Results 7,941-7,960 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: As set out in the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy published earlier this year, the public sector has a leadership role to play in energy efficiency, climate action and the transition to a sustainable energy system.  In this context, I would encourage all public sector organisations to consider how they can promote relevant measures in the adoption of electric vehicles such...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The most recent data available to me indicates that at present, there are 616 solar applications at the distributional level and 35 solar applications at the transmission level, at various stages in the grid connection application process. These applications amount to 4,344 Megawatts and 1,961 Megawatts respectively or 6,305 Megawatts in total. Electricity grid connections are an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (3 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.  This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State led Intervention under the National Broadband Plan (NBP). The Map is searchable by eircode. -  The BLUE areas on the...

Topical Issue Debate: Bord na Móna (28 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: First, I would like to state that Bord na Móna is a commercial semi-State company operating under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998. The matter raised by the Deputy is operational in nature and not one in which I, as Minister, have direct function. Nevertheless, as the Minister with responsibility for Bord na Móna, I am aware of the consideration by the company of plans to...

Topical Issue Debate: Bord na Móna (28 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: To finish what I was saying earlier, I reiterate that my focus is on fostering the sustainable production of biomass in Ireland. Any actions taken in terms of the sourcing of biomass from abroad should be evaluated in the context of the capacity of the Irish biomass market, and my long-term objective is to ensure that biomass used in Ireland is grown as close as possible to the end user. ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Heat Incentive (28 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: The proposed Renewable Heat Incentive is designed to financially support the installation of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial and agricultural heat users in the non-emissions trading sector. The need for the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive is set out in the National Mitigation Plan, the Energy White Paper and the Programme for Government. Its...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (28 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.  This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area. The Map is searchable by eircode. eir signed an agreement with me in April last...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadcasting Service Provision (28 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: RTÉ is obliged under Section 114(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to ‘establish, maintain and operate a national television and sound broadcasting service which shall have the character of a public service, be a free-to-air service and be made available, in so far as is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland’. In this context, a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (28 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 to 241, inclusive, together. There is an extensive public network of electric vehicle charging points across Ireland. The maintenance and repair of these points is an operational matters for ESB eCars.     I have sought clarification regarding the charge point referred to by the Deputy and ESB eCars has...

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: Some of them are near enough to Deputy Eugene Murphy.

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: The guidelines are out for consultation. A formal public consultation will take place next month and we are looking forward to seeing the submissions on that. The guidelines will become official in the new year. We have moved away from the set-back issue, which only deals with the distance to the nearest turbine, to that of noise. This has an impact in respect of the scale of wind farms...

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: First, this does not compromise the tendering process. The procurement team has received two very detailed bids from two very credible and competitive operators, one a consortium led by Granahan McCourt, Enet, SSE and John Laing, the other being Eir. The reality is that it is a very competitive process involving a very complex procurement process. It is the first time in the world that we...

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: As Deputy Martin knows in regard to the national broadband scheme, and this is not an accusation-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: Let me finish this point. That scheme was obsolete the day it went live. This will not be.

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: Some 900,000 homes are to get fibre.

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: They will not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Vice Chairman for allowing me to make an opening statement. I welcome the opportunity to engage with the committee on the Estimates for my Department and to consider the mid-year expenditure position and programme metrics, where available. This process is very useful and it gives members the opportunity rattle the Minister. Leaving that aside, this is an important opportunity...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: I literally only got the presentation on my way in. Yes, I am sure we can provide copies. I shall continue listing the key strategic areas, which also include the following: the integrated mapping for the integrated mapping of the sustainable development of Ireland's marine resource, INFOMAR, programme and the Tellus geo-environmental mapping project; protecting our natural environment...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: It is not normal. I do not think it is protocol to supply copies to a committee but I have no problem at all with my remarks being circulated.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

Denis Naughten: The focus of programme A, communications, is to support economic growth, competitiveness and social inclusion through a range of policies and regulation designed to facilitate a more digitally connected economy and society, along with investment in high-speed broadband networks. The Estimate for programme A includes initial funding of €15 million for the national broadband plan to...