Results 4,881-4,900 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Alternative Energy Projects (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: On 17 June, I launched the Climate Action Plan which includes 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 electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030. In order to deliver on the ambition set out in the Plan, my Department is developing the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS)....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I published the Government's Climate Action Plan 2019 on 17 June. The plan sets out, for the first time, how Ireland can reach its 2030 targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also put Ireland on the right trajectory towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The step-up in ambition in each of the sectors covered by the plan will require investment across the entire economy....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Better Energy Homes Scheme (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Government currently funds a number of schemes, administered by the SEAI, to assist homeowners in upgrading the energy efficiency of their properties. These include: - free upgrades for households in energy poverty; - fixed grants for a defined list of energy efficiency measures, covering approximately 30% of the total cost; and - 50% grants for people who want to upgrade to an A3...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 26 together. The Climate Action Plan launched last month sets out Ireland's 2030 climate ambitions which is consistent with a trajectory to meet net zero emissions by 2050. Action 30 of the Plan sets out the steps necessary and timelines for the delivery of an enabling framework for micro-generation. The objective is that a support payment for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Services (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Government’s Contingency Action Plan, published on 19 December 2018, sets out comprehensive, cross-Government preparations that have been in place since even before the Brexit vote. The Government will publish an updated Action Plan later this month, outlining the work that has taken since the publication of December Action Plan, and further actions to be taken before the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I would like in the first instance to clarify that eir has made no formal proposal to Government to replace or supersede the National Broadband Plan. At its appearance at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment, eir's CEO outlined eir's view on the value for money of the NBP. eir's CEO made certain observations with regard to eir's own model for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Exploration Licences Data (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: Since the introduction of the Integrated Petroleum Affairs System database in 2007, twenty three applications for petroleum authorisations have been considered and declined. It has not been possible to review manual records for the period 1995 to 2006 in the timeframe available. As regards these 23 applications, no refund of application fees has been made. In general terms, it is not...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Exploration Licences Applications (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 27 together. Applications received for a petroleum authorisation are considered against the criteria outlined in article 3 of the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production 2007. In particular, applicants must demonstrate that the work programme proposed in their application will progress understanding of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I attended the Environment Council meeting in Luxembourg on 26 June 2019 where, together with my environment ministerial colleagues, including Therese Coffey, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, we discussed the EU Long Term Strategy and EU ambition for carbon neutrality. At this meeting I confirmed Ireland’s support for increased climate ambition and the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The 'cash for cans' initiative was implemented by Galway City Council and my Department has no role in its operation. I understand that the initiative is currently under review by the Council and a report on the continuation of the scheme is due to be provided to the elected members of Galway City Council on 8 July.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 47 together. The purpose of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is to ensure that over 1.1 million of our citizens in rural Ireland have the same opportunity to participate in the digital society as citizens living in urban areas. This will bring significant benefits including in areas such as e-Health, e-Education, smart farming, regional development...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Incentives (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: Thirty per cent of electricity was produced from renewable sources in 2017 with a target of reaching 40% by 2020. While emissions from the sector were on a downward trend between 2005 and 2011, they have stayed relatively static since, as a result of rising demand for power outstripping our increased generation from renewable sources. Nevertheless in 2017 the use of renewables in electricity...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Climate Action Plan includes a commitment to developing the scope of a new call in Q3 2019 and launching a new call in Q4 2019. Under the first call for applications seven projects were approved. These projects will be provided with up to €77 million in support which will leverage a total investment of €300 million. The projects span a range of sectors supporting the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Disposal Charges (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: Since mid-2017, a range of charging options have been operated, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste, and provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging was not introduced in 2017. ​A Price Monitoring Group (PMG) was established...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: Ireland’s first statutory National Adaptation Framework, published in January 2018, sets out the context to ensure Local Authorities, regions and key sectors can assess the main risks and vulnerabilities of climate change, implement climate resilience actions and ensure climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into policy making. Under the National Adaptation Framework,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 57 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) procurement process and Government agreed to this at its meeting on 7 May. This is an important step towards achieving the overarching goal of the National Broadband Plan, which is to provide access to high speed broadband to every...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across the country, and a State intervention in those areas where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Data (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across the country, and a State intervention in those areas where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (4 Jul 2019)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across the country, and a State intervention in those areas where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms...