Results 8,621-8,640 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (27 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: After the approval of the Carbon Budgets, and in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, my Department engaged with relevant Government Departments and Agencies to prepare Sectoral Emissions Ceilings for Government review and approval. Following an extensive period of analysis and engagement, the Sectoral Emission Ceilings were approved by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (27 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 164, 165 and 166 together. The Government of Ireland have set down ambitious targets to be achieved in the transport sector: a 51% reduction in emissions across the transport sector by 2030 and a target of almost a million electric vehicles (EVs) on Irish roads by 2030. When combined with policies that support increased active and multi-modal travel, EVs...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (27 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure. The management of the public bike schemes is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), which works closely with the relevant local authorities. Noting the NTA's role in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (27 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. As you are aware, a draft national EV charging infrastructure strategy, covering the crucial period out to 2025 was published for consultation in March. The draft strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (27 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. A draft national strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025 was published for consultation in March. The draft strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (27 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in cooperation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It will inform the development of the railway sector on the island of Ireland over the coming decades. The Review is considering the future of the rail network with regard to the following ambitions: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (27 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the authorities in Northern Ireland. The funding arrangements in relation to the A5 have been governed by the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start. Under this Agreement the Government is committed to provide funding of £75 million towards the cost of the A5 upgrade...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus (27 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The query raised in relation to refurbishing Nos. 10-13 Conyngham Road, Dublin 8 back into residential use is a matter for CIÉ in conjunction with Dublin Bus. Therefore, I have referred this...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I thank Deputy Smith for setting out the proposed amendment. I agree with her that the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act and the provisions therein for public bodies must be followed in a manner which is consistent with the latest climate action plan. That is very important and I fully agree with it. This particular legislative provision was inserted on the advice of the...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I appreciate that there are concerns with respect to the impact on the environment, in particular on CO2emissions, but I consider the proposed amendment to be unnecessary and potentially restrictive given its construction. I have provided sufficient latitude in the Bill on the timing of the alternative assessments that will be required, as it is likely, further to the guidance published by...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I cannot accept the amendment.

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Section 7(1) states: "The Minister may, having considered an application made to him or her under section 4". This is done having taken into account the assessments carried out by the board under section 5(2) and section 6(1). An Bord Pleanála is independent in this. It will carry out the assessment. It has the independent inspectors. If, according to section 7(1), it sets out...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: As I understand the drafting, the Minister does have to take into account the assessments. What is in the legislation is as powerful grammatically as "shall". It is clear that it is a case of "having taken into account". The Minister has to take into account the recommendations, assessments and conditions set out by the board.

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: First, I cannot accept amendment No. 1. I understand the Deputies are concerned that the proposal may appear to be open-ended and as such could be used to approve other developments. To be clear, what I am asking the House to approve is the delivery of up to 450 MW of electricity generation for installation by next winter. That is considered an exceptional case for the purposes of Article...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I thank Deputies for their contributions. I was not here for the start of the debate, unfortunately, because I had another meeting. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, for opening the debate and I am happy to be here to respond and answer some of the queries that were raised. We will return later this evening for Committee and Remaining Stages. Deputy Berry and others...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: We have to show and prove it is being done in exceptional circumstances. In further response to Deputy Harkin, right through this process, we have been in communication with the European Commission. We meet in the Energy Council every second week at the moment because of the energy crisis. I first mentioned to the Commissioner earlier this year that we were aware we would have to take...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Daylight Savings Time (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The issue of changing the clocks twice each year is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Justice. The implementation of summertime and wintertime hours each year by putting clocks forward and backward by one hour is one of many factors which influence patterns of energy usage. It is difficult to quantify its effects in isolation, as daylight savings have...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Solar PV Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). As per the terms of the scheme, to which the applicant agrees when applying, the grant is offered subject to the final system installation meeting the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Solar PV Scheme. This Code of Practice includes minimum performance criteria...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Warmer Homes Scheme offers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners who are most at risk of energy poverty. Eligibility for the Scheme is linked to receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments. The Household Benefits Package (HBP) helps with the cost of a household's electricity or gas bill and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (26 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Earlier this year, the Government approved a package of significantly improved supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions. The supports include a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of...