Parliamentary questions

Road Projects

Michael Colreavy

297. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an approach has been made to the National Roads Authority to construct the North-South interconnector underground in ducts as part of the A5-N2 project; and if the NRA have commented on the matter. [29975/14]

Natural Resources

Michael Colreavy

301. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of commissioning the Wood Mackenzie report into Ireland's oil and gas fiscal system to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30001/14]

Broadcasting Sector Regulation

Michael Colreavy

311. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a section of the funds allocated to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland will be ring-fenced for community broadcasting projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30346/14]

Gas Exploration Revenue

Michael Colreavy

312. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the projected income to the State from the Corrib gas field in the years 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30347/14]

Departmental Contracts

Michael Colreavy

313. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form, a list of consultants to his Department for the past ten years; the amount each consultant was paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30348/14]

Renewable Energy Exports

Michael Colreavy

314. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the State money spent on the pursuing the memorandum of understanding with Britain on renewable energy export; the money that was spent on its outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30349/14]

Public Service Obligation Levy Application

Michael Colreavy

315. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the basis on the public service obligation on energy costs; the amount collected in 2013; the way this money was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30350/14]

Tellus Border Project

Michael Colreavy

316. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the function of the TELLUS project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30351/14]

Water Services Provision

Michael Colreavy

317. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the function of subscribing to the UK groundwater forum; the amount this costs the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30352/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Colreavy

318. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason his Department provides funding to Bytel; the costs each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30353/14]

Appointments to State Boards

Michael Colreavy

114. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way positions to the board of Bord na Móna are advertised and filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28693/14]

Irish National Petroleum Company

Michael Colreavy

276. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the functions of the Irish National Petroleum Corporation; the funding it receives from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28289/14]

Natural Gas Grid

Michael Colreavy

287. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of Irish households that have access to the gas network; the way this compares to the European average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28447/14]

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Michael Colreavy

125. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the potential tax returns to the State if the proposed changes to future oil and gas contracts were applied to existing contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27631/14]

Offshore Exploration

Michael Colreavy

336. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the State is liable for the derelict Bantry offshore jetty; the reason there is no limit on time or amount to this liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26953/14]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Michael Colreavy

2. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the British Government's plans to expand fracking operations in Britain; his views on whether fracking is being promoted at a European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24805/14]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Michael Colreavy

5. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received any report on the environmental damage caused by flooding in an area in Colorado, USA where hydraulic fracturing has been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24806/14]

National Postcode System Establishment

Michael Colreavy

8. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the minimum turnover requested in respect of companies tendering for the post code project; the reasons for the minimum level of turnover requested; his views on whether the minimum level of turnover would have rendered many Irish companies ineligible to quote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24783/14]

Energy Prices

Michael Colreavy

19. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his Department's role in tackling fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24785/14]

Offshore Exploration

Michael Colreavy

20. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there have been results from the seismic survey of Ireland's ocean floor; if these reveal any further detail regarding Ireland's oil and gas potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24786/14]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Colreavy

109. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reasons the exporting of wind energy from Ireland to Britain was shelved; the financial arrangements that were under negotiation; his views on whether this project will be reactivated; the impact this will have on Ireland's commitment to maximising our renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19988/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Colreavy

112. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the areas that are covered by the roll-out of fibre optic broadband to rural areas of the country under the national broadband plan; the expected time frame; the alternatives for areas not covered by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20088/14]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Michael Colreavy

113. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the communication his Department has had with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding the extension of the hydraulic fracturing licence in the Six Counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19950/14]

Postcode Implementation

Michael Colreavy

118. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if An Post will be using the proposed new Capita postcode; if so, will the company adjust the sorting technology to use postcodes, what will this change cost and who will pay for it; whether An Post's costs are included in the Government's predicted cost of the postcode; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19949/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Colreavy

119. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the panel carrying out an independent review of EirGrid pylons will meet with residents affected by these structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19953/14]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Michael Colreavy

420. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health the reason a vacancy for a hospital play specialist has not been filled at Sligo Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20237/14]

Water Meters Installation

Michael Colreavy

442. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements that will be put in place to support householders and local authorities repair internal sometimes under-floor leakages identified following installation of water meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17910/14]

Health Services Provision

Michael Colreavy

659. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive west is reducing the level and frequency of day centre services in County Leitrim and withdrawing the service entirely in at least one rural location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17929/14]

Schools Amalgamation

Michael Colreavy

217. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects the amalgamation of schools (details supplied) to be completed; and the steps that are being taken by his Department to advance that amalgamation. [15069/14]

Child Care Services Provision

Michael Colreavy

484. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an organisation (details supplied) in County Leitrim has been seeking a suitable building for its preschool and after-school services for many years; and if she will engage with the Department of Education and Science regarding the possibility of these child care services moving to one of the school buildings that have been vacated following the recent opening of the new secondary school in Ballinamore. [15070/14]

Social Welfare Code

Michael Colreavy

104. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Social Protection if after a death of a relative, their next-of-kin can continue to claim their payment for a period of six weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14261/14]

Health Services

Michael Colreavy

1081. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in establishing a Cath Lab service at Sligo Regional Hospital as persons suffering heart attacks in the region must presently travel to Galway or Dublin which would dramatically reduce the opportunity for effective medical intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13451/14]

Traffic Calming Measures

Michael Colreavy

1253. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be traffic calming measures put in place where the Barrack Road, Collooney, meets the N4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13521/14]

Postcode Implementation

Michael Colreavy

4. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the awarding of the contract to oversee the introduction and maintenance of postcodes here; the number of companies that applied for the contract; the way a decision was reached to award the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11909/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Colreavy

7. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Askon report into the undergrounding of pylons will be considered by the independent review group into EirGrid's projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11910/14]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Colreavy

8. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the studies that have been carried out into the uncontrollable changes in frequency by connecting large amounts of variable wind power to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11493/14]

Environmental Protection Agency Expenditure

Michael Colreavy

13. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of the Environmental Protection Agency study into hydraulic fracturing; the funding arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11496/14]

Renewable Energy Exports

Michael Colreavy

19. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has had any discussions with the British Government regarding the amount it would pay for Irish renewable energy sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11495/14]

Fisheries Protection

Michael Colreavy

23. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if studies have been carried out into reopening inland eel fishing here; if studies have been carried out into restocking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11492/14]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Colreavy

34. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will indicate the degree of sensitivity to which the national grid is to massive increases or decreases to supply and or demand challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11494/14]

Hospital Equipment

Michael Colreavy

521. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health when the decommissioned mammography equipment at Sligo Regional Hospital will be replaced and staffed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11677/14]

National Parks Projects

Michael Colreavy

207. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the education programme for north midlands region National Park and Wildlife Service, Ballinafad, County Sligo is being terminated while there is a considerable waiting list of schools and other participants awaiting discovery primary science maths registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10256/14]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Michael Colreavy

221. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the breakdown in terms of electricity, transport and heat in respect of Ireland's renewable energy target for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10491/14]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Michael Colreavy

222. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the infrastructure that is required for Ireland to reach its renewable energy target for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10492/14]

Energy Usage

Michael Colreavy

223. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a breakdown of heat energy demand between domestic, public, commercial and industrial buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10493/14]

Energy Resources

Michael Colreavy

224. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there has been a study carried out into the potential energy production from hydroelectricity here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10494/14]

Energy Resources

Michael Colreavy

225. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of energy that is currently generated from hydroelectricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10495/14]

Fisheries Protection

Michael Colreavy

226. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current planning restrictions surrounding hydro generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10496/14]

Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan Implementation

Michael Colreavy

227. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the studies completed into the environmental damage caused by tidal energy power systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10497/14]

Energy Resources

Michael Colreavy

228. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the studies completed into the different variable outputs from differing renewable energy sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10498/14]