Results 4,521-4,540 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Proposed Legislation (15 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: On 17 June 2019, the Government published the Climate Action Plan 2019, which commits, inter alia, to bringing forward a new Climate Action (Amendment) Bill. The objective of the Bill is to significantly strengthen the statutory framework for governance of the climate challenge, and ensure delivery of successive Climate Action Plans and Long-term Climate Strategies, supported by a system of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Negotiations (15 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: I attended the Environment Council on 4 October 2019, where discussions focused on a range of topics, including climate action, the circular economy and the preparation of the Eighth EU Environment Action Programme. In relation to climate action, the Council adopted conclusions on the EU position for the annual conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (15 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: As I previously advised the House, my Department will commission an independent energy security review in the context of the transition to a carbon neutral economy. The review, which will be completed during 2020, will examine, in a scientific way, and taking all available information into consideration, the fuel mix necessary to ensure security of supply, including the role of fossil fuels,...

Financial Resolutions 2019 - Financial Resolution No. 9: General (Resumed) (10 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: I wish to share time with the Minister, Deputy Zappone, and the Ministers of State, Deputy Finian McGrath and Doyle.

Financial Resolutions 2019 - Financial Resolution No. 9: General (Resumed) (10 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: As the Minister for Finance outlined, this budget has been framed in a particularly unusual situation, with the threat of Brexit, on the one hand, but also the threat that I am responsible for, which is the imminent threat we are all facing of climate change, and the climate action we need to take. I will deal with this second issue. This budget marks a significant watershed in respect...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: I know Deputy Stanley does not support this project but I can assure him that we are proceeding with it and are carrying out the necessary due diligence. As he rightly noted, one of the elements one must do is open the map to allow other applicants to make a submission, which was done. That was closed at the end of September. Any application lodged by a company will be assessed, as is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Statutory Instruments (10 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: I signed the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Peat Extraction) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 4 of 2019) on 25 January 2019, with the objective of making the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the sole competent authority for peat extraction of over 30 hectares in Ireland, and making Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for such activity mandatory. In conjunction with the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (10 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: Ireland is one of the most dependant countries on fossil fuels. The Climate Action Plan sets out the necessary actions we must take to significantly cut our use of fossil fuels in electricity generation, in transport and in heating. The Government has a fundamental duty to protect Ireland’s energy security. In the next decade we will fully exit from peat and coal for electricity...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Forestry Sector (10 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: The woodland establishment project launched by myself and Minister Creed last week is based on a feasibility study undertaken by experts from Bord na Móna, Coillte, UCD, UL, and Native Woodlands of Ireland, which concluded that based on bogland ecology, native woodland ecology, forestry, and carbon there was potential to initially establish c. 1500 hectares of native woodlands, over...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (10 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: Every home, farm, school and business in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband – no matter where they are located – following the Government’s decision to approve the appointment of a preferred bidder to the National Broadband Plan. The premises referenced in the Question is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Codes (10 Oct 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 issues a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Capita...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Services (10 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: As part of its consideration of the financial position of An Post, the Government agreed that further opportunities for Government business through the Post Office Network should be explored. The first practical step that the Government took was the launch of the Digital Assist pilot initiative. Government funding of €80,000 was allocated to the scheme which has seen 10 post offices...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (10 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: The North South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the Single Electricity Market and increasing security of electricity supply across the island of Ireland. A resilient and well connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland’s economic wellbeing and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers. In December 2016, An Bord...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (10 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: Every home, farm, school and business in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband – no matter where they are located – following the Government’s decision to approve the appointment of a preferred bidder to the National Broadband Plan. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across the country, and a State intervention in those areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Legislative Measures (10 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together. The information requested relating to details of all legislation enacted since March 2011 relating to my Department can be accessed on the website of the Oireachtas at www.oireachtas.ie and also through the following link: www.irishstatutebook.ie. There were four post enactment reports published by my Department since March 2011, the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Expenditure (9 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: Expenditure on staff training, conferences, advertising, publications and other miscellaneous expenses are charged to Subhead Admin III - Training and Development and Incidental Expenses.Expenditure on this Subhead in 2018 amounted to €1,220,665.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (9 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: Every home, farm, school and business in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband – no matter where they are located – following the Government’s decision to approve the appointment of a preferred bidder to the National Broadband Plan.The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (9 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Project Information Memorandum (PIM) published by my Department for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State intervention procurement process, makes it clear that there is no obligation to reimburse any Bidder, regardless of whether or not the procurement results in the award of a contract. The procurement process is ongoing and continues until contract award. The Government Decision of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Cross-Border Projects (9 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: Projects of common interest (PCIs) are important cross border infrastructure projects that link the energy systems of EU countries. They are intended to help the EU achieve its energy policy and climate objectives: affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all EU citizens. The majority of PCI projects are electricity or gas interconnection projects but other types of project such as LNG,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management Regulations (9 Oct 2019)

Richard Bruton: Under section 38 of the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended, it is a matter for local authorities to arrange for the provision of waste management facilities, including civic amenity sites and bring centres, within their functional area. The Act states that a local authority shall provide and operate, or arrange for the provision and operation of, such facilities as may be necessary for the...