Results 4,261-4,280 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

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

Richard Bruton: The ESB has confirmed that, in line with Government policy, coal-fired electricity generation will cease at Moneypoint no later than 2025. The ESB has informed me of a range of potential technologies it is examining including biomass, combined cycle gas, gas peaking plants, offshore wind, electricity storage or a combination of these. ESB operates commercially in the wholesale...

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

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 528 together. The EPA is the competent authority for the collation of national waste statistics and reports annually on Ireland’s performance against the recycling and recovery targets set out in the EU Packaging and Waste Packaging Directive. In 2017 Ireland surpassed the material specific target of 22.5% for plastics and achieved a recycling...

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 all 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: Metropolitan Area Networks Programme (19 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Analysys Mason Review of Pricing and Access Arrangements for the MANs noted that enet was not in compliance with the agreed Code of Practice in relation to its approach to intercompany transfer pricing. In that regard I referred the report in February to the Commission for Communications Regulation, in view of its acknowledged expertise in the area, to undertake a review to:- Establish...

Financial Challenges Facing RTÉ and its Revised Strategy 2020-2024: Statements (Resumed) (14 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: I thank Members for participating in this important debate. There is absolutely no doubt that public service broadcasting, as we know it, is under pressure and that we must amend the model. RTÉ is making a significant effort in that respect as it has recognised the difficulties it has with audience reach for some of its existing offerings. It is devising a new strategy. It is equally...

Financial Challenges Facing RTÉ and its Revised Strategy 2020-2024: Statements (14 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Business Committee for scheduling this important and necessary debate. This has been a period of profound challenge for media, both local and national. Everyone in this House, as evidenced in repeated debates, recognises the important role of broadcasting in delivering a vital public service in terms of facilitating political debate, reflecting the concerns of communities and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: We are in a transition process from diesel and petrol cars to electric cars and that transition will continue for many years. We have set the target that, by 2030, electric cars will make up one third of the vehicles on the roads. To support the achievement of that target, we have in place a €5,000 grant, a €5,000 concession on vehicle registration tax, VRT, a €600...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (14 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: Waste management planning, including with regard to infrastructure provision, is the responsibility of local authorities under Part II of the Waste Management Act, 1996 (as amended). Under section 60(3) of the Act I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance, in specific cases, by a Local Authority of their statutory functions under the Act. However, my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (14 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has a number of support measures in place to increase and mobilise biomass with an increasing biomass harvest of over 1 million cubic metres harvested from private forest estate last year. In the event that all three of the electricity generating plants in the Midlands co-fired peat with biomass, there would not be sufficient amounts of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Projects (14 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. Currently, only offshore renewable energy projects within the limits of the foreshore (12...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Harbours and Piers Development (14 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: I understand that in July 2017 US company NextDecade announced it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of Cork to develop a Liquid Natural Gas import terminal in Cork harbour, using a floating storage and regasification unit. NextDecade’s “Inisfree” project is a private sector project . Final investment decisions for this project and compliance with all...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Farm Enterprises (14 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: Improvements for farm enterprises are supported by the Department for Agriculture, Food and Marine, under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine announced an expansion of the Scheme in April 2019 which includes €17 million in grant supports specifically aimed at improving energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (13 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Government is determined to reduce the excessive use of plastics. As a first step, the purchase of single use plastics has been banned throughout the public service. We are determined to increase recycling of plastics from 37% now to 55% in the coming years and, along with other EU member states, to phase out non-recyclable plastics entirely. A Deposit and Return Scheme is one option...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (13 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Climate Action Plan sets out the comprehensive list of actions that will ensure we meet our 2030 climate commitments putting us on a trajectory to be net zero by 2050. One of the Plan deliverables will be the development of a support policy for micro-generation, which will provide a pathway to the public to participate in and benefit from this transition. Action 30 of the Plan sets out...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (13 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The premises referenced by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP. The State intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Biofuel Obligation Scheme (13 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Biofuels Obligation Scheme, administered by the National Oil Reserves Agency, is the principal support for the uptake of biofuels in Ireland. The scheme was introduced in 2010 and requires suppliers of liquid road transport fuel to ensure that biofuels make up a certain percentage of annual fuel sales in the road transport sector. Two public consultations have recently commenced which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadcasting Service Provision (13 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: Section 98 of the Broadcasting Act provides that RTÉ shall be independent in the pursuit of its objects. As such, I, as Minister, have no function in RTÉ's management of their day to day affairs, including the location of broadcast studios and services. My role under section 103 of the Act relates to a situation where a public service broadcasting corporation wishes to increase or...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Funding (13 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: There are a number of supports, funding schemes and grants administered directly by my Department which funding can be applied for by non-governmental environmental and conservation organisations. I have set out in tabular format the relevant details. Details of supports, funding schemes and grants Updates made in Budget 2020 EV Purchase Grant Scheme -...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Offices (13 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: Mr. Kieran Mulvey has been appointed as Ireland's first Just Transition Commissioner. The Commissioner will help ensure a co-ordinated and effective approach to a Just Transition for communities and workers affected by the imminent ending of peat harvesting for power generation in the Midlands region. The Terms of Reference for the Just Transition Commissioner set out that the secretariat...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (13 Nov 2019)

Richard Bruton: The premises referenced by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP.This intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and...