Results 13,661-13,680 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: All projects successful in a Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction must establish a Community Benefit Fund and the contribution for each project is set at €2 per Megawatt-hour. The contribution level of €2 per Megawatt-hour was set after research by international consultancies in the design of the scheme and was publicly consulted on with relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Climate Action Plan 2021 will bring forward policies and measures to support the delivery of the 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, and put us on a pathway to climate neutrality no later than 2050. The Plan will include specific actions for large energy users, including data centres. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is committed to reviewing the 2018...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: In June 2021, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a proposed direction to EirGrid and ESB Networks that would require each of the system operators to prioritise data centre connections based on location, the availability of on-site generation and flexibility in reducing demand when required. The consultation process is now closed and the CRU is considering the responses...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: There have been seven system alerts (previously know as amber alerts) on the electricity system in Ireland in the past 12 months. These occurred on 9 December 2020, 6 January 2021, 13 April 2021, 17 May 2021, 6 September 2021, 9 September 2021 and 28 October 2021. EirGrid notified my Department of each of these system alerts on the day they occurred. There have been no system emergencies...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Staff (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The WRC’s Code of Practice provides guidance on best practice to organisations and their employees on the Right to Disconnect. It is not a question of organisations adopting the WRC Code of Practice but a question of working up their own tailored policy. As stated in the Code of Practice, employers should engage proactively with employees and/or their trade union or other...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The SEAI grant scheme aims to encourage behavioural change and support the Government’s commitment to achieving a 51% reduction in transport emissions by 2030. The grant schemes are kept under continuous review to ensure that they are as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort. To date in 2021, almost €65m has been provided in grants to support the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together. The aim of the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme 2021 is to increase the uptake of fully electric SPSVs and zero-emission capable wheelchair accessible SPSVs. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, together with influencing the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of the public transport fleet. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 to 85, inclusive, together. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. I announced...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: 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 operation of public transport services. The issues raised are a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: MetroLink is likely the largest ever public investment project in the history of the State. It faces imminent and important milestones in the coming months and these milestones will determine its progress in the coming years. Firstly, there is Government’s approval of the Preliminary Business Case and secondly there is the submission of a Railway Order application to An Bord...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Departmental Licences (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: My Department published a notice of intention to grant two prospecting licences in north Leitrim in a local newspaper on 7 October 2021. Submissions on these applications can be made to my Department until 12 midnight on 7 November. Details are available on the Department's website. All valid submissions will be considered before a final decision is made on whether to grant the two...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Departmental Licences (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I am very familiar with north Leitrim. The people and the place have a special character. I absolutely support what Tony McLoughlin did, which Deputy Harkin mentioned. There was widespread cross-party support for the ban on fracking, which came from local communities and the Love Leitrim group. That has been significant. There is a difference. We will need base metals in the low carbon...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Greenways Provision (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I thank Deputy Griffin for his contribution and regular discussions on this issue. I am hopeful, once the legal challenges against this project end and solutions are found for the sections excluded from the planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanála, an updated application for funding will be submitted by Kerry County Council to Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. A significant...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Greenways Provision (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As I said, some of the money is already sitting in accounts waiting for the legal issues to be resolved. Some €3.46 million was allocated in April 2014 and a further €415,000 was issued in the same year for the section in Reenard. Some of that amount is in dormant accounts waiting to be used. Considering how inflation has raised significantly since then in construction, and...

Seanad: Energy Security: Statements (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators for this opportunity to update the House on the security of energy supply. I will address the challenge related to security of electricity supply. There are currently no similar short or medium concerns about oil and natural gas security of supply, which continue to be traded normally, albeit at high prices. For this reason, I will focus my comments...

Seanad: Energy Security: Statements (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I will do my best to respond to all of the comments and questions raised in the discussion. I will start with three issues raised by Senator Garvey. She referred to the introduction of green loans for retrofitting, the ability to sell electricity back to the grid and amendments to planning regulations to allow for solar panels. I expect all three to begin within a short number of months....

Seanad: Energy Security: Statements (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: There is no intention to do that. I think 2025 was the closure date target under the emissions directive. Nobody is looking to extend the date. It is purely to get us through to a phase whereby we get a backup variable gas plant to give us cover. I could not agree more with Senator Murphy on helping families in a tight corner. He referred to the increases to the living alone allowance,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The 2021 IMF Country Report for Ireland highlights that Ireland has missed its 2020 EU climate target by a significant margin and that full implementation of the new ambitious climate agenda is needed to catch up and achieve 2030 targets. It also emphases that recovery policies should prioritise green investment that facilitates Ireland's transformation to a low carbon economy. The...