Results 13,821-13,840 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Television Licence Fee Collection (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I obtained Government approval earlier this year to draft a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act, 2009, including amendments to allow for the tendering of TV Licence fee collection.  As the Deputy is aware, the proposed amendments are currently under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action &...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadcast Advertising Standards Regulation (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The EU regulatory framework for broadcasting as set out in the Audio-visual Media Services Directive is currently undergoing review.  To support its work in this area, my Department engaged consultancy services in October 2016 to review the impact of ‘opt-out’ advertising on the Irish broadcasting sector.   I am currently considering the report’s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I understand that as of September 2017, the total amount of renewable generation connected to the grid was 3,400 MW approximately of which 3,080 MW was wind generation. A breakdown of the other renewable technologies at that date is not available, but the majority (212 MW) was hydro. It is estimated that a total of between 3,900 MW and 4,300 MW of onshore wind generation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Schemes Data (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: In total, over 293,300 homes have received state supported energy efficiency upgrades since 2010. These upgrades were provided through the Better Energy Programme which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) with funding from my Department. The Better Energy Programme consists of the Better Energy Homes Scheme, Better Energy Warmer Homes...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Legislative Programme (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The draft Heads of the Aarhus Convention Bill are scheduled for publication before year-end, and will then be subjected to the pre-legislative scrutiny process, with a view to progressing the Bill through the Oireachtas next year. Ireland ratified the Aarhus Convention in 2012 and over 60 pieces of legislation have been used to implement it. The Convention governs environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 205, inclusive, together. 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...

Seanad: Broadcasting Act 2009 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2017: Motion (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to address the House today and I thank the Seanad for the invitation. This is the last step on a long but worthwhile process and I welcome this opportunity to have the final stage in Seanad Éireann. The motion put forward for approval relates to the designation of major events or the designation of events of major importance to...

Seanad: Broadcasting Act 2009 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2017: Motion (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: They are listed on the order.

Seanad: Broadcasting Act 2009 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2017: Motion (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: In response to Senator Leyden, I am looking forward to next year's under 12s camogie championship. The Senator will be shouting for Athleague but I will definitely be shouting for Roscommon Gaels. There will be skin and hair flying I am sure.

Seanad: Broadcasting Act 2009 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2017: Motion (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Senator Leyden pointed out that Irish people right across the globe can now listen in to matches in their home parishes through local radio. I urge colleagues to encourage the Irish people they meet abroad to utilise the Irish radio app. It is a great way to find out what is going on in one's own community. While I have the chance, I also wish to acknowledge the role that all the national...

Seanad: Broadcasting Act 2009 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2017: Motion (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Anyone can broadcast.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I refer to my reply to Questions 457 and 459 of 17 October 2017. In that reply I advised the Deputy that the school referenced falls within an AMBER area on my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map available at www.broadband.gov.ieand is now part of my Department's ongoing procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Disposal Charges (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The details of the annual support of €75 for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence (to help meet the average annual cost of the disposal of medical incontinence pads), including the arrangements for its administration, will be finalised by year end, after further consultation with the stakeholder groups.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Mitigation Plan Publication (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Ireland’s first statutory National Mitigation Plan (NMP) was published on 19 July 2017 and is available on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie. The Plan is an important initial step to enable the transition to a low carbon economy and society, and identifies over 70 mitigation measures and 106 related actions to address the immediate challenge to 2020 and to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Following the motions calling for an updated independent study that were passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann earlier this year, I have commissioned two independent studies designed to address the main points of the motions as well as key concerns expressed by parties opposed to the development of an overhead line. The first is an independent study to examine the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Ministerial Meetings (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The request for a meeting was made to meet my officials in September 2017.  The appointment to the board of the SEAI took place on 14 July 2017 for a period of 5 years. The subsequent meeting request was not in the capacity as a member of the SEAI but in the context of on-going engagement by the Department with energy sector stakeholders.  No arrangements...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: A Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group has been established and has begun the process of monitoring the rates charged by household waste collectors.  The Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group has met on two occasions, 13 September, 2017 and 11 October, 2017. The Group comprises representatives from the Waste Policy and Resource Efficiency Division and an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Heat Incentive (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The proposed Renewable Heat Incentive addresses key objectives set out in the National Mitigation Plan, the Energy White Paper and the Programme for Government.  The development of the scheme has involved detailed economic analysis, extensive engagement with industry and two public consultations. In Budget 2018, €7m was allocated for the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bioenergy Strategy (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Biomass production must, in common with all crops, be managed sustainably in order to mitigate the potential negative impacts on soil and biodiversity. It is important to note that a substantial amount of biomass currently used for heat comes from waste products rather than energy crops.  The Energy in Ireland Report, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, found...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (24 Oct 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 future...