Results 6,161-6,180 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Infrastructure (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: I am not just the Minister for energy. That is why I have told the Deputy in my response that not only is it important that we have power in this country, but that it be clean power as well. I am determined to ensure that we have the cleanest possible generation. In terms of renewables, we have significant opportunities off our east and, in particular, west coasts. We have approximately...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sustainable Development Goals (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Deputy. In July, I presented Ireland's first national review of the SDGs to the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Following the adoption of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, including the 17 SDGs, by UN member states in 2015, the forum was designated as the central platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 agenda at global...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: First, the tender was submitted today. I have not had sight of that tender, and nor should I. Deputy Stanley asked detailed questions about the metropolitan area networks, MANs, across the State. If the Deputy submits a question on that matter, we will provide the detail on it. On the towns specifically, the Deputy will be aware that the towns serviced by the MANs are now getting...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: The procurement process to select a company that will deliver high-speed broadband to 543,000 premises in the State intervention area is now in its final stages. The bidding consortium is proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution, which will be capable of delivering more than 100 Mbps to premises and up to 1 gigabit for businesses. This network will be a wholesale open...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: As I said, I cannot or will not comment on that at the moment. I understand the consortium will issue a statement later today, which will provide detail on the questions that have been raised.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: Let me be crystal clear for Deputy Dooley and all Members. As I stated, the procurement process involved is complex and each of the bidders had to provide evidence of the necessary economic and financial standing along with the required technical and professional capability to deliver on this. We received a tender earlier today and the evaluation team needs to be allowed the space to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Infrastructure (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: There have been a number of announcements of private sector commercial proposals to build liquefied natural gas, LNG, facilities in Ireland. These include the Shannon LNG project, which is designated as an EU project of common interest, and a number of other more recent proposals. These are commercial projects and the location, development and final investment decisions...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Post Office Closures (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: An Post is altering its retail network to try to meet the changing needs of communities right across this country and reflect shopping patterns. The Deputy is correct in that there are communities where there are other retailers willing to operate the service and I accept that is an issue. That is the reason An Post has put out a call to those retailers to the effect that it is prepared to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Deputy for his question. The national broadband plan, NBP, is ambitious, with the objective of ensuring that access to a high speed broadband service is available to every premises in Ireland. Realising this objective will significantly enhance Ireland’s standing as a leading EU digital economy. Bidders wishing to participate in the ongoing NBP procurement process had...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: The tender was submitted earlier today. That will be gone through by a team comprising approximately 80 people who have been involved in this procurement process, which also includes external advice that was available to the Department. This procurement process has been complex. I accept it is quite technical. It is unique in terms of its level of ambition, vision and challenge....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Post Office Closures (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I am responsible for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post which is a commercial State body with a mandate to deliver a postal delivery service and a viable post office network. I am acutely conscious of the value placed by communities in both rural and urban areas on services provided by post offices. I am...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Post Office Closures (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: Let me make it crystal clear that my priority throughout all of this process, as I have said in the House before, is to make viable as many post offices as possible. The Deputy knows from the statistics we have given that one of the post offices that will close makes 11 social welfare payments a week. If we are honest about this, we all know examples of where people are bypassing the local...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Alternative Energy Projects (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: The 2017 report of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) "Energy in Ireland" indicates that Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV) generation accounted for 0.01% of energy contribution to gross electricity consumption in Ireland at the end of 2016. I welcome and have noted reports of the falling costs of certain renewable technologies, including Solar PV and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: As the House is aware, the National Broadband Plan is an initiative to bring high speed broadband to every premises in Ireland through both commercial deployment and State led intervention.  As of today, 54% of premises in Cavan, and 48% in Monaghan have access to high speed broadband through commercial operators. Those premises that will not be served commercially will be connected...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Government, or I as Minister, have no statutory function in the monitoring or setting of electricity prices. Responsibility for the regulation of the gas or electricity markets is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). It is an independent statutory body, and solely accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas for the performance of its functions. Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to work with local authorities to tackle the problem of illegal dumping and to develop effective deterrents to discourage people from engaging in this anti-social behaviour. In accordance with this commitment, my Department developed an Anti-Dumping Initiative to work in partnership with local authorities and community organisations...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: As Minister, I am responsible for the postal sector including the governance of An Post which is a commercial State body with a mandate to deliver a postal delivery service and a viable post office network. I am acutely conscious of the value placed by communities in both rural and urban areas on services provided by post offices and I am fully committed to ensuring that a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Climate Action Fund is one of four funds established under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as part of Project Ireland 2040. My Department has responsibility for implementing the fund, which will have an allocation of at least €500 million over the period to 2027. This will be financed primarily though repurposing part of the existing petroleum products levy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environment Fund Allocations (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Environmental Partnership Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small-scale environmental projects at local level. It encourages involvement of local communities in local action and decision-making, and assists them in working towards the goal of sustainable development. In 2017, I increased funding for the LA21 Environmental Partnership...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (18 Sep 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 63, 74 and 85 together. The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP, which is pillar 5 of the Action Plan for Rural Ireland, has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, 7 out of 10 of...