Results 26,141-26,160 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (11 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The National Mitigation Plan, published in July 2017, restates the Government’s commitment to move from a fossil fuel-based electricity system to a low-carbon power system. Investment in further renewable generation will be incentivised. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, approved by government in July 2018, will provide for a renewable electricity ambition of 55% by 2030,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (11 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 426 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Codes (11 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations.  Each quarter, An Post GeoDirectory issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file with these new Eircodes to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement. Each new address assigned an Eircode is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Air Pollution (11 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 to 424, inclusive, together. My role as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in relation to waste management is to provide a comprehensive legislative and policy framework through which the relevant regulatory bodies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, operate. I have no role in relation to the operation of the plant. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Brexit Issues (11 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The negotiations on both the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and political declaration on the framework for the EU-UK future relationship, both of which we were endorsed by the European Council on 25 November, were conducted on behalf of the EU27 by the European Commission and its Article 50 Taskforce.  Brexit is a priority issue for the Government and Ministers and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Staff Data (11 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 to 432, inclusive, together. The information sought in relation to my Department is set out in the following table.  Figures are represented in full time equivalents. Grade Total staff Males Females Ratio M:F Administrative Officer 20.0 14.0 6.0 1 : 0.4 Assistant Principal 71.7 35.8 35.9 1 : 1 Assistant Secretary 5.0 4.0 1.0...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (11 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: Addressing climate change and our targets to 2030 and beyond is one of the key policy priorities for this Government.Since my appointment as Minister I have secured Government approval to prepare an All of Government Plan which will set out the actions which must be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. I will work with colleagues across Government to develop new...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (11 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The National Development Plan (NDP), published in February 2018, commits to a significant step change in funding available for climate action over the next decade. Reflecting the strong commitment of Government on this issue, almost €22 billion will be directed, between Exchequer and non-Exchequer resources, to addressing the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient society. A...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Carbon Budget (11 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The first recommendation of the Citizens’ Assembly report on the topic of “How the State can make Ireland a Leader in Tackling Climate Change” included a proposal that a new or existing independent body, resourced appropriately and given a broad range of new functions and powers, be mandated to propose five year national and sectorial targets for emissions reductions.The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (11 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together. Addressing climate change, whether through decarbonisation of our economy, or preparing to adapt to the impacts of climate change, is one of the most significant challenges of this century. The publication on 8 October of the Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the impacts of global warming of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (11 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: In considering whether to extend the existing agreements or retender for a new concessionaire at the end of the term of the Concession Agreements, a detailed review of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) was undertaken by my Department in 2016.  Subsequently, my Department engaged Norcontel Consultants following a procurement process to undertake an external review of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Parliamentary Questions Data (12 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: There were 4,809 PQs processed by my Department in the last three years. My office does not maintain a record as to whether a question was answered directly or whether it was referred to an agency for answer directly to a Deputy. Where a question is referred to an agency, this is stated in the reply, and the agency is expected to respond to the Deputy within 10 days as per...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (12 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The National Mitigation Plan, published in July 2017, restates the Government’s commitment to move from a fossil fuel-based electricity system to a low-carbon power system. Investment in further renewable generation will be incentivised. The new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, approved by government in July 2018, will provide for a renewable electricity ambition of 55% by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (12 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: Illegal dumping is first and foremost a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law. While enforcement action in this area is a matter for local authorities, my Department encourages a multi-facetted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education and, as such, provides funding to support the activities of the Waste...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: EU Directives (12 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 to 206, inclusive, together. The current Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) was codified in 2010 and contains rules and requirements that form the minimum standards that Television Broadcasting Services and On-demand Audiovisual Media Services such as the RTÉ Player or the iTunes Store, must follow in the EU. The provisions of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Consultancy Contracts Data (12 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan procurement team is supported by a range of expert consultants. The following table sets out annual expenditure on external advisers under the NBP from the date of their engagement. Total cost to date for NBP advisers since 2013 is €22,380,943 (inclusive of VAT).NBP Payments to Consultants by Year Year Cost 2013 €323,491.23 2014...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Schemes (12 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Government funds a number of energy efficiency grants for homes which are operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.  The grants promote a fabric first approach – advising people to first reduce heat losses by installing insulation and ventilation, making it easier to keep a home warmer and more comfortable for longer periods, before moving to installation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadcast Advertising Standards Regulation (13 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: I am responsible for Broadcasting Policy and my current role in relation to political advertising is limited to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's role in ensuring that Irish Radio and Television broadcasters comply with the prohibition on political advertising provided for in section 41(3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The Authority is a statutorily independent regulator...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (13 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to deliver a postal delivery service and a viable post office network. The motion referred to by the Deputy recognised the commitment to protect the post office network in the Programme for a Partnership Government and called on the Government to undertake a number of actions to act on this commitment. The Programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (13 Dec 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 . Currently, there are public chargers available at 15 locations in Co. Kerry. A key aspect of the work of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, co-chaired by my...