Results 12,281-12,300 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: First, it is not 80%. I do not have the figures to hand but I will get them for the Deputy. We have a number of peat-fired power stations that also avail of supports. It is something that is as close to the heart of Acting Chairman, Deputy Eugene Murphy, as it is to mine. A transition is taking place to biomass there also. On the point Deputy Boyd Barrett makes on CO2 emissions, there...

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I find it interesting that the Deputy is making the argument he is. I do not disagree with it because my focus as Minister at the moment is on deep retro-fits of homes. That is why we have €100 million to focus on that in 2017, to deal with energy efficiency and to consider the suite of energy technologies that are there. I got grief earlier on from Deputy Dooley for not going down...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Speeds (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated. Of the 42,372 addresses in County Cavan, over 24,000  are  to be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Sustainable Development Strategy (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I welcome the interest reflected at the Sustainability Gathering 2016 and indeed note the participation of relevant officials from my own Department in the discussions that took place.  It will be important to continue this dialogue as I have responsibility for a number of key areas where policy is being progressed consistent with, and in support of, sustainable development. ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: In October, I signed Regulations which will allow ComReg to auction spectrum in the 3.6GHz band (Wireless telegraphy (3.6GHz Band Licences) Regulations, 2016 (S.I.  532 of 2016)).  The liberalisation of this band is an EU requirement and the release of spectrum in this band will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and/or fixed wireless...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Charge (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The licence fee is distributed in accordance with Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, to both RTÉ and TG4 in order to facilitate the pursuit of their public service objectives.  In addition, 7% of the revenue goes towards the Broadcasting Fund, which is operated by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The schemes established under this Fund provide funding in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Licence Fee Collection (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I recognise the important part that public service broadcasters play in our democratic society. The provision of stable and adequate funding is essential to ensuring the continued delivery of their role in this regard. I am very much aware, however, of the challenges that face the existing TV Licence system, including the current unacceptable levels of evasion.  While the rate has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 59 together. For each year between 2013 and 2020, Ireland has a Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) emissions reduction target under the 2009 Effort Sharing Decision (ESD) No. 406/2009/EC. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their value in 2005. This is jointly the most demanding 2020 reduction...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electric Vehicles (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets all Member States a binding target that at least 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland aims to meet this target mainly through the increased use of sustainable biofuels, with electric vehicles (EVs) also making a small contribution. In 2015, 5.7% of the energy in transport was from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 55 and 66 together. RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 states the principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ and Section 98 provides that it shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (6 Dec 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 a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and through a State intervention in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, where mobile phone and broadband networks are not always delivering the services people expect.  Telecoms operators have however rolled out high speed broadband services to approximately 1.4m premises in Ireland over the last number of years, and mobile operators have  invested significantly in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Priorities (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: In the context of environmental protection and climate action, the Programme for Partnership Government sets out a coordinated approach to shape the long-term future of Irish environmental policy, including how we will achieve our transition to a low carbon climate resilient future. Recognising the roles of climate change plans, both mitigation and adaptation, and their interaction with the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Media Pluralism (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 gives the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the responsibility for assessing proposed media mergers, and empowers the Minister to prevent any merger that is deemed likely to be contrary to the public interest in maintaining the plurality of media in the State. There is no retrospective element to this legislation....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The management of radio spectrum is a statutory function of the independent regulator of the telecommunications sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).  Licences issued by ComReg impose terms and conditions on mobile network operators, including minimum population coverage obligations. ComReg monitors compliance in this regard by means of biannual drive...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Climate Change Negotiations (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The global response to the challenges of climate change is driven by the Paris Agreement, which entered into force last month. The Agreement has an overall goal of restricting global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an ambition to limit it to a 1.5°C increase above pre-industrial levels. It aims to tackle 95% of global emissions...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I refer to the reply to Question No. 34 on today’s Order Paper.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The current EU and national regulatory framework for telecommunications allows for the application of a Universal Service Obligation in respect of fixed voice services. This framework has, in my view served consumers well over several decades and ensured that householders can get an affordable fixed voice service, regardless of where they are located. Currently there are no...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Climate Change Policy (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The EU and wider international position on carbon neutrality is not well developed and lacks clarity of definition at this stage. As part of the process of defining carbon neutrality from an Irish agriculture and land use perspective, a number of scenarios are being considered and the definition ultimately approved will have to be robust on scientific, technical and environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to further decrease Ireland's dependence on imported fossil fuels through the use of indigenous renewable energy resources. This commitment builds on the 2015 Energy White Paper which recognised the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio. While Biomass will have a role to play in this regard,...