Results 481-500 of 26,565 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Conservation (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund. Last year saw a record spend of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Bord na Móna (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Bord na Móna (BnM) is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department, established under the Turf Development Act 1998. BnM is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department. The Board and management of BnM are accountable for the strategic direction and management of the organisation. My Department is responsible for the corporate governance oversight of BnM,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fisheries Protection (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: A range of measures are in place for the management of Atlantic salmon stocks, based on scientific advice and international agreements aimed at conserving those stocks. In Ireland, rivers are only open to harvest salmon where it has been confirmed that the individual river is sufficiently exceeding its conservation limit so that there is a harvestable surplus available. This means there...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As part of the Government Decision (S180/20/10/2704) adopting sectoral emissions ceilings, it was agreed to introduce a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) to ensure the increased use of renewable fuel types across the full heating sector, with the primary aim of supporting the achievement of Ireland's heating and cooling targets at EU level. The development of the RHO is a key priority for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future, recommitted to the national land use review. The first phase was published in March 2023 and focused on evidence gathering. It was led by the Environmental Protection Agency. Following on from Phase 1, the final report of the independently chaired Land Use Review Oversight Group was submitted to myself, the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together. I would refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No 21 of Wednesday, 28 May 2025. My Department is now preparing a draft Social Climate Plan in consultation with relevant Departmental stakeholders and with the European Commission. A variety of targeted measures aimed at providing long-term solutions to reduce fossil fuels reliance...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU Funding (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: There have been six multiannual financial frameworks (MFFs) to date, including 2021-2027. The Treaty of Lisbon transformed the MFF from an interinstitutional agreement into a regulation. Established for a period of at least five years, an MFF is there to ensure that the EU’s expenditure develops in an orderly manner and within the limits of its own resources. It sets out provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Infrastructure (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 256 together. In line with the agreed sectoral emissions ceilings, Government has committed to supporting the production of up to 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030. A first step to realising this ambition was the publication of the National Biomethane Strategy, which sets out 25 key strategic actions and outlines the necessary...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electricity Generation (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government recognises that data centres are critical infrastructure for our modern economy as they provide the foundation for almost all online aspects of our lives. Our intent is to deliver a balanced approach to facilitating additional demand for energy by data centres while also ensuring the competitiveness and security of our energy system. The Programme for Government 2025...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future, recommitted to the national land use review. The first phase was published in March 2023 and focused on evidence gathering. It was led by the Environmental Protection Agency. The final report of the independently chaired Land Use Review Phase 2 Oversight Group was submitted to Myself, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Just Transition (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Ireland's EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) Programme and Territorial Just Transition Plan were approved by the Government and by the European Commission in December 2022. The Programme was formally launched on 28 April 2023. The EU JTF Programme represents a total commitment of €169m to the Midlands region, incorporating €84.5 million of funding from the EU Just Transition Fund...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pension Provisions (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: EirGrid is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department and was established under Regulation 50 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000. EirGrid is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department and Minister. My Department has received two requests to apply increases to payments under the EirGrid Defined Benefit Pension...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pension Provisions (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: EirGrid is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department and was established under Regulation 50 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000. EirGrid is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department and Minister. My officials have confirmed that there have been no EirGrid pension scheme increments approved in the last 12 years to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government recognises that our reliance on fossil fuels is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and a low-carbon future. Ireland supports measures that reinforce and advance our transition away from reliance on fossil fuels and will promote and support measures at international level which avoid locking in further long-term fossil fuel consumption. International collaboration is key...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Conservation (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund. Last year saw a record spend of almost...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: District heating can play a key role in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Government policy is supportive of the expansion of district heating to contribute to diversification of fuel supply for heat and to decarbonise the heat sector. The establishment of the District Heating Steering Group was a critical step on our journey towards developing district...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households. Government has introduced a suite of measures over recent years to help households deal with the rising cost of electricity, including four Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes. Over 2.2 million households have received €1,450 in bill support at a cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Prices (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein these markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive and are overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Price setting by energy suppliers is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned. The Government has made a number of important commitments...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Weather Events (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together. Storm Éowyn was among the most severe weather events to impact Ireland in recent decades, causing extensive damage to electricity infrastructure nationally. Throughout and following the storm, I engaged with ESB Networks (ESB-N) regarding the response to the damage caused and to building further resilience into the electricity...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Infrastructure (10 Jun 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand that the planning application for the Dublin Array offshore wind farm is presently with an Bord Pleanála for consideration. The specifications concerned would form part of the planning documents submitted and these can be viewed on the Bord Pleanála website. I have no function in relation to these matters.