Results 21,921-21,940 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Public Sector Pensions (15 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167, 174 and 175 together. I received a recommendation from my officials on 1 September and granted my consent on 2 September to the payment of an increase of 2% to An Post pensioners with effect from 1 January 2022. The consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the proposal was subsequently provided on 7 September. An Post has been...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (15 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: In recognition of the importance of incentivising young people to use public transport, as part of Budget 2022 I secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a young adult card (YAC) which will allow any person nationwide who is between 19 and 23 years old, to avail of an entitlement for discounted travel costs, and to increase the level of discount over and above the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (15 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services and also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services by way of public transport services contracts in respect of services that are socially necessary but commercially unviable. The funding of those...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff (15 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The number of officers who have availed of Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19, up to 1 July 2022 and therefrom, is set out in tabular form below: To July 1 2022 No. of officers No. availed for greater than 12 weeks 215 1 Since July 1 2022 No. of officers No. availed for greater than 14 days: ...

National Retrofit Plan: Motion [Private Members] (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Deputies for raising these important matters of our time. Clearly, the current situation we are witnessing regarding significant increases in energy bills and the cost of living is a matter of serious concern. The Government is keenly aware of the growing pressures this is placing on families and businesses, particularly households on lower and middle incomes. The increasing...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The unprecedented increase and volatility in international wholesale gas market prices has continued as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This, in turn, has led to increases in energy bills, given the link between the wholesale price of gas and electricity prices. The Government has already put a €24 billion package of measures in place and further measures are being...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: No, I do not. The reason we are following the measures we are is that I think the alternative presented by Sinn Féin would be less progressive. Its proposal for a cap on electricity prices seems to be very similar to what the Tory Party in the UK is proposing. It would give a direct benefit to the energy companies, which I do not think is what we need to do at this time.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: As I understand the proposal by the Deputy's party, it would benefit the wealthiest households that use the most energy. Putting a cap in would enable those households to keep consuming energy in a way that would benefit them more than it would poorer households. I do not believe the alternative proposals being presented would give a better outcome. They are full of potential for eventual,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: There is no U-turn. I work very closely with the Spanish Minister and find we agree on a lot. I do not believe the measures introduced in Spain would work well here and that is why I prefer the approach we are taking. There were knock-on consequences in Spain, including a massive transfer of exports of energy to France, from which the latter benefited. There would potentially be the same...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: -----I again make the point that this would benefit the wealthiest households and the energy industries. I do not think that is what we need to do at this time.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Deputy put climate at the centre of her question. I asked the consultants, CEPA, to look forward at the security situation of both our electricity grids and gas supplies and to look at options. In my mind, it benefits us to have a storage capability in gas and to look at that specific aspect of it. We wanted to rule out options that would not help us to meet our climate targets. That...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The report is very clear that such a commercial LNG facility was not considered as an option to go to public consultation and be progressed. Friends of the Earth is correct in its reading - it is a very simple reading, in my mind - of the report. There is a range of strategic reasons behind that. From my perspective, first, there is real risk in following such an approach. It would be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: When reading the CEPA report, which is comprehensive, it is important to realise it recognises we need a range of different options for energy security. We need not just gas storage but also other technologies, such as pumped storage and battery storage. The report also recognises that further interconnection, especially in respect of our electricity markets, will give us greater stability...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Conservation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Government allocated €244 million to fund the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, residential, community and solar PV schemes this year. This budget enabled the introduction of a range of new measures to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake energy upgrades as well as to better target supports for those most in need. Data from the SEAI show...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Conservation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Starting with the warmer homes energy aspect, it is not a case where we are just getting above the present standard and just going from a C rating to a B2. We are specifically targeting those houses that most need improvement, namely, those built before 1993. They must also have a present building energy rating, BER, of E, F or G. Again, regarding how the scheme has changed, we have gone...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Conservation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I appreciate Deputy O'Rourke's argument, but I must say it runs directly contrary to what Deputy O'Reilly from Sinn Féin said only half an hour or 20 minutes ago.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Conservation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: She accused us of not being on the same page because we were giving grants to houses that could afford-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Conservation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: She did.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Conservation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The record will show that is exactly what she said.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Conservation (20 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: She was having a cut at us for providing grants for better-off houses. It cannot be both ways. Do we agree with the position of Deputy O'Reilly or that of Deputy O'Rourke? My own-----