Results 2,021-2,040 of 7,112 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Bodies (12 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 424. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of staff in An Bord Pleanála with biodiversity expertise, for example, ecologists, marine biologists or ornithologists; if there are plans to recruit additional staff; and the average cost per WTE and HTE per grade, in tabular form. [54996/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (12 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 426. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of staff in the NPWS with climate action expertise; if there are plans to recruit more; and the average cost per WTE and HTE per grade, in tabular form. [55006/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: State Bodies (12 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 434. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the estimated year one cost to and full year cost to establish MARA. [55023/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (12 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 435. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the total cost of funds provided to complete hedgerow surveys; the average cost per successful applicant to complete a hedgerow survey; and the median cost per successful applicant to complete a hedgerow survey in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form, as part of the local biodiversity action fund. [55035/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (12 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 436. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the total cost of funds provided to local authorities to complete hedgerow surveys; the average cost per local authority to complete a hedgerow survey; the median cost per local authority to complete a hedgerow survey in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Renewable Energy Generation (12 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 446. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has issued any guidelines for the development of regional spatial and economic strategies and how they are coordinated with the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive III, including the roll-out of renewable acceleration areas as well the identification of renewable energy hubs currently being carried out by EirGrid...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (7 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 196. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how many children in County Meath are on the waiting lists to get into primary schools between 1st class and 6th class, i.e., children transferring during the school year due to a change in circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54301/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (7 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 197. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that can be taken to facilitate a move for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54302/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (7 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 198. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the pupil/teacher ratio in primary schools in County Meath; the ten schools with the highest ratios in County Meath; her plans to reduce this ratio; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54303/23]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wind Energy Generation (6 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: This report is appropriately entitled Act Now. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, is at COP28, engaging in diplomatic efforts on climate change but there is a long way to go there, as we can see from the strength of the fossil fuel lobby. At home, the path is very clear on renewables, albeit not so much in other areas. It is very clear that we have the tools, the know how and the ability to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wind Energy Generation (6 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: There is no denying that the Government is doing a lot, as is acknowledged in the report. The question is whether it is doing enough to deliver on the targets set out. The answer to that question is clearly "No". The Government is further away from our renewable energy targets this year than last year. There is a serious problem with planning. No onshore projects have come out of the...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I am sorry I was late. I was caught on a Topical Issue which was also on climate-related matters. It is the nature of the Oireachtas schedule. There is a clear pattern in the amendments that are coming from both Government and Opposition in this case. It is about the future of the gas network, what drives the decision-making of Gas Networks Ireland, and how aligned that is with what...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I am proposing to amend this Bill. I will pick up on some of the points made by Deputy Leddin. I welcome the opportunity to come back on Report Stage and I expect I will. It would be important from my perspective that we get a sense or indication, perhaps not at this Stage or even on Report Stage, of an intention for the direction of travel and an understanding of the intent from this side...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Amendment No. 6 amends the Gas Act 1976 by mandating the board to maintain a natural gas system that is aligned with the carbon budget and is economical and efficient. The amendment is similar to that proposed by Deputy Leddin.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I move amendment No. 6: In page 12, to delete lines 28 to 30 and substitute the following: “(i) by the substitution of the following subsections for subsections (1) and (2): “(1) (a) The Board shall own, operate, develop and maintain a system for the transmission and distribution of natural gas being a system that is carbon budget-aligned, economical and efficient...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I move amendment No. 8: In page 13, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “(c) in section 10A, in subsection (3), by the substitution of the following paragraphs for paragraphs (b) and (c): “(b) the Commission shall have the power to examine the reasons for making an offer under paragraph (a) and to give appropriate directions with regard to the volume and rate...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I move amendment No. 9: In page 13, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “(c) in section 10A, by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (4): “(4) The Commission may by direction provide for— (a) the matters to be specified in an agreement for third party access, including terms and conditions relating to price, GHG emissions,...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I move amendment No. 10: In page 13, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “(c) in section 10A, by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (7): “(7) Subject to subsection (7A), an operator may refuse to enter into an agreement under subsection (2)— (a) on the basis of a lack of capacity in its facility save where it is economical...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I move amendment No. 11: In page 13, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “(c) in section 10A, by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (7A): “(7B) The transmission system operator and distribution system operator shall be entitled to refuse connection on the grounds of long-term Green Houses Gas emissions or inconsistency with the carbon...