Results 12,021-12,040 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (25 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 and 538 together. The EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable energy sources, with the latter target also being...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Management (25 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The spreading of sewage sludge, including human biosolids, is subject to a range of regulatory controls under waste management, water protection, planning and other applicable legislation. Persons seeking to spread sewage sludge are required, inter alia, under waste management legislation to: - ensure that sludge is not used except in accordance with a nutrient management plan in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Responsibilities (25 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Energy and Natural Resources (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2016 (SI No. 420 of 2016) was signed by the Taoiseach on 13 July 2016 and delegates certain functions in my Department to Minister of State Sean Kyne. A copy of the Order is available at the attached link . The principal functions delegated to Minister of State Kyne are in energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Management (25 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 to 543, inclusive, together. The charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.  The waste management industry had committed to providing a full weight allowance...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (25 Oct 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 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 where...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: White Paper on Energy (25 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Energy White Paper sets out a vision to accelerate the development and diversification of renewable energy in Ireland. To ensure that Ireland meets its future needs for renewable electricity in a sustainable manner, compatible with the environmental and cultural heritage, landscape and amenity considerations, a draft Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electric Vehicles (25 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: Ireland's third National Energy Efficiency Action Plan to 2020, published in 2014, estimated that approximately 50,000 electric vehicles (EVs) could form part of the transport fleet in 2020. Apart from general macroeconomic considerations, technology advancement, affordability and consumer choice are the most important levers in triggering consumers to move from petrol and diesel to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (25 Oct 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Single Electricity Market (25 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The all-island Single Electricity Market has delivered an efficient, competitive, and secure market for customers since its establishment in 2007. The governance framework that applies to the all-island electricity market remains in place and is based on national legislation adopted by the Oireachtas and the British Parliament. The Regulator-led Integrated Single Electricity Market or I-SEM...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 13 together. The Government's 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 which will stimulate businesses and communities in villages and towns across Ireland. The NBP is a national plan and aims to connect all premises in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: Deputy Dooley has raised a number of questions. With regard to the speeds, to the best of my knowledge there is no commercial operator offering 1,000 Mbps at the moment. What I am telling the Deputy here and now is that, under the national broadband plan, the rural areas throughout this country will potentially be able to get up to 1,000 Mbps because the contractors are telling me they will...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Minister of State, Deputy Seán Kyne, has argued with me that we should start with the islands and work back in regard to the rollout of broadband. I know he is discussing this with the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys. Let me make it crystal clear that every second level school in Ireland has a minimum of 100 Mbps broadband speed, whether it is on the mainland or on an island....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: First, 30 Mbps will never be and is not, as part of this contract, an upper limit for anything whatsoever. The contract that will be signed by whoever the successful bidder is, or bidders are, will be future-proofed for the next 25 years. That is why they have now committed to bringing fibre to the homes of the vast majority of premises across the country. As a result, we are going to see...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: On the weather report, the weather on Inis Oírr was fabulous when I was there. On the Deputy's point, let me make it crystal clear that the rolling out of the national broadband plan will take place in every single county at the same time. Just because County Roscommon has the worst broadband connection in the country and the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Media Pluralism (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I understand the report referred to was published last Monday. I was not furnished with a copy in advance of its publication, which means that I am not in a position to respond comprehensively to its findings. As the Deputy is aware, the current media mergers regime was introduced by the 2014 revision of the Competition Act 2002 and is operated by my Department. This was...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Media Pluralism (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I compliment the Deputy. He submitted the question last Wednesday and only received the report yesterday. Fair dues to him. He received the report yesterday and I am supposed to respond to it today. That is the difficulty and it is disappointing. I have tried to be as open as I can with Members of the House, with whom I have engaged, including the Deputy, on various issues and for whom I...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Media Pluralism (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I am in no way using it as an excuse. When the issue was debated in the House in 2014, there was no significant Sinn Féin intervention on the issues highlighted in the report produced by Ms Lynn Boylan, MEP. Deputy Peadar Tóibín did make reference on Second Stage to the need for diversity and plurality, but there was no amendment tabled in that regard. Reference was made on...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Postal Services (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: Does Deputy Smith not introduce her question? I do not know what the procedure-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Postal Services (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together. I thank both Deputies for tabling the questions. As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post, to ensure the company is fully compliant with the code of practice for the governance of State bodies and the governance functions included in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Postal Services (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: At the end of September, there were 1,127 outlets, comprising 51 company and 1,076 contract-operated post offices, and 113 postal agencies throughout the country. The implementation of the recommendations of the Post Office Development Network Group falls under the remit of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Humphreys. However, I am conscious of...