Results 1,201-1,220 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (21 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland. The village of Rathcabbin is predominantly within the BLUE area on the broadband map which is available on my Department's website . The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (21 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has responsibility for the National Smart Metering Programme (NSMP), with ESB Networks (ESBN) delivering the roll-out across the country. I understand that currently Night Storage Heating (NSH) has a day/night meter for the NSH with a switch and a 24 hr register meter that records the usage for the rest of the usage. ESBN have proposed a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Action Plan (21 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I would refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No 327 of Tuesday, 13 May 2025. As set out in that reply, my Department is now preparing a draft Social Climate Plan in consultation with relevant Departmental stakeholders and with the European Commission. Departmental officials are in the process of designing a public consultation to inform the development of this Plan. It is planned to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Strategies (21 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department is currently drafting Ireland’s National Building Renovation Plan which will outline our approach to ensuring the renovation of the national stock of residential and non-residential buildings, both public and private, into a highly energy-efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050, with the objective to transform existing buildings into zero-emission buildings. A...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (21 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Climate Action Plan and the National Retrofit Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by the end of 2030. A range of measures have been introduced under the Retrofit Plan in recent years to support the achievement of our targets,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Fuel Poverty (21 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: On 13 December 2022, Government approved a new Energy Poverty Action Plan. The Plan is available on gov.ie and sets out the range of near and longer-term measures to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs are supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes. A report outlining progress under the various actions in the Energy Poverty Action Plan was...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (21 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy provides that ‘Islanded’ data centre developments, that are not connected to the electricity grid and are powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation, would not be in line with national policy. Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) is aware of the Government Statement on the Role of Data...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (21 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 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 twenty-five key strategic actions and outlines the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Provision (21 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Investment in Greenway and National Roads Active Travel projects is also subject to the requirements of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Investigations (21 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Further to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 415 of 13 May 2025, I can inform that the examination in question started when the allegations of contravention of Irish law were first made. The examination has included verification that the alleged flights passed through sovereign Irish airspace and engagement with the air operators concerned, requesting documentation from a number...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (21 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (20 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Both my Department and the Government as a whole is committed to promoting the circular economy and to support sectors and enterprises in doing so. The second Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy is currently being finalised. This will have a statutory basis, under the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. My Department intends to initiate a public consultation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (20 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I have commissioned a comprehensive study to explore the feasibility, potential benefits and risks associated with transitioning our waste collection system from its current model of side-by-side market competition to a franchise tendering system for local authority areas or regions. The recommendations from this study will inform the next iteration of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (20 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (20 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Inland Fisheries Ireland, in conjunction with my Department, is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application. The Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 are being examined as part of this work programme, which I expect to be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (20 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer the Deputy to my response given to Question No. 274 of 29 April 2025 regarding the status of the Great Western Lakes Management Plan. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (20 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission's (EIFAAC) mission is to promote the long-term sustainable development, utilisation, conservation, restoration and responsible management of European inland fisheries and to support sustainable economic, social, and recreational activities towards these goals. I see no inconsistency with our general national policy in that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (20 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Ireland is an active member of the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) and is an active participant in many of its projects. As would be the case for other member nations, Ireland does not necessarily participate in all EIFAAC projects but is fully briefed on the progress of and outcomes from those projects.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (20 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has not given consent nor issued authorisation to Inland Fisheries Ireland for the dispersal of the freshwater fish species, dace, throughout the national river system. The 'Activities Requiring Consent' (ARC) process for granting Ministerial consents for certain activities, as provided for under the Birds and Natural Habitats Directive (S.I. No. 477 of 2011), is managed by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (20 May 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As per the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) receive Exchequer funding from my Department which contributes towards expenditure incurred by it in the performance of its functions. The table below sets out the funds which were allocated by my Department this year and in 2024, which show an increase of approximately 4.5% for 2025. - 2024 ...