Terence Flanagan
Question:111. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding fuel prices (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35822/15]
View answerFuel Prices
Questions (111)
Written answers
The Irish oil sector is completely privatised, liberalised and deregulated. There is free entry into the market and it is Government policy to encourage price competition and consumer choice. As such, I have no function in the setting of fuel prices. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC, under the aegis of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation) has a role in ensuring that the market is functioning correctly and that consumers are not being disadvantaged. Previous investigations and surveys into oil prices (available at www.ccpc.ie) that the CCPC have undertaken indicate that the price paid by consumers is largely determined by the internationally traded price of crude oil, the consequent price at which refined product is traded in Europe and taxation levels, along with the level of competition in the retail market. As oil is traded in US dollars the recent weakness of the euro has also impacted on oil prices in the euro area.
The European Commission maintains a Statistics and Market Observatory, which presents consumer prices and net prices (excluding duties and taxes) of petroleum products in EU Member States (known as the Oil Bulletin) on a weekly basis. The Oil Bulletin is designed to improve the transparency of oil prices and to strengthen the internal market. The relevant link is:http://ec.europa.eu/energy/observatory/oil/bulletin_en.htm. The latest bulletin from 5 October 2015 shows that petrol prices (including taxes) in Ireland were €1.34 per litre while diesel prices (including taxes) were €1.19 per litre. Heating oil prices (including taxes) in Ireland were €636.30 per 1,000 litres. In October 2014 the comparable prices (including taxes) for Ireland were €1.57 for petrol, €1.48 for diesel and €1,010 per 1,000 litres of home heating oil. This data illustrates that the consumer has seen a reduction in oil prices over the last year.
Mobile Telephony Services
Questions (112)
Bernard Durkan
Question:112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 28 April 2015, the reason service providers in respect of mobile telephone services should be granted a licence to provide a minimum level of national population coverage, which operates against the interest of those living in sparsely populated areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35874/15]
View answerWritten answers
The provision of mobile phone networks and services is undertaken by telecommunications service providers operating in a fully liberalised market under licences provided by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.
ComReg apply terms and conditions on Mobile Network Operators which are attached to the licences. Decisions in relation to such terms and conditions, including whether or not Mobile Network Operators must provide a minimum level of national population coverage, are a matter for ComReg.
While I do not have a role in relation to the terms and conditions of licences issued by ComReg, I am aware that the provision of services to all customers, including those living in sparsely populated areas, can be affected by several factors. This is due to the fact that mobile telephone services are a radio based technology and therefore can be affected by topography, quality of handsets, the capacity of the network and proximity to mobile telephone antennas.
In this regard my Department continues to focus its efforts on addressing barriers to deployment of telecoms infrastructure and services in order to facilitate the rollout of enhanced services throughout the country. My Department will continue to actively engage with relevant stakeholders, including Local Authorities and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government on these issues with a view to facilitating the removal of barriers and the improvement of mobile services nationwide.
Road Signage
Questions (113)
Robert Troy
Question:113. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure the National Roads Authority provides sufficient signage for the amenity park in Moate in County Westmeath as was previously promised. [35935/15]
View answerWritten answers
I understand the amenity park referred to by the Deputy is the Dun na Si park, located on the Athlone road, off the R446 and near to the town of Moate, Co. Westmeath and he is referring to the provision of signage for the park from the M6 motorway.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII - formerly the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
TII has an established strategy, developed in consultation with Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, regarding the provision of signage on national roads for major tourist and leisure attractions and facilities and noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
Archaeological Sites
Questions (114)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:114. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress her Department has made on the purchase of lands (details supplied); when the purchase will be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35826/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is continuing its consideration of the various aspects of this proposed land acquisition, including the financial costs involved. The merits of the proposal must, of course, be considered within the context of value for money and the limited funds available to my Department.