Results 26,581-26,600 of 26,787 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fishing Industry (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy is aware, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), in conjunction with my Department, is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application. The Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 are being examined as part of this...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Inquiries (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Angling Consultative Council of Ireland (ACCI) was renamed as the Angling Advisory Group (AAG) by agreement of the Group at its meeting in August 2024. The change was proposed and agreed principally because the new name more accurately reflects the purpose and function of Group and now clearly distinguishes it from the Angling Council of Ireland (ACI). My Department provided information...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Renewable Energy Generation (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As part of the Government Decision (S180/20/10/2704) adopting sectoral emissions ceilings, it was agreed to introduce a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) to ensure the increased use of renewable fuel types across the full heating sector, with the primary aim of supporting the achievement of Ireland's heating and cooling targets at national and EU levels. The development of the RHO is a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Renewable Energy Generation (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The development of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) is a key priority for my Department and the necessary analysis and impact assessment which has informed the design of the RHO has now been finalised. This included consideration of ways to incentivise the domestic production of biomethane which identified the use of a multiplier for related certificates. EU Directive 2015/1535...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Strategic Infrastructure (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy is aware, I recently received Government approval to proceed with the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a temporary gas reserve is critical to Ireland’s energy security as we continue to transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Data (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve supports a secure transition to a renewable-led energy system and mitigates the risk to our society and economy of an interruption to gas supplies. The policy decision taken by Government ensures the risk of stranded fossil fuel assets is reduced as the reserve will be temporary and used in emergencies only, and does not support increased gas demand. These...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Reports (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: A robust and fit-for-purpose gas safety framework is essential to protect lives and property and is of the utmost priority for my Department as we seek to deliver the strategic gas emergency reserve (SGER) as per the Government decision of 4 March 2025. The selection of the Floating Storage and Regassification Unit (FSRU) as the preferred technology solution by Gas Networks Ireland, the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Policies (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184, 185 and 188 together. I have recently answered a number of parliamentary questions on the topic of Private Wires including Dáil Questions Numbers 24 of 10th April, 135 of 22nd May, and 20 of 11th June. This matter was also the subject of debate in the House recently. The position is unchanged and it is my intention to bring a policy document on...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fishing Industry (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Suir, and three minor rivers that drain into the Suir estuary are integrated as a single salmon river system for assessment and subsequent provision of annual catch advice by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The Suir river system is not treated as three distinct salmon fisheries for regulatory purposes, nor from a scientific catch advice point of view. A single provision of scientific...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fishing Industry (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The statutory responsibilities of my Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) include management, conservation and protection of the inland fisheries resource. This means that the conservation imperative, based on rational exploitation of any element of the resource, is paramount. The conservation and protection of this vulnerable species is essential, especially with the rapid declines...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU Directives (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The third Renewable Energy Directive (RED III, EU Directive 2023/2413) entered into force in November 2023. RED III provides the legal framework for the increased deployment of renewable energy across the EU by 2030. RED III is a wide-ranging Directive which includes requirements to simplify and accelerate the permit-granting procedure for renewable energy projects in addition to requirements...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electric Vehicles (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Department's headquarters are located at Tom Johnson House, Haddington Road, D04 K7X4, where two electric vehicle charging stations (four charging ports) are available for use by members of the public.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Programmes (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The National Heat Study, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, recommended that heat pumps are the optimal decarbonisation path for heating systems in decarbonising buildings, with district heating also being an option that can be widely deployed. However, the Heat Study also recognised the potential role for sustainable bioenergy for buildings that require alternative...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Programmes (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: HVO is a bioliquid which can be used as a renewable energy and which, in a transport context, is classified as a biofuel. HVO is currently available for consumers to purchase for use for both transport and heating. The Programme for Government commits to targeting older homes still using oil to switch to renewable heating systems and to consider the use of sustainable biofuels to reduce...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Renewable Energy Generation (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together. My Department funds a number of schemes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their dwellings. Individual energy upgrade grants under the Better Energy Homes Scheme; the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, which provides an end-to-end service...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The matter referred to by the Deputy falls under the remit of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which has responsibility for collating national greenhouse gas emissions and projections. The EPA is an independent public body established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, and is entirely independent of the Minister in the exercise of its functions. The EPA can be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Provision (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. There has a significant amount of investment for Greenway schemes in County Kerry with €8,250,000 allocated in 2025. In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Provision (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. There has a significant amount of investment for Greenway schemes in County Kerry with €8,250,000 allocated in 2025. In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Provision (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. There has a significant amount of investment for Greenway schemes in County Kerry with €8,250,000 allocated in 2025. In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and shelters nationally. There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to...