Results 3,901-3,920 of 6,802 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Biodiversity: Engagement with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: It was about the waterways. I am particularly interested in the Boyne Estuary SPA and the Boyne and Blackwater SAC. They are beside me and there are controversial plans. I ask about the quality of our waterways, the current trends and what might be done to address them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Youth Perspectives on Climate Challenges: Discussion with Foróige and Comhairle na nÓg (3 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Chair and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad for organising the meeting and particular thanks to the witnesses for being here. There are some who would suggest that young people do not have a valuable contribution to make in these and other matters and the speakers have collectively blown that out of the water. A number of themes were raised. I do not want to pick out individual...

Planning and Development Regulations (Amendment) (Solar Energy for Schools and Community Buildings) Bill 2022: First Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Report after report highlights the escalating reality of global warming and stresses the urgent need for action to try and mitigate climate change. Shifting our energy sector away from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives will be key to reducing our carbon emissions. In addition to major investment in offshore and offshore wind and solar, microgeneration will play an important role in our...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister for that. Obviously, people are experiencing huge frustration. In the cases to which I refer, they are getting €25 rather than €200. Elsewhere, people are getting multiple payments of €200. There is a deep inequity there. I do not think this is the only such example. I take it from this exchange that the spirit and intent is that the payment of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 93. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to some households in multi-unit complexes not receiving the full electricity credit, due to the fact that there is only one shared meter point reference number; if he will address this anomaly to ensure that each household benefits from the full payment support; and if he will make a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: Has the attention of the Minister been drawn to the fact that some households in multi-unit complexes have not received the full electricity credit because there is only one shared meter point reference number, MPRN, in the complex? Will he address this anomaly in order to ensure that each household benefits from the full payment support? This issue was raised during discussions on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Policy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I am not entirely sure that is the avenue but perhaps it is. This is an issue that has been raised by residents of multi-unit apartment blocks. In one case, my colleague, Deputy Mythen, a representative for Wexford, raised the issue about council apartments on George's Street in Wexford. In that case, Wexford County Council confirmed that because there is only one ESB MPRN in the property,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 89. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way that he plans to address the high cost of renewable energy here in view of provisional renewable energy support scheme auction results; if he intends to establish a cross-government high-level task force to work with stakeholders in industry and State agencies with the aim of bringing forward policy...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I do not mind conceding time to Deputy Gannon if it is useful. What way does the Minister plan to address the high cost of renewable energy here in view of provisional renewable energy support scheme, RESS, 2 results? Does he intend to establish a high-level cross-government task force to work with stakeholders in industry and State agencies with the aim of bringing forward policy...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister knows as well as I do that when these figures came out, there were wide eyes and people were whispering, such was the shock about them. We want to transition to renewables and they are cheaper the gas alternative but if the suggestion is we are going to move from, relatively speaking, super-high gas and electricity prices in Ireland to, relatively speaking, super-high renewables...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome that but we need to see action. The Minister touched on one of the points, which relates to index-linking. Is the Minister going to reassess the position on that? It is something we do differently here than in other places. Is there an overall benefit and will that be reassessed? In advance of budget negotiations, which I assume will get under way quite soon, there was a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cost of Living Issues (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 85. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the degree to which household electricity bills here are more expensive than the European Union average; the reason for this and the measures that he will take in advance of winter 2022 to address electricity cost and energy and electricity security of supply challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cost of Living Issues (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I ask the Minister the degree to which household electricity bills here are more expensive than the European Union average and the reason for this, the measures he will take in advance of winter 2022 to address electricity costs and energy and electricity security supply challenges, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cost of Living Issues (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: There were price rises again yesterday and we can expect the future to look the same. The Minister knows better than most that the price of a therm of gas was approximately 40 cent for a long time but there is a new normal upon us now, and estimations are that it will level off somewhere in the region of €2.50. There is a huge difference between 40 cent and €2.50. While there...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cost of Living Issues (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I agree entirely on the transition we need to make. There is huge opportunity and I am sure some of it will be covered later today in terms of what the Government can do to achieve our transition to renewables more speedily. However, this winter, families will be facing increases of over 30% in electricity and gas prices. That is on top of the increases we saw for dual fuel users of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Radon Gas Levels (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 114. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the supports that are in place for persons to carry out remediation works to their homes if they are found to be at high risk of radon gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28381/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 125. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the new solid fuel regulations; the date that the regulations will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28382/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 152. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he intends to build the State’s energy storage capacity which has the potential to cut annual carbon emissions by more than one million tonnes; if he will prepare and publish an energy storage strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28383/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the EU Commissioner for Energy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Commissioner for her presentation. Regarding the gas package, directive and regulations, how would she respond to the charge that the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas, ENTSOG, has too much influence and input? Should there be explicit transparency obligations to ensure that measures are consistent with EU and national climate and energy obligations as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with the EU Commissioner for Energy (2 Jun 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: What about the lock-in with new fossil fuel infrastructure, especially LNG? I also have a question about scaling up across Europe towards renewables. How do we do that when there is such a limited supply to start off with?