband to their retail customers without having to build their own networks.
The Newcastle West MAN was constructed at a cost of approximately €1.008m, as part of the Shannon Broadband Phase II MANs Project. My Department contributed 90% of the cost of the MAN and the remaining 10% was funded by the Local Authority through Shannon Broadband Ltd. There were eight Phase II MANs built in this region: Abbeyfeale, Banagher, Birr, Kilrush, Nenagh, Newcastle West, Roscrea and Templemore.
The MANs are owned by the State and are operated and managed, on behalf of the State, by a Managed Services Entity (MSE), e|net. The company provides telecoms services to licensed telecoms operators, who then offer telecoms products and services to businesses and individuals. e|net manages and maintains the MANs on an on-going basis and promotes the use of the MANs among telecoms operators, for the benefit of businesses and individuals in MANs locations.
The Newcastle West MAN is currently active and providing telecommunications services to business users and individuals in Newcastle West. The number of businesses and individuals availing of the MAN in Newcastle West is a matter for individual telecoms operators.
I must also emphasise that the MANs are a long term investment and the networks will be available for generations to come, as well as facilitating the current demand for digital based business. I envisage that greater use will be made of the MANs in the coming years to provide bigger broadband to more businesses and citizens, as demand increases for online services and cloud computing services.
The National Broadband Plan, which I launched on 31st August, aims to build on initiatives such as the MANs by driving further investment in the provision of high speed broadband.
The Plan commits to high speed broadband availability across the country – specifically: 70Mbps – 100Mbps will be available from the commercial market operators to more than half of the population by 2015; At least 40Mbps, and in many cases faster speeds, to at least a further 20% (and potentially as much as 35%) of the population during the lifetime of the Government; and A minimum of 30Mbps for every remaining home and business in the country, also during the lifetime of the Government.
354. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the plans there are to offer the RTÉ television channels across other territories to enable persons from Ireland that have moved abroad to watch them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41906/12]
View answerSection 114(1)(f) of The Broadcasting Act, 2009 requires RTÉ to establish and maintain a television broadcasting service and a sound broadcasting service, which services shall be made available, in so far as RTÉ considers reasonably practicable, to Irish communities outside the island of Ireland.
As the Deputy may be aware, in the present financial conditions, it is not possible for RTÉ to provide a Diaspora television channel. RTÉ has indicated that this decision was made as a result of the economic downturn, which has adversely affected RTÉ’s commercial service, and is part of a necessary cost saving exercise being undertaken by RTÉ. RTÉ has indicated that this decision may be reviewed if circumstances change significantly in the future.
RTÉ is already providing a service to the Irish Diaspora through the RTÉ Player, the international version launched in January 2010, which allows overseas viewing of RTÉ television without charge, subject to certain rights restrictions. RTÉ has informed me that worldwide audiences can now catch-up on RTÉ Television programmes for up to 21 days through an integrated online media player. The international version of the RTÉ Player carries a range of programmes and sports content that have been cleared for international audiences. In addition to the catch-up services, ‘News Now’, RTÉ’s 24-hour live and looped online news service, will be also available to global audiences
I understand that RTÉ always seeks to improve the international availability of its programmes and services where possible and a number of online services have been rolled out recently for worldwide audiences including the RTÉ Radio Player and the mobile RTÉ television and news apps.
