Results 12,221-12,240 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Codes (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 687 and 688 together. Eircode ran an advertising campaign on television and radio to raise public awareness of using Eircodes during emergency situations. Using Eircodes helps the National Ambulance Service (NAS) provide speedier access to care. The NAS integrated Eircodes into their Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD) in February 2016. This means...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Codes (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: Eircode employ rigorous quality assurance and validation check processes on the assignment of Eircodes to each postal address and its corresponding geo-location. The postal addresses and the geo-locations are provided to Eircode from authoritative sources, namely An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland through their subsidiary company An Post GeoDirectory. Eircode undertake detailed quality...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Redeployment (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 690 to 693, inclusive, together. My Department works with other Departments and public sector organisations to provide access to development opportunities for staff by way of secondment to/from the Department. Secondments from the private sector arise in respect of skills not readily available within my Department. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commission for Energy Regulation (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 694 and 695 together. I have no statutory function in relation to matters regarding tariffs for the gas industry. Since 2002, the regulation of the gas market has been the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is independent in the performance of its functions. Decisions on the regulatory treatment of the gas network and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Funding (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 696 to 701, inclusive, together. In the time available it has not been possible to gather the information sought. My Department is compiling the information requested and I will write to the Deputy with the information sought as a matter of urgency.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas and Electricity Disconnections (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I am acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by families, businesses, charitable and voluntary organisations in dealing with energy costs. However, it is important to note that the electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive and that they operate within national and European regulatory regimes. Responsibility for electricity and gas market regulation is a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The information sought regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Vacancies on State Boards (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The three current vacancies and an anticipated upcoming vacancy on the Board of EirGrid will be filled in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 445 of 2000) and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards published in November 2014.  In line with the Guidelines,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Reports (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I would refer the Deputy to a previous PQ 22172/16 Dail Ref: 800 answered on 19 July 2016 relating to this matter which gives details of reports commissioned since 2011.  Due to the reconfiguration of the Department it is not possible to provide information prior to 2011. While in the time available it has not been possible to update information for the interim period to date, my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies Data (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: A total of €4.31 million has been provided to An Taisce between 2010 and 2016 in respect of a range of environmental activities and public awareness initiatives which it undertakes, including: the National Spring Clean initiative; contribution to the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) National Litter League; and the Green Schools programme. Funding was also provided from the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The EU’s Third Energy Package stipulates “where roll-out of smart meters is assessed positively, at least 80% of consumers shall be equipped with intelligent metering systems by 2020.” The majority of energy customers in Europe are expected to have an electricity smart meter by 2020 and smart meters are also being rolled out in other parts of the world including the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Non-Disclosure Agreements (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: Following legal advice, it is considered that the provision of the information requested would undermine and possibly breach any agreement that may have been entered into by my Department. The information regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commission for Energy Regulation (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The regulation of telecommunications operators is the statutory responsibility of ComReg in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations transposing the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services. In October, I signed Regulations which will allow ComReg to auction spectrum in the 3.6GHz band (Wireless...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a commitment in the Programme for Government and will be the primary support mechanism in the heating sector designed to meet Ireland’s renewable energy obligations. The aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in the renewable heating sector and to help reach Ireland’s 12% target by 2020. In 2015,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Advisers Appointments (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: Special Advisers are appointed by Government under the terms and conditions set out in the ‘’ which includes the Guidelines for Staffing of Ministerial Offices. I have appointed two special advisors to my Department in accordance with the Guidelines.  No advisors have been appointed by Minister of State Kyne to my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (30 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The management of the radio spectrum (including the allocation of radio spectrum, the award of spectrum licences and the associated application of terms and conditions and obligations) is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended.  ComReg is independent in the exercise of this spectrum management...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (30 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: As Minister with responsibility for overall telecoms policy  a key goal is to create and support conditions for sustainable services that will benefit the economic and social development of Ireland. ComReg, in its role as regulator, facilitate competitive services in the broadband market. Competition has driven significant investments in cities and towns across Ireland,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Management Regulations (30 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: As part of a review of producer responsibility compliance schemes in Ireland, a specific module examined the structural and environmental effectiveness of all aspects of the management of waste tyres.  The report, published for consultation in November 2013 and in final form in April 2014 found: - a non-compliance rate with the Tyres Regulations of 46%, - a lack of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas Exploration Licences (30 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: Earlier this year I met with a delegation of TDs and subsequently my officials met with other relevant stakeholders to discuss the Shannon LNG project. On 7 October 2016 I provided an update to TDs where I outlined the position. I and indeed previous Ministers have supported this project, as appropriate, given that it would enhance Ireland's security of supply. This support is in line with...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff Scheme Applications (1 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: While I cannot comment on an individual Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) application, I can confirm that it is normal practice that successful REFIT applicants cannot avail of any additional grant aid under European Commission State Aid rules.I have asked my officials to follow up with the REFIT applicant referred to by the Deputy.