Results 8,761-8,780 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: North-South Interconnector (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The North-South Interconnector is important for improving the efficient operation of the single electricity market and increasing security of electricity supply across the island of Ireland. On 21 December 2016, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the North-South Interconnector project in Ireland. The decision concluded a lengthy planning process which included an...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: North-South Interconnector (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I listened intently to both debates about issues that were genuinely raised by people who had concerns. Similar motions have been passed by both Houses. I have directed my officials to prepare a proposal for me. I have not yet seen it. I have been pressing my officials on that because the argument made by the groups representing local communities I met here was that we did not have the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: North-South Interconnector (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I will be honest with Deputy Dooley. The starting point was not the motion that was passed by this House. The starting point was the meeting I had with the communities where I thought they raised very valid questions. On foot of the raising of those questions, I immediately sought advice from my own technical adviser about the issues that were raised. There are legitimate questions that...

Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34  and 41  together. In line with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, I am required to prepare and submit a national mitigation plan to Government for approval no later than 10 June 207. An important milestone in this work, and one required under the legislation, was reached last week when I published a draft...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: Prior to becoming Minister I understood the difference between geographic and population. I have always insisted that we should be looking at geographic coverage. I have made my views quite clear on that, both publically and privately. In regard to the 3.6 GHz spectrum, the auction is slightly different in terms of its objectives. The country is broken into nine different areas, both...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Compulsory Purchase Orders (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: Since 2007, my Department in co-operation with Tipperary County Council, has undertaken an extensive programme of remediation works at a number of former mining sites at Silvermines, County Tipperary, with expenditure on the works totalling €11.2 million to date. The last substantive phase of the programme of remediation works to be completed is the work at the Garryard site....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Postal Services (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: As regards anything that I have responsibility for in An Post, my form has been to take quick, decisive action. When the issues concerning An Post were brought to my attention, I did just that. The reality is that a decision was taken on 19 July by the Government to transfer responsibility for the post office network to the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and her Department. Naturally...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The national broadband plan, NBP, aims to deliver high-speed broadband to all businesses and households in Ireland through a combination of commercial investment and State intervention in areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated. The NBP has been a catalyst for an increased level of investment by commercial...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: My focus is on delivery, not dates. I am very much focused on delivering this matter. The roll out of the national broadband plan has already started. Commercial companies are spending €1.7 million per day on foot of the plan. In the coming weeks we intend to make significant progress on that. I included in the programme for Government a mobile broadband and wireless task force...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Postal Services (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together. I thank both my colleagues for their questions. It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong, viable company in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and that it maintains a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. Members of the House will be aware from recent discussions on...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Postal Services (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The operation of the post office network is an operational matter for An Post and it is one that I do not have any role in. It is also important to point out, as I have pointed out here in the past, that on foot of the reconfiguration of Departments, responsibility for, and accountability to this House for, the post office network transferred to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Air Quality (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: While Ireland’s air quality is generally good and compares favourably with many of our European colleagues, we cannot afford to be complacent in this area. Recent research shows that air pollution has more damaging impacts on human health at lower levels than was previously understood. In our small country alone, premature mortality from air pollution is estimated at four people...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Tyre Disposal (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am introducing a new compliance scheme that will effectively manage waste tyres in the Irish market and will reduce the stockpiles of waste tyres, which could have a detrimental effect on the environment and human health. I am very aware of the concerns of the tyre industry regarding these new structures. I have met with the tyre representative bodies. I listened to their...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 68, 72 and 79 together. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.  This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced electricity to all consumers. The Energy White Paper, published in December 2015, sets out a high-level framework for Ireland's energy transition to a low carbon economy and society and identifies a range of measures and actions to support this aim. The 2009 EU...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set legally binding renewable energy targets for member states and Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020. As the most cost effective of the technologies available to Ireland and in keeping with the overarching objective of the Government’s energy policy, to ensure secure and sustainable supplies...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection Agency Reports (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I presume the report to which the Deputy is referring is "A Review of the Environmental Protection Agency" presented to then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government by the Environmental Protection Agency Review Group in May 2011. Rigorous implementation of environmental policy and legislation, underpinned by the principle of proportionality, is the appropriate approach...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Draft Bioenergy Plan sets out the policy areas that must be coordinated to support the development of biomass sector in Ireland.  It also identifies 19 measures to support the sustainable development of the sector.  There are a wide range of Government departments, agencies and state bodies that are critical enablers for bioenergy development by virtue of their responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Brexit Issues (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, including in border communities, where mobile 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 this Task Force together with...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Climate Change Negotiations (21 Mar 2017)

Denis Naughten: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held its 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris in 2015.  The major outcome of COP 21 was the agreement by over 180 countries to restrict the impact of emissions on global warming and to limit temperature rises to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an ambition of limiting this increase to...