Results 5,461-5,480 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: We have gone further than any other government in looking to derive revenues from this. However, I have to say one thing. We should not have any false expectations as to the scale of the revenues involved or their impact on the overall area of energy policy.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: When this was originally established by decisions in Europe and by our own Government, gas market prices were at a level at which we might have expected much larger revenues. As the Deputy said, since then and in the first six months of this year, the price of gas on the wholesale market has fallen dramatically. That will see a much lower level of revenue from what was always designed as a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: We are working under the European regulation.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The national marine planning framework was adopted by Government in 2021 as Ireland's first marine spatial plan. Later in 2021, the Maritime Area Planning Act was enacted. Under the Maritime Area Planning Act, a new maritime area consent, MAC, regime for offshore energy projects was developed over the course of 2022 by my Department. I awarded MACs to seven phase one projects in December...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: First, it is intended to publish the Dermot McCarthy review in conjunction with the energy security review. It was decided to put back that publication at that time because it is appropriate that his work complements the other work that is being done. In terms of lessons, there are lessons to be learned from that. One of the things to recognise is that the development of the new...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The recent EPA report makes it clear we have to act now on climate change and reduce emissions. To reverse the trajectory and meet our 2030 climate targets, a significant shift is required in the speed at which we roll-out and ramp-up the policies and measures that will decarbonise our economy. The Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out our roadmap for systemic changes to reach those objectives....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: No, I believe we should do the climate action plan at the same time each year. It is an iterative process. It requires a lot of work to be able to come up with real, practical solutions. One of the reasons for that is the whole issue of land use, which is probably one of the areas where there is the greatest shortfall. We have to update the plan to include targets on that. We held back...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out that emissions from the residential sector must reduce from 7 MtCO2eq in 2018, to 4 MtCO2eq in 2030. The Government plans to achieve this target primarily through the national retrofit plan and the roll-out of renewable heating. The national retrofit plan sets out our target to upgrade the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a building energy rating, BER, of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: There is no holding back of progress on the part of our Department. I expect to bring the report before the Government and to publish it this month.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Yes. It is urgent that we proceed. I was very pleased to launch the first major scheme in Tallaght where excess heat from a data centre is being used to power a lot of public buildings, and that will extend to social housing. I had a very fruitful meeting last week regarding another potential development in Blanchardstown in west Dublin where, again, we will take waste heat from data...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: We need to be careful as there are very different types of heating system which may be called district heating. Some are more like communal heating systems where people share a common heating source in an apartment building. The district heating system, the likes of the Poolbeg one, is where we are going. Excess heat from another neighbouring source, or which is generated outside the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is currently finalising its review of security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The review is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition to a net zero economy by 2050. The Government’s policy objectives are to ensure energy is affordable, sustainable, and secure, as well as in line with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: It is my position. As Minister, I have to look at all three. As policymakers, we must all do so. Climate must come first because there is the physical reality that we cannot avoid the risk of passing various tipping points. We have to stay within certain limits. Those limits are set by physics and the meteorological system. They cannot vary. There is a real limit on the environmental...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: My clear message to energy suppliers is that prices for customers should be reduced at the earliest opportunity. Unprecedented increases in energy prices since the outbreak of war in Ukraine have led the Government to take sustained action over the past year to support households and businesses to meet cost of living challenges. Direct measures to reduce energy bills included the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: I have not received that letter. The Government will approach the issue of Tara Mines in the way that is appropriate, in particular the Ministers for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Social Protection. We will consider any issue in terms of energy prices. It is not possible for us to intervene directly to change energy price contracts that the company may have. I would like to see the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The first thing I have to do early next week is to attend the European Council which, as I said, is a policy area where we can change, inform and direct the market system and energy prices. I will also work with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, as well as the Minister for Social Protection, because they have a critical role in terms of any supports or other arrangements for any industry. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: In order to address data protection concerns, Sections 22 and 33 of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 require that separate Codes of Practice for the operation of CCTV schemes under both the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act and a further Code of Practice for the use of “mobile recording devices” under the Waste Management Act are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Air Quality (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The national Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme is operated, maintained, and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). My Department has provided funding for a significant upgrade to the network in recent years, and as a consequence the number of monitoring stations has increased from 29 in 2017 to 113 today. The expansion will be complete when the remaining stations are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is committed to ensuring vulnerable people are protected during the cost-of-living crisis. Energy suppliers are required by their license conditions to adhere to rules in their dealings with customers as outlined in the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities Supplier Handbook. These rules are in place to ensure that all customers experience a high standard of protection...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Action Plan (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The EPA’s latest GHG emissions projections highlight the challenge Ireland faces in meeting its highly ambitious climate objectives and legally-binding emissions targets. While the EPA’s projections show that emissions are expected to decrease in almost all sectors over the next two decades, it is clear that we still have considerable work to do. The recent EPA report has...