Results 961-980 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has no responsibility for the infrastructure, maintenance and repair of the launch points referred to in the Question. I have been advised that these launch points are in private ownership and are the responsibility of the landowner where the facilities are located.

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

Darragh O'Brien: The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial and liberalised. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the matters raised by the Deputy, is solely a matter for the independent regulator, Commission for...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepare greenhouse gas projections on an annual basis, with the most recent report on greenhouse gas projections (2024-2055) published in May 2025. All input assumptions are reviewed annually across sectors and this process involves detailed discussions with all relevant Government Departments. Direct gas usage by the Information &...

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

Darragh O'Brien: Where a holder of a Prospecting Licence (PL) plans to carry out certain exploration activities under its licence, including drilling, a consent is required from the Department. The Department has one application on hand from Boliden Tara Mines DAC (BTM) in respect of an exploration activity consent sought as part of the continuation of subsurface development works by BTM on one of its PL...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I recently received Government approval to proceed with the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a temporary gas reserve is critical to Ireland’s energy security as we continue to transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards and regulation. The...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 240 together. In March of this year, I received Government approval to proceed with the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a temporary gas reserve is critical to Ireland’s energy security as we continue to transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve...

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

Darragh O'Brien: On 17th July 2023, the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Act 2023 passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas and was signed into law by the President. In accordance with Council Regulation 2022/1854, the Act introduces a temporary solidarity contribution to fossil fuel companies on earned unexpected surplus profits (“windfall...

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

Darragh O'Brien: On 17 November 2023, the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Act 2023 passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas and was signed into law by the President. In accordance with Council Regulation 2022/1854, the Act introduced a cap on market revenues from the sale of electricity produced from certain sources for the period beginning on 1 December 2022 and...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government outlines the Government's policy position in relation energy policy, housing policy, FDI growth and the many other goals and objectives of the 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 the Government. It recognises that increased and unprecedented...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund. Last year saw a record spend of almost...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund. Last year saw a record spend of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Bord na Móna (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Bord na Móna (BnM) is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department, established under the Turf Development Act 1998. BnM is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department. The Board and management of BnM are accountable for the strategic direction and management of the organisation. My Department is responsible for the corporate governance oversight of BnM,...

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

Darragh O'Brien: A range of measures are in place for the management of Atlantic salmon stocks, based on scientific advice and international agreements aimed at conserving those stocks. In Ireland, rivers are only open to harvest salmon where it has been confirmed that the individual river is sufficiently exceeding its conservation limit so that there is a harvestable surplus available. This means there...

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

Darragh O'Brien: As part of the Government Decision (S180/20/10/2704) adopting sectoral emissions ceilings, it was agreed to introduce a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) to ensure the increased use of renewable fuel types across the full heating sector, with the primary aim of supporting the achievement of Ireland's heating and cooling targets at EU level. The development of the RHO is a key priority for...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future, recommitted to the national land use review. The first phase was published in March 2023 and focused on evidence gathering. It was led by the Environmental Protection Agency. Following on from Phase 1, the final report of the independently chaired Land Use Review Oversight Group was submitted to myself, the Minister for...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together. I would refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No 21 of Wednesday, 28 May 2025. My Department is now preparing a draft Social Climate Plan in consultation with relevant Departmental stakeholders and with the European Commission. A variety of targeted measures aimed at providing long-term solutions to reduce fossil fuels reliance...

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

Darragh O'Brien: There have been six multiannual financial frameworks (MFFs) to date, including 2021-2027. The Treaty of Lisbon transformed the MFF from an interinstitutional agreement into a regulation. Established for a period of at least five years, an MFF is there to ensure that the EU’s expenditure develops in an orderly manner and within the limits of its own resources. It sets out provisions...

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

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 256 together. In line with the agreed sectoral emissions ceilings, Government has committed to supporting the production of up to 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030. A first step to realising this ambition was the publication of the National Biomethane Strategy, which sets out 25 key strategic actions and outlines the necessary...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Government recognises that data centres are critical infrastructure for our modern economy as they provide the foundation for almost all online aspects of our lives. Our intent is to deliver a balanced approach to facilitating additional demand for energy by data centres while also ensuring the competitiveness and security of our energy system. The Programme for Government 2025...

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

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future, recommitted to the national land use review. The first phase was published in March 2023 and focused on evidence gathering. It was led by the Environmental Protection Agency. The final report of the independently chaired Land Use Review Phase 2 Oversight Group was submitted to Myself, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and...