Results 6,361-6,380 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Contracts Data (4 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: My Department has engaged the services of an Irish market research company to conduct research on two occasions during the period in question, the details of which are set out in the following table. iReach Insights 2017 €6,027 Survey of consumer attitudes to waste iReach Insights 2018 €7,318 Follow up survey of consumer attitudes to waste

Topical Issue Debate: Electricity Transmission Network (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: I was trying to answer the questions raised by the Deputies.

Topical Issue Debate: Electricity Transmission Network (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: I reiterate the essential responsibility to ensure that Irish citizens have ongoing secure access to electricity via a world-class electricity infrastructure which rests with EirGrid and ESB Networks. They undertake their work in this regard under the auspices of legislation and in the common interest, which is critical. It is clear that most of the development in Ireland now meets with...

Topical Issue Debate: Electricity Transmission Network (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: I thank colleagues for their flexibility in having the debate today rather than last Thursday when I was not available. I welcome the opportunity provided to me by the Deputies to discuss what is an essential electricity grid enhancement project for the midlands. To ensure the national electricity grid is fit for purpose in modern times, it is necessary to carry out grid refurbishment and...

Establishment of Special Joint Committee on Climate Action: Motion (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: I know some people referenced the CAN Europe report. It would be worth their while if they read it because there is no reference to the investment that has been outlined in the national development plan. This is significant. Despite the fact that nobody in this House wants to acknowledge it, the fact is that one in every five euro in capital investment this Government will spend over the...

Establishment of Special Joint Committee on Climate Action: Motion (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: They are not all cows.

Establishment of Special Joint Committee on Climate Action: Motion (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: Absolutely not.

Establishment of Special Joint Committee on Climate Action: Motion (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: We aim to increase production of electricity from renewable sources to 55%. We are global leaders in terms of renewable energy.

Establishment of Special Joint Committee on Climate Action: Motion (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: I have my eye on Deputy Eugene Murphy.

Establishment of Special Joint Committee on Climate Action: Motion (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: I move:That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders– (a) a Special Committee (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Committee’) is hereby appointed, to be joined with a Special Committee to be appointed by Seanad Éireann, to form the Joint Committee on Climate Action to– (i) consider the Third Report and Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly...

Establishment of Special Joint Committee on Climate Action: Motion (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Citizens' Assembly published its final report on how the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change, on 18 April 2018. The report builds on the conclusions of the Citizens' Assembly following two weekends of deliberation on the energy, transport and agriculture sectors, international best practice and existing national policies and activities. A total of 17...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Environmental Policy (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this issue. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, or as it is commonly known, the Aarhus Convention, was adopted on 25 June 1998, just two decades ago. The Aarhus Convention lays down a set of basic rules to promote public...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Environmental Policy (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: I have no difficulty initiating legislation in this House. As Senator Boyhan knows, it is a scheduling matter, mainly dictated by the Government Chief Whip's office. I have absolutely no difficulty initiating legislation in this House. My priority is to get legislation enacted. It has to go through both Houses. It is the case that there is limited legislative time available in the Lower...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Movement Therapy Programme (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: I thank Senator Conway. I apologise for taking this on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills who has provided me with this response. Officials in the Department of Education and Skills were contacted in May by the organisation which promotes this movement therapy programme. At its core, the programme has the aim to promote learning readiness in children. On 19 June, officials...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Movement Therapy Programme (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Senator. I do not have a timeline and it has not been presented to me in the information I have been provided with. As part of the negotiations on the programme for Government, I specifically had a commitment written in on page 86 that the Government would be determined to ensure every child leaving primary school could read and write. It should be a basic requirement that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: Waste legislation does not provide for minimum fines as the approach of the Oireachtas has generally been to specify in law a maximum penalty for an offence, so that a court, having considered all the circumstances of a case, may impose an appropriate penalty up to that maximum. Penalties under the Waste Management Act are already substantial. Persons who are found to be responsible for,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: Since coming into office, illegal dumping is an issue that I have actively dealt with through significant funding increases and supports for local authorities. My Department works closely to support and assist local authorities in tackling difficult enforcement challenges, alleviating environmental risk and prosecuting cases in the appropriate courts.   Issues...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Regulations (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: The potential introduction of economic instruments designed to improve environmental behaviour, including an incineration levy and a number of other options, is being considered in the context of a review of the Environment Fund. I understand that the initial review is very close to finalisation and will be submitted to me in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Quarrying Sector (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Waste Management (Management of Waste from the Extractive Industries) Regulations 2009 requires each local authority to establish and maintain a register of all extractive industries within its functional area, including the working of quarries. Under Regulation 19(1) each local authority are obliged to: Establish and maintain a register of all extractive industries within its functional...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management Data (3 Jul 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together. There is currently no exchequer funding available for the development of new and existing civic amenity sites. Between 2000 and 2015, a total of approximately €210 million was provided to Local Authorities for the building and operation of bottle banks and civic amenity sites.  With declining resources in the Environment...