Results 22,721-22,740 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (25 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Pathfinder Programme is designed to demonstrate how Local Authorities and Transport Agencies can develop practical sustainable mobility measures that will have a genuinely transformative impact on how we travel, and how we can do this at speed. The proposals that have been selected to the Programme are a representative sample of the over 55 projects that were proposed by every Local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (25 Oct 2022)

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 operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I thank Deputies for their contributions. I was not here for the start of the debate, unfortunately, because I had another meeting. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, for opening the debate and I am happy to be here to respond and answer some of the queries that were raised. We will return later this evening for Committee and Remaining Stages. Deputy Berry and others...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: We have to show and prove it is being done in exceptional circumstances. In further response to Deputy Harkin, right through this process, we have been in communication with the European Commission. We meet in the Energy Council every second week at the moment because of the energy crisis. I first mentioned to the Commissioner earlier this year that we were aware we would have to take...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: First, I cannot accept amendment No. 1. I understand the Deputies are concerned that the proposal may appear to be open-ended and as such could be used to approve other developments. To be clear, what I am asking the House to approve is the delivery of up to 450 MW of electricity generation for installation by next winter. That is considered an exceptional case for the purposes of Article...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Section 7(1) states: "The Minister may, having considered an application made to him or her under section 4". This is done having taken into account the assessments carried out by the board under section 5(2) and section 6(1). An Bord Pleanála is independent in this. It will carry out the assessment. It has the independent inspectors. If, according to section 7(1), it sets out...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: As I understand the drafting, the Minister does have to take into account the assessments. What is in the legislation is as powerful grammatically as "shall". It is clear that it is a case of "having taken into account". The Minister has to take into account the recommendations, assessments and conditions set out by the board.

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I thank Deputy Smith for setting out the proposed amendment. I agree with her that the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act and the provisions therein for public bodies must be followed in a manner which is consistent with the latest climate action plan. That is very important and I fully agree with it. This particular legislative provision was inserted on the advice of the...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I appreciate that there are concerns with respect to the impact on the environment, in particular on CO2emissions, but I consider the proposed amendment to be unnecessary and potentially restrictive given its construction. I have provided sufficient latitude in the Bill on the timing of the alternative assessments that will be required, as it is likely, further to the guidance published by...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I cannot accept the amendment.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Daylight Savings Time (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The issue of changing the clocks twice each year is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Justice. The implementation of summertime and wintertime hours each year by putting clocks forward and backward by one hour is one of many factors which influence patterns of energy usage. It is difficult to quantify its effects in isolation, as daylight savings have...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Solar PV Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). As per the terms of the scheme, to which the applicant agrees when applying, the grant is offered subject to the final system installation meeting the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Solar PV Scheme. This Code of Practice includes minimum performance criteria...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Warmer Homes Scheme offers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners who are most at risk of energy poverty. Eligibility for the Scheme is linked to receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments. The Household Benefits Package (HBP) helps with the cost of a household's electricity or gas bill and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Earlier this year, the Government approved a package of significantly improved supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions. The supports include a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Infrastructure (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Issues regarding the permission to construct a direct line are first and foremost an issue for ESB Networks in accordance with Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (ERA), as amended. However, in respect of the provision of permissions to construct a direct line there is an element of overlap between ESB Networks and the work of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Commission of Regulation of Utilities which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take sure measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in its role by EirGrid and my Department. The CRU currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The National Energy Security Framework (NESF) provides a single overarching and initial response to address Ireland’s energy security needs in the context of the war in Ukraine. It co-ordinates work connected to energy security across the electricity, gas and oil sectors and sets out a ‘whole-of-Government’ response to the challenges posed to energy security and energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I have signed new solid fuel regulations, as previously agreed by Government, which will come into operation on 31 October. The Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 529 of 2022) will introduce minimum quality standards that will apply to all solid fuels distributed throughout the State. This will ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (26 Oct 2022)

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 operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. Therefore, the issue raised is a matter for the NTA in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned....