Results 4,181-4,200 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I wish to share time with Deputies Cuffe, Thomas Byrne, White and Sargent. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Private Members' motion dealing with the crucial issue of the development of our new and modern economic infrastructure for the 21st century. The motion is set around Fine Gael's NewERA document published some weeks ago. To summarise my response to it, the good elements are...

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We are indeed ahead.

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: It is a pilot project of several thousand meters. If the Deputy were honest and talked to people involved——

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: ——and compared with the UK or America or any other country, we are ahead of the curve. I refer to the roll-out of electric vehicles and the signing of the memorandum with Renault-Nissan which gives us access to the vehicles. We have a commitment from the ESB to install the plug-in connections and the Government is committed to this. This is not an exclusive arrangement; we will work...

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The State company, EirGrid, has a €4 billion investment plan which is well thought through and providing a long-term all-island grid development strategy. If Deputy Coveney's party is serious about developing renewable energy he might support some of the initiatives in grid development rather than obstructing them. The Government is delivering.

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We are delivering in terms of interconnection which provides us——

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: ——a flexibility to help meet our renewable energy targets. We are on target for 50% renewables next year, a target set for 2010. It is bringing down prices and creating jobs. The ESB strategy allows for 3,700 direct jobs and several thousand more indirectly. These are real jobs in a real economy which is recovering and which is providing the opportunities. We have equal necessity to...

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: There is growth in the area for which I am the responsible Minister.

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: There is a recovery on the way.

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: This green recovery is happening.

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The electricity and gas prices are falling next week——

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: —— and they are falling for one reason among others, because wind power is coming on stream and it is bringing prices down. We are delivering a better economy by going green and it is happening on the ground across this country in new insulation schemes, in grid development schemes, in Bord Gáis investment and in Bord na Móna investment. Each of the State companies is following the...

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I do not see how it could provide any benefits or bring any clarity in management or any improvements for our country and our economy.

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: It would kill enterprise and it would kill the initiative of our semi-State companies because it would be creating a monster that would bring no efficiencies. That would be the most bureaucratic black hole one could possibly imagine——

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: That is not the right way to go and this is the fundamental new concept behind this document with which I do not agree. I do not disagree with looking at a range of options for financing and funding. However, this new green economy is generating funding. The utility companies have set out their multi-billion investment plans and are raising revenue on the bond markets to pay for those...

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: ——such incredible lack of transparency, lack of political control, other than a single appointment by the Taoiseach of the chief executive officer and the board. I reject this proposal but commend and welcome the support in the rest of the document for the initiatives on which the Government is delivering.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Under the terms of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960 (as amended), RTÉ pension schemes and arrangements are subject to my approval with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance. Officials from my Department are continuing to engage with officials from the Department of Finance to progress RTÉ pension issues so that the RTÉ hybrid pension scheme can be approved as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (30 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Sustainable Energy Ireland administers a number of schemes, which stimulate the wider deployment of sustainable energy technologies including: - Greener Homes Scheme – stimulating installation of renewable heating systems in homes, including solar panels, biomass and gasification boilers, biomass stoves and geothermal heat pumps. - ReHEAT Scheme – supporting technologies for the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (30 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Home Energy Saving (HES) Scheme is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). SEI recommends that people participating in the HES who are uncertain about their best options for energy saving avail of the before/after BER grant. Initial indications are that as many as one third of applicants plan to avail of this option. There will also be homeowners who are already familiar with...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (30 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Annual reports are received from bodies under the aegis of my Department. Annual reports are laid before the house and are available in the library of the houses of the Oireachtas. Other reports published by bodies under the aegis of my Department are available from those bodies.