Results 1,781-1,800 of 6,816 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister. When is it planned to announce the sectoral emissions ceiling for LULUCF? What are the barriers in data to making that happen? What is the timeline for it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: That is the land use review. Are there any other gaps in the building blocks for coming to a decision like that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Will it be in 2024?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Regarding forestry on drained peatlands and the advice from Government and the Department about that, is that emerging or something that-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I know the Climate Change Advisory Council, in its 2023 review, pointed towards updated information on the impact of afforestation on drained peatlands. Does that advice incorporate that updated information-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: -----or is it under review?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: On encouraging people into tillage and organic farming, ACRES is essentially the Government's flagship agri-environment scheme. There seems to be significant interest in it. I do not know what the tranche 1 intake was. I think the intake in tranche 2 is 4,000. There were 46,000 expressions of interest.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Is there scope or ambition for flexibilities? It seems, at a time when we need to move people into that space, that we should not put up barriers. Is there scope to do more quicker?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: There are, therefore, 46,000-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: A number of people touched on the anaerobic digestion policy. We had a briefing from some people working in CASE, the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy, in the North. They have mapped out the type of infrastructure that they might need and that might be sustainable in the North. In the South, we have the renewable spatial plan to come from the Department of the Environment, Climate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: It is imminent.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister for being here. I made the point about the climate action plan coming out from the Bill that, whatever our criticisms of the contents or the policy decisions, the fact we have it is probably as good a measure of progress as there is in many of these institutions. It is an important feature and to be commended and welcomed. I want to pick up on a point Deputy Bruton...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I will make one point and then I have a follow on question in the area of residential heat. The Minister spoke about CAP 24 being very similar to CAP 23. In the area of residential heat, for our part, Sinn Féin has spoken about the opportunities, and others are in exactly the same place as we can see from the partnership on climate change and sustainable energy, CCSE, from Friends of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I believe this is what Fingal County Council is doing with the pilot it has there.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I would encourage the Minister and the SEAI. There is logic in the approach of an energy-efficient home and putting in a heat pump in terms of the efficiency of the heat pump. There is a risk, if one reduces that standard, that the heat pump is more inefficient and more costly to run. I make the point - it is not only me making it - that we have to keep an eye on cost in relation to heat...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the concern in relation to the deteriorating public bus services in County Meath; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52788/23]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 34. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date to expand public transport provision in County Meath, in particular the Navan rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52787/23]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Climate Change Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 187. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of Ireland's climate financing; if this will be distinguished from the loss and damage fund to be discussed at COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52804/23]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (30 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 329. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the review of critical skills and ineligible occupations lists will be completed and published; if upholsterers (5412) and furniture makers (5442) will be included on the critical skills list;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53037/23]