Results 7,741-7,760 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Committee of Public Accounts (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I have no function in relation to the remit of the Public Accounts Committee. The company referred to by the Deputy is a commercial State body and is not funded by the Exchequer and therefore not subject to the PAC. The PAC has previously contacted me in relation to concerns raised by a Local Authority regarding expenditure by EirGrid and I responded outlining...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Monaghan County Council raised this matter  earlier in the year with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) who in turn raised it directly with me. I have informed the PAC that EirGrid is a commercial  State body charged with the implementation of Government energy policy and guarantee a secure supply of electricity via the development of the Irish electricity transmission...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Litter Pollution Legislation (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Section 19(7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended by the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2009, provides that election posters must be taken down within 7 days of an election taking place.  Prior to each general election, my Department writes to all participating political parties to remind them of their obligations under the Litter Pollution Acts, and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Schemes Data (25 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I anticipate the 2017 outturn for capital expenditure on energy efficiency schemes will reach €80m. In this year's Budget I have secured approximately €107m in capital funding for energy efficiency schemes in 2018, a 34% increase. This capital increase is complemented by an increased current expenditure allocation that will allow the Sustainable Energy Authority of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (25 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The EU Packaging Directive is transposed in Ireland by the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014. Article 18 of the Packaging Directive states the following: “Member States shall not impede the placing on the market of their territory of packaging which satisfies the provisions of this Directive”. Therefore, I am not in a position to introduce the type of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I refer to my reply to Questions 457 and 459 of 17 October 2017. In that reply I advised the Deputy that the school referenced falls within an AMBER area on my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map available at www.broadband.gov.ieand is now part of my Department's ongoing procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Disposal Charges (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The details of the annual support of €75 for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence (to help meet the average annual cost of the disposal of medical incontinence pads), including the arrangements for its administration, will be finalised by year end, after further consultation with the stakeholder groups.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Mitigation Plan Publication (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Ireland’s first statutory National Mitigation Plan (NMP) was published on 19 July 2017 and is available on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie. The Plan is an important initial step to enable the transition to a low carbon economy and society, and identifies over 70 mitigation measures and 106 related actions to address the immediate challenge to 2020 and to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Following the motions calling for an updated independent study that were passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann earlier this year, I have commissioned two independent studies designed to address the main points of the motions as well as key concerns expressed by parties opposed to the development of an overhead line. The first is an independent study to examine the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Ministerial Meetings (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The request for a meeting was made to meet my officials in September 2017.  The appointment to the board of the SEAI took place on 14 July 2017 for a period of 5 years. The subsequent meeting request was not in the capacity as a member of the SEAI but in the context of on-going engagement by the Department with energy sector stakeholders.  No arrangements...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: A Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group has been established and has begun the process of monitoring the rates charged by household waste collectors.  The Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group has met on two occasions, 13 September, 2017 and 11 October, 2017. The Group comprises representatives from the Waste Policy and Resource Efficiency Division and an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Heat Incentive (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The proposed Renewable Heat Incentive addresses key objectives set out in the National Mitigation Plan, the Energy White Paper and the Programme for Government.  The development of the scheme has involved detailed economic analysis, extensive engagement with industry and two public consultations. In Budget 2018, €7m was allocated for the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bioenergy Strategy (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Biomass production must, in common with all crops, be managed sustainably in order to mitigate the potential negative impacts on soil and biodiversity. It is important to note that a substantial amount of biomass currently used for heat comes from waste products rather than energy crops.  The Energy in Ireland Report, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, found...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Energy White Paper, 'Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030', published in December 2015, notes that Moneypoint, Ireland’s only coal burning power station, contributes to diversifying Ireland’s fuel mix and the provision of competitively priced electricity. The station is owned by the ESB and the White Paper recognises that key decisions on its future...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: My Department is currently developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which is being designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal. This appraisal compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Brexit Issues (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The ongoing Brexit negotiations, including matters relating to the UK's decision to leave the EURATOM Treaty, are being conducted bilaterally between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and the UK. Ireland contributes to the process through its representation at the European Council Article 50 Working Party which meets regularly to discuss Brexit related issues,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Closures (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I can confirm that I have not met with the CEO of An Post to discuss recent media reports on post office closures. My officials, however, are in regular contact with An Post management on a strategic plan for the company  which involves reform of the post office network.  However, I am advised that no definitive decision has been made by An Post regarding post office closures.

Seanad: Broadcasting Act 2009 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2017: Motion (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to address the House today and I thank the Seanad for the invitation. This is the last step on a long but worthwhile process and I welcome this opportunity to have the final stage in Seanad Éireann. The motion put forward for approval relates to the designation of major events or the designation of events of major importance to...

Seanad: Broadcasting Act 2009 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2017: Motion (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: They are listed on the order.

Seanad: Broadcasting Act 2009 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2017: Motion (19 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: In response to Senator Leyden, I am looking forward to next year's under 12s camogie championship. The Senator will be shouting for Athleague but I will definitely be shouting for Roscommon Gaels. There will be skin and hair flying I am sure.