Results 30,861-30,880 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Policy (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The first whole-of-government Circular Economy Strategy was launched in December 2021. The Strategy sets out an overall approach to circular economy policy, identifies key objectives and indicates the direction of future policy development. There is an explicit commitment in the text to revise the Strategy on an ongoing basis, including through the introduction of more detailed targets as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Water Quality (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: I have no function in relation to this matter, under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. Public water supplies are a matter for Uisce Éireann. Since 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Last November, the Government approved and published the Energy Security Package, a first-of-its kind strategy that encompasses electricity, oil, and gas. As part of the Package, the 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' report concludes that Ireland’s future energy will be secure by moving from a fossil fuel-based energy system to an electricity-led system, maximising our renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The North-South Interconnector is an essential Transmission infrastructure project that will link the electricity transmission networks of Ireland and Northern Ireland — leading to a more secure, affordable and sustainable supply of electricity across the island. It will facilitate the connection of 900 MW of renewable generation, enough to power 600,000 homes through green energy. ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The consultation process to review and assess the accessibility of the deposit return scheme (DRS) for people with disabilities and mobility issues is underway. This process is overseen by an advisory group comprising representatives from Disabled Persons Organisations, the National Disability Authority, Disability Federation Ireland, retailers, producers, Re-turn and my Department. Re-turn...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. It is important that works supported through SEAI schemes are completed in line with their respective terms and conditions including in line with the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice and Domestic...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As set out in the Government’s ‘Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas' the government does not support the importation of fracked gas. Ireland is committed to halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In future, most of our energy needs will be met by renewable energy which will be the anchor of our energy security. The sole...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: In 2021, Ireland established its first national maritime spatial plan, known as the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF), and legislated to positively change the management of our seas and oceans through enactment of the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act. The MAP Act further created the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) to manage and regulate sustainable activities within our seas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: As set out in the Government’s ‘Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas' the government does not support the importation of fracked gas. Ireland is committed to halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In future, most of our energy needs will be met by renewable energy which will be the anchor of our energy security. The sole...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Air Quality (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 529 of 2022), which took effect from 31 October 2022, introduced minimum quality standards that apply to all solid fuels distributed throughout the State. This is to ensure that the most polluting fuels can no longer be made available on the Irish market and to assist the public in transitioning to less polluting...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: COP29, scheduled to take place next month in Baku, Azerbaijan, is expected to deliver an agreement on a New Collective Quantified Goal to replace the current annual $100 billion goal for globally provided and mobilised climate finance from developed countries. The design of the new Goal must ensure that it is fit for purpose, ambitious and achievable and responds to the challenge at hand,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Throughout the period of high energy prices, the Government has continued to support energy consumers to stay warm and well. Budget 2025 has introduced a total €2.6 billion suite of once-off cost-of-living measures to assist families, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities this winter. This includes a new electricity cost emergency benefit scheme through which €250...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Foreshore Issues (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) was formally established on the 17th July 2023. On that date, as set out under Section 43 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, as amended, MARA assumed full administrative responsibility for all consented foreshore authorisations granted under the Foreshore Act and the management of the foreshore estate, including associated compliance,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Ireland introduced an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for tyres in 2017 which is operated by Circol ELT. Producers of tyres are financially responsible for the full life cycle of their products. The EPR Scheme manages tyres of passenger cars, 4x4s, van and motorcycle tyres to find sustainable solutions for managing waste tyres. Currently agricultural, truck/bus, construction and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The Celtic Interconnector is a 700 MW electricity interconnector between Brittany and East Cork, developed by EirGrid and its French counterpart, Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTÉ). This project will reinstate direct connectivity to the Internal Energy Market following the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. The project is on track for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not me as Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: A renewables-led system is one of the core foundations of Ireland’s plan to radically reduce emissions in the electricity sector, protect our energy security, and ensure our economic competitiveness. The Government’s Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP 23), reaffirmed by CAP 24, sets Ireland an ambitious target of 80% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030, to be met...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: At present there is over 1 GW of electricity storage operating on the national electricity grid. 292 MW of this is pumped hydro-electric storage located at Turlough Hill Co. Wicklow, with the remainder Battery Electricity Storage Systems (BESS). These 1 GW of electricity storage systems provide both electricity capacity to the grid to meet demand and the system services required to maintain...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The Renewable Energy Directive requires Member States to introduce accelerated and simplified permitting procedures for the repowering of renewable energy projects. Planning matters fall under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the decision to repower individual projects is a matter for developers. Through the Accelerating Renewable Electricity...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (15 Oct 2024)

Eamon Ryan: The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is Ireland’s flagship support scheme for grid-scale renewable electricity generators and a key measure in supporting Ireland's ambitious renewable electricity targets under the Climate Action Plan. The RESS is comprised of a series of regular competitive auctions. The results of the most recent and very successful fourth RESS auction were...