Results 1,181-1,200 of 7,127 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Generation (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I ask the Minister for an update on the development of offshore wind, the status of the guidelines for the development of offshore wind, when the second offshore wind auction will take place and the progress of phase 1 projects to date.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Generation (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: What is the timeline for the south coast DMAP to be approved? I hope it is imminent. There is a concern we are not moving quickly enough. I acknowledge it is a considerable body of work to prepare DMAPs and that the south coast one is the first one. However, there is a concern we are not moving quickly enough on the west coast and elsewhere. Is consideration being given to that? Is the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wind Energy Generation (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: An issue that comes up consistently is ports infrastructure. Deputy Kenny and others have raised this consistently. It is almost a matter of chicken and egg. The ports need a commitment from developers before they can secure funding; the developers cannot commit when they do not know the infrastructure will be in place. The clock is ticking on these projects, particularly the phase 1...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 63. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the work his Department has undertaken as part of the energy poverty steering group; how many times the group has met; what actions have stemmed from these engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25438/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: It is the first time since the Minister, Deputy Ryan, announced that he will be stepping down as leader of the Green Party and will not be contesting the next general election that I have had an opportunity in the Chamber to wish him well. We have had lots of engagement both here and in the committee and it has always been constructive and policy-focused. I thank him for that and wish him...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: One of the issues of contention for some time in this area is definitions. A clear definition gives us the opportunity to measure. There are different definitions. Does the Minister have an update on the work towards agreeing a definition on energy poverty? Will the Government adopt the EU definition, for example, or is the Minister considering a focus on outcome and experience of going...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: One of the things we need to do, which would be enabled by clarity on definitions, is better mapping and managing of data, for example, on income, CSO data, population data and also BER data from the SEAI. That would allow us to have clear targets for energy poverty reduction built into our national retrofitting plan. I have raised this issue with the Minister before and he pointed towards...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 86. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the re-turn scheme; to report on how the scheme is monitored and regulated; to report on how unclaimed deposits will be used (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27564/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 90. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the work he and his Department are undertaking to increase electricity grid capacity in line with our 2030 target; if hybrid connections will form of this plan; if he is aware of mounting concerns over delays to renewable energy developments in securing grid connection posing a threat to our 2030 targets; and if he...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 94. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware of the barriers that successful applicants face, in particular community groups, when accessing funds; the measures he is taking to address these barriers; if any successful applicants have failed to access funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27557/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Building Energy Rating (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 95. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the target of 500,000 homes to BER B2 or higher by 2030; the proportion of retrofits that achieved a BER B2 or higher that were solar installations only, i.e., no other works; the proportion of homes that were retrofitted with solar PV as part of the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 97. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to report on the conclusion of the private wires consultation; when the Government will bring forward a private wires policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27558/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 120. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the revenue that was raised via the cap on market revenues; how this compares to the original projected revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27698/24]

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Further Revised Estimate) (26 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister for his opening statement. I want to revisit that issue of the connectivity blackspots and those hard-to-connect areas. I know there was a suggestion that we will end up - and to a large degree, it is related to the success of the roll-out of the national broadband plan, which we hope continues apace - having better services available in more rural parts and uptake will...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Further Revised Estimate) (26 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister. On the connections, it is always a kind of headline figure and people are generally surprised by it. I do not have it here but he had it in his opening statement, that is, the significant number of properties passed, in the tens of thousands, and the number connected. What we hear - and I think it is understandable and logical - is that people are in contracts, and...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Further Revised Estimate) (26 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I take the point, and it is the reason I asked the question because I think there are explanations why people do not connect. I take the Minister's point with regard to the industry and that it is a greater uptake than it intended. Is it the case that we expect it to be towards 100,000? Are we then subsidising NBI for the shortfall or does that come into it at all? Say, for example, the...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Further Revised Estimate) (26 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Okay. I thank the Minister. I have a final question with regard to the public warning system, which is subhead D7. What is the progress on that and the timeline? I think it is something people will have an interest in and it will be important. I see the briefing note has something of an update. I wonder is there more detail on when we might expect this scheme to be up and running,...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Further Revised Estimate) (26 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: December 2025.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Further Revised Estimate) (26 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister.