Results 25,201-25,220 of 26,783 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Schemes (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Affordability is critical. If we look at it from a positive standpoint first, about 162,000 homes have been supported for energy upgrades and 55,000 of those are B2 upgrades. We have to look at B2 or B2 equivalents and where the house is going. To improve the energy and heating in a home, particularly in older homes, the cost of getting to B2 can be substantial, if not prohibitive. That...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta agus go n-éirí leis ina phost nua. As part of EU efforts to tackle climate change, Ireland has accepted specific emissions reductions targets for the period to 2030, set by the EU effort sharing regulation, ESR. These targets are also in line with domestic commitments in Irish law as set out in the climate Act 2021. Ireland can meet these...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The future is renewables and particularly offshore renewables. We have six projects off the east coast in planning, as the Deputy knows. We have our first designated maritime area plan, DMAP, through, which is in the south east. I will be bringing forward proposals to the Government in the coming weeks to accelerate the DMAP process. I have met stakeholders, including in the development...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The State is investing tens of millions in this sector right now. We have put the legislative infrastructure in place. That was done in the previous Dáil. I had the honour of bringing forward the Maritime Area Planning Act, which was passed in this House, although it was not supported by everyone. It saw the establishment of Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA. I will meet...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 25 together. We have had a good discussion on LNG already, because we have been here since 10.23 a.m., but I thank the Deputy for his question.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Well done, that is great. I hope the Deputy was working with colleagues in a constructive manner this morning, as one would expect. I thank the Deputy for the question. I know he has a certain view on this. I mentioned to colleagues earlier that we could not ignore the advice we have received with regard to our own energy security, and the FSRU is absolutely needed. I am going to be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy has a bit of a fixation on this. I have talked about-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, you do. The reality of it is that I cannot ignore the risks the State has with regard to our energy supply. It would be dereliction of my duty as Minister on behalf of our citizens if I ignored the independent advice I have with regard to the risk to our society, economy and country should there be a disruption to our gas supply. I said this earlier, but I appreciate that the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: It has not. It suits the Deputy's narrative-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: -----that he goes out and starts telling people we are buying fracked gas from the United States. That is not the question at all, but it suits the Deputy's narrative that he will be able to stoke up anger in this regard. We are doing pretty well as a country with regard to our transition to green energy. On an average day, approximately 33% of our energy is generated through renewables....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: -----for opposing it. I brought the Bill forward. On one hand, some Deputies opposite will say they want a green transition and to move towards renewables - we are doing that - but when we bring forward any legislation that actually assists in doing that, they oppose it just because it is the Government that brings forward the legislation,.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: No, you do not.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: You are twisting-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: You are twisting what I said again.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not what I said.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: You are twisting it now.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: That is not what I said.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Carry on and I will respond.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Read the record. I will come back in on a supplementary comment.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (10 Apr 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Read the record. I did not say that.