Results 6,721-6,740 of 8,833 for speaker:Verona Murphy

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: I will raise two points. I am surprised that SEAI has moved premises, resulting in an increase in its energy consumption of 76%. Will the witnesses give me an explanation? I would like to see what is behind it. The SEAI's budget has increased threefold, from €145 million to €446 million. It has more than doubled the number of employees. What oversight is in place? What...

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: Is there a module that safeguards any abuse in process with regard to money and budgets?

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: I am talking about training, to prevent it rather than deal with it afterwards.

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: I do not expect Mr. Walsh to reel it off. Will he send us a note on what exactly is in place so we can rest assured?

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: The next question was on the 76% increase in energy consumption.

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: Good.

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: How many employees are there now versus where the organisation was?

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: SEAI is not just based in Dublin, but has offices around the country. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications is in Wexford. I am familiar with the building, which is pretty expansive. Could SEAI have used that building, moved to Wexford or partially decentralised?

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: Is SEAI not concerned about its increase in energy consumption?

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: It may be improved but consumption has increased by 76%.

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: What is the cost per square metre?

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: How many square metres does SEAI have now?

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: Does SEAI own the building or is it the OPW?

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: From the OPW.

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: Did SEAI have any input into the makeup of the building from an energy efficiency perspective?

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: Okay. How much space is left for expansion? The SEAI expects to take on more people. Does it have space in that building?

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: I am more concerned about the energy consumption in the city. Is it a viable prospect to share office space with the likes of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in Wexford?

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: In Dublin.

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: But SEAI is looking at it.

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

Verona Murphy: Will the witnesses send the note on the other question? That is grand. I thank the witnesses.