Results 31,621-31,640 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: I will come back when I have a chance.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: I acknowledge the achievements of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It has been no mean achievement to manage Covid-19, Brexit and the Ukraine crisis, come through with 2.6 million people at work and, at the same time, move to introduce a living wage, sick pay and remote working rights, protect tips, have a new public holiday and move towards recognising collective...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: Yesterday, the assistant director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, with responsibility for monitoring much of the degradation of nature, said this is the first generation of officials to appreciate the damage being done and the last generation capable of doing anything about it. This was a striking comment to make. My worry is that doing these reviews and reports and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: If we had a top-level vision plus some elements of carrot, this would, ultimately, match what Mr. Cummins spoke about in respect of the drive from the marketplace putting the squeeze on. There is a need for the Department to achieve momentum in this regard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: In the context of the SDGs, where does artificial intelligence, AI, and the explosion and widespread concerns about its impact in manipulating both in the commercial world and, indeed, the political world, fit in? Is there a goal that accommodates that? Is there a strategy in development? There is promised EU legislation on artificial intelligence but has that been encompassed by the SDGs?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: Dr. Coates should put it on the agenda for the working group and see what cross-departmental officials say about it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: I thank the witnesses. The presentations were very interesting. What jumps out at me is that there is a huge long-term opportunity with the 22 GW of renewable power that we hope to deliver by 2030 and beyond. Data centres are probably one of the most effective uses of that in the long term compared with hydrogen or other options. We have a long-term opportunity and very real short-term...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: On a point of clarification, CRU has outlined that there are 12 data centres with 1,000 MW and another 25 inquiries with 9,000 MW. Will they be all subject to the corporate PPA and the heat proposal or are they outside of that requirement?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (15 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: 113. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will outline her plans for the reform of the family courts to improve access and streamline the processes for balancing rights in handling cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50285/23]

Science Week: Statements (16 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: I hope the Howlin name continues to be carried with aplomb in Wexford. First, I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Deputy Dennis Naughten to the Dáil in elevating the status of science in our debates. Deputy Naughten has been singularly committed to doing that and it is something that hopefully will continue even though we may not still have him in the Houses. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: At a very high level, how often does that interdepartmental senior officials group, SOG, on SDGs meet? Is it really active or is it a relatively sleepy hollow?

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Minister of State for his presentation. I welcome the electricity credit under this provision. According to my sums, a total of 2,059,000 homes will benefit from this €450 credit. It will be very welcome over the winter months when the high cost of energy will continue to be a real problem in terms of the cost of living of ordinary families. I welcome this measure and I...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: It mobilises every part of the supply chain to look at what they are doing. It starts voluntarily but, over time, as the targets become compulsory, they get greater teeth. The merit of it is that it has everyone playing a role - the farmer who produces, the processor who processes, the retailer who packages and creates space and then the creation and disposal of waste. In food, there is a...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: Will people have to go the whole nine yards? Will they have to go to a one-stop shop and get to a B2 building energy rating, BER, or will they be able to get the loan for piecemeal works?

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: The Minister of State expressed the hope that people who take out a loan will be able to repay it from the energy savings they make. Have the numbers been run? Is it as good as that?

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: I am wondering about the experience on retrofitting. It is picking up. The combination of 100% grants, 80% grants and 50% grants is a good package. I hope the loan scheme will put the last brick in the wall. Does the Department do anyex post evaluation? The Minister of State made the point that many people do this to get more comfort. Obviously, that is a great thing for people living...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: European Union (16 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: 30. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment whether consensus is emerging in the EU on future reforms in the electricity market; their likely impact on Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50279/23]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Negotiations (16 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: 39. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment whether Ireland plans to enter new undertakings in the context of the upcoming COP 28; if he will outline his priorities for the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50278/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (16 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: 233. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department plans to open a primary care centre in Santry/Whitehall for the Dublin 9 area. [50359/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (16 Nov 2023)

Richard Bruton: 234. To ask the Minister for Health his Department’s plans to improve the health outcomes in Dublin 9 by providing more medical professionals. [50360/23]