Results 14,441-14,460 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: The procurement process for the National Broadband Plan State Intervention Area has been a very robust process with strong risk management throughout, with all scenarios and eventualities having been considered. This process is entering its final stages, with the remaining bidding consortium having reaffirmed its commitment to the successful conclusion of that process.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Single Electricity Market (SEM) is the wholesale electricity market for Ireland and Northern Ireland and it has operated successfully on this island since 2007. It has delivered an efficient, cost reflective, competitive market, while assuring security of supply and integrating significant volumes of renewable electricity into the generation mix. As a result of the common EU policy of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: My Department is developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which is being 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, at...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management Regulations (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: Article 18 of the EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste states the following: “Member States shall not impede the placing on the market of their territory of packaging which satisfies the provisions of this Directive”. Coffee cups and a range of other single use packaging fall under the definition of packaging for the purposes of this Directive. In this space, where...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Development Plan (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: As set out in successive planning documents, such as the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and National Mitigation Plan, both published in 2017, increasing the level and depth of energy efficiency upgrades to homes remains at the centre of policy in this area. This is reflected in the level of funding for these supports, which I have increased to €84m for 2018.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Efficiency (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Warmth and Wellbeing scheme is a joint policy initiative between my Department and the Department of Health under the Healthy Ireland framework, which aims to measure the health and wellbeing impacts of improving the energy efficiency of a person’s home. ​I have allocated €20m to the pilot scheme under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty for the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: Having regard to the range of areas such as forestry, agriculture, waste, research funding and business development that have a role in the development of bioenergy, there are a wide range of Government Departments, agencies and State bodies that are critical enablers for the development of the sector.  The draft Bioenergy Plan sets out the policy areas that must be coordinated to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Cyber Security Policy (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 87 together. Cyber security is a critically important area for Government, business and citizens alike, having regard to the potential implications for the infrastructure that people and services rely on. Since the formation of the National Cyber Security Centre in my Department in 2011 and the publication of the National Cyber Security...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (14 Feb 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. 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland now have access to high speed broadband.  By the end of this year that number...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Bodies Establishment (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: The subject of online safety for all individuals but especially for children is of vital concern and importance to me.  This  issue  is a complex and multifaceted one and effective actions in this area rely on the active engagement of all stakeholders including Government, technology companies and parents. On Tuesday 21 November 2017 I convened a meeting with my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Television Licence Fee Collection (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: I am very much aware of the challenges that face the existing TV Licence system including the current level of evasion which is estimated to be 14.6%. While the rate has fallen from 15.3% at the end of 2013, it is still very high and equates to a loss of €40m per annum to public service broadcasting. To address this issue, my Department has been working with An Post...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: The 2014 National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development sets out an ambitious long-term commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Ireland by at least 80% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2050 across the electricity generation, built environment and transport sectors; and in parallel, to pursue an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (14 Feb 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. Today 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband.  By the end of this year that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Policy Reviews (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: I assume the Deputy is referring to the ownership of eir in the context of recent discussions on the State led intervention under the National Broadband Plan. As the Deputy is aware, Eir is a privately owned company operating in a fully liberalised commercial market since 1999. It is regulated by the independent Commission for Telecommunications Regulation, ComReg. I have no statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Strategic Plan referred to in the Question is An Post’s Strategic Plan and publication of same is a matter for An Post. Government was briefed on the plan in November last. The strategic plan harnesses the company's existing strengths such as its nationwide reach, trusted brand and the relationship of postmasters with communities, both rural and urban. At the same...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: I am very much aware that there are significant numbers of homes, businesses, farms and schools throughout the country awaiting connection to high speed broadband and I understand peoples frustration and the challenges they face in this regard. As I have said many times, delivering high speed broadband to each of these premises is a personal commitment from me and remains a key priority...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 78 together. Delivering high speed broadband to every home, every business, every farm and every school in Ireland is a personal commitment for me and remains a key priority of Government. Currently just over 55,000 or 55% of the approximately 101,000 premises in County Donegal have access to a high speed broadband service. Every single one of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: The National Adaptation Framework, which I launched in Sligo on 19 January 2018, sets out the context to ensure Local Authorities, regions and key sectors can assess the risks and vulnerabilities of climate change, implement climate resilience actions and ensure climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into all local, regional and national policy making. As a key action under...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I am responsible for the postal sector including the governance of An Post.  Operational matters relating to the company’s retail business, including the post office network, are matters for the Board and management of An Post. Nonetheless, I am acutely conscious of the value placed by communities in both rural...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (14 Feb 2018)

Denis Naughten: The National Adaptation Framework (NAF), which I launched on 19 January 2018, sets out the context to ensure Local Authorities, regions and key sectors can assess the risks and vulnerabilities of climate change, implement climate resilience actions and ensure climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into all local, regional and national policy making. The Framework does not...