Results 9,081-9,100 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: 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 telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Energy White Paper presents a long-term strategic vision that is intended to guide the direction of Irish energy policy from now until 2030. At its heart is a commitment to transform Ireland into a low carbon society and economy by 2050 and reduce the country’s fossil fuel dependency. The Programme for Government also commits to reducing our import dependency while maintaining...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: Harnessing our renewable energy resources will play a key role in the transition towards a sustainable, secure and competitive energy system. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Planning Issues (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I am aware that an increase in the use of stoves for home heating can be a cause of increased air pollution, particularly where such stoves replace cleaner, less air polluting fuels such gas. Any increase in air pollution is a concern given its public health impacts. The Air Pollution Act 1987 includes a specific obligation to prevent air pollution. Section 24 requires that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: 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 telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The commitment made by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg) to produce a mobile phone coverage map is one of a range of actions which are set out in the Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce published last December. This Taskforce was established by myself and Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 687 and 691 to 694, inclusive, together. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to 100% of 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: Broadband Service Provision (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 690 together. The European Commission has brought forward proposals to co-ordinate the release the 694-790MHz (700MHz) spectrum band in all Member States by 30 June 2020. These proposals will allow mobile broadband services to use this part of the spectrum band. The Commission's Digital Single Market Strategy highlights the importance of this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Infrastructure (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: Spectrum policy is part of the overall national policy governing the telecommunications sector in Ireland, which also covers next generation broadband, electronic communications services and international connectivity.  While the EU plays a leading role in relation to policy in respect of certain aspects of spectrum use and management, national policy also has a role to play in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Government considers the NBP to be one of the most significant investments in rural Ireland for decades, and one which will transform society, akin to rural electrification in the last century.  The strategy for broadband rollout, the National Broadband Plan (NBP), aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fuel Prices (26 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Irish oil sector is completely privatised, liberalised and deregulated. There is free entry into the market and it is Government policy to encourage price competition and consumer choice. As such, I have no function in the setting of fuel prices. The retail price of diesel is determined by a number of factors, and not just the price of crude oil.  One of these is the price of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Digital Skills for Citizens Grant Scheme (26 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: On 18 November 2016, I issued an invitation to community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations to apply for grant assistance under the Digital Skills for Citizens Grant Scheme which replaced the BenefIT Programme. The scheme’s Statement of Requirements specified the relevant qualification and award criteria, and is available on my Department’s website at...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (25 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: Within the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to further decrease Ireland's dependence on imported fossil fuels through the use of indigenous renewable energy resources. This commitment builds upon the recognition in the 2015 Energy White Paper of the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I refer to the reply to Question Number 1481 of 17 January, 2017 in which I advised that the business referred to falls within the AMBER area, which is the target area for the State Intervention and will, therefore, be included in the State Intervention procurement process which is now underway.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Management (25 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: In accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management Act 1996, the preparation and adoption of a waste management plan is the statutory responsibility of the local authority or authorities concerned, and under section 60(3) of the Act I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (25 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together. As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have overall responsibility for several commercial semi state companies a number of whom are involved in renewable electricity generation. However, the issues the Deputy raises are an operational matter for the Board and management of each company and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: 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 telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Food Waste (24 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: In terms of available data, Ireland generates approximately 1.1 million tonnes of food waste per year. Around 40% of this, or 450,000 tonnes, comes from food production; 34%, which equates to 380,000 tonnes, comes from the commercial sector; and, 26%, or 300,000 tonnes, comes from households. The European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Directives (24 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The European Commission has not commenced enforcement proceedings against Ireland in respect of the Directive referred to in the Question.  Regulations to transpose the Directive are currently under preparation and discussions are on-going between my Department and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) with a view to finalising these regulations as soon as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (24 Jan 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Government considers the NBP to be one of the most significant investments in rural Ireland for decades, and one which will transform society, akin to rural electrification in the last century.  The strategy for broadband rollout, the National Broadband Plan (NBP), aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland....