Results 881-900 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 138 together. Ireland's energy policy is focused on achieving a sustainable, secure and competitive energy system with key elements centred around reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy generation - 40% of our energy was generated through renewables last year - as well as improving energy efficiency and ensuring energy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Infrastructure (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The North-South interconnector is an essential transmission infrastructure project that will link the electricity transmission network between South and North on the island of Ireland, leading to a much more secure, affordable and sustainable supply of electricity across the island, operating in a single electricity market. The project is fully consented in the State and in the North, with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Data Centres (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The programme for Government outlines the policy position regarding energy policy, housing policy, foreign direct investment growth and the many other goals and objectives of this Government. It reflects the balance between the many opportunities and challenges facing the country and the actions that will be taken over the lifetime of this Government. It recognises that increased and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Data Centres (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I am sure the Deputy and his party have interacted in respect of the CRU's draft statement on large energy users. There is a strategy being brought forward that is plan led rather than developer led, and that is critically important. There is no question that the number one priority for this Government is housing and continuing to increase of housing delivery. We also have to invest in our...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Data Centres (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: In the context of PR6 and the previous review, it is not a question that it is data centres first at all. PR6 takes into account Government targets and includes the connection of up to 50,000 new homes per year, up to 1 million electric vehicles and currently contracted data centre demand, which means currently contracted data centres - no new ones - and those with contracted connection...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Usage (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Unquestionably, there are major challenges with meeting the 2030 targets. Anybody can see that from the EPA projections and previous projections. It is not hopeless though, not in any way, shape or form. I mentioned specifically energy generation because that is going to be the key and cornerstone to a reduction in dependence on fossil in particular and reducing carbon emissions while...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Usage (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Let us look at the facts. We all agree that the targets were always going to be challenging but we are still focused on doing our level best to achieve them. Certain sectors have done significantly well. If we look at energy industries, there is a 21.6% reduction in emissions while it is 4.6% in agriculture, 7% in residential and 5.8% in industry. Transport emissions did increase...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Grid (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: For the Deputy's information, there needs to be more than 10 m each side of a tree in most areas.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Grid (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Actually, in some instances 30 m either side are required.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Grid (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: It is obviously depending on the tree but I am telling the Deputy we have to work on this in a very structured way. Surveys are critically important. The whole network had never been surveyed as it has been done now. While I was in the process of telling the Deputy about the extensive survey work that is being done, a lot of clearances have happened already post storm, and the Deputy will...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Grid (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: No.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Grid (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I assure the Deputy that all of us want the same thing here. I have answered Deputy Daly's question about the importance of continued and enhanced investment in our grid, in that resilience aspect and in our distribution network in particular. Our generation network was not affected as much as the distribution network because the grid in those areas was resilient, but there is a significant...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Usage (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together. I thank both Deputies for the questions. The latest projections from the EPA are a clear signal that, while we have made progress, we need to move faster to meet our 2030 climate targets, and that is going to be incredibly challenging and incredibly difficult. The Government is building significant momentum and the EPA's analysis...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: On 4 March this year, I received Government approval to proceed with the development of the State-led strategic gas emergency reserve, securing Ireland's energy system, which all would agree is essential. I will continue to take decisive action to protect Ireland's economy and citizens from the potential of a catastrophic impact on or disruption to our gas supplies. The delivery of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: That report will be published this week. If anyone wants a briefing on it with officials, it will be available to colleagues. It is important that people understand the risks we are trying to mitigate. I restate that the programme for Government acknowledges the growing energy price and cost pressures on households and businesses and commits to bringing forward measures to contain these...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Everyone agrees that we need substantial further investment in our grid, and price review 6 will bring that forward later this year. As part of the NDP, we are looking at other ways by which we can fund investment in our grid, which is critical to ensure we can realise the potential of more onshore and offshore renewables. Later this week, the Deputy will see a decision on the PSO, which...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Grid (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for his timely question. He will know and acknowledge that Storm Éowyn was one of the most severe weather events to impact Ireland in recent decades. At its peak, as we are all acutely aware, including the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, and I who were dealing with it at the time - 768,000 customers were without electricity. Despite these challenges, ESB Networks...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electricity Generation (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As outlined in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. The 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' strategy set out a clear vision to move away from fossil fuels to an...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Infrastructure (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. The Programme for Government also commits to achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action Plan (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 164 together. The EPA’s latest projections report highlights the urgent need for accelerated delivery of measures to meet Ireland’s 2030 climate targets, and cross-government coordination and the enhanced governance structures being created are essential to help us achieve this. I will be actively driving this action within my two...