Results 14,161-14,180 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (17 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to 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 today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises)...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Sustainable Energy Communities Scheme (17 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: At present there are a number grants available through the Better Energy Programme, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland  on behalf of my Department, which enable homeowners to choose renewable energy solutions. However, there are no supports or grants currently available to support domestic battery storage systems in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (17 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to 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 today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises)...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Air Pollution (17 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: There is no stratospheric aerosol geo engineering being conducted here, and I am not aware of any plans to commence such activity, or to examine its feasibility. I would add that there is no credible information or evidence that the trails from aircraft passing over Ireland are anything other than normal contrails, the appearance of which is known to vary according to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (17 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 to 162, inclusive, together. The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to 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 today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Investigations (17 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 to 166, inclusive, together. The calculation of the health impacts of pollution is derived from large scale statistical analysis of pollutant loads and epidemiological studies. The European Environment Agency (EEA) publishes an annual report on Air Quality in Europe with estimates on health impacts. The latest report, covering the year 2014, was...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (17 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: My Department’s policy commitments and investment priorities across key areas of national strategic importance are central to the delivery of many of the Strategic Outcomes detailed in the National Planning Framework: Ireland 2040 Our Plan.  My Department will oversee a significant programme of capital investment during the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2018-2027,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bullying in the Workplace (17 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: There have been no bullying or sexual harassment claims lodged within my department in the period since 2011. The Dignity at Work Policy was introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in 2015 across the Civil Service to promote respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace.  The main purpose of this policy is to ensure all members of staff  are ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bioenergy Strategy (17 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 to 172, inclusive, together. The Biofuels Obligation Scheme was introduced in 2010 and requires suppliers of motor fuel to ensure that biofuels make up a certain percentage of national annual fuel sales.  It is a certificate based scheme with two certificates awarded per litre of sustainable biofuel if that biofuel is produced from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (17 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 to 176, inclusive, together. Ireland aims to meet our 2020 target for the renewable energy share in transport (RES-T) of 10% predominantly through the increased use of sustainable biofuels, with electric vehicles and electrified rail also making a contribution. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland estimates that electrified rail...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (17 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in areas where commercial operators will not provide this service. That procurement...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (18 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to 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 today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% (1.8m...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Expenditure (18 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: My Department actively manages expenditure each year in order to deliver on its agreed business priorities and objectives. In overall terms, capital expenditure at end 2017 was some €163m out of a total allocation of €183m (including capital carryover from 2017), equating to 89% of profiled expenditure.  €6m of the 2017 capital underspend is being carried...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (18 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 258 together. The ESB, through its eCars programme, has rolled out both publicly accessible charging infrastructure and domestic charge points for electric vehicles. There are approximately 900 EV charge points in Ireland of which circa 70 are rapid chargers.  There are charge points located at Carrickmacross, Castleblaney, Clones, Monaghan...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Projects (18 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: My  Department is developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal. This appraisal compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (18 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to 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 today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises)...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Internet Safety (18 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: The subject of online safety for all individuals but especially for children is of vital concern and importance to me. My position on the establishment of a Digital Safety Commissioner has been widely reported and I am currently exploring and consulting on the need, feasibility and requirements on creating this Office. On Tuesday 21 November 2017 I convened  a meeting with my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (23 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: The independent study to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the North South interconnector began on 22 August 2017. The results of this study are expected in Q1 of this year. The study will address the central point of the motions that were passed in both Houses in February and March of 2017. Certain impacts such as environmental and health concerns will not be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Projects (23 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: A new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is in preparation, which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal. This appraisal compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies, including Solar...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (23 Jan 2018)

Denis Naughten: In response to the challenges facing An Post, the Board has overseen the preparation of a comprehensive strategic plan, the objective of which is to secure the long term viability of both the post office and mails businesses and return the company to a sound financial footing. Government is fully supportive of An Post in its endeavours. Reflecting its commitment to sustaining a nationwide...