Results 9,541-9,560 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

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

Denis Naughten: The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers.  A well balanced fuel mix that provides reliable energy, minimises costs and protects against supply disruptions and price volatility, is essential to Irish consumers and businesses. The Energy White Paper, Ireland's Transition to a Low...

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

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 43 together. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (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 National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (2014), and now underpinned by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.  The overarching objective of the Government's energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: North-South Interconnector (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: I believe the question refers to the North-South 400kV Interconnector project. EirGrid is the designated Transmission System Operator and its role includes the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity transmission network in Ireland. As detailed in the government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure, the Government does...

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

Denis Naughten: The introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a commitment in the Programme for Government and will be the primary support mechanism in the heating sector designed to meet Ireland's renewable energy obligations. The aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in the renewable heating sector and to help reach Ireland's 12% target by 2020. In 2015, it is estimated...

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), which was published in August 2012 by the then Minister, outlined Government's commitment to deliver high speed broadband availability across the country and reflects Government and European objectives to deliver high speed services to all citizens. Specifically it committed to a State intervention in those areas where commercial...

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

Denis Naughten: The charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation. As the waste industry began releasing, in June 2016, its proposed prices under the introduction of a mandatory pay-by-weight charging structure, the...

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

Denis Naughten: The risks identified in the Draft National Risk Assessment 2016, published by the Department of the Taoiseach (see link attached ), relate to a range of matters including projected impacts arising from climate change, investment in mitigation and adaptation measures and potential costs arising from compliance with 2020 and 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The policy...

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

Denis Naughten: The introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a commitment in the Programme for Government and will be the primary support mechanism in the heating sector designed to meet Ireland's renewable energy obligations. The aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in the renewable heating sector and to help reach Ireland's 12% target by 2020. In 2015, it is estimated that...

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

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 156 to 158, inclusive, together. The extent of the challenge arising from climate change is well understood by Government. Existing policy is set out in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (2014) which established a high-level policy direction for the adoption and implementation by Government of mitigation...

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

Denis Naughten: The Climate Action and Environment (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2016 was approved by Government on 19 July 2016 and took effect from 22 July 2016. This order provides for the transfer of responsibility for environmental functions in relation to air quality, radiation, climate, environmental policy and waste and resource efficiency, including waste...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: EirGrid endeavours to ensure that Irish citizens have ongoing, secure access to electricity via a world class electricity infrastructure that supports Ireland’s continued economic development. Essentially, EirGrid develops, manages and operates the electricity transmission grid and this brings power from where it is generated to where it is needed throughout Ireland. In working...

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

Denis Naughten: The 2014 National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, which is underpinned by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, provides a high-level policy direction for the adoption and implementation by Government of plans to enable the State to move to a low-carbon economy by 2050. Latest Green House Gas emission projections by the Environmental...

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

Denis Naughten: I attach a high level of importance to supporting the international agenda on protection of the environment, and to fulfilling our obligations under relevant international agreements.  This is consistent with the overall Government position, as reflected in the commitments set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government, particularly the commitment to work towards implementing...

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

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152, 153, 159 and 160 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection Enforcement (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: Rigorous implementation of environmental policy and legislation, underpinned by the principle of proportionality, is the appropriate approach to adopt in protecting our environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the independent statutory body responsible for protecting the environment in Ireland. The EPA performs a wide range of statutory functions in fulfilment of its mandate....

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

Denis Naughten: Air quality monitoring in Ireland is carried out to meet the requirements of EU Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, also known as the CAFE Directive. The Directive requires that certain minimum levels of monitoring are conducted for the purpose of assessment and management of air quality.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (26 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: The EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable energy sources, with the latter target also being legally binding. Currently, the total amount of...

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

Denis Naughten: For each year between 2013 and 2020, Ireland has a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target under the 2009 Effort Sharing Decision (ESD) No. 406/2009/EC. 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 ESD and one shared only by Denmark and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Services (25 Oct 2016)

Denis Naughten: As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have overall responsibility for the postal sector including governance of An Post to ensure the company is fully compliant with the  Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning An Post. Operational matters and the role of developing...