Results 1,881-1,900 of 6,816 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: How many of those came into play after CRU's plan-led DCCOPP and the enlightenment and awareness around the impact of data centres?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Was nobody anywhere paying attention to this? I take the point that there was a focus during that period on the pressure on the electricity system and that there now needs to be an update to deal with decarbonisation. Where does the responsibility lie in this regard? We had legislation on climate and climate action plans, and we now have stronger climate legislation and a stronger climate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Of the one data centre that is connected and the 11 that are contracted, is there any room for manoeuvre? It may not be in Mr. Gannon's gift to answer this. Can CRU impose any obligations on those centres, or at least encourage them, to move to alternative sources, avail of a CPPA and move away from gas?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: It would be helpful if Mr. Gannon could do so. I have a final question. I see CCAC and CRU welcome the review and revision of the legal mandate of relevant State agencies. It speaks to the point about who is the responsible authority in Government and its agencies for saying there are contradictions in terms of the policy direction and that we have obligations in terms of climate while in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: The comment from the CCAC, which was welcomed by the CRU, that the Government should review and revise the legal mandate of relevant State agencies and public bodies to ensure they are consistent with delivering the climate action plan and the carbon budgets speaks to some of the points we have been discussing here today. What are the relevant bodies and agencies? What should a review look...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Do Mr. Gannon or Ms MacEvilly want to add anything to that? Do they feel the CRU's own mandate should be looked at? Is it for the commission or someone else to keep an eye on all of that and to ensure consistency with carbon budgets and climate action plans?

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 32. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to report on the three grid studies to support communities to identify sites in their locality that are most likely to have an economically viable grid connection; how his Department will implement their findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50146/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 97. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there are any current plans to expand the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme to include County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50111/23]

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2023
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I apologise for being late as I had commitments in the Dáil Chamber. I have questions from the two ends of this transaction. The first concerns the roll-out of the NBP. In fairness to National Broadband Ireland, it is clear with its information. We had extensive engagement with the company over the Covid period at this committee. It has good interfaces on its website for members and...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2023
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: We have seen the devastating impact of floods. International counterparts have emergency alert systems in place. What is the current state of affairs on the emergency alert system?

Escalation of Violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory: Motion [Private Members] (14 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Over the past month and more, the world has watched in absolute horror as the Gazan people face annihilation. Missiles rain down on 2 million people who have been denied food, fuel and water in one of the most densely populated areas in the world. We are bearing witness to a cataclysmic event. We are bearing witness to war crimes. We are bearing witness to genocide. Israel acts with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses for their contributions so far and for their presentation. We are here to discuss the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. One of many substantial proposals focused on structure, governance, individual Departments and a new national independent agency. We heard at previous sessions about the challenge of almost contradictory...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I refer to the two-year period to 2026, the piece Mr. Ó Donnchú says might keep him awake at night and the building blocks, data and information in that regard. This was hinted at in terms of the assessment and our land use strategy. Regarding carbon farming, how we might account for it, how we might reward it and how it might be measured, what are the information deficits that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: A number of contributions concerned Brú na Bóinne national park. It is an incredibly welcome addition to my county and constituency. I have a young family and every weekend we spend time in nature by visiting some of the amenities in my county such as Balrath Woods, Littlewood Forest in Slane or the life project at Girley Bog, which is wonderful. There is also some really...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 39. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development in relation to the local improvement scheme, how much funding is available for County Meath under the scheme; what initiatives are taking place in County Meath; if she plans to increase funding available to County Meath under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49690/23]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Employment Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 40. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development in relation to internships, apprenticeships and graduate schemes run by her Department, what places are available in County Meath; how many are filled in County Meath, and if there are plans to increase same; what is the length of any waiting list for places in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49691/23]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (14 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 88. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which the young adult Leap card fare change to include all 19- to 25-year-olds will happen, in line with Budget 2024 commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49273/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (14 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 236. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the River Basin Management Plan will be updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49318/23]

Defective Dwellings Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome this legislation and commend Deputy Duffy on bringing it forward. It contains a number of important provisions. I refer to widening the parameters in this context where they are needed, particularly in terms of the area of responsibility and the statute and the existing limitations in this regard. Turning to the existing schemes, I represent the constituency of Meath East, and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (9 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue and the Minister of State for being here. I will be sharing time with Deputy Kenny. I was prompted to submit this issue due to an unprecedented level of bus service cancellations in my county over recent weeks. It was particularly acute the week before last when approximately 20% of services on the busy 103 route serving...