Results 2,161-2,180 of 7,112 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (16 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I want to ask the Minister about SRESS. On what date will it be launched? How will this process differ from the RESS auction? What, if any, additional supports will be put in place as part of this process? Are there revised targets for the number of contracts to be awarded to renewable energy communities and for the number of projects that complete all milestones?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (16 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 1. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date on which the energy security review and the McCarthy report will be published; if both have been presented to the Cabinet; how the environmental impact of proposed energy security options will be assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50447/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (16 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: When will the energy security review and the McCarthy report be published? Have they been presented to the Cabinet? How will the environmental impact of proposed energy security options be assessed? I ask the Minister to make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (16 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: It is welcome that we have this comprehensive review. Several proposals it makes are of particular note. With regard to the strategic gas emergency reserve, a report is due in the middle of next year but it seems to be indicated this will take the shape of a State-owned floating storage regasification unit, FSRU, gas reserve. In terms of the assessment of alternatives in that regard, is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (16 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: In terms of the timeline for this later report, will this be a floating offshore LNG facility? Does that require a change in legislation or policy? Are there inconsistencies with the approach taken to Shannon LNG? Does this comprehensive document confirm that commercial LNG is not the way forward but, rather, it should be State-led? On the McCarthy report, does the Minister accept that if...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (16 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 15. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware of concerns raised by the Climate Change Advisory Council on islanded data centre policy, specifically the connection of 11 new islanded data centres to the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50249/23]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (16 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 18. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way he intends to address the increasing concerns that Ireland will not reach the 2030 target for renewables and the key barriers to delivery such as grid capacity and delays in planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50250/23]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (16 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 38. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures that are in place to support the reduction in residential emissions for households currently using kerosene but who cannot afford a heat pump or whose properties are not suitable for heat pump installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50247/23]

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: From the Seanad (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: That does not answer the question I asked. When will people see the benefit of this legislation? The Minister of State should bear in mind that the Government is among the slowest in Europe to move on this matter. It was decided at European level last October and November. Many European countries have already moved and implemented legislation. When will people see the benefit of this...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: From the Seanad (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: We are paying out on the energy credit. Tomorrow, the Select Committee on Environment and Climate Action will meet to agree the additional moneys to transfer. The Minister of State should not tell people it is going to be funded out of this legislation, which has not even been passed. When will people see the action of this windfall tax? Is it next September, as was originally intended?...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: From the Seanad (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: We have been a long time waiting for this legislation. When I saw this Bill in our office this week, I presumed it was the legislation relating to energy credits. I find it amazing that we are still dealing with this Bill, but we are, and with these amendments back from the Seanad. It must be a month at this stage since we dealt with this Bill here previously. It must be borne in mind...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: The British Government has succeeded in uniting every party on this island in opposition to its so-called legacy Bill. The Bill is not about legacy or in any way endorsed by people on this island. It will be devastating for families and unilaterally close the door on them getting truth and justice. It is contrary to the Stormont House Agreement, which states that processes dealing with the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: To pick up on an earlier point, is the community dividend obligation the same under a CPPA as it is under the RESS?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Ms Donnelly is right that it is not the same. There is an issue there in terms of community acceptance. There is the idea that we are delivering renewable energy in which citizens have a stake and from which they are benefiting, compared with the idea of building renewable infrastructure in their communities that is offsetting data centres owned by multinational corporations. There is a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Will Dr. Hemmingway repeat that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: How many of those came into play after CRU's plan-led DCCOPP and the enlightenment and awareness around the impact of data centres?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Was nobody anywhere paying attention to this? I take the point that there was a focus during that period on the pressure on the electricity system and that there now needs to be an update to deal with decarbonisation. Where does the responsibility lie in this regard? We had legislation on climate and climate action plans, and we now have stronger climate legislation and a stronger climate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Of the one data centre that is connected and the 11 that are contracted, is there any room for manoeuvre? It may not be in Mr. Gannon's gift to answer this. Can CRU impose any obligations on those centres, or at least encourage them, to move to alternative sources, avail of a CPPA and move away from gas?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: It would be helpful if Mr. Gannon could do so. I have a final question. I see CCAC and CRU welcome the review and revision of the legal mandate of relevant State agencies. It speaks to the point about who is the responsible authority in Government and its agencies for saying there are contradictions in terms of the policy direction and that we have obligations in terms of climate while in...