Results 4,241-4,260 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (20 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 to 264, inclusive, together. As a State intervention, the NBP must comply with the requirements of the European Commission’s Guidelines on the application of State aid rules for broadband networks. The Guidelines require, amongst other things, that Member States carry out a detailed mapping exercise to identify as far as reasonably possible...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Expenditure (20 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public service broadcasting, as well as regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Ministerial Meetings (20 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: I met the Chairperson and RTÉ board members on 7 October to discuss the financial issues facing RTÉ and had previously met the Chair and Director General on 29 July. Changes in the advertising market alongside evasion rates and challenges around the TV licensing model are having a critical impact on RTÉ’s revenue and financial sustainability. While RTE’s...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: We get independent advice about the safety of any mobile network we roll out. The advice we have is that this is robust and safe. If the Deputy wishes to bring evidence to the authorities for assessment, that can be done. Our advice is that this is a safe network. However, it will take considerable time to roll out. While I am on my feet, I should take the opportunity to say that we have...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Building Energy Rating Administration (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Government is committed to ensuring that the public sector continues to play a leadership role in tackling climate change through the achievement of energy efficiency gains and carbon emissions reductions. This commitment is supported by a key Government objective in the Climate Action Plan (CAP) for Public Buildings to reach a “B” Building Energy Rating by 2030. To achieve...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Building Energy Rating Administration (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The passive house standard is a voluntary energy efficiency standard for buildings. The retrofitting of existing dwellings to this new standard is challenging both technically and economically. There are very few examples of large scale passive house retrofit projects internationally. For that reason, it is difficult to place a precise estimate on the likely cost of upgrading all homes in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Maoiniú Chraoltóirí Seirbhíse Poiblí (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: Foráiltear don chraoltóireacht seirbhíse poiblí i gCuid 7 den Acht Craolacháin 2009. Leagtar amach san Acht sainchúram, oibleagáidí agus príomhchuspóirí na gcorparáidí craoltóireachta seirbhíse poiblí, RTÉ agus TG4, agus a gcuid oibleagáidí reachtúla. Mar a leagtar amach in Alt 114 agus in Alt...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 508, 509, 512 and 517 together. As a State intervention, the NBP must comply with the requirements of the European Commission’s Guidelines on the application of the State aid rules on broadband networks. The Guidelines require, amongst other things, that Member States carry out a detailed mapping exercise to identify as far as reasonably possible those...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Expenditure (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The amount of expenditure on consultancy fees for the National Broadband Plan to date in 2019 is €3,585,776 (including VAT).

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Expenditure (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: There has been no expenditure on advertising for the National Broadband Plan to date in 2019.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Action Plan (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Climate Action Plan sets out the comprehensive actions that will ensure we meet our 2030 climate commitments putting us on a trajectory to be net zero by 2050. A central commitment under the Plan is Ireland’s ambitious target of 70% of electricity demand by 2030 along with a suite of actions to deliver this at least cost. The new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is a cornerstone of the European Union's policy to combat climate change and its key tool for reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively. It is the biggest international system for trading greenhouse gas emission allowances and covers more than 11,000 power stations and industrial plants in 31 countries, as well as airlines.The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Action Fund (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has already established a Climate Action Fund with the objective of funding initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland's climate and energy targets in a cost effective manner, or offer the potential for innovative interventions in these sectors. Following the first call for applications, I announced the seven successful projects which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Action Plan (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Climate Action Plan includes, inter alia, a suite of actions to decarbonise the electricity sector and boost the quantity of renewable generation in order to meet our target of 70% of demand from renewable sources by 2030; the Plan commits to connecting at least 3.5GW of Offshore Wind by 2030. In order to achieve this my Department is working closely with the Department of Housing,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Codes (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Capita...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff Scheme Applications (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: Officials from my Department have been in contact with the representative of the company in question a number of times regarding the REFIT3 application to which the Deputy refers.Once a full response has been received from the company to the most recent query, consideration can given to the application and then a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadcasting Sector (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: Public Service Broadcasters spend millions of euro each year on independently produced programming. This is vital in supporting a vibrant independent sector, including in the regions. Section 116 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out the minimum threshold of €40m which RTE must make available each year for the commissioning of television and radio programmes from the independent...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Appointments to State Boards (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The appointment to the Board of EirGrid referred to in the Question was made in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards and the relevant provisions of the legislation underpinning such appointments, namely the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 445 of 2000).

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Schemes (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme was launched in 2017 as a time bound pilot to investigate the challenges and opportunities of deep retrofit in Ireland. The scheme closed for applications on 19th July 2019 in line with the published Application Guidelines. Applications were only accepted from Service Providers for projects including at least 5 homes.As Minister, I have no function in relation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The EPA compiles Ireland's national greenhouse gas emissions inventory on an annual basis. The table below details CO2 emissions data from aviation for 2008 to 2017, based on data supplied by the EPA. All figures are in kilotonnes of CO2 and are based on fuel sales in the State.While reported by the EPA as a 'memo' item, emissions associated with international aviation emissions are not...