Results 9,221-9,240 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: White Paper on Energy Policy (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: We are moving into a new phase in which we must be ambitious about what can be achieved. Whether using biofuels or providing grants for electric vehicles, we must consider all options. I have here a statistic on the biofuel obligation which will give the Deputy an idea of changes taking place in this area. The biofuel obligation increased from 4% to 6% from January 2013 and further...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: White Paper on Energy Policy (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The introduction of wind energy is having a direct effect on price and creating a more competitive market. The development by EirGrid of east-west infrastructure in recent years has also contributed to the energy mix and introduced more competition. While final agreement has not yet been reached on the new INTERREG programme, it appears there will be a pillar focused directly on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The draft bioenergy plan was published in October and will undergo strategic environmental and appropriate assessments which will inform the content of the finalised plan. These assessment processes will commence shortly. The draft plan sets out the broader context for the development of the biomass sector, as well as the current status with regard to the range of policy areas that must be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: I agree with the Deputy that biomass has a role in the bioenergy sector. It is hoped that biomass will account for 5% of the renewable electricity targets for 2020. Bord na Móna’s peat-generating plant in Edenderry, County Offaly, has been using biomass. It is expected the plant will apply to the Department under the REFIT scheme. The ESB, however, has so far not given any...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: It is Government policy that An Post should remain a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high-quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. The network stands well positioned to become the front-office provider of choice for Government and the financial services sector for both electronic transactions as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: A key objective of this Government is to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland. The National Broadband Plan commits to a range of actions to facilitate and maximise commercial investment in high speed broadband infrastructure. It also commits to a State intervention to make high speed broadband accessible in areas where the commercial sector...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: It is Government policy that An Post should remain a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high-quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. The network stands well positioned to become the front-office provider of choice for Government and the financial services sector for both electronic transactions as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: It is Government policy that An Post should remain a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high-quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. The network stands well positioned to become the front-office provider of choice for Government and the financial services sector for both electronic transactions as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Expenditure (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) represents a very significant capital investment project for the State. The Minister has undertaken to complete a detailed intervention strategy that will be submitted to Government in mid-2015.This process is complex and will include close examination of issues such as: - The appropriate ownership model for the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Economic analysis conducted by the Department clearly indicated that, under agreed policy and regulatory conditions, renewable energy trading could deliver significant economic benefits to Ireland and the UK, as well as being attractive to developers. However, given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and some key decisions that the UK are not yet in a position to take,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation with the UK Government in January 2013, a joint programme of work was undertaken to consider how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of both Ireland and the UK. Economic analysis conducted on the Irish side clearly indicated that, under agreed policy and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Ireland's energy policy seeks to facilitate the harnessing of our abundant, indigenous, clean energy resources, including offshore renewable energy, and the economic benefits of any such development whilst also protecting our environment. The Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP), published in February 2014, provides the mechanism through which action across Government...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The Grid Link project will facilitate the integration of renewable energy onto the transmission system, reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels and facilitate further electricity interconnection with the European grid, providing a more secure electricity system. It will also provide a platform for job creation in the south and east of Ireland. EirGrid estimates that, if left unchecked,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Production (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Since 2002, the regulation of the gas market has been the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is independent in the performance of its functions. The Minister has no direct statutory function in relation to liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, including specific projects such as the Shannon LNG project. The Minister and Government colleagues have consistently...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The Building Energy Rating (BER) scheme was established under the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is designated as the issuing authority with responsibility for registering BER assessors, logging BER assessments and managing the BER scheme. The BER was introduced for new dwellings in January 2007 and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: EirGrid’s Grid25 strategy is a major initiative that proposed significant new build of transmission capacity and the upgrading of around 2,000km of existing lines. It comprises over 100 projects ranging from large projects such as the North-South transmission line, to smaller projects involving upgrades. Grid25 will facilitate regional economic development, together with job creation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The October European Council endorsed a binding EU target of an at least 40% domestic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. In addition, an EU target of at least 27% is set for the share of renewable energy consumed in the EU in 2030, and an indicative target at the EU level of at least 27% is set for improving energy efficiency in 2030 compared to projections of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fuel Prices (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: As of 1 December 2014, the average price of petrol charged at the pump in Ireland was €1.46 per litre, while the price of diesel was €1.40 per litre, both prices including taxes and duties. The weighted EU average for the EU 28 for the same week was €1.45 per litre for petrol and €1.32 per litre for diesel, both including taxes and duties. While higher on diesel...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: I am aware of the need to give further policy consideration to the place of microgeneration in our energy mix. Analysis of the potential of micro-generation technologies such as small scale wind, solar and small scale hydro, has been carried out for my Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. It shows that while microgeneration has the technical potential to make a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Research and Development Supports (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Ireland has some of the best offshore renewable energy resources in the world. Wave and tidal energy are still at the research, development and demonstration stage globally. While promising experimental devices have been developed, much research, development and demonstration is required to bring wave energy technology to commercial viability. Policy action across a range of areas is...