Results 11,701-11,720 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Smart Metering Programme is managed by the Commission for Energy Regulation and includes both electricity and gas meters. Officials from my Department are members of the steering group that has oversight of the National Smart Metering Programme. The most recent phase of consultation concluded in April this year with the publication of policy papers relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of solar energy projects. This commitment builds on the Energy White Paper published in December 2015 and recognises that solar photo voltaic also has the potential to provide a community dividend, thereby enhancing citizen participation in Ireland's energy future. It is widely...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan is a priority for Government and Plan is being delivered through a combination of investment by telecommunications operators and a State Intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming. This is reflected in the High Speed Broadband Map, at broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE on the map are where commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Energy White Paper, Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future, published in December 2015, sets out a vision for transforming Ireland's fossil-fuel based energy sector into a clean, low carbon system by 2050. The clear focus of my Department is on implementing the range of actions set out in the White Paper and Programme for Government that are aimed at meeting our...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bord na Móna (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: Bord na Móna is a commercial State company operating under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998 and is responsible for, inter alia, the management and development of the lands in its ownership. Since its establishment in 1946, Bord na Móna has developed the country’s extensive peat resources primarily for fuel, energy and horticultural growing media. As part of this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the establishment of a mobile phone and broadband Taskforce which will consider immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland.  My Department is engaging with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in relation to the terms of reference for the Taskforce...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Speeds (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.  This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Budgets (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: On 5 July 2016, the Government selected the Commercial Stimulus Model as the optimum ownership model for the network that will be part-funded by the Exchequer.  The Government considered two ownership models, having narrowed the options down last December, from five models. The two models are: - Commercial Stimulus where the private sector finances, designs, builds, owns and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. The Energy White Paper published last December sets out a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Service Obligation Levy (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy has been in place since 2001. The PSO levy consists of a set of support schemes designed to facilitate the achievement of national electricity policy objectives for renewables, indigenous fuels and security of supply. It also supports employment in the renewables industry and in the peat industry. The proceeds of the PSO levy are used to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Programme for Government commits to facilitating the development of solar and bio-energy projects in Ireland, consistent with the analysis  and commitment in the White Paper on Energy Policy to introduce a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) designed to encourage the development of Ireland’s abundant, diverse...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. The Government has adopted a range of support measures...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: UK Referendum on EU Membership (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: While the result of the UK referendum is not the one that we hoped for, we fully accept and respect the outcome of the democratic process in the UK. Ireland has always been highly dependent on imports of energy products. In 2014 Ireland had an import dependency of 85% with energy imports costing circa €5.7 billion. Indigenous energy sources from renewable energy and natural gas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: Ensuring the participation of communities in Ireland’s future energy transition is a key commitment in the 2015 Energy White Paper and the recent Programme for Government. National energy policy sets out a framework to encourage community participation in energy policy formation, the design of enabling measures and project supports. Access to the national grid for community designated...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. The Government has adopted a range of support measures...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Agencies Board Appointments (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The composition of the Board of SEAI is provided for by section 10 of the Sustainable Energy Act 2002. The legislation makes particular provision as to the competence of persons to be appointed to the Board of SEAI and provides that appointees must have experience or competence in areas specifically related to the functions of SEAI. Amongst the competencies listed at Section 10.(3) of the Act...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Programme for Government sets out that Ireland’s long-term interests are best supported by further decreasing our dependence on foreign fossil fuels through the continued development of indigenous renewable energy.This is underpinned by the Energy White Paper which sets out a long-term vision and a framework to guide Irish energy policy up to 2030 including a range of actions...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Media Pluralism (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: I welcome the BAI Report on Ownership and Control of Media Businesses in Ireland 2012-2014, which is the first of its kind. Under the revised Competition Act 2002 the BAI are required to produce a report every three years that details the ownership and control arrangements of media business in Ireland and to describe any changes that may have taken place in the intervening years. In this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The White Paper on Energy Policy sets out a vision of a low carbon energy system in Ireland, where greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector will be reduced by between 80% and 95%, compared to 1990 levels, by 2050, and where alternative and renewable energy will play a dominant role in Ireland’s future energy mix. In addition, the Programme for Government sets out a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. Delivery of high speed broadband is a strategic priority under the Programme for a Partnership Government.  This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where...