Results 12,781-12,800 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Projects (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I must get the balance right in that regard. Solar will be a part of that mix. Deputy Dooley is right, in that one of our main problems to date has been how we have effectively put all of our eggs in one basket, that being, onshore wind. There needs to be a broader suite of supports - solar, hydro, biomass and offshore wind. One of my first decisions as Minister and one of my first...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Projects (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: It is, so we must move quickly. According to the projections available to me, however, we will meet our 2020 electricity targets. The main challenge for us will be heat. For this reason, priority within my Department has been given to the renewable heat incentive scheme, which we want to get operational as soon as possible. Once it is, our focus will move to the electricity sector. We...

Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 53 and 64 together. The North-South interconnector is important for improving the efficient operation of the single electricity market, SEM, and increasing security of electricity supply across the island of Ireland. Currently, there is only a single high-capacity electricity interconnector between the transmission systems in Ireland and Northern...

Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: There is a commitment in the programme for Government to better engagement with communities on energy projects. Deputy Eugene Murphy and I discussed one of those projects in my constituency. I cannot reopen every decision that has been made by every Minister prior to me, but what I can do is ensure that we learn from the mistakes of the past in terms of some of the projects. That is the...

Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I will engage through the public representatives. I gave no further commitment at the time for follow-on meetings. As to whether I will engage with public representatives in the House, of course I will.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Air Quality (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: While Ireland’s air quality is generally good and compares favourably with many of our European colleagues, we cannot afford to be complacent in this area. Recent research shows that air pollution has more damaging impacts on human health at lower levels than was previously understood. In our small country alone, premature mortality from air pollution is estimated at four people...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Tyre Disposal (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am introducing a new compliance scheme that will effectively manage waste tyres in the Irish market and will reduce the stockpiles of waste tyres, which could have a detrimental effect on the environment and human health. I am very aware of the concerns of the tyre industry regarding these new structures. I have met with the tyre representative bodies. I listened to their...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 68, 72 and 79 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 Policy (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced electricity to all consumers. The Energy White Paper, published in December 2015, sets out a high-level framework for Ireland's energy transition to a low carbon economy and society and identifies a range of measures and actions to support this aim. The 2009 EU...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set legally binding renewable energy targets for member states and Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020. As the most cost effective of the technologies available to Ireland and in keeping with the overarching objective of the Government’s energy policy, to ensure secure and sustainable supplies...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection Agency Reports (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I presume the report to which the Deputy is referring is "A Review of the Environmental Protection Agency" presented to then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government by the Environmental Protection Agency Review Group in May 2011. Rigorous implementation of environmental policy and legislation, underpinned by the principle of proportionality, is the appropriate approach...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Draft Bioenergy Plan sets out the policy areas that must be coordinated to support the development of biomass sector in Ireland.  It also identifies 19 measures to support the sustainable development of the sector.  There are a wide range of Government departments, agencies and state bodies that are critical enablers for bioenergy development by virtue of their responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Brexit Issues (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, including in border communities, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Recognising this frustration I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force. In July 2016, I established this Task Force together with...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Climate Change Negotiations (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held its 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris in 2015.  The major outcome of COP 21 was the agreement by over 180 countries to restrict the impact of emissions on global warming and to limit temperature rises to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an ambition of limiting this increase to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 54, 55 and 61 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: National Emergency Plan (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: Ireland has a detailed National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents (NEPNA), the central purpose of which is to minimise the impact on Ireland and its people in the event of a major nuclear accident abroad, including in the UK. The Plan, which is currently under revision, can be viewed at .  Naturally, Ireland takes a particular interest in nuclear matters in the UK, as our...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electric Vehicles (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Question Nos. 57 and 58 together. The Electric Vehicles Grant Scheme provides grant aid of up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new Electric Vehicle (EV) and is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.  These grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000 that also apply to EVs.  Budget 2017 extended VRT...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas Networks Ireland (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 1114 together. The development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. The Commission for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Disposal Charges (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The charges applied by waste management companies are matters for those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation. Any concerns relating to contract and consumer legislation should be directed to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. My Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Brexit Issues (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 78 together. Energy is a priority sector for Government in considering the impact of Brexit. The energy systems of Ireland and the United Kingdom are interdependent with a large amount of Ireland’s energy supply being imported from the United Kingdom, and the Single Electricity Market in operation across the island of Ireland. The four key...