Results 2,761-2,780 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (4 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I assume the Deputy's question relates to my official position as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. My Department has not received any notification of a decision by the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters pursuant to paragraph J(2) of its amended terms of reference. I have no official role in relation to any such notifications that may have been issued...

Written Answers — Departmental Committees: Departmental Committees (4 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Department has had in place an Audit Committee since July 1999. The Committee is chaired by an external member and there are two other external members on the committee (see list of current members below). In addition there are three internal staff members including the Chief Engineer and two Assistant Principal Officers. There is currently one vacancy to be filled. The Committee is set...

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "recognises the: —ongoing imperative to develop innovative renewable and sustainable energy policies to ensure security of energy supply, economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability, and the major progress being made by the Government in achieving these objectives; —wide range of...

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The saner parts of the document were copied from what is actually happening at the moment. The Deputy is welcome to the rest of it.

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Addressing the motion gives me the opportunity to inform Deputies opposite who tabled it what is actually happening, since they appear to be totally oblivious to it. It is clear that they are woefully ill-informed and singularly ill-equipped to speak with any authority on renewable energy policy developments, at national and EU levels. It also gives me the opportunity to highlight the...

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: That was an initiative from Deputy Eamon Ryan of the Green Party, a colleague in opposition. It was not a Government initiative, and they just could not agree with it.

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: It does not augur well. Perhaps if they had joined in that all-party consensus to move forward together, they might know somewhat more about energy policy.

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: For the benefit of Opposition Deputies who appear to be unaware of initiatives, I will provide a detailed outline of the progress we have made. We have made major progress. We have set an ambitious agenda across the three principal renewable energy sectors: renewable electricity, transport and heat. By way of background, the key factors driving the development of renewable energy sources...

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The party's policy document is fairly scant in that regard as well. While wind will provide the majority of additional renewable generation capacity in the medium term, there is every scope for broadening our renewable portfolio by encouraging biomass and other technologies, which will increasingly become economically and technically viable. For that reason I have provided for a significantly...

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: ——and on priorities for Irish energy research in the medium to longer term. I am somewhat disappointed the Deputy did not listen to me more carefully when I answered questions on these matters in the House. I told him some considerable time before the Fine Gael policy document emerged that this is what we were doing.

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My objective is to ensure that all of the policy and programmes are fully aligned with overall energy policy, as well as with policies for transport, environment, agriculture, enterprise, science and education. I am working in close co-operation with my colleague the Minister, Deputy Martin, to ensure that energy research and development is fully aligned to the Government's overall national...

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: ——and analysis to underpin ocean technology, bioenergy — which is not mentioned in any of the Fine Gael documents I saw——

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: ——CHP and renewable electricity development. Two weeks ago, in Galway, I launched a new ocean energy strategy, which was developed by Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, and the Marine Institute. This is further evidence of the Government's integrated approach to delivery. As the first stage in implementing this strategy, we have recently upgraded the hydraulics and maritime research centre...

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: We are making significant progress in developing a new renewable heat market in Ireland. We are currently rolling out a €65 million multi-annual package in support of this sector. The rolling out of this package commenced on 27 March when I launched a €27 million greener homes grant programme for the domestic sector. This five-year programme includes funding for wood chip and wood pellet...

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: They were again caught napping on this issue. I am sure people will be most disappointed in that.

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Our incentives package is ambitious and is delivering. Fine Gael has entirely missed the point on this issue and is clearly out of touch with the general public. The scheme has been a huge success to date, with 1,600 applications being received in its first month of operation, of which 1,100 have been approved. The scale of this programme and the level of grant aid available — typically at...

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Fine Gael has suggested it would provide a community dividend for those communities located close to new infrastructure that will act as compensation for those living close to important renewable energy infrastructure. This is already happening and will be expressly included in the planning code in the strategic infrastructure Bill that will be published shortly. The Government's objective is...

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Fine Gael's proposals on biofuels would result in the taxpayer paying significant sums for imported biofuels and I am not prepared to take that route.

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am delighted to have had the opportunity to contribute but I am sorry I do not have another 15 or 20 minutes to enlighten Opposition Members.

Energy Sector: Motion. (9 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy should have led the way.