Results 13,121-13,140 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commission for Energy Regulation (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: Responsibility for the regulation of gas installers with respect to safety of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Under the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 the CER is responsible for regulating the activities of gas undertakings and gas installers with respect to safety. The legislation provides that any gas works...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: North-South Interconnector (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: EirGrid is the independent Transmission System Operator in Ireland and SONI (a subsidiary of the EirGrid Group) is the independent Transmission System Operator in Northern Ireland. The role of the independent Transmission System Operator includes the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity transmission network. As Minister, it is not appropriate for me to...

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

Denis Naughten: Large scale peat extraction in Ireland is currently carried out under the Planning Acts, which are the primary responsibility of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. It is proposed that large scale peat extraction will move from the planning regime to become an activity that is licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is an independent...

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

Denis Naughten: The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has no function in relation to this matter, which is one for the Data Protection Commissioner, who is independent in the performance of her functions. The question also requests an interpretation of the law.

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

Denis Naughten: While my Department has no function in matters of water policy, I understand that the then Department  of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (now the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government), published an official guidance document, entitled, ‘Integrated Constructed Wetlands - Guidance Document for Farmyard Soiled Water and Domestic...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (18 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: Energy Efficiency (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: Energy Efficiency is the most cost effective way of reducing energy use and emissions in homes, businesses and farms. I actively encourage farmers to improve the energy efficiency of their businesses, and in doing so to take action to reduce the levels of emissions from the agriculture sector. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has worked closely with Teagasc over the years to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Disposal Charges (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.  My Department is currently reviewing, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives, the introduction of an incentivised...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: A Decision has been adopted at EU level in order to co-ordinate the release the 694-790MHz (700MHz) spectrum band in all Member States by 30 June 2020. This proposal will allow mobile broadband services to use this part of the spectrum band. The EU Commission's Digital Single Market Strategy highlights the importance of this band for ensuring the provision of broadband services in rural...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Food Waste (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 challenges us to halve food waste at retail and consumer level by 2030.  In response, I have made food waste prevention a priority for my Department. In March, together with the Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, I launched the Charter on Food Waste.  The objective of the charter is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Expenditure (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) outlines the Government’s commitment to deliver high speed broadband availability across the country. This is being achieved through commercial investment and through a State Intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated. Facilitating commercial investment is a critical...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (23 May 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 where...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Air Quality (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The EPA has undertaken a review of the current state of air quality monitoring and information provision in Ireland.  The outcome of this review was a decision to develop a new air quality monitoring programme which aims to enhance and build on the current arrangements.  The new national Ambient Air Monitoring Programme (AAMP) is being developed under Section 65 of the EPA...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Trading Online Voucher Scheme (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: My Department’s Trading Online Voucher Scheme, administered by the national network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices, offers a financial incentive of up to €2,500 along with training, mentoring and networking support, to help small and micro enterprises to trade online.  Since the launch of the scheme in mid-2014, over 3,300 vouchers have issued to successful small...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Plastic Bag Levy (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: Section 72 of the Waste Management Act, 1996, as inserted by section 9 of the Waste Management (Amendment) Act, 2001, provided for the introduction of a plastic bag levy. The Waste Management (Environmental Levy)(Plastic Bag) Order, 2007 and the Waste Management (Environmental Levy) (Plastic Bag) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 2007 allowed for the levy to be increased from its previous...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Information and Communications Technology (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Government is committed under the National Digital Strategy to actively supporting people, including in particular older citizens, to embrace digital technologies so that they can reap the economic and social benefits of digital inclusion. My Department's new Digital Skills for Citizens Scheme aims to tackle a key barrier to digital adoption by giving people who have never used the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 595, 600 and 608 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: White Paper on Energy (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Energy White Paper - Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030 - sets out a vision and a framework to guide Irish energy policy up to 2030.  It is a complete energy policy update and it has been informed by a vision to transform Ireland into a low carbon society and economy by 2050, with 2030 representing a significant milestone. This first progress update of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Closures (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: Issues relating to the closure of post offices are an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have any statutory function. I will, however, request An Post to issue a reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 599 together. It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong, viable company in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and that it maintains a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. A fundamental review of An Post, including the post office network, which will identify the...