Results 8,221-8,240 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (4 Jul 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 500 and 501 together. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy. Good progress has been...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Incentives (4 Jul 2017)

Denis Naughten: The introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a commitment in the Programme for Government. The aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in the renewable heating sector and to help reach Ireland’s 12% target by 2020. Provisional data indicates that 6.6% of heat demand was derived from renewable sources in 2016. My Department has undertaken a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Clean Air Strategy (4 Jul 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together. Emissions from transport, including particulate emissions, can have a detrimental impact on both human health and environmental ecosystems. Inhalation of Particulate Matter (PM) can increase respiratory morbidity (including exacerbation of existing conditions such as asthma) as well as contributing to cardiovascular disease. My...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Warmer Homes Scheme (4 Jul 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The scheme provides energy efficiency upgrades free of charge to people who meet the eligibility criteria. Typical measures available under the scheme include attic and cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets and low energy light bulbs....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Brexit Data (4 Jul 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Government’s Brexit Contingency Framework set out that all Departments identify a senior official to oversee Brexit matters and to create a Top Management sub-committee to deal specifically with the implications of Brexit for their areas of work. This ensures a cross-cutting whole-of-Government approach, with a particular focus on possible economic implications of Brexit  and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Disposal Charges (4 Jul 2017)

Denis Naughten: The new framework will give waste collectors the flexibility to continue to offer, or to introduce, a range of incentivised pricing options, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste, while choosing the service-price offering that best suits their circumstances and allows them to manage their costs These options include elements or combinations of per-lift,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Disposal Charges (4 Jul 2017)

Denis Naughten: From analysis conducted in consultation with the HSE, it was estimated that the average weight of used incontinence wear is 650 kg/annum (0.65 tonnes) per person with medical incontinence. I have indicated a support of €75 per person per annum for persons with long term or lifelong medical incontinence availing of a kerbside household waste collection. This is to cover the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Air and Water Pollution (4 Jul 2017)

Denis Naughten: Research shows that the spreading of slurry can, depending on the timing of the application and the weather conditions, result in nitrogen loss to the atmosphere through ammonia volatilisation. Besides being a pollutant in its own right, ammonia also reacts with other substances in the atmosphere to produce further pollutants such as particulate matter. As Minister for the Environment, I...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Data (4 Jul 2017)

Denis Naughten: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No.1799 of 20 June 2017. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (29 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 244 together. The Government's National Broadband Plan will provide 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 so that to date approximately 1.4m or 61% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Incentives (29 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (29 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and the natural gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent statutory body.   Pay As You Go meters were introduced in 2011 and are offered free of charge to energy consumers experiencing financial difficulty.  I understand that the CER views Pay As You Go meters as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services (29 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the competent statutorily independent regulatory authority for Telecoms and as such is the authority which regulates the Roam Like At Home (RLAH) regime in Ireland which came into effect on 15 June 2017.  In this regard ComReg’s role includes scrutinising all existing and new mobile market offerings to ensure full legal...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bullying in the Workplace (29 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Dignity At Work Policy was introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in 2015 across the Civil Service to promote respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace.  The main purpose of this policy is to ensure all members of staff should be aware that any form of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment are unacceptable and every member of staff has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Agencies Data (28 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: All of the relevant State Bodies under the aegis of my Department have confirmed that they have up to date tax clearance certificates. 

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Data (28 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: A copy of the Secretary General's diary for the period 1 August to 31 December is set out in the following table. Subject Date Katherine Licken Leave 03/08/2015 Ken Spratt leave 03/08/2015 Sec Gen Annual Leave 04/08/2015 Stephanie Annual Leave 19/08/2015 Aught Windfarm 24/08/2015 Patricia Cronin leave 24/08/2015 Meeting w/ Sec Gen 25/08/2015 Meeting re Galway Mayo 25/08/2015...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcast Advertising Standards Regulation (28 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: Section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 requires the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to draw up and from time to time revise Broadcasting Codes on the standards and practice to be observed by Broadcasters. In this context, the BAI has drawn up the Children's Commercial Communications Code which it published in September 2013. In finalising its Code, the BAI included the...

Topical Issue Debate: Electricity Transmission Network (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: I have contacted EirGrid and have spoken to the chief executive of the ESB about this. I will not contact An Bord Pleanála. I cannot and will not do so. The planning process has to go on and I will not interfere with that in any way whatsoever. The Minister, Deputy Flanagan, has spoken very frankly to me about this. There is quite a bit of anger here in the House about it, and I can...

Topical Issue Debate: Disposal of Hazardous Waste (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: There is a culture of strong and active co-operation on waste management issues between the relevant authorities on both sides of the Border. As I pointed out earlier, there are well established structures in existence that provide a forum to deal with a variety of cross-Border issues, and I have used these previously to highlight problems being faced by Border counties exposed to the...

Topical Issue Debate: Electricity Transmission Network (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: I thank Deputies Fleming and Stanley for providing me with the opportunity to discuss this significant electricity grid enhancement project. I understand that they have been briefed by both EirGrid and ESB Networks on the matter late last week. I welcome a discussion on the topic, and I believe it to be an example of how important it is for the people of Laois and Kilkenny that their...