Energy

Beginn der Energiewende und Festhalten am Ziel des Ausbaus der erneuerbaren Energien im Stromsektor bis 2020 auf 40 Prozent

Germany · German Bundestag · 21 September 2012

Originaltext der Frage(n):<br /> <br /> Wann begann aus Sicht der Bundesregierung die Energiewende (mit der Bitte um Nennung eines Datums oder einer politischen Entscheidung), und hält die Bundesregierung an der Größenordnung ihrer Zielvorstellung, den Anteil der erneuerbaren Energien im Stromsektor bis 2020 auf 40 Prozent auszubauen, fest, welche von Bundeskanzlerin Dr. Angela Merkel in einem Interview mit &bdquo;DIE ZEIT&ldquo; vom 12. Mai 2011 (vergleiche www.bundesregierung.de/ Content/DE/Interview/2011/05/2011-05-12-merkelzeit. html) genannt und in meiner Schriftlichen Frage 79 auf Bundestagsdrucksache 17/5990 von der Bundesregierung bestätigt wurde?

Vollziehung des Biozid-Produkte-Gesetzes in Österreich im Jahr 2011

Austria · National Council · 20 September 2012

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Johann Maier, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Vollziehung des Biozid-Produkte-Gesetzes in Österreich im Jahr 2011

THE AMERICAN ENERGY INITIATIVE, PART 29: A FOCUS ON H.R. 6172

United States · United States House of Representatives · 20 September 2012

135. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his plans to reimburse those members of the public who are unable to receive Saorview and who will be charged at least €200 for the installation of a new satellite dish with LNBF for SAORSAT; his views on whether it is acceptable that these members of the public who have already paid €160 for their TV licence are charged so much to receive this service; his views on whether it is acceptable that some members of the public are left without Saorview coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39920/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 20 September 2012

135. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his plans to reimburse those members of the public who are unable to receive Saorview and who will be charged at least €200 for the installation of a new satellite dish with LNBF for SAORSAT; his views on whether it is acceptable that these members of the public who have already paid €160 for their TV licence are charged so much to receive this service; his views on whether it is acceptable that some members of the public are left without Saorview coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39920/12]

134. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will carry out upgrading and retrofit to existing TV transmission masts in pockets of areas in County Kerry, particularly the east, south and west of the county, in view of the fact that decommissioning of these transmitters in conjunction with Saorview on 24 October 2012, will leave thousands of people in these areas without any TV coverage; and if he will act immediately to address the anomaly and deficiency in the infrastructure for providing equality to all householders in the country in the changeover to digital TV; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39839/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 20 September 2012

134. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will carry out upgrading and retrofit to existing TV transmission masts in pockets of areas in County Kerry, particularly the east, south and west of the county, in view of the fact that decommissioning of these transmitters in conjunction with Saorview on 24 October 2012, will leave thousands of people in these areas without any TV coverage; and if he will act immediately to address the anomaly and deficiency in the infrastructure for providing equality to all householders in the country in the changeover to digital TV; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39839/12]

A bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.

United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2012

Declares that no presidential permit shall be required for a specified pipeline application filed on May 4, 2012, by TransCanada Corporation to the Department of State for the northern portion of the Keystone XL pipeline from the Canadian border to the South Dakota/Nebraska border. Considers the final environmental impact statement regarding such pipeline issued by the Secretary of State on August 26, 2011, to satisfy all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. States that nothing in this Act affects the ongoing work of the state of Nebraska with regard to the fully intrastate portion of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Commercial Building Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2012

Commercial Building Modernization Act- Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax deduction for energy-efficient commercial buildings, to: (1) extend such deduction through 2016; (2) include within the definition of "property" for purposes of such deduction a commercial building and a multifamily building (a structure of five or more dwelling units used as residential housing); (3) increase the maximum amount of such deduction; and (4) adopt the updated standard of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America applicable to property eligible for such deduction. Allows through 2016 a new tax deduction for the cost of retrofitting existing commercial and multifamily buildings.

