Results 1,521-1,540 of 16,478 for speaker:Tommy Broughan

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: What about yesterday's newspaper article?

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: Did the Minister read the interview?

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: I strongly support the amendment tabled by Deputy Ryan and commend him on introducing it. One of the big disappointments of the recent Green Paper on Energy was that it did not contain any reference to micro-generation and the application of smart metering systems. Many critical areas in energy were not dealt with in the Green Paper but I hope that will be remedied subsequently. I will...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: The public are becoming increasingly interested in this issue, as we have seen from inquiries about greener homes and the possibilities of micro-generation. In advising constituents on the Minister's leaflets, we often find that major problems arise in trying to transport woodchips for boilers, particularly in urban areas. I have received calls from constituents which suggest the system is...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: I believed the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, had changed appearance — I am stunned.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: We are dealing with the role of CER in developing an all-island market. Colleagues mentioned that we are not really sure what will happen. Representatives of the Northern Ireland regulatory body were before the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources approximately six months ago and it was clear that the body regulates its side of the Border. On 1 November next year...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: He had been in possession of the report for almost a year but had refused to publish it despite our constant and repeated demands. He suddenly slipped it out on 1 October last.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: I have to say it was Fianna Fáil politics operating at its most remarkable.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: The Minister tried to cover all the bad news with his shining Green Paper. The Deloitte & Touche report contains a great deal of analysis of the ESB. It examines various issues relating to the market, which we are discussing in this amendment and this section, in a professional and thorough manner. The most interesting thing in the report, which was produced by a hard-headed consultancy...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: If we had the resources, in the form of storage capacity, we could have had free gas for half of next year. We have an opportunity to provide for measures which will require the Commission for Energy Regulation to consider this issue as the all-island market develops. People sometimes say that poverty measures should only be discussed in terms of the budget — they should be examined in...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: I have reviewed the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 which established the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER. The CER's functions were to publish, pursuant to a policy direction or directions of the Minister proposals for a system of contracts and other arrangements, to engage in a public consultation process, to advise the Minister on the impact of electricity generation in relation to...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: Social measures to alleviate energy and fuel poverty are welcome. I will be looking to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, to announce a dramatic panel of proposals on the first Wednesday in December. However, the operation of this in practice is rather different and I will give the Minister of State an example. The Minister of State mentioned some of the measures Bord Gáis Éireann...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: I move amendment No. 18: In page 5, between lines 34 and 35, to insert the following: "(d) measures to alleviate fuel and energy poverty,".

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: We engaged in a lengthy discussion on Committee Stage regarding specified and designated works. A number of Members tabled amendments, some of which have been subsumed into the Bill. I am obliged to disagree with Deputy Eamon Ryan in respect of this matter because the fundamental impetus behind the section is to create, at the highest levels, a safe environment in which electrical and gas...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: Some plumbers carry out the electrical works relating to the installation of showers. I presume that the latter would be dealt with under the new subsection contained in Deputy Eamon Ryan's amendment. It would be better if works were clearly designated and if there were no exemptions. I accept that there are grey areas and that handymen who advertise in the local press carry out works such...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: Deputy Ryan makes a valid point. We seem to have covered specified works under subsection (13). Deputy Ryan's amendment is complementary and covers all the requirements. In that context, it is a reasonable amendment.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: The Minister of State could send an SOS for the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey. He was wrapped up in knots trying to explain it on Committee Stage.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: This matter was discussed in detail on Committee Stage. Does this mean, that because CER may appoint an authorised officer, including the person from RECI or the other body, it has to take responsibility for all the examinations, completion certificates etc. carried out?

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: CER is, therefore, responsible.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Tommy Broughan: The issue of the approval by Dáil Éireann of important developments in ministerial orders has been raised several times today and in the previous debate. I appreciate the Minister of State's portfolio is the Department of Education and Science. Ministerial orders and regulations are laid before the Houses. We receive them or they are left in the Dáil Library for 21 days, but it is...