Results 4,481-4,500 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Other Questions: Post Office Network (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: Yes, I raised that because it was a submission made by a postmistress in Dunfanaghy, County Donegal, and I am glad to see that Dunfanaghy is on the same wavelength as County Clare.

Other Questions: Post Office Network (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: The Strategy for Financial Inclusion, which is being led by the Department of Finance, called for the nationwide launch of a standard bank account as a first step in promoting financial inclusion. A pilot project for a standard bank account was completed in March 2013 after a nine-month pilot period. A total of 205 accounts were opened during the pilot. The report of the working group on...

Other Questions: Post Office Network (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: To take Deputy Pringle's last point on a uniform response, my confidence lies in the fact that this business development group's report will land not only on the Minister, Deputy White's desk but in front of the Cabinet. It will be subject to discussion by Cabinet which will also discuss acceptance of the proposals. It has to be uniform, united and proactive. Otherwise, there would have...

Other Questions: Post Office Network (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: The Government is committed to the retention of the post offices. That is why we have a business development group and why Mr. Bobby Kerr was appointed. However, there is no point having a group if one does not do anything with it. Mr. Kerr and all the members of the group are intent on putting proposals to Government, because it has to feed back in and those proposals must be tangible....

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: The 2009 EU renewable energy directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. To meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heating and 10% of transport power from renewable sources. Provisional figures provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, for 2014 show...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy is correct in her observation about our reliance on fossil fuels and the statistics back up that observation. We import coal from Poland. We import coal on ships from Colombia. That is the reality of the world we live in. With the price of oil being so low at present, the consumer-led consumption of that product from an economic point of view is great in that it is cheaper...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I agree with the Deputy's last point about urgency and creativity. We must be bold at a European level, and while we were unsuccessful in the bilateral between the UK and Ireland, France is also an option in terms of linking into the European grid. If we can provide offshore floating wind turbines, as an example, we should be examining and harnessing that potential. My colleague, the...

Other Questions: Energy Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: We dovetailed into this question in the previous one.

Other Questions: Energy Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: Two creative minds are a dangerous thing in the House. I thank the Deputy for the question. The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. A well-balanced fuel mix that provides reliable energy, minimises costs and protects against supply disruptions and price volatility is essential...

Other Questions: Energy Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: Ireland is not in a position to solve all our energy issues in isolation and we have no intention of doing so. We are part of the European Union, a collective grouping of countries with the same sense of responsibility. Whether it is EU funding for infrastructure or EU legislation that promotes co-operation on energy security or energy demand reduction measures, we must work together. It...

Other Questions: Energy Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I can blame myself for introducing climate change into the question. The Deputy is right. It is important and it is a wider context within the climate change Bill, which will be discussed in this House and the Seanad. There must be an integrated departmental approach. I recently met a group in Letterkenny regarding climate change and energy security. As legislators, we are faced with...

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy has broadened his question. I will take the broader aspects and then read into the record. We are not putting the costs down in this phase of the conversation. As the Deputy knows, it will go to a public procurement process. There will be money available for this Government intervention. The Department would not have spent time contacting the European Commission to ensure all...

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: Slightly.

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: Perhaps the Deputy has extra information, anecdotal or otherwise, on the Australian experience. I do not doubt that my officials have done their research and examined the best possible solution. I know that under the SIRO solution in towns, houses are being connected in Cavan at the moment. There are plans for large towns like Castlebar, Westport and Letterkenny. The Deputy is correct...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: The 2009 EU renewable energy directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. To meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heating and 10% of transport power from renewable sources. On 31 July last, the Department launched two separate consultations on new support schemes, one...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: It is a fair question. I am reasonably satisfied because I have met many people from the various groups that have made submissions on the White Paper. I am more than reasonably satisfied with some of the submissions that have been made. While the Government has a role to play in this, obviously the private sector will play a big role too. I am looking forward to the collation of all the...

Topical Issue Debate: Air Services Provision (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Nolan as an gceist seo a chur síos anocht. Ba mhaith liom aitheantas a thabhairt do na Teachtaí Kyne agus O'Mahony fosta. Bhí mé i dteagmháil leo thar na seachtaine seo a chuaigh thart. Ní raibh an Teachta Kyne sa tír ar an gcéad lá - bhí sé ar a laethanta saoire thar...

Topical Issue Debate: Air Services Provision (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: Fuair mé an cheist trí Bhéarla. Tháinig an cheist isteach in Oifig an Cheann Comhairle trí Bhéarla. Is é sin an fáth go bhfuil an freagra foirmiúil i mBéarla. Is í an Ghaeilge an teanga is fearr. Ba mhaith liom mo fhreagra a rá trí Ghaeilge. Cé nach mbeidh mé ábalta cur isteach sa phróiseas, tá...

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: On behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the current position in respect of the permanent locations for Ballinteer Educate Together primary school, Stepaside Educate Together primary school, the new primary school to serve Stillorgan-Goatstown and the new post-primary...

Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I will convey the Deputy's sentiments to the Minister for Education and Skills. The process of acquiring sites in my own county is similarly lengthy. The ETB, as a patron body, works closely with the local authority under the new systems now in place. That is a national directive. Clearly there are commercial sensitivities around the acquisition of properties. It is a lengthy process. I...