Veterans Jobs Corps Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2012

Veterans Jobs Corps Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) (Secretary) to establish a veteran jobs corps to employ veterans: (1) in conservation, resource management, and historic preservation projects on public lands and maintenance and improvement projects for cemeteries under the jurisdiction of the National Cemetery Administration; and (2) as firefighters and law enforcement officers. Requires priority employment for veterans who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Provides for such employment in coordination with the Attorney General, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, and the Interior. Directs the Secretary to establish a steering committee for assistance in providing such employment. Directs the Secretary of Labor to commence a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing veterans seeking employment with access to computing facilities in order to: (1) match veterans with available jobs based on veterans' skills acquired as members of the Armed Forces, and (2) allow employers to post information about available jobs. Directs the Secretary, as a condition of a grant or contract to a state for certain veterans' employment and training programs, to require the state to demonstrate the consideration of any military training received by a veteran when approving or denying a commercial driver's license or a certification to be a nursing assistant or certified nursing assistant, or an emergency medical technician or paramedic. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish minimum funding levels for specified veterans' benefits contracts and grants to ensure that each state receives sufficient funding to support at least one disabled veterans' outreach program specialist and one local veterans' employment representative per 5,000 square miles of service delivery area within the state. Directs the Secretary of Labor, during the one-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, to provide the Transition Assistance Program to veterans and their spouses at locations other than military installations in at least three and up to five states selected by the Secretary based on the highest rates of veteran unemployment. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a 100% continuous levy upon the property and rights of Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) providers and suppliers neglecting or refusing to pay taxes. Repeals provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 providing for a program for the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies for ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resource exploration and production. Permits the Secretary of State to deny, revoke, or limit a passport to any individual upon receiving certification from the Secretary of the Treasury that such individual has a delinquent tax debt in an amount in excess of $50,000.

Department of Energy High-End Computing Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2012

Department of Energy High-End Computing Act of 2012 - Amends the Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004 with respect to: (1) exascale computing (computing system performance at or near 10 to the 18th power floating point operations per second); and (2) a high-end computing sytem with performance substantially exceeding that of systems commonly available for advanced scientific and engineering applications. Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: (1) coordinate the development of high-end computing systems across DOE; and (2) include among the multiple architectures researched any computer technologies that show promise of substantial reductions in power requirements and substantial gains in parallelism of multicore processors, concurrency, memory and storage, bandwidth, and reliability. Repeals authority for establishment of at least one High-End Software Development Center. Directs the Secretary to conduct a coordinated research program to develop one or more exascale computing systems to advance DOE missions. Requires establishment through competitive merit review of two or more DOE National Laboratory-industry partnerships to conduct integrated research, development, and engineering of one or more prototype exascale systems. Requires the Secretary to conduct mission-related co-design activities in developing prototype exascale platforms. Defines &quot;co-design&quot; as the joint development of application algorithms, models, and codes with computer technology architectures and operating systems to maximize effective use of high-end computing systems. Directs the Secretary to develop any advancements in hardware and software technology required to realize fully the potential of an exascale production system in addressing DOE target applications and solving scientific problems involving predictive modeling and simulation and large-scale data analytics and management.

Implementation of Simpson-Bowles Spending Reductions Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2012

Implementation of Simpson-Bowles Spending Reductions Act of 2012 - Prohibits the total amount of appropriations to the White House for the Executive Office of the President, to the President, and to Congress for FY2012-FY2016 from exceeding 85% of the total amount of such appropriations for FY2011. Eliminates cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for Members of Congress during FY2013-FY2015. Amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 to extend through December 31, 2015, the freeze on any COLA to the pay of certain federal civilian employees (thus extending such freeze from two to five calendar years). Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) take appropriate measures to ensure that the total number of federal employees, beginning in FY2015, does not exceed 90% of the total number of federal employees on September 30, 2011; (2) continuously monitor all agencies, make a determination on whether the total number of federal employees in any quarter of a&nbsp;fiscal year&nbsp;exceeds the maximum number allowed by this Act, and notify the President and Congress if the number exceeds the maximum; and (3) ensure that there is no increase in the procurement of service contracts due to this Act unless a cost comparison demonstrates that such contracts would be financially advantageous to the federal government. Allows the President to waive the workforce limitations imposed by this Act in specified circumstances. Requires OMB to: (1) take appropriate measures through FY2014 to ensure that agencies shall appoint no more than one employee for every three employees retiring or otherwise separating from government service; (2) coordinate with federal departments and independent agencies to take certain steps to limit government printing costs; and (3) dispose of a quantity of real property worth at least $100 million altogether (with specified exceptions) that is not being used, and that will not be used, to meet the needs of the federal government for FY2011-FY2015. Prohibits the total amount of funds appropriated for travel expenses for each agency for each of FY2012-FY2016 from exceeding 80% of the total amount of funds appropriated for FY2011. Reduces the amount available to the General Services Administration (GSA) for FY2012 and succeeding fiscal years for acquiring new vehicles for the federal fleet to 80% of the amount available for FY2010 for such purpose. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit consideration in Congress of legislation that includes an earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose after 2012, a 10% income tax rate on taxable income of $100,000 or less and a 20% rate on taxable income over $100,000, and a 20% rate for net capital gain exceeding $1 million; (2) reduce the income tax rate on corporations to a flat rate of 20%; (3) repeal various tax credits, deductions, and exclusions, including the alternative minimum tax (AMT) on individuals; (4) provide for 5-year phaseout of specified tax expenditures, and (5) terminate the authority for issuing certain tax-exempt bonds for financing projects relating to energy conservation, infrastructure, education, and hospital construction.

