Results 25,821-25,840 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fuel Quality (13 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The regulations establishing a minimum 5.5% ethanol in petrol placed upon the market by renewable transport fuel obligation account holders were made on 1 April 2023. In making the regulations consideration was given to the responses received through a statutory consultation on the draft regulations, the impact on fuel prices, and other economic and environmental impacts. The policy and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (13 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible, sustainable public transport network. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for securing the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Data Protection (13 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: “My Department takes the issue of data protection and the safety of personal information of members of the general public very seriously. My officials comply with GDPR and other Data Protection legislation in all aspects of their work. If staff are availing of remote working arrangements, they must adhere to my Department’s Blended Working Policy, which references guidance on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: My clear message to energy suppliers is that prices for customers should be reduced at the earliest opportunity. Unprecedented increases in energy prices since the outbreak of war in Ukraine have led the Government to take sustained action over the past year to support households and businesses to meet cost of living challenges. Direct measures to reduce energy bills included the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I have not received that letter. The Government will approach the issue of Tara Mines in the way that is appropriate, in particular the Ministers for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Social Protection. We will consider any issue in terms of energy prices. It is not possible for us to intervene directly to change energy price contracts that the company may have. I would like to see the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The first thing I have to do early next week is to attend the European Council which, as I said, is a policy area where we can change, inform and direct the market system and energy prices. I will also work with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, as well as the Minister for Social Protection, because they have a critical role in terms of any supports or other arrangements for any industry. It is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out that emissions from the residential sector must reduce from 7 MtCO2eq in 2018, to 4 MtCO2eq in 2030. The Government plans to achieve this target primarily through the national retrofit plan and the roll-out of renewable heating. The national retrofit plan sets out our target to upgrade the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a building energy rating, BER, of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: There is no holding back of progress on the part of our Department. I expect to bring the report before the Government and to publish it this month.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Yes. It is urgent that we proceed. I was very pleased to launch the first major scheme in Tallaght where excess heat from a data centre is being used to power a lot of public buildings, and that will extend to social housing. I had a very fruitful meeting last week regarding another potential development in Blanchardstown in west Dublin where, again, we will take waste heat from data...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: We need to be careful as there are very different types of heating system which may be called district heating. Some are more like communal heating systems where people share a common heating source in an apartment building. The district heating system, the likes of the Poolbeg one, is where we are going. Excess heat from another neighbouring source, or which is generated outside the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is currently finalising its review of security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The review is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition to a net zero economy by 2050. The Government’s policy objectives are to ensure energy is affordable, sustainable, and secure, as well as in line with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: It is my position. As Minister, I have to look at all three. As policymakers, we must all do so. Climate must come first because there is the physical reality that we cannot avoid the risk of passing various tipping points. We have to stay within certain limits. Those limits are set by physics and the meteorological system. They cannot vary. There is a real limit on the environmental...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: First, it is intended to publish the Dermot McCarthy review in conjunction with the energy security review. It was decided to put back that publication at that time because it is appropriate that his work complements the other work that is being done. In terms of lessons, there are lessons to be learned from that. One of the things to recognise is that the development of the new...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The recent EPA report makes it clear we have to act now on climate change and reduce emissions. To reverse the trajectory and meet our 2030 climate targets, a significant shift is required in the speed at which we roll-out and ramp-up the policies and measures that will decarbonise our economy. The Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out our roadmap for systemic changes to reach those objectives....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: No, I believe we should do the climate action plan at the same time each year. It is an iterative process. It requires a lot of work to be able to come up with real, practical solutions. One of the reasons for that is the whole issue of land use, which is probably one of the areas where there is the greatest shortfall. We have to update the plan to include targets on that. We held back...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I am sorry. I had asked a colleague whether there had been any update and I have now been informed that the European Parliament committee has just voted in support of the nature restoration law by means of the chair's casting vote. That helps tremendously.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: May I explain why it is connected? We will now have to go a meeting of the European Council next Tuesday, where a similar consensus should and will be arrived at. That will allow us to progress that law, which is good not just for nature, but also for climate. To answer the Deputy's question as to the opportunities that arise and the ways in which we could do it-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: That is what we need to do. The approach we are taking here is iterative. It changes every year. You learn by doing. You accelerate what is working and, where there is a problem, you look at other solutions to work around it. The land use sector is the most complex. It is complex because you have to prioritise rural development to make sure we have a whole generation of new people...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 seeks to address windfall gains in the energy sector by collecting excess revenues from those companies that have unexpectedly benefited from high prices and redistributing those revenues to alleviate pressures on affected consumers. As per Article 22(2)(c) of the regulation, a cap on market revenues shall apply from 1 December 2022 to 30 June 2023. In...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: In line with the European regulation, it is the Government's intention to use the revenues to support Irish consumers in what is still an environment of very high energy prices. This is a difficult time for many households and businesses. Tara Mines, which we were talking about earlier on, is a perfect example of how challenging things are. The legislation is designed in a such a way as to...