Results 1,041-1,060 of 6,816 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Recycling Policy (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I want to go back to that question of whether the Minister of State is satisfied. It is positive we are seeing increasing numbers of cans and bottles on the shelves with the return logo. Is he satisfied that this transition is going to continue? There were initial problems - more than problems - with databases and barcodes not matching up and lots of teething problems. I echo those points...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister of State's response seems to be in the wrong tense because that consultation has already happened. EirGrid knows exactly the response. The Minister has a responsibility to find out exactly where that project is. Deputy Carthy is absolutely right. If as the Minister of State says, EirGrid, ESB Networks and the CRU are considering their next steps, that is a direct collision...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Recycling Policy (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 60. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware of ongoing concerns with the roll-out and operation of the deposit-return scheme; the measures he is taking to address these concerns; if he will report on Ireland’s experience thus far when compared with other EU states based on data he received (details supplied); and if he will make a statement...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Recycling Policy (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I have a similar question. I hope for the successful implementation of the scheme. I believe it has been reported that less than 1% of the machines have performance issues. Is there proper oversight regarding internal malfunction of the machines? What training regimes are in place to ensure they are operational as much as possible? People are now seeing an increasing number of bottles...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister of State is familiar with the EnergyCloud model, and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has said positive and encouraging things about it. The Minister of State spoke of “dispatch down”. He is the Minister of State with responsibility for the circular economy, and it is a waste of energy. Poor people’s hot tanks are there, waiting to be charged and store...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: To be clear, my colleagues, Deputy Ó Laoghaire and Senator Boylan, will be making our submission tomorrow. I think the deadline is tomorrow.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: We will clearly say we believe there is an immediate strong and positive role for EnergyCloud and, in the future, for other technologies for an improved grid, improved battery storage, and everything else that goes with that. I want to know if the Minister of State supports it. If he does support it, what needs to happen is for ESB Networks and the CRU to come together with EnergyCloud...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 53. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he is taking to address surplus renewable energy that is wasted; if he plans to introduce measures to redirect surplus energy to energy-poor households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21493/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I want to ask the Minister of State the measures he is taking to address surplus renewable energy that is wasted; if he plans to introduce measures to redirect surplus energy to energy-poor households; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Conservation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: The first part of my question was straightforward but I do not think the Minister of State answered it in his response. To reiterate, there is a 2030 target of 400,000 heat pumps. To date, how many of those pumps have been installed? By my estimation, on the figures I have received, it is in the region of 10,000, or 2.5% of the total. The Government is behind its own targets by 30%, which...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Conservation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: On the second part of the question, what engagement has the Minister of State or the SEAI had in regard to the practicalities of operating heat pumps when they are installed in existing properties? I am thinking in particular of the energy poverty strategy as it relates to social housing. I have heard on a number of occasions of heat pumps being incorrectly installed or operated. For...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 51. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the total electricity generation capacity that has been energised since February 2020, broken down by fuel source and year; what percentage of Ireland’s electricity was imported in each of the years since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21897/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I ask the Minister of State the total electricity generating capacity that has been energised since February 2022, broken down by fuel source and year; what percentage of Ireland's electricity was imported in each of the years since 2020; and if we will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Although it was not what prompted the question, the Minister of State will have heard from the Climate Change Advisory Council yesterday in regard to the electricity sector and the reports on the challenge of meeting our targets. We had a roundtable last week involving members of the Oireachtas climate committee and some of those in the offshore wind sector. Both of those examples paint a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Electricity Generation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: This echoes previous reports from the CCAC which point towards progress in terms of legislation, regulation and planning but, repeatedly, there is an implementation deficit. Last year certainly saw an implementation deficit. We need to be energising 1.6 GW a year of new renewables, new grid scale and onshore renewables but, instead, it was just 0.6 GW last year. What is the Government...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Conservation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 50. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of heat pumps installed to date relative to the 2030 target of 400,000; the challenges he has identified with heat pump installation; his plans to address these; if alternative technologies are being considered; if he is aware of the high number of calls made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, SVP,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Conservation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: This question relates to the number of heat pumps installed to date relative to the 2030 target of 400,000. Will the Minister of State outline the challenges he has identified with heat pump installation and his plans to address these, if alternative technologies are being considered and if he is aware of the high number of calls made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and others...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Draft National Energy and Climate Plan: Discussion (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. Maybe this is not a question for them but I want to ask about the delay. Have they any sense of what it relates to? Is it capacity or other priorities or focuses? There is obviously a lot going on within the Department. Is there an efficiency in the preparation of these two submissions or documents? The witnesses may have insights on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 67. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on heat pump installations in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 as part of the national retrofitting plan; how this compares to the targets set for the same period; what percentage of the 2030 target have been installed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21495/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (14 May 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 78. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the national biomethane strategy; when he expects this will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21496/24]