Results 6,861-6,880 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. While good progress has been made to date, with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) advising that 9.5% of Ireland's overall energy requirements in 2016 were met from renewable sources, meeting the 16% target remains...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: 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 has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. Since this Government came into...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management Regulations (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Environmental Protection Agency already exercises an independent statutory function in relation to 'end of waste' in accordance with Article 28  of the European Communities (Waste Directive) Regulations 2011, S.I 126 of 2011. Where criteria have not been set at EU level as referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 6 of the Waste Directive, the Agency may decide case by case...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Warmer Homes Scheme Data (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1176 and 1177 together. The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the defined eligibility criteria.  I recently announced...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Energy White Paper presents a long-term strategic vision that is intended to guide the direction of Irish energy policy from now until 2030. It identifies the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050.  It does not set out targets for specific renewable technologies; rather it...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: In 2017, bhuail mé leis an lucht bainistíochta sa stáisiún Raidió Rí-Rá agus sheol mé an aip nua don stáisiún, uirlis a thugann deis do dhaoine ar fud an domhain éisteacht lena gcuid clár. Bhí deis againn ag an am sin plé a dhéanamh ar obair an stáisiúin go dtí seo, agus ar na pleananna atá acu don...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Deep Retrofit Pilot scheme is funded by my Department and administered by SEAI. It commenced operation in 2017 with initial funding of €5 million, and is set to operate up to 2019. The scheme aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities that are in place for the deep retrofit of Ireland’s housing stock. Learnings from the pilot scheme will inform how we can...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Capital Expenditure Programme (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: My Department will oversee significant capital investment amounting to €1.27 billion over period 2019 to 2022. Annual capital ceilings in respect of this four year period were published in the National Development Plan, and are set out in the following table.  The 2023 capital ceiling for my Department will be agreed and published later this year as part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Celtic Interconnector is an estimated €1 billion electricity interconnector jointly proposed by EirGrid and their French counterparts, the French transmission system operator, RTÉ (Reseau de Transporte d’Électricite). It is proposed as a 500km long (subsea), 700MW high voltage direct current line that would run from the north-west coast of France to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Heat Incentive (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat was approved by Government in December 2017. The details of the scheme, including the tariffs that will apply, are published on my Department's website. My Department is engaging with the European Commission regarding the necessary State Aid approval for the scheme. The scheme is planned to commence operation later this year subject to State Aid...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: RTÉ Staff (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: RTE has a statutory requirement under Section 114(1) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 to ‘establish and maintain orchestras, choirs and other cultural performing groups’.  RTÉ has acknowledged that that the orchestras are integral to RTÉ’s arts and cultural programming, and form a key part of RTÉ’s arts and culture strategy. The review of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bituminous Fuel Ban (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal, or ‘the smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known, was first introduced in Dublin in 1990, and subsequently extended to our major cities. Following a public consultation process, it was further extended in 2012, and now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide. The ban has proved very effective in reducing...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Waste Management Act 1996 and the Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2004 govern the process under which waste licence applications can be made to the EPA.  This is an open and transparent process and aims to strike a balance between the interests of all stakeholders.  I have no function in relation to the assessment of licence applications and under section 60(3) of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The Green Dot symbol is an internationally recognised trademark used on packaging and means that for such packaging a financial contribution has been paid to a compliance system legally licensed, and a company set up in accordance with the principles defined in European Directive 94/62 and the respective national law, which is responsible for the recovery of used packaging. In effect, this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Mobile Telephony Use (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: I am aware of safety concerns in relation to exposure to non-ionising radiation (NIR) from mobile phones and WiFi. Extensive research in this area has been undertaken at national and international level by a number of organisations, including the European Union and the World Health Organization. The International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which is a body of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Staff Data (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: My Department does not currently employ any Clerical Officers or Clerical Assistants on a temporary contract basis.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: In April 2017, I signed a Commitment Agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide high speed broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. eir has committed to completing this rollout by year end. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at . My Department's High Speed Broadband Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows that the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Services Provision (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: 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 has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. Since this Government came into...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management Data (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: The latest figures produced by the CSO on how households manage their waste, including the percentage of households which use a collection service for general and recycling waste, are available to view at . Each local authority is responsible for the supervision and the enforcement of the relevant provisions of the Waste Management Act 1996 in relation to the holding, recovery and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Regulations (17 Apr 2018)

Denis Naughten: Matters pertaining to planning legislation and policy, including the role of An Bord Pleanála, do not fall under my remit as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Queries should be directed to the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government or to An Bord Pleanála as appropriate.