Results 5,781-5,800 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: As we have discussed, the decision on this is imminent. I intend to bring a recommendation to the Government before Easter, as has been indicated in the timeframe from the Taoiseach. I am working to that deadline. With respect to what is happening in the wider area, the Deputy will appreciate that the intervention area is what is left after commercial operators have "put up their hands" to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: Biogas produced from anaerobic digestion has the potential to play an important role in Ireland's transition to a low-carbon future. In addition to helping decarbonise the energy sector by replacing fossil fuels, the production of biogas can also reduce emissions in the agriculture and waste sectors. The support scheme for renewable heat has been developed to support financially the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: There is no doubt there is a theoretical capacity here but as I pointed out in the reply, there is a very significant cost difference.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The difficulty is in selecting a roadmap to achieve decarbonisation over time, we must identify the route that would impose the least burden on people while creating the most opportunities. Work must be done to see whether various theoretical technologies can be converted to a reasonable cost-effective path. I absolutely agree there is potential in the area but the number of schemes under...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I can assure the Deputy there is no lack of vision in this area. We already have four schemes supporting this, including REFIT 3 and the new renewable heat scheme that will shortly have state aid. It relates to anaerobic digestion and it will go live as soon as we are in a position to make that happen. There is also the renewable electricity support scheme and the Gas Networks Ireland...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waste Disposal (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for his question. Bulky household goods, such as mattresses, are a problematic waste stream for local authorities when they are illegally dumped in ditches and green areas. They are unsightly and their presence generally encourages further illegal dumping in an area. That is why my Department provided funding under the 2018 anti-dumping initiative to support a mattress...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waste Disposal (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I do not have the universal cost but I do have the figure for County Laois. It cost €20,000 to collect 822 mattresses last year. If we expand that figure, it probably cost about €300,000 to collect the 11,000 mattresses overall. These projects operate by way of call. It depends, therefore, on local authorities coming forward with credible proposals to deal with this issue....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waste Disposal (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I will fund initiatives again this year, but they will be based on the proposals that come from the local authorities. We will want to see a good proposal that would warrant support. Deputy Stanley is right that 11,000 mattresses were taken in last year. It is a project of real benefit, therefore, and the Department is disposed to doing more in that area. Let us wait, however, to see what...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The NBP aims to ensure high-speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. The NBP procurement process was launched in 2015, following a public consultation. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, fewer than 700,000, or 30% of Irish...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy likes to dish out complaints but I am not so sure he is aware that a consultation is underway to which he could submit his view if he believes there should be an independent regulator and that it should not be done by having it within the Department, as it has been done in the past. He can submit that view. Clearly, this consultation is open to evaluating whether the structures...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy misquoted me. I spoke in respect of the statutory instrument following the consultation. The Dáil has passed a statutory instrument. Consultation is required within it. The feedback from those who will be regulated does not require substantial change in what is proposed. That is the only aspect where I said change would be minimal. In terms of the development of a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: European Council Meetings (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I am not going to comment on any decision of Fine Gael Members or any other Members of the European Parliament but let it be said that no proposal has been put forward by the European Commission to change the relatively recently agreed target of 40%. From everyone's perspective, an increase in ambition of the level indicated would require quite significant changes to be made. What the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: As I was indicating to Deputy Dooley, I am currently preparing an all-of-government climate plan that will set out the actions that must be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. I am working with colleagues across Government to develop new initiatives in electricity, transport, heat and agriculture, in addition to a range of other sectors. The new plan will have a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will know that, under the legal framework within which we operate, there are penalties for failing to achieve the targets. The penalties would be paid according to the carbon price of the day. Therefore, if we failed to deliver on the targets, we would be millions of tonnes off and the Exchequer would have to pay. That creates very significant pressure to change. Significant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I absolutely agree that the Government needs to lead by example. We are going to do that. For example, we have already banned single-use plastics, we are requiring every public body to have a resource and waste plan in place, and we are requiring every public body to adopt green procurement. That will be a significant element in helping people. We also have grants. As the Deputy knows,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I reject the suggestion that the Government has been lethargic in this area. We have a national cybersecurity strategy in place and we are currently reviewing it. It is out for public consultation at present. If the Deputy has particular proposals, there is an opportunity to improve our cybersecurity plan. The EU directive to which the Deputy refers was transposed into Irish law on 18...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: European Council Meetings (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Following a mandate provided by the European Council in March 2018, the European Commission published a communication, A Clean Planet for All, in November 2018, which will provide essential analytical underpinning for the preparation by the European Union of a long-term strategy for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: European Council Meetings (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: Yes, Ireland supports the ambition of the European Commission. At this point it is working on the various scenarios that could be set out to achieve it. As mentioned in the Deputy's question, there has been talk of a higher target for 2030, but no such proposal has been brought forward at this point. The proposals for the 2021-30 period were only agreed to comparatively recently and, from...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Online Safety (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: On 4 March, I announced my intention to bring forward a new online safety Bill, which will set out how we can ensure children are safe online. There is broad consensus within the House that this is necessary. Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and Independents have indicated that they are keen for such a Bill to be progressed. The online safety Bill I am proposing would place new...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Online Safety (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I accept the points made by the Deputy in terms of the need for an effective regulator and that the time for self-regulation in this area has passed. Obviously, regulated companies are subject to criminal law. Where they breach criminal law, that is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda. However, the type of offences envisaged under the proposed Bill would...