Results 8,461-8,480 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The provision of telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the service providers concerned who operate in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Regulator of the telecommunications sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). In that regard, the management of radio spectrum is a statutory function of ComReg. I understand...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (23 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: As I indicated in reply to Question No. 694 of 31 January 2017 the formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the National Broadband Plan State Intervention Area, is ongoing. Following the conclusion of that procurement process my Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best roll-out...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Recognising this frustration, I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force. In July 2016, I established the Task Force together with Minister Humphreys...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy Review (18 May 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Cyber Security Policy (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The major cyber attack that occurred globally in recent days is unprecedented in terms of scale and speed of onset. Whereas ransomware attacks via malicious e-mail attachment have become commonplace, this newly discovered malware type, generally referred to as WannaCry2 possesses the ability to spread very rapidly from machine to machine without any user intervention. The National Cyber...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Cyber Security Policy (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The major cyber attack that occurred globally in recent days is unprecedented in terms of scale and speed of onset. Whereas ransomware attacks via malicious e-mail attachment have become commonplace, this newly discovered malware type, generally referred to as WannaCry2 possesses the ability to spread very rapidly from machine to machine without any user intervention. The National Cyber...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Data (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Better Energy Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department.  The scheme provides grant aid to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Interdepartmental Working Groups (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: My Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, with the support of the Department of An Taoiseach, have convened an interdepartmental Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) Task Force to consider the range of measures and options available to Government for the purpose of accelerating the deployment of low carbon technologies in line with the Programme for Government...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Local Authority Staff (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: One of the many key actions from the Mobile and Broadband Taskforce report to help streamline the roll-out of high speed broadband is the appointment of Broadband Officers. Funding is being provided to all local authorities to assign an officer with responsibility for broadband, acting as a single point of contact for engagement with telecommunications operators building out...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Litter Pollution (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 282 together. Although in 2016, dog fouling constituted just 1.22 per cent of all litter nationally, it is an issue of particular concern to me given its potential impacts on human health, particularly for children. The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to enable local authorities to combat littering. It is an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Household Benefits Scheme (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have no function in relation to this matter. Responsibility for the Household Benefits Package, which includes the Telephone Allowance, rests with the Minister for Social Protection.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commission for Energy Regulation (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: Responsibility for the regulation of gas installers with respect to safety of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Under the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 the CER is responsible for regulating the activities of gas undertakings and gas installers with respect to safety. The legislation provides that any gas works...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: North-South Interconnector (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: EirGrid is the independent Transmission System Operator in Ireland and SONI (a subsidiary of the EirGrid Group) is the independent Transmission System Operator in Northern Ireland. The role of the independent Transmission System Operator includes the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity transmission network. As Minister, it is not appropriate for me to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Planning Issues (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: Large scale peat extraction in Ireland is currently carried out under the Planning Acts, which are the primary responsibility of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. It is proposed that large scale peat extraction will move from the planning regime to become an activity that is licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is an independent...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Data Protection (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has no function in relation to this matter, which is one for the Data Protection Commissioner, who is independent in the performance of her functions. The question also requests an interpretation of the law.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wastewater Treatment (18 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: While my Department has no function in matters of water policy, I understand that the then Department  of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (now the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government), published an official guidance document, entitled, ‘Integrated Constructed Wetlands - Guidance Document for Farmyard Soiled Water and Domestic...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (18 May 2017)

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. 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, with the latter transport target also being legally binding. While good...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Media Mergers (17 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: I received the report and recommendation from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland regarding the proposed media merger referred to by the Deputy on 9 May 2017. In accordance with the relevant legislation I have 20 working days from the date of receipt of this report and recommendation within which I must make a final determination to allow the proposed media merger to proceed; to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (17 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: My Department has had no expenditure on renting car park spaces between 2011 and to date in 2017.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies Expenditure (17 May 2017)

Denis Naughten: The information requested regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.