Results 25,981-26,000 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Policy (28 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 together. The question of regulation of domestic solid fuel use will be addressed in the context of the Clean Air Strategy,which will provide the framework for a set of cross-Government policies and actions to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality and public health to meet current and future EU and international obligations....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Metropolitan Area Networks Programme (28 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together. The Department has been engaging with the Management Services Entity (e-net) in relation to the implementation of the recommendations of the Report on Pricing and Access Arrangements for the MANs. It is intended to publish the report shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Mobile Telephony Services (28 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: Providing telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout services and make specific investments in particular locations....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (28 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: The majority of the existing network of publicly accessible charge points was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. An interactive map showing the locations of charging points throughout Ireland is available at www.esb.ie/our-businesses/ecars/charge-point-map.There are currently public chargers available at 7 locations in Dublin Bay North. This includes a fast...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (28 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland - regardless of how remote or rural - has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland; and a State intervention in those areas, mostly rural areas, where commercial companies are unlikely to invest. The procurement process...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Contracts Data (28 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: The cleaning of my Department's offices are performed by a private cleaning company procured under the provisions of an Office of Government Procurement framework agreement. The terms and conditions of the employees of these companies do not come within my remit. My Department has no plans to insource the cleaning of my Department's offices.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Medical Waste Disposal (28 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department is continuing the work of developing a mechanism to provide a €75 support for vulnerable persons with a condition such as lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of their domestic waste. I am informed that this process has taken longer than envisaged, due to a number of issues, including data protection...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (28 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: In respect of the confiscation of vehicles used for illegal dumping, there is scope under current waste legislation to seize vehicles involved in the carrying out of suspected unlawful waste activity and in the event of a successful prosecution to have such vehicles or equipment disposed of as the competent authority sees fit.Under Section 14 of the Waste Management Act, an authorised person...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (28 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together. Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the Local Authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  While this Department does not compile statistics in relation to complaints made, information is available through the Local...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (28 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: As I outlined in the Dáil on 27 November in response to the Micro Generation Support Scheme Bill, I am supportive in principle of providing a route to market for citizens and communities to generate their own renewable energy and receive a fair and efficient price for doing so. This very much aligns with energy policy as set out in the Energy White Paper 2015,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Postal Services (29 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: To a degree, the Deputy has answered his own question in that he indicated that decisions in this area are not ones for the Minister to make.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Postal Services (29 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: He has recognised the reality that An Post is a commercial State body. He also knows that An Post has been through an extremely difficult period in the last couple of years. It suffered a 40% loss in mail volumes which brought it to a really precarious point last year when the outlook was very bleak for the 9,000 employed in it. The company has had to take some difficult decisions,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Postal Services (29 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Ceann Comhairle's words are well worth listening to.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Postal Services (29 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: It is not new news that one of the mail centres is to close.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Postal Services (29 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: Back in September 2017 this was made clear at the Labour Court and it was part of the negotiations at that stage. This is not something that has been sprung. I am assured that An Post will not take this decision on political grounds. This will be a decision taken in the best interests of An Post. It is trying to rebuild for the future against a backdrop where the volume of standard...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: European Globalisation Fund (29 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: In relation to the European Globalisation Fund, I understand that Bord na Móna is currently assessing its eligibility in relation to an application to the European Globalisation Fund for assistance.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries Ireland (29 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: Storm Callum recently felled 2 trees sited on IFI’s Fish farm at Cullion, Mullingar which unfortunately entered onto the site of St. Bridget’s Well.  Following consultation with Local Authorities and other relevant stakeholders IFI established St. Bridget’s Well site ownership and was granted permission to access the property in order to safely remove the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (29 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together. The formal procurement for the State intervention was launched on 22 December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) and Project Information Memorandum (PIM) in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). The PQQ was issued to Bidders intending to submit a pre-qualification response before...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Resources (29 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 534 and 549 of 20 November 2018.  The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (29 Nov 2018)

Richard Bruton: Ireland’s energy policy is fully aligned with the EU’s climate and energy objectives on the transition to decarbonisation, which includes continuous and on-going review of policies to reduce harmful emissions, improve energy efficiency, incentivise efficient and sustainable infrastructure investment, integrate markets, and promote research and innovation while ensuring our...