Results 14,941-14,960 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I absolutely agree with the Deputy on the development of renewables, offshore wind in particular, and particularly in the west, where our sea area is ten times our land area. The highest wind speeds are in the west, north west and south west, so that is where we have huge potential for economic development. I absolutely agree with the Deputy on the Shannon Estuary. It is not just...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: To go back to Moneypoint and to give an example of how things are changing, five years ago Moneypoint accounted for about 16% of our electricity generation; it is probably down to 2% or so in the past year or two. It will continue to decrease because if one considers the price of carbon on the emissions trading system markets, which is about €40 per tonne at the moment, at that price...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The North-South interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the all-island single electricity market and increasing security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also help Ireland to move towards our 70% renewable electricity target by 2030. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland's economic well-being and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I was on the Oireachtas joint committee back in the early 2000s when this issue first arose, and the need to strengthen our grid infrastructure and interconnection with the North of Ireland was set out with real urgency. In the meantime, there have been a lot of positive developments: the creation of a single North-South electricity market, the meeting of 2040 renewables targets and an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: While it is true that we need to have the people with us, they will expect and want an energy system that will work and will deliver all the goods that power supply does deliver for us, namely, heating and lighting our homes, and helping to provide jobs. EirGrid is a public service company with no interest in this project other than serving the public. That is its entire objective. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I will not read out the prepared response, as it is very similar to that which I read out in response to Deputy Smith's question earlier. I will come to key point at issue if I understand the Deputy's question correctly, that is, whether we know exactly what the technologies are that are going to deliver the scale of the decarbonisation we want. We do not know this yet. This may even form...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the Deputy that we should not be blinded by techno optimism. A variety of the technological solutions that we have heard mentioned are highly problematic, and we should not go next or near them. For example, people talk about putting particulates in the upper atmosphere. That would have major knock-on consequences for other aspects of our complex life systems and we should not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Deputy is absolutely right. The first real technology we turn to is rewetting our bogs and managing that. Nature-based solutions are going to be at the centre of our response to climate change, for example, in how we manage our bogs, what type of farming we do and storing carbon in our pasture land and forestry. In the process, we will improve water quality and reduce ammonia, nitrogen...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I speak to the Taoiseach on a weekly basis, including on issues such as the one the Deputy has raised. Last Monday week, we had a special Cabinet sub-committee meeting on climate change, which included a presentation from EirGrid and, as part of that, a discussion around the North-South interconnector. I have discussed the matter with the Deputy's party leader. I have also discussed it...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for her direction because it is similar to the approach I would take in discussing this matter with the Minister, Ms Mallon, or anyone else. It is not appropriate for us to comment on the legal proceedings taking place in the North, which will have to be worked through in their own time. As I said in response to an earlier question, EirGrid's management...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Again, I am reluctant to refer to court proceedings but my understanding is that the decision of An Bord Pleanála in December 2016 to grant planning consent for the interconnector was the subject of two High Court judicial reviews. On 22 August 2017, the High Court upheld the development consent granted by An Bord Pleanála for the interconnector. That decision was appealed in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Infrastructure (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Deputy for his question. The first progress report of the just transition commissioner, Mr. Kieran Mulvey, published on 22 May 2020, included a recommendation that a study be undertaken of the future potential of the ESB power stations at Lanesborough, Lough Ree power station, and Shannonbridge, West Offaly power station, for the establishment of a dedicated energy hub in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Infrastructure (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I do not believe we should pre-empt the review and whatever options are presented. In my mind, nothing has been excluded. I have said throughout the process that if Deputies have proposals or plans they want to submit or share, they should by all means put them into the mix. There are no exemptions regarding potential uses. The ESB does have an interest. It has a long-standing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Infrastructure (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As I said in my earlier response, an international consultancy firm with absolute expertise in the area has reviewed the proposals coming forward. I accept that while one listens to what international experts have to say, one should listen to views that contradict them. If the Deputy believes there is an economic solution that has not been considered, he should submit it. I will ask my...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Infrastructure (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: No, but as discussed previously, there will be jobs in the development of this balancing system, this energy system, and there will be jobs as the ESB works with Bord na Móna, Coillte and other developers in developing new renewable power supplies. On the back of those jobs, other jobs will come because we will locate the industry close to the power. That is where the ESB has a vital...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I said earlier, in response to Deputy Pringle I believe, that the key is to have a variety of developers. The national broadband plan is key, particularly for those areas that the market cannot serve, but investment of the kind that Eir has made in the 300,000 additional houses in rural areas is critical. It probably now needs to start focusing on some urban areas also because some of these...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: On the broad strategic approach, I make reference to the network operators. The infrastructure is strange because one wants the process to be both collaborative and competitive. One wants that competitive tension so companies are forced to make investments for fear that their competitors will take the market from them. At the same time, one wants it to be collaborative with a shared...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I recognise how vital telecommunications services are to citizens for so many aspects of their daily lives, including remote working, studying and staying in touch with family members during the Covid-19 crisis. Providing telecommunication services is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Design work is complete or ongoing under the National Broadband Plan in target townlands across every county in Ireland with nearly 187,000 premises surveyed as of 3 March 2021. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and the first fibre to the home connections have been made in Carrigaline, Co Cork and in Cavan. Technical testing and validation continues...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Policy (10 Mar 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Sustainable Progress Index report is a critical reminder that Ireland needs to do more in order to progress climate and environmental goals. I acknowledge that to achieve these objectives will require fundamental changes in how we live our lives. The Programme for Government places climate action and environmental sustainability at the centre of the Government's policy agenda. ...