Results 26,361-26,380 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: I will not reiterate the data I have provided for the Deputy, but, suffice it to say, we are at the final stage of evaluation. A few nights ago we had a debate in which many concerns were raised. The reason the work is ongoing is we wish to tease out the issue of the robustness of technology and so forth. On the use of technology, bidders had access to the entire network. There is an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: It has been a competitive dialogue. As the Deputy knows, we had a number of them entering the competitive process. Bidders could look at different approaches. The ESB was one of the bidders at an earlier stage. Clearly, they had to choose which approach to take in making their bid, but they are making use of existing infrastructure, both State and privately owned. The mix is for the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The State has not precluded any approach in the fulfilment of this requirement. Obviously, the bidders had to negotiate on the option they felt suited them best. That required them to negotiate privately with other providers where they were going to use that network. It was up to the bidder to come forward with what it regarded as the best approach in delivering at the least cost. That...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The governance and reporting structures in respect of the expenditure of the licence fee by RTÉ are set out in the 2009 Broadcasting Act. It places an extensive range of reporting requirements on RTÉ in relation to its activities and expenditure. As well as oversight by my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, RTÉ is subject to regulation by the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The position is that RTÉ is independent in many of these operations. They are not day-to-day matters with which the Minister deals. Notwithstanding this, RTÉ states the latest figures demonstrate a reduction of 32% compared to fees earned in 2008. I understand the director general has indicated an intention to see further reductions in the fees paid to top performers, but that is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: First, I recognise what the Deputy is saying in that there is concern and public comment on the very high wages paid to individual broadcasters. It is something RTÉ has also recognised. It has indicated its record in bringing down salary levels and its intention to see it occur further. I will certainly raise the concerns of the Deputy when I meet RTÉ. There is a balance to be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: As indicated in our earlier discussion with Deputies, until there is a finalisation of the process of examination, there are no costs I can indicate to the Deputy. The approach has been entirely different. We are now at the end of a tendering process in which a very detailed examination of every element of the cost, right down to the number of poles required and the footage of fibre to be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The proposal which has emerged has a list of subcontractors. That list closely mirrors the list of subcontractors which would have been included by any other bidder. They are experienced subcontractors. The whole pre-qualification process required the evaluation committee to go through the experience, competence and record of work of the various players in the contract. All these elements...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Administration (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The formal procurement for the NBP State intervention was launched with the publication of the Pre-qualification Questionnaire, or PQQ, and Project Information Memorandum (PIM) in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). The PQQ assisted the Department in evaluating the eligibility, economic and financial standing and technical and professional capability of each bidder to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Ministerial Meetings (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure access to a future proofed, high speed broadband service to every premises in Ireland. The plan involves a mix of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. It has acted as a catalyst in encouraging a significant level of investment in high-speed broadband infrastructure by commercial operators and is a key priority for Government. As...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 20 together. The North South Interconnector project will provide a second high-capacity electricity interconnector between the two transmission systems of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Following a rigorous planning process which included an eleven week oral hearing, the section of the project in Ireland was granted planning permission by An Bord...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 65 together. On 28 November 2018, I announced the seven successful projects from the first Call for Applications under the Climate Action Fund. The projects span a range of sectors including agriculture, transport, district heating, and public lighting. In the Agriculture sector, Gas Networks Ireland will be supported to deliver a facility that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Schemes (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The energy efficiency grants administered by the SEAI are funded by my Department. Grants are available to homeowners for insulation, heating controls, heat pumps and solar thermal hot water heating systems. Grants are also available for solar PV systems, electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging. Grants are also available for businesses to improve their energy efficiency. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Policy (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 52 together. On 3 January, the Government decided that Government Departments would no longer purchase, directly or indirectly, single use plastic beverage cups, cutlery or straws. From 1 March 2019, this policy will also apply to all public bodies. The Government Decision also requires Departments to publish Resource Efficiency Action Plans to improve...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Legislative Process (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan aims to provide access to high speed broadband to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location, via a combination of commercial investment and a State intervention. I understand that the Bill referred to in the Question was initiated in 2017. The scheduling of debate on the Bill is a matter for the Dail.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Building Energy Rating Administration (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: Funding for residential energy efficiency programmes is provided from within the overall capital funding envelope of €142m for the Energy Programme in the 2019 Revised Estimates for Public Services. I have allocated €85m to the residential retrofit schemes this year. The National Development Plan demonstrates the Government’s commitment to meeting Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: Ireland’s first statutory National Adaptation Framework (NAF), published in January 2018, sets out the context to ensure local authorities, regions and key sectors can assess the key risks and vulnerabilities of climate change, implement climate resilience actions and ensure climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into policy making. In January 2018, my Department also...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Data (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The EPA is the competent authority for the collation of national waste statistics and it reports annually on our performance against Ireland's recycling and recovery targets set out in the EU Packaging and Waste Packaging Directive. However, there are currently no specific targets set for plastic bottles within the Directive and, therefore, data relating to plastic bottles is compiled within...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The North South Interconnector project will provide a second high-capacity electricity interconnector between the two transmission systems of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Following a rigorous planning process which included an eleven week oral hearing, the section of the project in Ireland was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in December 2016. This decision was...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or 30% of all 2.3 million Irish premises had access to high...