Results 3,781-3,800 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: The idea of the broadband plan is to connect every premises with high-speed fibre broadband. There may be a small cohort, of between 2% and 5%, that will not get fibre and will have to have alternative solutions. This plan will ensure every premises in Ireland has the service. It is not a question of picking one ness or little corner that might be disadvantaged. We are delivering to every-----

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: It was an issue over a seven-year period but, as I said, we are trying to bring that back and accelerate it. We will work to try to deliver that. The only element that has nodes picked out is the interim offering we are making in the course of this year. It is a flavour of what is to come. We will light up, not with fibre, but with high-speed broadband 150 Mbps capacity and some 270...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I am glad to say a new Bill has been created that will deal with the gaps in the foreshore problem to which the Deputy refers. We also have developed a unified planning system, which as the Deputy noted is not under my Department, and the Minister of State, Deputy English, has made an announcement in respect of that. There will now be an integrated planning process, which will be regarded...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy made a very impassioned plea for local newspapers. There is no doubt that they have been very severely impacted, obviously by the collapse in their advertising revenue, the greater difficulties in circulation, and I suppose by the migration to online media sources. That has certainly been aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government has stepped in. Many of those...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I thank Deputy Whitmore for her questions. She is absolutely right in commending An Post. That organisation has been imaginative in recognising a very good commercial opportunity for itself while also helping companies to migrate their business to a more successful platform. An Post has been remarkably successful when one considers that, a couple of years ago, it was facing into very dark...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for those questions. I agree absolutely that the climate challenge is the greatest challenge humanity faces. It will preoccupy this House for the next ten years and for the 20 years thereafter. We are seeking to reduce our emissions of carbon dioxide over the next ten years and to eliminate them entirely over the following 20. That will mean a dramatic change in the way...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for his kind comments, which are not common in this House. I see huge potential in this area. As the Deputy probably knows, we have pencilled in offshore wind for 3.5 GW in the period up to 2030 and hope that we will exceed that. That is our ambition and we are consulting on what sort of a grid network would be appropriate to try and do that in a quick way. Should it...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 700, 728 and 729 together. The Climate Action Plan commits to developing the EV charging network necessary to support the growth of EVs to at least 800,000 by 2030 and set a target for the supply of infrastructure to stay sufficiently ahead of demand. Key Actions in the Climate Action Plan include: - Commence the ESB Electric Vehicle High...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadcasting Sector (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: While I am supportive of the promotion of Irish music on our broadcasting services, I am conscious that a number of factors must be taken into account when considering the feasibility of introducing airplay quotas. The potential benefit to music production in Ireland must be balanced with the rights of broadcasters, subject to their contractual or regulatory obligations, to determine the type...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: The government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland. The Question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: The Question refers to premises that are in the townlands of Tinoran, Co.Wicklow and Moone, Co. Kildare. A number of these premises are within the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. Within the BLUE area, commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have stated their intention to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 707 and 718 together. RTÉ has suffered significant declines in both TV licence receipts and commercial income as a result of the COVID 19 crisis. There has been ongoing engagement with RTÉ in relation to the implementation of its revised strategy and the organisation is looking to identify where further savings might be realised. It is also...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I met with the Director General of RTÉ by videoconference on 8 April, 2020. I also spoke with the Chair of the RTÉ Board by phone on 25 March and 22 April 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Better Energy Homes Scheme (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: My Department funds a number of SEAI grant schemes to help homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Since 2000, approximately 400,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light. Approximately €120 million has been allocated to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract was signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November last to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the nearly 540,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. There are a number of stages...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Plastic Bag Levy (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: In November 2019, I set out potential changes to the plastic bag levy in a consultation paper relating to new environmental levy proposals. A copy of this paper is available at www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/consultations/Pages/Publi c-Consultation-on-the-Proposed-Introduction-of-new-Environme ntal-Levies.aspx. As set out in that consultation, it is proposed to increase the plastic bag...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Policy (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: The Government has committed to tackling the problems associated with single use plastics and strongly supported the introduction at EU Level of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, commonly referred to as the Single Use Plastic Directive. I am committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: In an effort to ensure that all waste collections, both household and commercial, continue during the Covid-19 pandemic my Department established a Covid-19 High Level Waste Advisory Group consisting of key stakeholders from industry, the local authority sector and regulatory bodies. This Group, in cooperation with all elements of the waste industry, has helped to ensure that there have been...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Data (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 714 and 715 together. A​ll Divisions in my Department commenced working remotely following the announcement in March of national requirements to work from home, where possible, to combat Covid 19. In line with the Roadmap for Re-opening Society and Business, staff are continuing to work remotely. However, along with all Government Departments, my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Just Transition Commissioner (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 716 and 717 together. I published the progress report of the Just Transition Commissioner, Mr Kieran Mulvey, together with an initial response of the Government to the Commissioner’s report and progress update on relevant measures, on Friday 22 May. The Commissioner’s report reflects a comprehensive engagement with relevant stakeholders...