Results 12,461-12,480 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Projects (17 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: Cleaner heat is  part of Ireland's renewable energy policy objective and the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for Ireland is a commitment in White Paper on Energy and the Programme for Government. This will be the primary support mechanism in the heating sector designed to meet Ireland’s renewable energy obligations. The aim of the scheme is to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (17 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1514 and 1515 together. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Efficiency (17 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: As I have outlined previously for the Deputy, progress is continuing to be made in relation to the energy efficient upgrades of national public lighting assets.   Upgrading Ireland's public lighting infrastructure is central to the achievement of the challenging public sector target of a 33% reduction in energy usage by 2020. Given the scale of the retrofitting...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Grid (17 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: EirGrid is the designated Transmission System Operator and its role includes the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity transmission network in Ireland. As detailed in the Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure, the Government does not seek to direct EirGrid in the development of energy infrastructure to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas Networks Ireland (18 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I assume the Deputy is referring to Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), formerly Bord Gáis Éireann, which is a commercial State-sponsored Body under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. GNI is the operator of the gas transmission and distribution networks. It does not engage in the sale of gas to customers. Its functions in relation to safety...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (18 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband 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 a State intervention in those areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Usage (18 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. I have passed the Deputy’s query to the CER for direct reply. I have no function in monitoring the accuracy of electricity meters. EU Directive 2004/ 22/EC, the Measuring...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Investigations (18 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: There are no on going investigations or Commissions of Inquiry in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (19 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband 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 a State intervention in those...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes (19 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: Between 2006 to 2011 the Greener Homes scheme, operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), offered grants for the installation of a range of heating systems which included solar thermal, heat pumps, both ground and air sourced, biomass boilers and wood gasification. The choice of heat emitters within a home i.e. radiators, under floor or other method, was up to the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Social Media Monitoring (19 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am aware that the dissemination of so-called "fake news" through social media and other online platforms is currently a matter of widespread concern. While my officials regularly engage with companies which provide social media and other online services, no specific discussions have been held on the topic of so-called "fake news". An effective, proportionate and appropriate response...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Regulatory Impact Assessment Use (19 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am very aware of the concerns of the tyre industry regarding the new structures which I am introducing for tyres. I recently met with the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) and the Independent Tyre Wholesalers and Retailers Association (ITWRA). I have also met with the Association for Tyre Retails Standards (ATRS). I listened to the concerns of the ITIA and the ITWRA and I have done...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Air Quality (19 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: Since its introduction in Dublin in 1990, and subsequent extension to 26 urban areas nationwide, the ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel (or ‘smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known) has proved very effective in reducing air pollution and significantly improving public health. Scientific understanding has evolved in the intervening...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Brexit Issues (19 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: An extensive programme of engagement with all other EU Governments and the EU institutions, including the Commission’s Brexit Negotiations Task Force, is under way.  This engagement is being intensified in 2017. As the Deputy is aware one of the main avenues available for me to meet my European counterparts is through the EU Councils and Informal Councils, of which I have...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Food Waste (24 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: In terms of available data, Ireland generates approximately 1.1 million tonnes of food waste per year. Around 40% of this, or 450,000 tonnes, comes from food production; 34%, which equates to 380,000 tonnes, comes from the commercial sector; and, 26%, or 300,000 tonnes, comes from households. The European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Directives (24 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The European Commission has not commenced enforcement proceedings against Ireland in respect of the Directive referred to in the Question.  Regulations to transpose the Directive are currently under preparation and discussions are on-going between my Department and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) with a view to finalising these regulations as soon as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (24 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Government considers the NBP to be one of the most significant investments in rural Ireland for decades, and one which will transform society, akin to rural electrification in the last century.  The strategy for broadband rollout, the National Broadband Plan (NBP), aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Conservation (24 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates a number of schemes on behalf of my Department to support energy efficiency improvements to homes. The Better Energy Homes scheme makes a range of grants available to householders who wish to improve the energy efficiency of their home, the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme offers free energy efficiency upgrades to those...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Natural Gas Grid (24 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial and operational matter for Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), which is a commercial State-sponsored Body under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. GNI is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: ESB is a commercial State company established under the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927. The matter raised by the Deputy is operational in nature and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function.