Results 9,041-9,060 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bioenergy Strategy (7 Feb 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: Communications Market Regulation (7 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: The regulation of electronic communications services providers, including premium rate services providers, occurs within a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which is statutorily independent in the exercise of its regulatory functions. I therefore have no statutory authority to regulate premium rate services providers....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Climate Change Policy (7 Feb 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 the temperature rise to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an ambition of 1.5°C.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Recycling Policy (7 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I am responsible for the administration of the EU Packaging Directive which is transposed in Ireland by the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014. Under the Regulations at least 60% of packaging waste must be recovered and 55% must be recycled.  The most recent Waste Packaging Statistics for Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Environment Fund (7 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Environment Fund was established by the Waste Management (Amendment) Act, 2001, to be managed and controlled by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. In 2016, this function transferred to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Following audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Environment Fund accounts are published annually. The most...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Funding (7 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: My Department does not receive funding from the National Lottery.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (7 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 569, 571, 573, 577, 578 and 579 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: Renewable Energy Generation (7 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of solar energy projects in Ireland. This builds on the Energy White Paper and recognises that solar has the potential to provide a community dividend, thereby also enhancing citizen participation in Ireland’s energy future. With this in mind, Solar Photovoltaics (PV) - both utility-scale and rooftop -...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (7 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 572 and 581 together. Across Ireland, initiatives are underway to improve the quality of telecommunications for citizens. Mobile operators have invested significantly in rolling out improved services, following the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (7 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 580, 582 and 583 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (7 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: Details in regard to the sources of electricity generation in 2015 (latest data) are publicly available in the report entitled Energy in Ireland 1990-2015, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in November 2016 and available on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie. The data shows that 27.3% of electricity demand in 2015 was met from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Recycling Policy (7 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: There is no specific obligation in the EU Packaging Directive, which is transposed in Ireland by the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014, on multiples using own branding to use recyclable packaging. The Packaging Directive covers all packaging placed on the European market and all packaging waste, whether it is used or released at industrial, commercial, office, shop, service,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Administration (2 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: My Department welcomes queries from public representatives and members of the public in relation to the National Broadband Plan (NBP) and has a dedicated inbox, , for this purpose. Queries received in relation to the NBP are then responded to by members of my Department’s NBP team. There is also helpful information on the NBP available through my Department’s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Third Level Courses Availability (2 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: I have not withdrawn funding in respect of the Intergenerational Learning Programme at DCU.  The information sought regarding the funding of the Intergenerational Learning Programme and the numbers of persons that have benefitted from the Programme is a matter for DCU and not one in which I have a role. Decisions regarding the operation and implementation of this programme are a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (2 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 316, 317 and 318 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: EU Bodies (2 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: The decision of the UK Government to withdraw from the EURATOM Treaty was only confirmed last Thursday upon the publication of the Bill seeking Parliamentary approval to issue notification of the UK’s intention to withdraw from the EU. I have not, as yet, received any correspondence or engaged with my UK counterpart on this matter. Officials in my Department are examining...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Infrastructure (2 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: The EU's Third Energy Package stipulates "where roll-out of smart meters is assessed positively, at least 80% of consumers shall be equipped with intelligent metering systems by 2020." Member States across Europe are now at varying stages of smart meter rollout programmes and smart meters are also being rolled out in other parts of the world including the United States, Brazil, India, and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Communications (2 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: I use both my Department and Oireachtas email accounts for work purposes. I do not use a personal email account to receive or send official business emails. Minister of State Kyne has said previously that for Departmental business he uses his Ministerial or Oireachtas email accounts. He has a personal email account from his time as a member of the County Council and,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commencement of Legislation (2 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: There is one Act in respect of which all sections have yet to be formally commenced by my Department, the details of which are as follows. Title of Act Sections not yet commenced Purpose of sections Energy Act 2016 Provisions not yet commenced are sections 3-6; 8-10; 12-17; 19-23.  To provide for amendments to the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and the Gas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas Networks Ireland (2 Feb 2017)

Denis Naughten: The development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial and operational matter for Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), a commercial State-sponsored Body under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply...