Results 27,621-27,640 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that the details of the procurement process for the national broadband plan were published at the end of 2015. They set out very important protections for users, the State and in respect of state aid to ensure fair competition. The proposals that have been put forward by Eir do not comply with those arrangements. When it entered that competition knowing the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 548, 549, 568 and 571 together. I would like in the first instance to clarify that Eir has made no formal proposal to Government to replace or supersede the National Broadband Plan. At its appearance at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Eir's CEO outlined Eir's view on the value for money of the NBP....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 575, 586, 594 and 608 of 25 June 2019. The actions contained in the Climate Action Plan fall broadly into four categories: - Public funding provided in the annual estimates process and in Project Ireland 2040; - Measures such as setting a long-term trajectory for the carbon tax, in order to change long-term behaviour and decision to encourage investment...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Medical Waste Disposal (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 552 and 553 together. Since mid-2017, a range of charging options have been operated, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste, and provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging was not introduced....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Efficiency (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: My Department funds a number of home energy efficiency schemes that are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The aim of the schemes is to improve the energy efficiency of our built environment, in a way which represents the best possible use of Exchequer funding. This involves making difficult decisions and targeting supports in particular ways such as by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bituminous Fuel Ban (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 555 and 556 together. The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal, or ‘the smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known, was first introduced in Dublin in 1990, and subsequently extended to our major cities. Following a public consultation process, it was further extended in 2012, and now applies in 26 urban areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) establishes the framework for the regulation of audiovisual media services in the European Union. The current Directive applies to linear broadcasting services - i.e. traditional television, and in a limited way to non-linear services, i.e. on-demand services such as the RTÉ Player. The Broadcasting Act 2009 established the Broadcasting...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Services Provision (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Government is committed to supporting a post office network that meets the needs of communities across the country, particularly in rural areas. A modernised post office network will provide a better range of financial services and e-commerce services for shoppers and small businesses. Reflecting our commitment to sustaining a nationwide post office network and daily mails...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bituminous Fuel Ban (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I am disappointed that a number of coal firms have indicated that they would challenge the decision of two former Ministers to expand the smoky coal ban nationwide. Banning the use of smoky coal would have a positive impact on air quality and public health, particularly in built up areas. I am working with the Attorney General to finalise a legally robust plan which will improve air...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Incentives (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: A number of schemes funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland can assist in the installation of renewable energy sources in community buildings and facilities.The Better Energy Communities Scheme funds community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area, including community buildings and facilities....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Reviews (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: My Department administers a very diverse, complex and technical brief across critical and strategic sectors of the Irish economy. Studies, reviews and research are currently being undertaken by my Department which contribute to project delivery and informed, robust and evidence based policy making. Details of these are set out in the following table. Details of Study/Review/Research...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Information (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: My Department administers a very diverse, complex and technical brief across critical and strategic sectors of the Irish economy. Following clarification with the Deputy's office, details of the 32 current policy documents and strategies published by my Department during the period 2016 to date are set out in the following table. Name of Policy Document/Strategy Year Published Statement...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Mobile Telephony Services (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: In 2015, the Government commissioned a report by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment of the Netherlands (RIVM), which examined and synthesised existing peer-reviewed research on the potential health effects of electric and magnetic fields arising from high voltage power lines, and electromagnetic fields from base stations for mobile communication. The report,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process and the Government agreed to this at its meeting on 7 May. This is an important step towards achieving the overarching goal of the National Broadband Plan, which is to provide access to high speed broadband to every home, farm, school...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bituminous Fuel Ban (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal, or ‘the smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known, was first introduced in Dublin in 1990, and subsequently extended to our major cities. Following a public consultation process, it was further extended in 2012, and now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide. The ban has proved very effective in reducing particulate...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Better Energy Homes Scheme Eligibility (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 135,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Efficiency (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Government is committed to ensuring that the public sector continues to play a leadership role in tackling climate change through the achievement of further energy efficiency gains and carbon emissions reductions. The Climate Action Plan sets a target to improve the energy efficiency of public sector buildings by 50%. The public sector has already made a strong contribution in this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Cycling Facilities Data (2 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: My Department currently has 86 bicycle parking spaces. Under my Department’s Resource Efficiency Action Plan a staff survey on how staff commute to work will be undertaken with a view to promoting more sustainable options and to feed into the design of our new HQ due for completion in early 2023. I understand that information on the total number of bicycle spaces across the Civil...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will know that the EPA is independent in its evaluation of such matters but I am sure that it will give due attention to the request by the CIF and I will get a reply for the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: This is a free scheme, so everyone who applies can be considered. It has not used up its budget but nonetheless there is no doubt that there are pressures on the funding and it has to manage its resources carefully to stay within budget. It is a very popular scheme because it is 100% funded by the State. As the Deputy knows, the Government is considering, as part of its climate action...