Results 8,241-8,260 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: Deputy Stanley is correct in regard to the need for this grid even before Brexit occurred. The first study to which I agreed on foot of a motion put forward in the House specifically considers whether it is technically feasible for an underground connection to meet the requirements about which the Deputy has spoken. I have been consistently told that it is not possible for an underground...

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

Denis Naughten: I thank Deputy Fitzpatrick. The port to which he refers is in County Down, Northern Ireland, and any proposed waste transfer station to be situated there would, as a consequence, be subject to the regulatory controls of that jurisdiction's national waste legislation. Decisions on planning applications for this proposed development would fall to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. This...

Other Questions: Waste Disposal Charges (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am not proceeding with the pay-per-kilogram scheme which was proposed two years ago and again last year. It was unfair, it was too inflexible to meet the different household circumstances in this country, it ignored the issue of incontinence wear and it penalised those who recycled more. We are going to provide flexibility for operators to ensure that if people segregate more or produce...

Other Questions: Waste Disposal Charges (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: Deputy Curran has raised a very important point. I do not know what powers I have in this area and I have to be very careful because of competition law. I commit to relaying the point directly to the 67 operators and to asking them to do this because it makes sense. Not all of them have a flat rate system and many have a user charge system, which they have done quite effectively, as Deputy...

Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 100 and 114 together. On 19 December 2016, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the north-south interconnector project in Ireland.

Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: Following the discussions we have had, I have looked at this again. I have told the Deputies about the difficulties I have in complying with the full motion because of the issues regarding An Bord Pleanála. As Minister, I have an overarching duty to respect a decision lawfully made by the bodies, unless lawfully challenged. However, on foot of discussions, I have decided to proceed...

Other Questions: Post Office Network (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I am responsible for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post, to ensure that the company is fully compliant with the code of practice and governance of State bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning An Post. Operational matters and the role of developing commercial...

Other Questions: Post Office Network (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: It might be the last.

Other Questions: Post Office Network (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: If the Deputy is speaking to her colleague, Deputy Dooley, after Question Time, she might tell him that within the next 77 weeks, approximately 97% of all post offices in this country will have direct access to high-speed broadband. We can look at the options for the approximately 30 post offices that will not have such access. I am sure Deputy Dooley will be delighted to hear that. I know...

Other Questions: Post Office Network (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: That is why I am determined to ensure that we continue to roll out high-speed real-fibre broadband across this country. At present, we are passing one door every minute of every working day. My intention is to continue that momentum until every single premises in Ireland enjoys access to this facility. I encourage Deputy Niamh Smyth to make direct contact with the local broadband officer...

Other Questions: Waste Disposal Charges (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: I can give the Deputy an update that is literally hot off the press. I intend to introduce an incentivised pricing structure that will provide the flexibility for customers to be offered a suite of pricing options to encourage householders to reduce and segregate their waste.  This approach is in line with the Government's policy as articulated in a 2012 policy...

Other Questions: National Mitigation Plan (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am quite happy to have a debate at any time. That would be helpful. I am not 100% sure about the long-term costs but Deputy Connolly is right that they are very significant and in the scale of billions of euro. I do not believe we are beyond dialogue. A fundamental weakness of environmental groups up to now is that it has been very much about top-down lecturing to people and telling...

Other Questions: National Mitigation Plan (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: -----and we need to change that debate. We need to change that dynamic and the only way we can do that is to engage with people and explain to them how this is impacting on their day-to-day lives. To try to do this, my focus is on the issue of air quality, which has the knock-on impact with regard to climate but also deals in the here and now for the public.

Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: If Deputy Clare Daly has heard the previous reply I will not go through it again but will answer the Deputy's specific question. Yes, the area is in light blue, which means that in the next 77 weeks Oldtown will have high-speed broadband as part of the Eir commitment agreement. This is some good news for north County Dublin. They are no longer in the intervention area and they will be part...

Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: If the resident in question is in the light blue area of the map then he will get broadband as part of the commitment agreement. That is the agreement and I expect Eir to comply with that to the letter of the law. If it is outside the light blue area then it will have to wait for the next phase of the national broadband plan. In the interim, however, we are working with mobile operators...

Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: The commitment agreement we have with Eir is that Eir must pass a home every minute of every working day for the next 77 weeks. That is a monumental task for the company and we have pushed it to the wire in that respect. I had looked at including in the contract intervention by individuals outside of this, but Eir was of the view that if this happened it would actually delay the roll-out....

Other Questions: National Mitigation Plan (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: Climate change is an issue we are taking seriously. In fact, in the first contribution of the Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, in the House, he made the point that we will have a full Cabinet meeting to discuss climate. It is a very serious issue and it is one we are taking seriously. The plan was submitted to Government for approval on 9 June. My Department is a co-ordinating Department. I...

Other Questions: National Mitigation Plan (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: No, there is absolutely no hesitancy at all. The mitigation plan was approved by the Cabinet today. We had a very good and constructive discussion at Cabinet today on it. Some fine-tuning of the document needs to be done and the plan will be published soon after that. Two of my colleagues came to me after the Cabinet meeting looking for copies of the plan. We will publish it as soon as...

Other Questions: National Mitigation Plan (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: The plan will absolutely be before the House before the end of the summer break. I intend to have it published as quickly as possible. I cannot give a definitive date here and now but the Cabinet is meeting the week after the House rises and it is my intention to have the plan published in advance so that Ministers can have a copy of it to discuss at that full-day Cabinet meeting. I will...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (27 Jun 2017)

Denis Naughten: The big issue with potential penalties is not on our emissions target. Nothing has been set in stone yet, but it relates to not meeting our renewable energy targets. That is naturally enough a further concern for us. Based on the evidence available to me at the moment, I believe we will reach our renewable electricity target, but heat and transport are two challenging areas. Within the...