Results 14,881-14,900 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

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

Denis Naughten: I have no statutory function in relation to coastal erosion and flood relief. The lead responsibility for dealing with flood relief and flood risk management rests with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which is the responsibility of the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I understand that Drogheda Port Company also has a role in relation to...

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

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together. My Department did not incur any expenditure on social media training or social media consultancy from 2011 to 2017. In 2018, €1,900 has been expended on consultancy on the preparation of a social media campaign as part of the on-going awareness and education campaign on waste and recycling.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Services Provision (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I am not aware of any research undertaken into the possibility of supplying a panic alarm system through the mobile phone network. I am, however, familiar with the Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS), which is run by Pobal under the auspices of the Department of Rural and Community Development.  The objective of the scheme is to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in...

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

Denis Naughten: The Litter Pollution Act 1997 provides the statutory framework to combat litter pollution. Under the Act, the primary management and enforcement responsibility rests with Local Authorities, who have a wide range of powers to tackle litter effectively, including "on-the-spot" fines of up to €150 or, on summary conviction, fines up to €4,000, for those who litter....

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

Denis Naughten: Ireland enjoys a close working relationship with the United Kingdom on radiological matters through a UK-Ireland Contact Group which meets biannually. The most recent meeting, held in Dublin on April 18, was attended by officials from my Department, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the United Kingdom's Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Disposal Charges (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: In line with the commitments set out in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland,published in 2012, and in the interest of encouraging further waste prevention and greater recycling, flat-rate fees for kerbside household waste collection are being phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018, as customers contracts come up for renewal. The necessary regulatory...

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

Denis Naughten: I refer to the reply to Question No. 67 of 14 February 2018 and to Question No. 24 on today’s Order Paper. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Mobile Telephony Services (25 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together. Providing telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout...

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

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together. Tackling the negative impacts 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 provide new opportunities in a circular economy. I recently wrote to the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (25 Apr 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, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. Since this Government came into...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (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. It identifies the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050.  It does not set out targets for specific renewable technologies; rather it provides a...

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

Denis Naughten: European, national and regional waste policy are all predicated on the management of waste in line with the waste hierarchy, whereby the prevention, preparation for re-use, recycling and other recovery of waste are preferred (in that order) to the disposal of waste. For instance, collectors of waste must conduct their activities in accordance with the relevant legislation and the conditions...

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

Denis Naughten: Ambient air quality monitoring in Ireland is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the 2008 Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive (Directive 2008/50/EC) and the Fourth Daughter Directive (Directive 2004/107/EC of 15 December 2004). These Directives also include rules on how Member States should monitor, assess and manage ambient air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency...

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

Denis Naughten: 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. This has led to an expanded range of supports for electric vehicles, which include: - the EV purchase grant of up to €5,000; - VRT relief of...

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

Denis Naughten: The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy, with the latter target also being legally binding. Published data from the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The current contract dates back to 1908 and is being revised. Should a postmaster decide that he or she does not wish to proceed, a clear protocol is put in place. In the first instance, the intention is to offer a contract to any other business in that community that may be willing to continue to provide the service. There is a clear protocol and this, I understand, will be published by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Television Licences Data (26 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together. Under the Broadcasting Act, 2009, An Post acts as my designated issuing agent for the collection of the Television Licence fee. In line with the Act, An Post is charged with the issuing of these licences and also with the enforcement of the current licence fee regime. The following table shows the total number of TV Licences...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (26 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: In January, the European Commission published the European Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy. The strategy focuses on plastic production and use. It sets a goal of ensuring all plastic packaging will be recyclable by 2030. Recently, I wrote to the European Commissioner with responsibility for the environment to welcome the plastics strategy. I assured him Ireland fully...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (26 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 to 207, inclusive, together. Last year my Department developed the anti-dumping initiative to work in partnership with local authorities and community organisations in identifying high risk or problem areas, developing appropriate enforcement responses and carrying out clean-up operations. Overall, funding of €1.3 million was provided to local...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Radiological Protection (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: To be helpful, I am happy to discuss the principle behind these amendments when we come to the relevant section.