Results 6,721-6,740 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (8 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for tyres was introduced in 2017 and is operated by Circol ELT. Under the scheme, any tyres which have incurred the ‘Visible Environmental Charge’ are collected free of charge by Circol ELT through registered waste collectors. In 2018, €700,000 in State funding was spent removing tyres which had collected on farms prior...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (8 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, as amended, provide the legislative basis for the operation of an approved body in this sector. Part IV of the Regulations outlines how any organisation can apply to become an approved body. Currently, Irish Farm Films Producer Group (IFFPG) is the sole approved body operating a farm plastics scheme under the regulations.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (8 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I engaged Mr. Dermot McCarthy, former Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach and to the Government, to conduct an independent review into the circumstances requiring emergency measures to be introduced to secure electricity supply over the coming winters. Mr. McCarthy's engagement, along with the terms of reference for the review, were noted by Government at its meeting on 14...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Sector Pensions (8 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. CIÉ have advised that the Group’s two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), are currently not in compliance with the Minimum Funding Standard...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Bodies (8 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Deputy is referred to the tables below: AAIU Staff WTE Staff 2nd March 2023 Vacancies 2nd March 2023 Vacancies to be filled Air Accident Inspectors including Chief Inspector 7 2 Competition completed by PAS December 2022 for up to 2 Inspectors of Air Accidents (Operations).Filling of vacancies to be organised...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Semi-State Bodies (8 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The issue of the number of WTE staff working in the finance department of Iarnród Éireann is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (8 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (8 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. The National Transport Authority (NTA), meanwhile, has responsibility for the allocation of funding to specific projects and oversight of their development, in cooperation with the relevant local authorities. While the majority...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (8 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (8 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport, including rail. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including Colbert Station, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the...

High Energy Costs: Motion [Private Members] (7 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: It is unprecedented and I recognise that it is difficult on households across the country. We have a responsibility as the Government to try to protect our people and help them to get through this time, when energy is being used as a weapon of war and high prices are hitting home. I will set out what we have been doing. People opposite have heard it before, but it bears repeating. The...

High Energy Costs: Motion [Private Members] (7 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: In fact, I argued for them the most at the European Council.

High Energy Costs: Motion [Private Members] (7 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: When we introduce the legislation in the coming weeks, it will be seen that we have some of the highest standards and most rigorous application of those European tools.

High Energy Costs: Motion [Private Members] (7 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Government approved windfall taxes and will introduce them. The Deputy will say that the way we do it means we are the weakest in Europe in that regard, but the exact opposite is the truth. Similarly in terms of market reform, it would be easy to say we should just apply a cap. Some of those windfall measures effectively apply a cap, but other caps would come with large potential costs...

High Energy Costs: Motion [Private Members] (7 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: We want to do it to ensure it is optimal for the public, but simplistic solutions-----

High Energy Costs: Motion [Private Members] (7 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The idea that, but for the political will, we would suddenly have a market system that both delivered cheaper renewable power that we have access to and gave us security is not the real world. We will work and engage with Europe on that reform - we are in the middle of it, with a European Council meeting last week - and I look forward to hearing Sinn Féin's suggestions on what the new...

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (7 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I will come back to Deputy McNamara on phases 1, 2 and 3. He should not always believe what he reads in the newspapers. We are absolutely committed to floating offshore wind generation. It will involve the power-to-X approach the Deputy mentioned. As Government committed to the summer before last, we want not only a form of electricity but also innovative solutions that will use that...

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (7 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: No, I do not believe it did. The rectification will similarly not benefit any company. The way we have arranged for emergency generation is time-limited and will come to an end. Plant will have to be sold on or decommissioned. While it is an unusual intervention, it is designed in such a way as not to undermine our market investment in other plant. We expect some 900 MW of plant in total...

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (7 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I thank Deputies for their contributions. I want to respond to some of the issues that were raised. The first of these relates to the process. It is challenging when we bring forward emergency legislation and have to waive pre-legislative scrutiny. That is unfortunate and regrettable. It is not something we want to be doing except in extremis, which is the position we find ourselves in...

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (7 Mar 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the Ceann Comhairle and the Deputies for the opportunity to present the Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023, which I am grateful to commend to the House. Although many Members will be familiar with the exceptional energy security challenges that face us, as I spoke about...