Results 7,861-7,880 of 26,901 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: We must consider matters such as this holistically. We plan to spend €3.8 billion to boost the transmission system so as to facilitate plans for industrial wind farms. This affects people in the midlands, but there is also major concern about and opposition to the proposal to build one of the world's largest wind farms on the Kish bank in Dublin Bay. Conversely, it is estimated that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I welcome the Minister's statement that we must get together to discuss this matter. Many people with enthusiasm for, knowledge of and interest in this issue must be included urgently. If we do not believe that industrial, large-scale wind farms are the answer, we must develop alternatives. We need that debate quickly. I am convinced that the industrial wind farm model does not give the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Obligation Levy Application (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 5. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a detailed explanation of what is being done with the revenues generated by the public service obligation charge on gas and electricity bills; the amount of money being generated by this charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40483/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Obligation Levy Application (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Minister can see there is a theme to all my questions today on the area of renewable energy.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Obligation Levy Application (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: This particular aspect relates to the public service obligation. As the Minister is aware, there is much anger about sneaky, regressive charges imposed on people in respect of property, parking, water or whatever. I seek detailed information about what is actually happening to the public service obligation levy of €64 per annum that is imposed on people's electricity bills. The levy...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Obligation Levy Application (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I apologise; that was a mistake.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Obligation Levy Application (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I need to study the Minister's answer carefully, and I can see it contains quite a lot of detail. What I want to know is the extent to which this money is being used to subsidise private companies. There are many aspects to the anger around Irish Water but one aspect is that money out of people's pockets could be going into the pockets of highly paid executives and consultants and into what...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Obligation Levy Application (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Exactly. We have the ESB, Coillte and Bord na Móna, all of which are hugely successful, and we at least have some capacity to have oversight of those, although I believe we need more, but what oversight is there of private companies? There is fury and anger over the bonus culture in Irish Water, the salaries of its chief executives, the potential that we are subsidising a private...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Obligation Levy Application (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I am not saying the Minister does.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Obligation Levy Application (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: On the question of oversight.

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 6. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for meeting our renewable energy targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40410/14]

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The thread of these questions continues so I might take up where I left off. A major concern is that private wind energy companies is not the best way to invest our money in terms of developing renewable energy. In an article in The Irish Times, which the Minister probably read, Dr. Anthony White, who is the co-founder of BW Energy and is a low carbon and power market specialist, stated:If...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I have made the point. Serious questions need to be answered, and Dr. Anthony White raised some serious questions about whether the significant investment of €3.8 billion we are putting in in a particular area of industrial wind and so on is the best place to invest it. We need to answer those questions very quickly. When the Minister says he wants to consult with all those who are...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I genuinely welcome that response. I agree that we need a little time, although we should not take too much time. There is urgency but we need real consultation and buy-in. We need to tap into the expertise, knowledge, ideas and enthusiasm of communities and people who know about this matter. I must press my proposal, which has been given to me by others who know more about it than I do...

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 7. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the viability and value for money of wind energy as the primary renewable energy being pursued here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40409/14]

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I genuinely welcome the Minister's engagement. This is my last shot on the same theme. There are some serious questions to be answered and I would like a little more detail. The Taoiseach was pleading to the European Union for concessions on our targets yesterday because of the difficulties we are having. He states we have a big agriculture sector and refers to other factors. The...

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I welcome the consideration of bioenergy and the willingness of the Minister to scrutinise these issues seriously. I have indicated my disposition towards focusing more on district energy and local energy co-operatives using a sustainable mix of energy-production technologies that will be more in tune with community interests and potentially generate local employment. Much of the emphasis...

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: That is the contention.

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I agree with the Minister. That is exactly what we need to do. Unfortunately, I am not on that committee. I wish I was, but I am on two committees already. However, I will sit in.

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (23 Oct 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I have an interest in this area. What the Minister suggests is fair enough. Let us look at it honestly and let us get all the different opinions in and give them a chance to put forward their views. Many of them feel they are not being fully listened to and that a particular lobby that has had all the hearing is getting all the support and resources, which is not necessarily the most...