Results 2,321-2,340 of 6,816 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Schemes (23 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 61. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the eligibility criteria for the free energy upgrade scheme have changed from houses built before 2006 to houses built before 1993; if so, the number of houses this measure will exclude from this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10185/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Action Plan (23 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 64. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the McKinsey reports have been used to inform the development of the Climate Action Plan 2019 and 2021; the way that this compares to the advice from the Climate Change Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10239/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Schemes (23 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 71. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 19 January 2022, if he will clarify the number of deep retrofits that were completed in 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10350/22]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 79. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the recent comments by the Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, that greenhouse gas emissions are unlikely to fall here in 2022; if he has plans to strengthen the climate action remit of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, CRU, to prioritise the achievement of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the recent comments by the director general of the EPA that greenhouse gas emissions are unlikely to fall here in 2022. Has the Minister plans to strengthen the climate action remit of the CRU to prioritise the achievement of Ireland’s 2030 and 2050 emission reduction targets? Will he make a statement on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. As he knows, the director general of the EPA said it is hard to see how emissions will fall this year. I think a former head of the CCAC said they will likely increase. This is at a time we are in the second year of a carbon budget where we are supposed to see a 4.8% annual average reduction. I do not take any satisfaction from saying this but there is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I do not agree. I refer again to the level of funding committed to this. We differ on the carbon tax but it will at best raise €9.5 billion, though I question that figure. That figure is a drop in the ocean in respect of what is needed to deliver the type of urgent systemic change the Minister is talking about out. People do not see the impact on public transport, for example....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: You are the Minister.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 81. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the rising cost of energy and electricity for households; when households will receive the €200 electricity credit; the additional measures he will take to address rising fuel, electricity and energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10694/22]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: What are the Minister's views on the rising costs of energy and electricity for households? When will households receive the €200 electricity credit? What additional measures will he take to address rising fuel, electricity and other energy costs?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister for his reply. I did not pick up the date on which the €200 credit would land on people's bills. Perhaps he will clarify it. It might seem a secondary consideration in light of everything that is happening, and our primary concern is for the welfare of the people of Ukraine, but will the Minister clarify the role of Russian gas in our supply? The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: One of the ways we can help people with their electricity and energy costs is to empower and enable them to generate their own energy. When will we have the long-awaited updated regulations to exempt schools from the planning conditions in terms of solar PV? We heard from the Taoiseach that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage would have them ready in two or three weeks....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Production (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 87. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the plans he has to develop the capability of the State to produce and store green hydrogen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10260/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Production (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I want to ask the Minister the plans he has to develop the capability of the State to produce, store and use green hydrogen; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Production (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Everybody agrees that there is, potentially, a considerable opportunity with green hydrogen. I see it across the political spectrum and that is welcome. The concern of my party and me, which is shared by people in the wider community who have an interest in green hydrogen, is that the focus, ambition and urgency is not there from the Government. I acknowledge everything the Deputy has said...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Production (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I will focus on my supplementary questions on the haulage sector. One of the potential significant opportunities with hydrogen is to decarbonise the heavy goods sector. With regard to the current schemes the Minister has in place, I met with the haulage industry in the past couple of days and it points towards a deep frustration within the sector in terms of the engagement with the Minister...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Production (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Will the Minister look at the current scheme?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Energy Policy (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: We now face significant gas price increases. Much has been rumoured in recent hours and while we hope it will not come to pass it looks as though it will if some of the people I have been talking to are anything to go by. Deputy Ó Murchú outlined the specific circumstances in regard to this case but I wish to make a broader point regarding the national heat study, which was...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Energy Policy (24 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: On the opportunity arising from district heating, I return to the national heat study. We have seen the example of Codema and the data centre in Tallaght. In the past, there have been town gas and other communal systems. There is an opportunity in that regard but it has to be done right and embedded appropriately. My local authority is setting up an energy agency in co-operation with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (15 Feb 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses. I had a clash between another committee and this one, so I apologise for missing part of this. I will listen to the exchanges. I am glad to have the opportunity to address the witnesses. I am sorry if I am covering material that has already been covered. The Minister of State indicated that she will introduce Government amendments that will respond in a substantive...