Results 13,101-13,120 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Noise Pollution (16 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: Current legislation in the area of noise does not specifically address the use of bird scarers (also referred to as crow bangers), and I have no plans to introduce such legislation.  There is provision, however, under sections 107 or 108 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 to deal with the issue of nuisance noise from a range of sources, including...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (16 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy, with the latter transport target also being legally binding. While good...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Funding (16 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: Beginning this year €84.5m will be provided in co-funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. My Department also continues to explore ways to avail of EU funds in the form of financial instruments, which would be re-payable to the EU. It is necessary to bring forward projects of significant scale, with robust business...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services (16 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The provision of telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the service providers concerned which operate in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Regulator of the telecommunications sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I am, however, critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes (16 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme provides energy efficiency upgrades completely free of charge to people who meet the eligibility criteria. Typical measures that are provided include attic and cavity wall insulation, low energy light bulbs, lagging jackets and energy advice. To date, the scheme has upgraded more than 120,000 homes throughout the country.   Since the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Licence Fee Collection (16 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The prosecution process for non-payment of the TV Licence is dealt with under Sections 148-151 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and I have no plans to amend these sections. As the Deputy will be aware, I have obtained Government approval to proceed with the drafting of a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009, including amendment to allow for the tendering...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Media Mergers (17 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: I received the report and recommendation from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland regarding the proposed media merger referred to by the Deputy on 9 May 2017. In accordance with the relevant legislation I have 20 working days from the date of receipt of this report and recommendation within which I must make a final determination to allow the proposed media merger to proceed; to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (17 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: My Department has had no expenditure on renting car park spaces between 2011 and to date in 2017.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies Expenditure (17 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The information requested 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: Departmental Staff Data (17 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: My Department has not used agencies to employ staff.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Contracts Data (17 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: No external agencies or consultancies were used by my Department for industrial relations, hiring or interviewing. My Department uses the Public Appointments Service for external appointments.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland where telecommunications 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 the Task Force together with Minister Humphreys...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy Review (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Energy White Paper, 'Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030', published in December 2015, notes that Moneypoint, Ireland’s only coal burning power station, contributes to diversifying Ireland’s fuel mix and the provision of competitively priced electricity. The station is owned by the ESB and the White Paper recognises that key decisions on its...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Cyber Security Policy (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The major cyber attack that occurred globally in recent days is unprecedented in terms of scale and speed of onset. Whereas ransomware attacks via malicious e-mail attachment have become commonplace, this newly discovered malware type, generally referred to as WannaCry2 possesses the ability to spread very rapidly from machine to machine without any user intervention. The National Cyber...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Cyber Security Policy (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The major cyber attack that occurred globally in recent days is unprecedented in terms of scale and speed of onset. Whereas ransomware attacks via malicious e-mail attachment have become commonplace, this newly discovered malware type, generally referred to as WannaCry2 possesses the ability to spread very rapidly from machine to machine without any user intervention. The National Cyber...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Data (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Better Energy Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department.  The scheme provides grant aid to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Interdepartmental Working Groups (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: My Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, with the support of the Department of An Taoiseach, have convened an interdepartmental Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) Task Force to consider the range of measures and options available to Government for the purpose of accelerating the deployment of low carbon technologies in line with the Programme for Government...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Local Authority Staff (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: One of the many key actions from the Mobile and Broadband Taskforce report to help streamline the roll-out of high speed broadband is the appointment of Broadband Officers. Funding is being provided to all local authorities to assign an officer with responsibility for broadband, acting as a single point of contact for engagement with telecommunications operators building out...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Litter Pollution (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 282 together. Although in 2016, dog fouling constituted just 1.22 per cent of all litter nationally, it is an issue of particular concern to me given its potential impacts on human health, particularly for children. The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to enable local authorities to combat littering. It is an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Household Benefits Scheme (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have no function in relation to this matter. Responsibility for the Household Benefits Package, which includes the Telephone Allowance, rests with the Minister for Social Protection.