Results 13,641-13,660 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Topical Issue Debate: Bord na Móna (28 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: To finish what I was saying earlier, I reiterate that my focus is on fostering the sustainable production of biomass in Ireland. Any actions taken in terms of the sourcing of biomass from abroad should be evaluated in the context of the capacity of the Irish biomass market, and my long-term objective is to ensure that biomass used in Ireland is grown as close as possible to the end user. ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Heat Incentive (28 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: The proposed Renewable Heat Incentive is designed to financially support the installation of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial and agricultural heat users in the non-emissions trading sector. The need for the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive is set out in the National Mitigation Plan, the Energy White Paper and the Programme for Government. Its...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (28 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.  This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area. The Map is searchable by eircode. eir signed an agreement with me in April last...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadcasting Service Provision (28 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: RTÉ is obliged under Section 114(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to ‘establish, maintain and operate a national television and sound broadcasting service which shall have the character of a public service, be a free-to-air service and be made available, in so far as is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland’. In this context, a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (28 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 to 241, inclusive, together. There is an extensive public network of electric vehicle charging points across Ireland. The maintenance and repair of these points is an operational matters for ESB eCars.     I have sought clarification regarding the charge point referred to by the Deputy and ESB eCars has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The primary responsibility for the management of any waste, including costs for removal or disposal, lies with the holder of the waste, i.e. the natural or legal person in possession of the waste, or the producer of the waste. The Waste Management Act 1996 (as amended) imposes a general duty of care on holders of waste, under which a person may not hold, transport, recover or dispose of waste...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: My role, as Minister, is to provide the legislative and policy framework under which both local authority and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement action against illegal dumping is initiated. Enforcement action against illegal waste activity is a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement within the EPA. Under section 60(3) of the Waste...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Air Quality (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Following a review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of air quality monitoring and information provision in Ireland, a decision was taken to develop a new Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme which aims to enhance and build on current arrangements. The new national Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme is being developed under Section 65 of the EPA Act, 1992...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that to date approximately 1.5m or 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband and this footprint is expanding....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Schemes Data (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Warmth and Wellbeing scheme is a pilot initiative being delivered under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty and the Healthy Ireland Framework. The main aim of the scheme , which began in 2016, is to demonstrate the positive effects that making homes warmer and more energy efficient can have on the health and wellbeing of people in energy poverty who are living with a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Protection Agency Reports (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Review of the Environmental Protection Agency was completed in 2011 and found that the EPA overall has provided ‘considerable benefit for Ireland’s environment and for the health and well-being of its people.' The assessment of the EPA was structured under a number of themes including: - Governance, - Internal Structure and Resources; - Licensing and Enforcement; -...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area. The Map is searchable by eircode. eir signed an agreement with me in April last committing to follow...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Natural Gas Grid (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: 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 Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is statutorily responsible for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location.  The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that to date approximately 1.5m or 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband and this footprint is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together. The 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure states that - “The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies.” This also holds true for operational matters...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The non-statutory 2012 National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (NCCAF) was the first step in developing a national policy in Ireland to address the anticipated impacts of climate change through a structured programme of action on adaptation. Under the 2012 Framework, the following four sectoral plans have been developed and published to date: 2012 NCCAF Sector Plan/Draft Plan Flood...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: As set out in the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy published earlier this year, the public sector has a leadership role to play in energy efficiency, climate action and the transition to a sustainable energy system.  In this context, I would encourage all public sector organisations to consider how they can promote relevant measures in the adoption of electric vehicles such...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The most recent data available to me indicates that at present, there are 616 solar applications at the distributional level and 35 solar applications at the transmission level, at various stages in the grid connection application process. These applications amount to 4,344 Megawatts and 1,961 Megawatts respectively or 6,305 Megawatts in total. Electricity grid connections are an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.  This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State led Intervention under the National Broadband Plan (NBP). The Map is searchable by eircode. -  The BLUE areas on the...

Priority Questions: Post Office Network (4 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Gabh mo leithscéal, my understanding was the first question was on An Post but I am happy to answer the parliamentary question. Am I correct?