Results 4,081-4,100 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The October European Council endorsed a binding EU target of an at least 40% domestic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. In addition, an EU target of at least 27% is set for the share of renewable energy consumed in the EU in 2030, and an indicative target at the EU level of at least 27% is set for improving energy efficiency in 2030 compared to projections of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fuel Prices (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: As of 1 December 2014, the average price of petrol charged at the pump in Ireland was €1.46 per litre, while the price of diesel was €1.40 per litre, both prices including taxes and duties. The weighted EU average for the EU 28 for the same week was €1.45 per litre for petrol and €1.32 per litre for diesel, both including taxes and duties. While higher on diesel...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: I am aware of the need to give further policy consideration to the place of microgeneration in our energy mix. Analysis of the potential of micro-generation technologies such as small scale wind, solar and small scale hydro, has been carried out for my Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. It shows that while microgeneration has the technical potential to make a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Research and Development Supports (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Ireland has some of the best offshore renewable energy resources in the world. Wave and tidal energy are still at the research, development and demonstration stage globally. While promising experimental devices have been developed, much research, development and demonstration is required to bring wave energy technology to commercial viability. Policy action across a range of areas is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Digital Strategy Implementation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The Taoiseach and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources attended the British Irish Council Summit (BIC) in the Isle of Man on 28 November last where digital inclusion was a main item on the agenda. Digital inclusion is central to the Government’s National Digital Strategy. The strategy aims to position Ireland to take advantage of the opportunities of digital...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The employment terms and conditions for Ervia employees, other than the Chief Executive, are an operational matter for the company and not a matter in which the Minister has any role or function. In the period 2011 to early 2013, Ervia, or BGE at that time, engaged with NewERA and relevant departments, including the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, regarding its...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: It is Government policy that An Post should remain a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high-quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. The network stands well positioned to become the front-office provider of choice for Government and the financial services sector for both electronic transactions as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: I, Ministers and my predecessor as Minister of State at the Department of Communications Energy and Natural resources have outlined on a number of occasions that no decision will be made on any proposal for the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration drilling as part of an unconventional gas exploration programme, until there has been time to complete and consider the outcome of a major...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The written consultation process on the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland concluded on 31 July 2014. Over 1,240 submissions were received. The process of developing a definitive Energy Policy is continuing. Further engagement at stakeholder events at various Dublin and regional locations has been taking place over recent weeks. My Department is focussed on ensuring that all issues of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix over the long term, progress is being made towards increasing the share of renewable energy in our generation portfolio. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this target, Ireland is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Strategy for Renewable Energy (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Both wave and tidal energy are still at the research, development and demonstration stage globally and, while promising experimental devices have been developed, much research, development and demonstration is required to bring wave energy technology to commercial viability. Policy action across a range of areas is required to support developers in bringing ocean energy devices from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State-led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. On the 24 November, the Minister launched a public consultation on the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Strategy for Renewable Energy (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure, sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. As a State we have ambitious targets for 16% of our energy from renewable sources by 2020 through meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, with 10% renewables in transport and 12% in heat. In 2013, 7.8% of Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Proposed Legislation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: This Government is committed to our citizens’ safety both on and offline. I believe it is of critical importance that there is a cohesive Governmental response to coordinating this regulatory function and my Department is at the forefront of this response. In late 2013, an independent, expert Internet Content Governance Advisory Group (the ICGA Group) was established to report to the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Corrib Gas Field (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Completion of the Corrib gas field development works, by the developer, is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. It is estimated that construction of the onshore section of the pipeline will be completed in early 2015 with first gas anticipated in mid 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Offshore Exploration (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: There have been no new commercial discoveries of oil and gas within the territory of the State since the discovery of the Corrib Gas Field in 1996. With first gas expected in the first half of 2015, the Corrib gas project will make a significant contribution to the island's security of supply situation. It is estimated that the project will have an operating life span of between 15 to 20...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Seirbhísí Aeir Fóirdheonaithe (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Tá mo Roinn i láthair na huaire ag scrúdú tuarascáil EY a rinne athbhreithniú ar an tseirbhís aeir d'Oileáin Árann. Beidh an scrúdú sin críochnaithe go luath agus déanfar cinneadh faoin tseirbhís aeir ina dhiaidh sin. Tá an cur chuige maidir le fógraíocht agus eile do sheirbhísí mar seo leagtha...

Topical Issue Debate: Homelessness Strategy (16 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, I thank the House for providing me with an opportunity to update Deputies on actions being taken to address homelessness in the immediate, short and longer term. It is a very positive reflection on our society and political culture that this ongoing debate on homelessness is...

Topical Issue Debate: Homelessness Strategy (16 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: I will convey the Deputy's specific point to the Minister. This is about supply and demand and the increase in rents. The issue is not confined to the capital but also manifests itself in places such as Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Cork. The Deputy acknowledged the short timeframe in which the Government has taken a series of actions. Within a period of six years the Government plans...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (16 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: I am advised that the document referred to by the Deputy is among a number of matters shortly to be considered before the Supreme Court in relation to an extant legal case. GIven that the matter is effectively sub judice I am not in a position to to comment at this stage.