Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

7. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way in which small area renewable energy projects can feed their electricity into the main electricity grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4690/13]

Energy Resources

Kevin Humphreys

8. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of oil and gas respectively extracted from Ireland and our territorial waters in 2012; the areas from which that extraction occurred; the estimated value of those resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4603/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

9. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he will meet the challenge to persuade the remaining 20% of households who are not connected to the Internet to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4757/13]

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Timmy Dooley

10. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his strategy for wind power; the extent to which he wishes to see it developed onshore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4743/13]

Departmental Functions

Willie O'Dea

11. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his priorities for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4760/13]

Legislative Programme

Michael Moynihan

12. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce new regulations for social media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4734/13]

Broadband Services Provision

John McGuinness

13. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the availability of broadband nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4756/13]

Broadband Services Speeds

Pearse Doherty

14. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the target broadband speed for semi-urban areas not covered by the National Broadband Strategy; the way these speeds compare to other countries of a similar population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4681/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

Charlie McConalogue

15. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures he is putting in place to develop the biofuels sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4751/13]

Renewable Energy Exports

Catherine Murphy

16. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the terms of the negotiations that have taken place between him and his British counterpart on the development of a Memorandum of Understanding on trade in renewable energy; if said memorandum is close to being finalised; the main aims of the memorandum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4601/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

Brendan Smith

17. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he sees biofuels playing a role in renewable energy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4762/13]

Gas and Electricity Disconnections

Thomas P. Broughan

18. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has been briefed by CER on their latest statistics on the level of gas disconnections taking place across the country; his views on whether a reinvigorated fuel poverty strategy may be necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4596/13]

Warmer Homes Scheme Eligibility

Sean Fleming

19. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made with the warmer homes strategy; if any changes have been made to the eligibility criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4745/13]

Sale of State Assets

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

20. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the sale of Bord Gáis Energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4688/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

Bernard Durkan

21. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline his objectives in the context of this country’s reduction in its dependency on fossil fuels, with particular reference to the development of alternative sources of electricity generation, including wind, wave or hydro; the extent to which he expects to meet or exceed national and EU targets in this regard over the next ten years; if he will identify the extent to which the motor industry is likely to develop technology in tandem with this thereby reducing fuel import costs and meeting carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4804/13]

Energy Resources

Kevin Humphreys

23. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the current arrangements and supports for the extraction of oil and gas in Ireland's territorial waters; his plans for changes in this policy area in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4604/13]

Broadband Services Provision

John Browne

24. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress being made on the national broadband plan; the extent of its impact in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4735/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Dara Calleary

25. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the contribution he is making to expanding the digital economy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4737/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Clare Daly

26. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that the Government is promoting Internet and ICT and with the large number of persons contacting emigrants via Skype, if he will instruct ComReg to investigate the blocking of the Skype service by a leading Irish mobile phone company (details supplied). [4593/13]

Renewable Energy Exports

Michael Colreavy

27. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the Exchequer funds that will be provided for the construction of wind turbines following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between his Department and the British Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4677/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

Seán Crowe

28. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will establish a nationwide process of dealing with wind turbine applications that will outline a process where the concerns of all will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4678/13]

Broadband Services Speeds

Peadar Tóibín

29. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason Ireland is behind other European countries in access to high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4680/13]

European Investment Bank Loans

Thomas P. Broughan

30. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on the potential level of European Investment Bank funding available for energy saving proposals for Irish public and private companies and the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4595/13]

Inland Fisheries Issues

Martin Ferris

31. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to discuss inland fisheries during Ireland's Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4672/13]

Offshore Exploration

Niall Collins

32. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on adopting the Moroccan model (details supplied) for State involvement in offshore exploration and extraction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4739/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Mick Wallace

33. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the outcome of the research initiated by him in relation to potential interference that may be caused by the new 4G network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4764/13]

Broadband Services Speeds

Bernard Durkan

34. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which high-capacity, high-speed broadband is available throughout the country to the industrial, domestic, commercial, educational, financial and health service sectors in line with their requirements; the extent to which such services will now compete with those available in other EU jurisdictions; the extent to which further investment in the infrastructure is required in order to compete with the highest standards available globally; if he has set specific targets in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4805/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Dessie Ellis

35. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his view on a mobile telephone company blocking the use of Skype on its devices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4684/13]

Offshore Exploration

Brendan Griffin

36. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has considered establishing a State agency dedicated to developing the oil industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4605/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Seamus Kirk

38. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether society here is digitally complacent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4750/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Michael Colreavy

39. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will specify the level of drilling in terms of width, depth and subterranean that is permitted if an exploratory licence for hydraulic fracturing were permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4675/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Mick Wallace

40. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the rollout of the 4G network across the country will begin and the percentage of the population that will be provided with the service by the end of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4765/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

Pearse Doherty

41. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are regulations regarding the height of wind turbines here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4676/13]

Water Pollution

Gerry Adams

42. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the evaluation his Department have carried out regarding the risk that the former gasworks site in Limerick City could have on the river Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4689/13]

Renewable Energy Exports

Joe Higgins

43. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the agreement with the UK to export wind energy from Ireland. [4763/13]

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Incidence

Dessie Ellis

44. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of incidents involving carbon monoxide in homes that were reported in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4685/13]

Bullying of Children

Barry Cowen

45. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the role he can play in cyberbullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4742/13]

Energy Prices

Billy Kelleher

46. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he is making energy more affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4748/13]

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Richard Boyd Barrett

47. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the implementation of recommendations in the Report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration here in relation to the licensing and tax terms for oil and gas exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4598/13]

Legislative Programme

Michael McGrath

48. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether self-regulation is effective with regard to the Internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4753/13]

Legislative Programme

Mary Lou McDonald

49. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps to be taken to regulate the use of social media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4679/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Micheál Martin

50. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is concerned about the number of small businesses that do not have access to broadband; the actions that are being taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55450/12]

United Nations Conventions

Catherine Murphy

51. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the process behind the adoption of the UN’s Convention on the Law of the Sea’s 200 mile economic exclusive zone into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4845/13]

Disaster Response

Micheál Martin

52. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the work of a non profit organisation (details supplied) working in the area of disaster response; his views on meeting the founders of the organisation to discuss their work and the way that he will support it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4832/13]

EU Enlargement

Brendan Smith

53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to advance the accession application of Bosnia during the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4838/13]

Departmental Agencies Board Appointments

Billy Kelleher

54. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the number of organisations or agencies under the aegis of his Department that have vacancies on their board; the length of time any such vacancies have been unfilled; the number of vacancies that have been advertised; the number of applications to fill such vacancies that have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4860/13]

Trade Agreements

Brendan Smith

55. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to advance the negotiations on a EU/United States trade agreement particularly in view of Prime Minister Cameron's recent remarks on British membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4994/13]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Brendan Smith

56. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a recent report in relation to expenditure under his Department's overseas development aid (details supplied); if he is satisfied that all expenditure incurred was necessary and provided good value for this expenditure from the Exchequer; if he is satisfied that the existing methods of monitoring expenditure on such programmes on an ongoing basis are adequate; his plans to review such monitoring of expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5008/13]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Éamon Ó Cuív

57. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has been made in discussions with the USA authorities regarding the undocumented Irish in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5049/13]

Tax Rebates

Peter Mathews

58. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Finance if a cohabiting couple are entitled to a tax rebate if one member is receiving a welfare payment that is reduced as a result of the other's means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4844/13]