Results 12,501-12,520 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Metropolitan Area Networks Programme (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 666, 667 and 685 together. The State invested in the construction of 88 Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), covering 94 regional cities and towns, over the period 2002- 2009.  The Local Authorities in which the MANs are situated are the legal owners of the MANs and the Minister is the beneficial owner thereof. The MANs infrastructure provides a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (31 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: Departmental Funding (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 669 and 678 together. I can confirm that I have not withdrawn funding in respect of the Intergenerational Learning Programme at DCU, referenced in the Question.  Responsibility for the operation of this programme is a matter for DCU. The Government is committed under the National Digital Strategy to actively support people, including in particular...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Programme for a Partnership Government gave a commitment to establish a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to identify immediate solutions to broadband/mobile phone coverage deficits and to investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to full build and roll out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention (NBP). The Taskforce, which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Mitigation Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: As provided for in Section 4(1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, I, as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, must submit a National Mitigation Plan (NMP) to Government for approval not later than 10th June 2017. The preparation of the plan is designed to be a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to tackling greenhouse gas (GHG)...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Climate Change Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to establish a National Dialogue on Climate Change.  This builds on the commitment in the Energy White Paper to establish a National Energy Forum to maximise and maintain consensus on the broad policy measures set out in the White Paper required to ensure the transition to a low-carbon energy future. It is my intention...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2017)

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: Better Energy Homes Scheme (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Better Energy Programme which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department consists of the Better Energy Homes Scheme, Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme and Better Energy Communities Scheme. The Better Energy Homes (BEH) Scheme provides grant aid to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff Scheme Applications (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The REFIT 3 (Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff) scheme, which closed at the end of 2015, was designed to incentivise the addition of 310 MW of renewable electricity from biomass technologies to the Irish electricity grid. The overall cost of renewable energy supports is funded through the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy and published in the annual PSO decision by the Commission for Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Environmental Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: Following revelations of the existence of so-called 'cheat devices' being used in Volkswagen Group vehicles in late 2015, officials from the then Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, along with officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and the National Standards Authority of Ireland, who...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Tax Code (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The fee, which the Deputy is referring to, is not a new charge.  Consumers already pay a fee for the disposal of their old tyres whenever they buy a new one. This fee is not provided for in legislation but exists as an informal charge applied by tyre retailers.  There is no accountability associated with the existing charge and no certainty for the consumer that the disposal...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (31 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 Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Energy White Paper presents a long-term strategic vision that is intended to guide the direction of Irish energy policy from now until 2030. At its heart is a commitment to transform Ireland into a low carbon society and economy by 2050 and reduce the country’s fossil fuel dependency. The Programme for Government also commits to reducing our import dependency while maintaining...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: Harnessing our renewable energy resources will play a key role in the transition towards a sustainable, secure and competitive energy system. The 2009 EU 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Planning Issues (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am aware that an increase in the use of stoves for home heating can be a cause of increased air pollution, particularly where such stoves replace cleaner, less air polluting fuels such gas. Any increase in air pollution is a concern given its public health impacts. The Air Pollution Act 1987 includes a specific obligation to prevent air pollution. Section 24 requires that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (31 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: Mobile Telephony Services (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The commitment made by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg) to produce a mobile phone coverage map is one of a range of actions which are set out in the Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce published last December. This Taskforce was established by myself and Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 687 and 691 to 694, inclusive, together. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to 100% of 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: Broadband Service Provision (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 690 together. The European Commission has brought forward proposals to co-ordinate the release the 694-790MHz (700MHz) spectrum band in all Member States by 30 June 2020. These proposals will allow mobile broadband services to use this part of the spectrum band. The Commission's Digital Single Market Strategy highlights the importance of this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Infrastructure (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: Spectrum policy is part of the overall national policy governing the telecommunications sector in Ireland, which also covers next generation broadband, electronic communications services and international connectivity.  While the EU plays a leading role in relation to policy in respect of certain aspects of spectrum use and management, national policy also has a role to play in...