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 20 September 2012.#Dimosia Epicheirisi Ilektrismou AE (DEI) v European Commission.#Competition — Abuse of dominant position — Greek markets for the supply of lignite and wholesale electricity — Decision establishing specific measures to correct the anti-competitive effects of an infringement of Article 86(1) EC, in conjunction with Article 82 EC, identified in an earlier decision — Article 86(3) EC — Annulment of the earlier decision.#Case T‑421/09.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 20 September 2012

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber), 20 September 2012.#Dimosia Epicheirisi Ilektrismou AE (DEI) v European Commission.#Competition — Abuse of dominant position — Greek market for the supply of lignite and Greek wholesale electricity market — Decision finding an infringement of Article 86(1) EC, read in combination with Article 82 EC — Grant or maintenance of rights awarded by the Hellenic Republic in favour of a public undertaking for the extraction of lignite.#Case T‑169/08.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 20 September 2012

projet de loi ratifiant l'ordonnance n°2012-827 du 28 juin 2012 relative au système d'échange de quotas d'émission de gaz à effet de serre (période 2013-2020)

France · Senate · 19 September 2012

148. Deputy Ray Butler asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline in tabular format the annual salary costs for private and constituency offices of Ministers in his Department in each of the years 2009 and 2010; the same figures for any Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39638/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 19 September 2012

148. Deputy Ray Butler asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline in tabular format the annual salary costs for private and constituency offices of Ministers in his Department in each of the years 2009 and 2010; the same figures for any Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39638/12]

147. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will upgrade the inferior broadband in Ballydesmond to uncongested high speed broadband (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39553/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 19 September 2012

147. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will upgrade the inferior broadband in Ballydesmond to uncongested high speed broadband (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39553/12]

146. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the establishment of BioEnergy Ireland; and its plans for an annual 14,700 hectare afforestation programme. [39377/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 19 September 2012

146. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the establishment of BioEnergy Ireland; and its plans for an annual 14,700 hectare afforestation programme. [39377/12]

145. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the situation facing residents in an estate (details supplied) in County Louth; if the development received funding from Sustainable Energy Ireland; the amount of funding that was provided; if he has taken any steps to re-coup any of this money; if he has been in contact with the local authority or other stakeholders in relation to the situation at this estate; if he will intervene in this situation on behalf of local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39515/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 19 September 2012

145. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the situation facing residents in an estate (details supplied) in County Louth; if the development received funding from Sustainable Energy Ireland; the amount of funding that was provided; if he has taken any steps to re-coup any of this money; if he has been in contact with the local authority or other stakeholders in relation to the situation at this estate; if he will intervene in this situation on behalf of local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39515/12]

A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to modify the Pilot Project offices of the Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project.

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2012

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise the Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project offices to: (1) specify Field Office for each of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Offices designated; and (2) replace the Miles City, Montana, field office with the Montana/Dakotas State Office, Montana (Billings).

Empower States Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2012

Empower States Act of 2012 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act, with respect to enforcement of drinking water regulations, to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from taking any enforcement action against a state with primary enforcement responsibility for public water systems or a company or individual within the state, unless: (1) the Administrator determines that there is an imminent and substantial danger to the public health or environment, and (2) the state failed to take corrective action. Prohibits the Administrator from amending or revoking any program of a state with partial or total primary enforcement responsibility unless the Administrator determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that the program fails to effectively protect drinking water in the state. Requires the head of a federal department or agency, before issuing or promulgating any guideline or regulation relating to oil and gas exploration and production on federal, state, tribal, or fee land pursuant to federal law or executive order, to seek comments from and consult with the head of each affected state, state agency, and Indian tribe at a location within their jurisdiction. Requires federal departments and agencies to develop Statements of Energy and Economic Impact that detail and analyze: (1) adverse effects of an action on energy supply, distribution, or use; and (2) impact on the domestic economy if the action is taken. Prohibits imposition of any new or modified oil and gas regulation unless the head of the applicable department or agency determines: (1) that the rule is necessary to prevent immediate harm to human health or the environment, and (2) by clear and convincing evidence that the state or tribe does not have an existing reasonable alternative to the proposed regulation. Requires any regulation promulgated after enactment of this Act that requires disclosure of hydraulic fracturing chemicals to refer to the database managed by the Ground Water Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. Sets forth procedures for judicial review of such regulations.

Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2012

Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships as corporations, to expand the definition of "qualifying income" for such partnerships to include income and gains from renewable&nbsp;and alternative fuels (in addition to fossil fuels), including renewable energy facilities used in the production of electricity, biodiesel, alcohol used as fuels, and renewable fuels used to reduce or replace fossil fuels present in transportation fuels.

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on establishing the European Union position within the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community (Budva, 18th October 2012)

European Union · European Commission · 19 September 2012

Umweltbelastung durch Feuerwerkskörper 2011/2012

Austria · National Council · 18 September 2012

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Johann Maier, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Umweltbelastung durch Feuerwerkskörper 2011/2012

Lärm: negative Auswirkungen auf Tiere und Pflanzen

Austria · National Council · 18 September 2012

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Johann Maier, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Wirtschaft, Familie und Jugend betreffend Lärm: negative Auswirkungen auf Tiere und Pflanzen

1003. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number of appointments that have been made to positions available on the boards of semi-State companies and statutory agencies following public advertisement; if he will provide details of the names of persons who have been appointed under this initiative and the agencies on which they now sit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40031/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

1003. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number of appointments that have been made to positions available on the boards of semi-State companies and statutory agencies following public advertisement; if he will provide details of the names of persons who have been appointed under this initiative and the agencies on which they now sit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40031/12]

1002. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number of State bodies that have been set up since 9 March 2011; the rationale behind these decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39993/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

1002. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number of State bodies that have been set up since 9 March 2011; the rationale behind these decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39993/12]

1001. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number of semi-State companies of which he is the shareholder, that have corporate boxes in sports stadia or other venues; the original cost of same; the amount annually; if the semi-State company charges or intends charging for the use of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39305/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

1001. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number of semi-State companies of which he is the shareholder, that have corporate boxes in sports stadia or other venues; the original cost of same; the amount annually; if the semi-State company charges or intends charging for the use of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39305/12]

1000. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the grants available, if any, towards the installation of solar panels on local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39230/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

1000. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the grants available, if any, towards the installation of solar panels on local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39230/12]

999. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the individual gas or oil extraction projects currently being undertaken in Irish territories; the licence arrangements in place for these projects; and the total projected return to the State from these projects via dividends, licence payments or other fees. [39199/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

999. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the individual gas or oil extraction projects currently being undertaken in Irish territories; the licence arrangements in place for these projects; and the total projected return to the State from these projects via dividends, licence payments or other fees. [39199/12]

998. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on national digital switch over week and on all other necessary preparations in relation to the switching off of the analogue TV network on 24 October, 2012; if the estimated 200,000 people still using the analogue network will have alternative arrangements in place after that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39166/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

998. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on national digital switch over week and on all other necessary preparations in relation to the switching off of the analogue TV network on 24 October, 2012; if the estimated 200,000 people still using the analogue network will have alternative arrangements in place after that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39166/12]

997. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent European Parliament report entitled Impacts of Shale Gas and Shale Oil Extraction on the Environment and on Human Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39165/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

997. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent European Parliament report entitled Impacts of Shale Gas and Shale Oil Extraction on the Environment and on Human Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39165/12]

996. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to ensure that State boards have at least 40% of each gender, as provided for in the programme for Government; the percentage at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39149/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

996. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to ensure that State boards have at least 40% of each gender, as provided for in the programme for Government; the percentage at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39149/12]

995. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline, in tabular form, both the number and the percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in each of the past ten years; if he will provide the most up-to-date figures available regarding the number and percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38853/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

995. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline, in tabular form, both the number and the percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in each of the past ten years; if he will provide the most up-to-date figures available regarding the number and percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38853/12]

994. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will review the deal with the international exploration companies who are seeking oil beneath Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38817/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

994. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will review the deal with the international exploration companies who are seeking oil beneath Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38817/12]

993. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his plans to address the impact of rising costs of oil, petrol, gas and diesel on households and businesses which are struggling to meet their household bills throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38724/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

993. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his plans to address the impact of rising costs of oil, petrol, gas and diesel on households and businesses which are struggling to meet their household bills throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38724/12]

992. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will put in place a waiver system for hardship cases who will not be able to afford the cost of switching over to Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38685/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

992. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will put in place a waiver system for hardship cases who will not be able to afford the cost of switching over to Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38685/12]

991. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number, if any, of applicants now remaining in the rural broadband scheme; the current status of these applicants; the measures that will be taken on behalf of these applicants and the date of same; and if he will outline the costs and disbursement of the scheme to date. [38655/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

991. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number, if any, of applicants now remaining in the rural broadband scheme; the current status of these applicants; the measures that will be taken on behalf of these applicants and the date of same; and if he will outline the costs and disbursement of the scheme to date. [38655/12]

990. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline each approved rise in gas and electricity prices every year since 2009; if he will state the cumulative rise in gas and electricity since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38593/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

990. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline each approved rise in gas and electricity prices every year since 2009; if he will state the cumulative rise in gas and electricity since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38593/12]

989. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on the impact of recently approved gas and electricity prices on families and businesses; if he was briefed by CER on the decision to approve further gas and electricity price rises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38592/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

989. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on the impact of recently approved gas and electricity prices on families and businesses; if he was briefed by CER on the decision to approve further gas and electricity price rises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38592/12]

988. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the loss recorded at RTE in 2011; and the impact of the circa €50 million additional pension liability incurred by RTE during 2011. [38525/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

988. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the loss recorded at RTE in 2011; and the impact of the circa €50 million additional pension liability incurred by RTE during 2011. [38525/12]

987. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the amount of money spent on an annual basis on education and training of staff in 2011 and to date in 2012; the number of staff that availed of each course; if he will provide a list of the courses staff undertook and the cost of each course per person. [38481/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

987. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the amount of money spent on an annual basis on education and training of staff in 2011 and to date in 2012; the number of staff that availed of each course; if he will provide a list of the courses staff undertook and the cost of each course per person. [38481/12]

986. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding television licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38459/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

986. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding television licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38459/12]

985. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of the population of County Louth that currently have access to broadband speeds in excess of 70MB and the way this compare to the average across the State. [38425/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

985. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of the population of County Louth that currently have access to broadband speeds in excess of 70MB and the way this compare to the average across the State. [38425/12]

984. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if the towns of County Louth will be included in the 50% of the population to which he is aiming to deliver 70 - 100MB broadband speeds by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38424/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

984. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if the towns of County Louth will be included in the 50% of the population to which he is aiming to deliver 70 - 100MB broadband speeds by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38424/12]

983. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the way he will assess where there has been market failure in the provision of high speed broadband in rural Ireland; if this process has already begun; if any specific areas in County Louth have been identified where the market has failed to provide adequate high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38423/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

983. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the way he will assess where there has been market failure in the provision of high speed broadband in rural Ireland; if this process has already begun; if any specific areas in County Louth have been identified where the market has failed to provide adequate high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38423/12]

982. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if the targets contained in the recently published national broadband plan for 30MB broadband speed across rural Ireland involves fibre connectivity as opposed to mobile broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38422/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

982. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if the targets contained in the recently published national broadband plan for 30MB broadband speed across rural Ireland involves fibre connectivity as opposed to mobile broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38422/12]

981. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the exploration companies drilling for oil off our coasts, his views on whether it is right and proper that the State should gain financially from a successful oil drilling exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38315/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

981. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the exploration companies drilling for oil off our coasts, his views on whether it is right and proper that the State should gain financially from a successful oil drilling exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38315/12]

980. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will support a ban on fracking particularly in relation to the dangers of contamination of surface and ground water. [37955/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

980. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will support a ban on fracking particularly in relation to the dangers of contamination of surface and ground water. [37955/12]

979. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding recruiting persons with a disability; the number of persons currently employed in his Department; the number of persons with a disability who have been employed since 1 January 2011 to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37833/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

979. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding recruiting persons with a disability; the number of persons currently employed in his Department; the number of persons with a disability who have been employed since 1 January 2011 to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37833/12]

978. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding plans and proposals to merge Bord na Móna and Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37822/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

978. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding plans and proposals to merge Bord na Móna and Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37822/12]

977. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding setting up a new agency called smartgrid which will incorporate EirGrid and ESB Networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37821/12]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 September 2012

977. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding setting up a new agency called smartgrid which will incorporate EirGrid and ESB Networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37821/12]