Parliamentary questions

Exploration Licences Approvals

Michelle Mulherin

641. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the level of exploration or appraisal or development work that has been done on the Irish shelf since the award of the last licensing round; the level of activity expected in the next 24 months and if this activity will include the establishment of on-shore infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48077/12]

Exploration Industry Data

Michelle Mulherin

642. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to develop an Irish knowledge base that can participate in the Irish oil or gas activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48079/12]

Television Reception

Tom Fleming

643. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide statistics regarding the progress of Saorview since its introduction on 24 October 2012 and in relation to areas of County Kerry where the existing TV transmission masts were decommissioned on that date; the number of residents in those areas where Saorview is not functioning, and saorsat option is on viable due to weather factors; if he will, in conjunction with RTÉ, address the deficiencies in the infrastructure and upgrade a retrofit of existing masts in these problematic areas. [48116/12]

Alternative Energy Projects

Brendan Griffin

644. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of the 25 September 2012, the way he plans to meet the targets for the production of bio fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48213/12]

Broadcasting Service Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

645. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that persons living in parts of County Kerry such as Annascaul, Bonane, Lauragh and East Kerry are now looking at blank screens since the switchover on the 24 October, his views on whether houses that are now unable to receive television coverage should be completely exempt from paying a television licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48225/12]

Exploration Licences Approvals

Billy Timmins

646. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the fracking planned for Ireland (details supplied) and the concerns raised in relation to the awarding of petroleum licensing options to three companies in areas in the north-west and mid-west of the country, which gives the companies, Tamboran, Langco and Enegi, the right to apply for an exclusive exploration license over the areas concerned in an industry that is not regulated and also the points raised re Northern Ireland who have just awarded a large contract to a state body in the Republic of Ireland to develop wave energy to meet a large percentage of energy needs over the next years, while a different form of energy, it still speaks to a demonstrated commitment to using natural resources in a sustainable way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48446/12]

Northern Ireland Issues

Gerry Adams

647. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the type and frequency of North South engagement his Department undertakes; the current priorities in this area; the number of whole time equivalent staff assigned to these matters; the grades involved and the amount of time each grade spends on North South activities as a proportion of their WTE employment; the co-ordination arrangements that have been put in place; if there are any current vacancies in North South Co-operation unites; the duration of this vacancy and the steps being taken to fill the vacancy. [48541/12]

Cyber Security Policy

Denis Naughten

648. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the plans, if any, he has to address the issue of cyber bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48565/12]

Renewable Energy Generation

Patrick O'Donovan

649. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Bord na Móna is eligible or entitled to claim a rebate in respect of losses incurred from the burning of biomass materials, specifically miscanthus, under existing Public Service Obligation arrangements that are in place for the burning of peat; if they are eligible for the rebate; the date from which they are in receipt of it; for how many tons was a rebate paid and the net amount paid in respect of miscanthus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48619/12]

Sale of State Assets

Terence Flanagan

650. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to negotiations taking place regarding the sale of the E.S.B.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48626/12]

Telephone Directories

Terence Flanagan

651. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will take action to stop wastage by ensuring that telephone directories are printed in much larger print that at present to cater for half the population that current cannot read the current directories (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48647/12]

Renewable Energy Generation

Arthur Spring

652. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the level of engagement regarding the development of a renewable energy European supergrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48674/12]

Renewable Energy Generation

Arthur Spring

653. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the level of engagement of the European Investment Bank in the development of the renewable energy European supergrid and the way he is engaging with the European Investment Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48675/12]

Departmental Functions

Arthur Spring

654. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department is engaging with the European Investment Bank and on what matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48676/12]

Energy Conservation

Sean Fleming

655. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons that have availed of sustainable energy grants during 2012; the range of funding provided for these grants; the total sum awarded; the type of work covered by these grants; the breakdown by county of the grants awarded; his plans to continue the scheme next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48703/12]

Public Sector Staff Issues

Eoghan Murphy

656. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the sectors of the public sector that are currently employed on a roster basis and if there are any plans to remove employees from the rostering system. [49070/12]

Planning Issues

Bernard Durkan

657. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that all local authorities are applying the same regime in respect of planning levies associated with compliance with animal welfare regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47928/12]

Motor Tax Collection

Pat Deering

658. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the current financial pressures on many persons and families, if he will consider dropping the surcharge for paying motor tax for periods of less than 12 months or if any easy payment plan will be put in place. [47990/12]

European Court of Justice Rulings

Catherine Murphy

659. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with respect to Hearing C-279/11 (Case No. C-66/06) and C-374/11 (Case No C-188/08) of the European Court of Justice held on the 4 of October 2012, is it now the case that Ireland will in fact be required to pay multi-million euro fines in respect of our failure to comply with these two judgements. [47243/12]

Community Development Initiatives

Tony McLoughlin

660. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider under his community programme and in cooperation with the partnership companies across Ireland putting a place a specific short term course for home/family carer's (details supplied). [47262/12]