Results 3,921-3,940 of 6,816 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I am not entirely sure that is the avenue but perhaps it is. This is an issue that has been raised by residents of multi-unit apartment blocks. In one case, my colleague, Deputy Mythen, a representative for Wexford, raised the issue about council apartments on George's Street in Wexford. In that case, Wexford County Council confirmed that because there is only one ESB MPRN in the property,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 89. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way that he plans to address the high cost of renewable energy here in view of provisional renewable energy support scheme auction results; if he intends to establish a cross-government high-level task force to work with stakeholders in industry and State agencies with the aim of bringing forward policy...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I do not mind conceding time to Deputy Gannon if it is useful. What way does the Minister plan to address the high cost of renewable energy here in view of provisional renewable energy support scheme, RESS, 2 results? Does he intend to establish a high-level cross-government task force to work with stakeholders in industry and State agencies with the aim of bringing forward policy...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister knows as well as I do that when these figures came out, there were wide eyes and people were whispering, such was the shock about them. We want to transition to renewables and they are cheaper the gas alternative but if the suggestion is we are going to move from, relatively speaking, super-high gas and electricity prices in Ireland to, relatively speaking, super-high renewables...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome that but we need to see action. The Minister touched on one of the points, which relates to index-linking. Is the Minister going to reassess the position on that? It is something we do differently here than in other places. Is there an overall benefit and will that be reassessed? In advance of budget negotiations, which I assume will get under way quite soon, there was a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cost of Living Issues (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 85. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the degree to which household electricity bills here are more expensive than the European Union average; the reason for this and the measures that he will take in advance of winter 2022 to address electricity cost and energy and electricity security of supply challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cost of Living Issues (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I ask the Minister the degree to which household electricity bills here are more expensive than the European Union average and the reason for this, the measures he will take in advance of winter 2022 to address electricity costs and energy and electricity security supply challenges, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cost of Living Issues (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: There were price rises again yesterday and we can expect the future to look the same. The Minister knows better than most that the price of a therm of gas was approximately 40 cent for a long time but there is a new normal upon us now, and estimations are that it will level off somewhere in the region of €2.50. There is a huge difference between 40 cent and €2.50. While there...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cost of Living Issues (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I agree entirely on the transition we need to make. There is huge opportunity and I am sure some of it will be covered later today in terms of what the Government can do to achieve our transition to renewables more speedily. However, this winter, families will be facing increases of over 30% in electricity and gas prices. That is on top of the increases we saw for dual fuel users of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Radon Gas Levels (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 114. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the supports that are in place for persons to carry out remediation works to their homes if they are found to be at high risk of radon gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28381/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 125. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the new solid fuel regulations; the date that the regulations will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28382/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 152. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he intends to build the State’s energy storage capacity which has the potential to cut annual carbon emissions by more than one million tonnes; if he will prepare and publish an energy storage strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28383/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the EU Commissioner for Energy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Commissioner for her presentation. Regarding the gas package, directive and regulations, how would she respond to the charge that the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas, ENTSOG, has too much influence and input? Should there be explicit transparency obligations to ensure that measures are consistent with EU and national climate and energy obligations as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the EU Commissioner for Energy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: What about the lock-in with new fossil fuel infrastructure, especially LNG? I also have a question about scaling up across Europe towards renewables. How do we do that when there is such a limited supply to start off with?

Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (1 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the discussion and debate on each Stage of this legislation and acknowledge the Minister has taken on board some of the recommendations. There will be further discussion in the Seanad and colleagues of mine will bring forward amendments, as I am sure others will as well. I am disappointed there were not amendments on CCTV and the need for caution with it. Significantly more...

Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (1 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I will support both amendments regarding PFAS for the reasons outlined by Deputy Smith. I welcome the fact the Minister has brought forward amendment No. 19 on foot of discussions on Committee Stage. We raised previously the prospect of taking an initiative such as that which was taken in France. The Department indicated there were considerations in the Irish market that differed from...

Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (1 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I acknowledge the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, for their inclusion of these amendments, which were discussed on Committee Stage. This is a long-standing issue with regard to supports for people with medical-associated additional waste needs. It is very unfair and is one of those things that frustrates people. It affects a small number of people, is cruel and...

Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (1 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I also acknowledge the changes the Minister and the Minister of State have made on foot of the Committee Stage debate. They have taken on board some of what the Opposition and some Government Members said during that debate. That said, there is an opportunity to go further and I share concerns that it does not adequately capture the potential of the circular economy. At the moment,...

Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (1 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank Deputies Whitmore and Cairns for bringing forward these amendments, which I support. They are consistent with attempts made by the Opposition at various stages, including in the debate on the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and on earlier Stages of this Bill, to enshrine the principles of just transition in legislation in Ireland. We look towards other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays at Dublin Airport: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: That is the point. The DAA cut too deep and it is struggling to recruit quickly enough to keep up with demand. Mr. Philips said there is a resource gap. What level of search unit staff does the DAA ideally need to cope with the demand that is there at the minute? What is the gap? Obviously, the DAA is aiming for 702 by the end of the month. What would it be content with at this point?