Results 461-480 of 6,769 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister of State. I acknowledge the work he has done in this area, in which he has a particular expertise, to keep this project on the go. My party had criticisms regarding the contract and some elements thereof, particularly the fact that we will not own the infrastructure at the end of it, but ultimately we all share the objective of seeing high-speed broadband across all of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Collection (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister for the reply. I am sure he has seen the Comptroller and Auditor General's report which indicated that 39% of the carbon tax increases are not accounted for. The Minister outlined a 73% spend by his Department between 2020 and 2023 and that, in 2023 alone, there was an underspend in the region of €37 million. On the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, let...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Collection (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: It sounds like the Minister has not read the Comptroller and Auditor General's report because it specifically said it was not properly accounted for. It states that the payments were not recorded in specific carbon tax funding subheads and it was not possible to confirm independently if they were spent correctly. This is really important because, regardless of your position on carbon tax,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I am taking these questions on behalf of Deputy Matt Carthy. I ask the Minister to outline the meetings he has had and the briefings he has received in respect of the North-South interconnector and whether he has had any meetings in this regard with local communities or landowners that are directly affected by the project.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: It is important that the Minister is across this as a project. With a united voice, those of us locally have said the project will not be delivered in the timeframe suggested or in the way EirGrid seems to have outlined. We have almost 20 years of evidence to that effect. From my end, and that of my colleagues, the frustration is that EirGrid does not seem to be listening. My concern is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: While I thank the Minister, it seems that we are almost speaking different languages. The Minister made the case in terms of the merits and all-island strategic importance of the interconnector. I do not disagree with that, nor do Conor Murphy and my party. We disagree with the detail of the delivery of the project. To be fair, we have been proven correct for 20 years regarding this....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Does the Minister know that to be the case?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Collection (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 59. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware of the findings in the 2023 report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) that 39% of carbon taxes collected are not accounted for; if he can account for how his Department spent all of its carbon tax; the amount unspent or unaccounted for in 2023; and if he will make a statement on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Collection (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I want to ask the Minister if he is aware of the findings of the 2023 report from the Comptroller and Auditor General which states that 39% of carbon taxes collected are not accounted for. Can the Minister account for how his Department spent its carbon tax, the amount underspent or unaccounted for in 2023 and make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister for the reply. There are elements that I very much welcome, particularly the area-based approach. I know CEG was the pilot - I think it was in Cork. It may not be funded under that scheme in Fingal. I want to raise the change that was made in June relating to the guidelines from the CEG for real estate investment funds and commercial landlords to avail of the SEAI's...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I do not disagree with the Minister. I and my party have been wrestling with how to deal with the private rented sector. The Minister has heard my concern over the risk that these well-organised, well-resourced real estate investment funds will take great advantage of this while small landlords do not. At the same time, there is potential for rent increases because we know renovation...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I am sorry Deputy, but the time for priority questions has elapsed.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 53. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline the objectives for the awarding of community energy grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41377/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I ask the Minister to outline the objectives for the awarding of community energy grants and to make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regulatory Bodies (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 50. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on preparations to regulate non-domestic gas works, with particular reference to timeframe, engagement with registered gas installers, training, legislation and standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41633/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regulatory Bodies (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: Will the Minister provide an update on preparations to regulate non-domestic gas works with particular reference to a timeframe, engagement with registered gas installers, training, legislation and standards? Will he make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regulatory Bodies (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I have been in contact with the CRU and there has been some progress in this regard. This question was prompted by concerns among gas installers and the installer representative panel regarding the proposal that the non-domestic regime would be merged with the domestic regime without additional training, specific certification or competencies. There were concerns about safety. There were a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regulatory Bodies (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I absolutely agree. On the Minister's earlier point, for me and for the industry as a whole, it is about managing this transition and ensuring that standards and oversight are maintained. I will raise a point related to this. Many of these facilities are unregulated, including communal heating systems. I have one in my area. The Minister would have dealt with my colleague, Ruairí...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Natural Gas Imports (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: There seems to be a contradiction in the Minister's response in terms of considering alternatives to LNG and the amendments that were rushed through at the eleventh hour for the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2023 last week. Is the Minister of the view that LNG that does not have fracked gas can be introduced? It strikes me as very difficult to separate the two issues at all....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Natural Gas Imports (15 Oct 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: I am deeply concerned that if that is the Minister's assessment of the matter, it is entirely incorrect. Whoever steps in to Government buildings after the next election - particularly if it is Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael together - last week, driven through by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party, we wrote into legislation what is essentially the formula to deliver LNG. That...