Results 9,361-9,380 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The report is very clear that such a commercial LNG facility was not considered as an option to go to public consultation and be progressed. Friends of the Earth is correct in its reading - it is a very simple reading, in my mind - of the report. There is a range of strategic reasons behind that. From my perspective, first, there is real risk in following such an approach. It would be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The unprecedented increase and volatility in international wholesale gas market prices has continued as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This, in turn, has led to increases in energy bills, given the link between the wholesale price of gas and electricity prices. The Government has already put a €24 billion package of measures in place and further measures are being...

National Retrofit Plan: Motion [Private Members] (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Deputies for raising these important matters of our time. Clearly, the current situation we are witnessing regarding significant increases in energy bills and the cost of living is a matter of serious concern. The Government is keenly aware of the growing pressures this is placing on families and businesses, particularly households on lower and middle incomes. The increasing...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Communities Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme is designed to encourage and support home retrofit, as well as energy efficiency upgrades in commercial, public (including schools), community and voluntary sector facilities. All projects include a community benefit and include a cross-sectoral approach.  The Scheme provides funding for a range of improvements to existing buildings. These...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The underlying principle, and primary advantage of microgeneration is self-consumption of your own electricity. This is how microgeneration can help consumers shield against electricity costs. While there is potential for payment for any excess electricity that you might not use yourself, export is an additional benefit but not the primary driver for engaging in microgeneration. ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: We are facing unprecedented retail energy prices as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Government has acted through €2.4 billion of measures and will do so again in the Budget. Under the innovative and completely new Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme, legislation was put in place, followed by an extensive work programme between my Department; CRU; ESB Networks...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Increased wholesale gas prices on the international markets are leading to windfall gains for some energy companies in Ireland and this includes some renewable electricity companies contracted under the Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) schemes. This situation is replicated across Europe. The best, long-term approach for Ireland to lower energy prices is to reduce our...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Policy Statement on importing fracked gas was approved by Government and published in May 2021. The policy statement provides that, pending the outcome of the review of the energy security of Ireland’s gas and electricity systems, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with. As set out in the National Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Commitments under the Climate Action Plan and the National Energy Security Framework (NESF) specifically target the need to develop an approach to the retrofit of the commercial building stock and work is already underway in developing a commercial retrofit support scheme for high impact measures, specifically aimed at SMEs.  In that context, at a European level, proposed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 119 together.7 Green hydrogen has the potential to support decarbonisation in “difficult-to-decarbonise” sectors where energy efficiency and electrification are not feasible solutions. For example, in heavy transport for goods vehicles, or maritime and aviation craft, or as a source for high-temperature heat in industry. Hydrogen storage...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. I am advised by NBI...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The unprecedented increase in international wholesale gas prices have continued as result of the volatility in the international gas market driven by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the on-going war. These gas increases feed directly through to retail electricity prices as the wholesale price of electricity correlates strongly with the price of gas.Government is acutely aware of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 82, 106 and 117 together. The National Retrofit Plan sets out the Government's approach to achieving our national targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps to replace older, less efficient heating systems by 2030.   Earlier this year the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) includes a dedicated community category developed specifically to allow communities and citizens to participate in and benefit from the development of renewable electricity generation.   In the first RESS auction, seven community projects were successful, two of which were 100% community owned, the remainder being at least 51%...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels.   Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was adopted by the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022. On...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Deputy will appreciate that developing policies to tackle the climate crisis requires a significant transformational challenge for the whole of government. Our public servants must, therefore, be capable of leading effective transformation in respect of the climate agenda. It is within this context that it is fitting to assess capacity across the civil service in order to ensure the civil...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 107 together.   The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 was commenced on the 23 July 2021. Section 16 of the Act requires each Local Authority to prepare a climate action plan, specifying the mitigation and adaptation measures to be adopted by the Local Authority. Local Authorities will have 12 months to complete their...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The National Retrofit Plan, which was published last year as part of the Climate Action Plan 2021 is designed to address barriers to energy efficiency investments in four key areas: driving demand and activity; financing and funding; supply chain, skills and standards; and governance. Earlier this year in February, Government announced an enhanced package of measures to support the uptake of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I recently attended an extraordinary meeting of the European Energy Council, where Ministers emphasised the need for coordinated European action, both in terms of short-term exceptional emergency measures, and medium/longer-term improvements to the market framework. Ministers agreed that immediate action must be taken to ensure the EU's security of supply and alleviate pressure on...