Results 16,521-16,540 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (30 Jun 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and upgrading of individual national roads is a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (30 Jun 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The total allocation in 2021 to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP), which now operates under the "Local Link" brand, is €28.206 million. This includes €11.8 million for rural regular services funded from Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding. This is the confirmed RTP allocation for this year, and any percentage increases over whatever timeframe, using whatever basis,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. On 10 May 2021, the capacity restrictions on public transport were increased from 25% to 50% of onboard capacity (sitting and standing)...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Senators for their contributions. I signal in advance that I intend to accept amendments Nos. 1 and 92. I do so because, as I said in earlier debates on Second Stage in the Dáil, I believe the Bill already provides that we want to encourage the use of sinks of greenhouse gases and carbon, and this was our clear intention. The amendments strengthen this and give clarity on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Production (1 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together. The Programme for Government set out that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and committed to developing a policy statement to establish that approach. On 18 May, the Government's Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas was published. The policy statement provides that pending the outcome of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (1 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 189 together. The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. In order to qualify for support, applicants must own and live in their home which was built and occupied before 2006 and must be in receipt of certain social...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (1 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme leaving them better able to afford to heat their...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Usage (1 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of ESB as regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function.My Department did, however, contact ESB and I understand the position to be as follows. This is a rural line in an area that has experienced significant, relatively recent, population and urban load...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Legislative Measures (1 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has powers to make Regulations to widen the scope of the Electronic Commerce Act 2000 which is the primary legislation governing the use of electronic signatures in Ireland. In practical terms, the Act provides that an electronic signature has the same legal standing as a handwritten signature. Certain laws - set out at section...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (1 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is currently developing terms and conditions for the first offshore wind auction to be held under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), which will support the first phase of offshore wind development in Ireland. The RESS incentivises private sector investment in renewable energy production by awarding, via competitive auction, long-term support premiums for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (1 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of the Irish Government. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. Decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector. To promote the decarbonisation of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (1 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. Therefore, the issue raised is a matter for the NTA in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences (1 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including vehicle age limits, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. At the start of the pandemic, the NTA, the independent statutory regulator for the SPSV sector, immediately extended age limits for taxis and hackneys and has since done so twice more....

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I appreciate that this is a critical issue in our transition and I am conscious that the setting of this definition is difficult. In resolving this, I keep going back to the point that the core of the legislation is referring back to being consistent with both the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, which was agreed in 1992, and the Paris Agreement, which was agreed...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: To answer the question from Deputy Gavan, I am sorry, from Senator Gavan-----

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I keep making that mistake. The Senator does not mind. The point he made is on my mind, but I think we are best served by going back to the core aspect in this regard. The strength of this Bill, and I have said this consistently, is that it is consonant with the Paris climate agreement and the original UN framework. I believe that is the best context, arena and process in which we can...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I presume amendments No. 8 and 9 are moot because of the acceptance of No. 7 but I accept what Senator Higgins says on these wordings. My understanding is that, in legislative terms, that wording gives real strength. It is not an easy out. One has to recognise that there will be circumstances where it is impractical to do something but this is not weak in legislative terms and it...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: It will take me some time to go through as there are so many different amendments but I will take the first one beyond Nos. 8 and 9 which, as I said, are now moot, as an example. The proposed section 4(11) provides "A Minister... shall, in so far as practicable, perform his or her functions in a manner consistent with the most recent approved climate action plan and the most recent approved...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: It does not allow for people to ignore the provision, go backwards or reverse the legislative intent. Who was it who said the revolution takes place in a grinding process in the corridors of bureaucracy? One sets in place policy measures to achieve an objective. That is the reality of our constitutional democratic Republic and the administrative process. My advisers tell me that is not...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (2 Jul 2021)

Eamon Ryan: To answer Senator Higgins on the alternative wording, I will give an analogy. I remember when I was doing my leaving certificate I was not the most stellar student in the class and my mother always encouraged me as I went out the door that all I could do was my best reasonable effort. I fear that if we use the phrase "best reasonable effort", it will be far weaker than the wording we have...