Results 14,981-15,000 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Projects (15 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. The 2009 renewable energy directive established a common framework for the promotion of energy from renewable sources. It set Ireland a target of 16% of all energy consumption to be from renewable sources by 2020, with a target of 10% for the transport sector. Ireland aims to meet the 10% transport target through the increased use of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Projects (15 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: I have clearly set out Ireland's position at Council and in the trilogue process. Over the next ten years, we will spend €22 billion on climate-related activities, which is €1 in every €5 being spent under the national development plan and is not an insignificant amount. I defy anyone in this House or the other House to reference the sugar industry with me. I was the...

Seanad: Radiological Protection (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (15 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: I am pleased to present the Radiological Protection (Amendment) Bill 2018 to the Upper House. While this Bill is comparatively short and quite technical in nature, it will regularise matters in the area of radiological protection by amending certain sections of the Radiological Protection Act 1991, to effect the transfer of radiological functions from the Minister for Housing, Planning and...

Seanad: Radiological Protection (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (15 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: I will try to answer as many of the questions raised as possible. First, I thank the Senators for their contributions and constructive input to the debate. As I said earlier, the Bill primarily effects the transfer of radiological functions from the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, as directed by the...

Seanad: Radiological Protection (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (15 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: We would be quite happy to do that.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Policy (16 May 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: Broadband Service Provision (17 May 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. By 2020, 9 out of 10 premises...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (17 May 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. By 2020, 9 out of 10 premises...

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

Denis Naughten: Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post GeoDirectory, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement. Each new address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Brexit Issues (17 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: The ongoing Brexit negotiations, including matters relating to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the Euratom Treaty, are being conducted bilaterally between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and the United Kingdom. Ireland contributes to the process through its representation at the European Council Article 50 Working Party which meets regularly to discuss...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (22 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: I thank Deputy Harty for raising this important issue. I am acutely conscious of the value that is placed by communities, both urban and rural, on services provided by the post offices. As the Deputy knows, I am committed not only to protecting the post office network but to ensuring that the services provided within the network are improved and expanded. In fact, to prove that commitment,...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (22 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: A clear protocol has been put in place regarding any post office that is to be considered for closure. It will be the postmaster who will initially decide whether they want to take that road. If they do want to take that road, there is a mechanism to look at alternative options, including whether there are other businesses in the community that are willing to take it on. To give...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (22 May 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: National Broadband Plan Implementation (22 May 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.  By 2020, 9 out of 10...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (22 May 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: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: A breakdown of Admin III - Training and Development and Incidental Expenses, totalling €951,616, which were incurred by my Department in 2017 is set out in the following table. Expense Type Amount € Advertising 70,967 Bank Charges 6,403 Conference/Meeting Expenses 121,727 Corporate Memberships and Subscriptions 11,500 Exhibitions 173,467 Litigation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: A breakdown of Admin II Travel and Subsistenceexpenses, totalling some €1.033m, which were incurred by my Department in 2017 is shown in the following table. Expense Type € Home Travel 189,447.98 Home Subsistence 214,645.88 EU Travel 159,832.61 EU Subsistence 252,590.41 Non EU Travel 118,304.99 Non EU Subsistence 84,554.18 Sub Total 1,019,376.05...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: My Department’s remit encompasses policy matters relating to a broad range of strategic sectors, oversight of State bodies, as well as the regulation of activities such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration.  Given the technical complexity and economic significance of these sectors, there is a requirement from time to time to procure...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (22 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: Following revelations of the existence of  so-called 'cheat devices' being used in Volkswagen Group vehicles, officials from the then Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, along with officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), who...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Services (22 May 2018)

Denis Naughten: The information requested is an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function; however I will ask An Post management to revert to the Deputy directly to supply him with the information requested.