Results 14,841-14,860 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: Exactly - where to begin? Biodiversity is also an issue to be considered in this regard. Right across my own part of the country there is effectively a monoculture in relation to forestry. The investment that we make today in terms of forestry will really only have an impact on our climate targets post 2030. The investment that we made 15 or 20 years ago is having an impact today and for...

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I need more than a minute to answer that question.

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: With regard to biomass, in the long term, biomass is an effective feedstock for heat. In the short term, we are looking at it with regard to power generation but it is far more effective for heat. As we start harvesting our forestry crops, the leftover residues will be the main bulk to provide that feedstock. Biomass crops can complement that to ensure that we are not importing biomass...

Other Questions: Recycling Policy (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 30 together. Tackling the negative impact of plastic on our environment is a national and global challenge. I am working with my colleagues in Government and internationally to ensure that Ireland acts to protect our environment and at the same time provides new opportunities in a circular economy. I recently wrote to EU Commissioner Vella, who...

Other Questions: Recycling Policy (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: We will ban microbeads. It would have been more helpful if this could have been done at a co-ordinated European level rather than a domestic level but we are determined to bring forward legislation in this area to ban microbeads. With regard to China, a reason that the Chinese closed the market was the scale of contamination. We are trying to reduce the contamination and that is why we...

Other Questions: Recycling Policy (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I am concerned by Deputy Stanley's comment on the collection system not being fit for purpose. If he has any specific details, I would like to hear them. I do not like hearing such comments and we want to ensure we have a system that is fit for purpose. The Deputy is 100% correct that the priority must be on trying to reduce generation of this in the first place. What comes to mind is...

Other Questions: Waste Disposal (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I thank Deputy Lahart but I did not think he was going to ask the question. Waste management planning, including that regarding infrastructure provision, is the responsibility of local authorities under Part II of the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended. Under section 60(3) of that Act, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in the performance, in specific cases, by a...

Other Questions: Waste Disposal (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I am absolutely quite happy to report either through the committee or in another way about the group. There is no problem in doing that. There are three types of construction waste and I need to get my own head around this. There is "clean" or greenfield construction waste, which is topsoil and stone on a greenfield site. There is brownfield construction waste, which could include the...

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I welcome the opportunity to provide the house with an update on the Government's national broadband plan. The plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business has access to a high-quality, high-speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State-led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The...

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I apologise to Deputy Aylward for the delay in responding to him, which is not good enough. I have previously raised the issue with my officials and I will do so once more on foot of the Deputy's comments. As regards Eir, I hope to meet with its new owners early next month and I will inform them of the Deputy's comments on a query line for Members. On the dark blue area, there is a...

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I will take up with Eir the issue of a dedicated line for Members. As regards there being one bidder remaining for the contract, I am confident that we can roll this out. From engagement with the company, I believe it is ascertaining how it can fast track the build and it is already engaging in that regard. Significant progress has been made since this issue was last discussed in the...

Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 43 together. I am glad to return the topic of the national broadband plan and to speak on the matter of broadband services in counties Cavan and Monaghan in particular. As I have related to the House previously, I am only too aware of the impact a lack of reliable high-speed broadband has on the ability of citizens to carry out important...

Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I accept the point that Deputy Brendan Smith makes. He is correct. Rural communities that are dependent on agriculture, light engineering and the agrifood sectors are the ones that are most exposed to Brexit and have the most to gain by the delivery of the national broadband plan. That is why I am determined to ensure that we get this contract signed as quickly as possible, and more...

Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: In response to Deputy Brendan Smith's point about businesses being obliged to travel into the local town, it is absolutely soul-destroying to see that happening in this day and age. That is not something that I want to see continuing. That is why the Government and I are determined to ensure we unlock as much commercial investment as possible, first through the broadband task force, in the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Trading Online Voucher Scheme (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: A key element of developing Ireland's digital presence has been to encourage small businesses to discover the economic potential of the Internet. The Trading Online Voucher Scheme assists small businesses that are not yet trading online, to develop their ecommerce capability, pairing training with financial support of up to €2,500.  This is a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 33 together. As Minister, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 58 and 64 together. The 2009 Effort Sharing Decision 406/2009/EC established binding annual greenhouse gas emissions targets for EU Member States for the period 2013 to 2020. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their level in 2005. This will be Ireland’s contribution to the overall EU...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Mitigation Plan (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Energy White Paper presents a long-term strategic vision that is intended to guide the direction of Irish energy policy from now until 2030. At its heart is a commitment to transform Ireland into a low carbon society and economy by 2050 and reduce the country’s fossil fuel dependency. This ambitious vision for Ireland’s energy system envisages a reduction in greenhouse gas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 57 together. The Low Emissions Vehicle Taskforce, which is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is considering the measures and options available to Government to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles. As Deputies will be aware, this has led to a range of additional supports being introduced for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 60 together. Ireland’s White Paper on Energy Policy, Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030,National Mitigation Plan (NMP) and Long Term Renovation Strategy (LTRS) all recognise the fact that extensive renovation of our building stock will need to take place in order to meet both national and...