Results 9,521-9,540 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: First, 30 Mbps will never be and is not, as part of this contract, an upper limit for anything whatsoever. The contract that will be signed by whoever the successful bidder is, or bidders are, will be future-proofed for the next 25 years. That is why they have now committed to bringing fibre to the homes of the vast majority of premises across the country. As a result, we are going to see...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 13 together. The Government's national broadband plan, NBP, aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high-speed broadband service which will stimulate businesses and communities in villages and towns across Ireland. The NBP is a national plan and aims to connect all premises in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Media Mergers (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: While I am aware that the proposed purchase of the Celtic Media Group by Independent News & Media is currently being considered by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, I have no role in relation to the proposed transaction until the CCPC has made its determination in this case. Should the proposed purchase receive clearance from the CCPC, it must then be notified to me...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service and will stimulate businesses and communities across villages and towns across Ireland.   The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.  This is being...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Disposal Charges (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: As the waste industry began releasing, in June 2016, its proposed prices under the introduction of a mandatory pay-by-weight charging structure, the Government relayed its concern to the industry regarding the reported escalation of waste bills for customers of certain companies. On foot of this, my Department engaged with representatives of the waste industry to agree a way forward that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect.  Mobile operators have, however, invested significantly in rolling out improved services, following ComReg's multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage. The rate of demand...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Paris Agreement aims to tackle 95% of global emissions through 188 Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). Ireland will contribute to the Paris Agreement via the INDC tabled by the EU on behalf of its Member States which commits to 40% reduction in EU-wide emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. The specific details of the contribution to this 40% to be made by each...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Air Pollution (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: Road transport is a significant source of harmful emissions in Ireland and across Europe. Emissions from transport, including particulate emissions, can have a detrimental impact on environmental ecosystems and on human health.  Inhalation of Particulate Matter (PM) can increase respiratory morbidity (including exacerbation of existing conditions such as asthma) as well...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: For each year between 2013 and 2020, Ireland has a greenhouse gas emission reduction target under the 2009 Effort Sharing Decision. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their value in 2005. This is jointly the most demanding 2020 reduction target allocated under the Effort Sharing Decision and one shared only by Denmark and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan represents a very significant capital investment project for the State and aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland.  The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. The Department is now in a formal procurement process to select...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Mitigation Plan (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The extent of the challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with our EU and international commitments, is well understood by the Government, as reflected in the 2014 National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development and underpinned by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.  The National Policy Position provides a high-level policy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect.  I specifically included in the Programme for Government, a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. In July, I established the Taskforce, together with Minister Humphreys, which aims to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan aims to deliver high speed 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 private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: RTE Staff (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 states the principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ and Section 98 provides that it shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act.  As such I, as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Service Obligation Levy Application (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Energy White Paper, Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030, sets out a long-term vision to guide Irish energy policy and actions to be taken in the energy sector from now until 2030, in order to transform Ireland into a low carbon society and economy by 2050 and reduce our fossil fuel dependency. The Programme for Government acknowledges that Ireland is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Forestry Sector (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: Transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050 is pursued and overseen by Government through a hierarchy of committees and sub groups, with independent advice from the Climate Change Advisory Council.  These committees and groups include the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action, the Senior Officials' Group...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Brexit Issues (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: Until the Corrib gas field came online in late 2015 Ireland was importing around 95% of our natural gas via the two gas interconnectors that supply gas from Scotland to Ireland. While natural gas supplies from Corrib have reduced this import dependency, Ireland will continue to be reliant on natural gas supplies from the UK. Inter-Governmental Agreements relating to the transmission of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) represents a very significant capital investment project for the State and aims to deliver high speed 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. The Government's updated Intervention Strategy, available on my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Mitigation Plan (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The extent of the challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with our EU and international commitments, is well understood by Government, as reflected in our National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, published in April 2014, and now underpinned by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 which was enacted in December 2015.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Climate Change Policy (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 39 and 41 together.   The global divestment movement refers to the removal of investment assets, such as bonds and investment funds, from companies associated with the extraction of fossil fuels. The policy of the global divestment movement is to address some of the root causes of climate change in this manner. In an Irish context, the...