Results 9,561-9,580 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Those of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and industry.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The proposal for that approach came from the Climate Change Advisory Council. That is an area where the correct approach has not been resolved. It is an issue that is connected to the forestry sector and the complicated understanding of what is happening in respect of our land use emissions. Part of the work being done in the land use review will allow us to resolve that matter. I would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the Deputy. I think it appropriate that this committee has a key role. It was established in the absence of such a locus and has done good work so I would not give up on that holding people to account role.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Eamon Ryan: We have learned from recent crises when Government works well and there is that persistent attention to delivery. Covid and Brexit are good examples. One of the things we learned from these and from other neighbouring jurisdictions is that when departments get out of silos, there is direct political involvement and agencies are brought in. With that in mind, we are establishing six...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I am pleased to join the committee today to discuss the pressing matters of energy security, energy prices and protecting our vulnerable consumers and businesses. The National Energy Security Framework, which was approved by the Government and published in April this year, sets out Ireland’s response to our energy security needs in the context of the invasion of Ukraine and our...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Just to back that up, I had a meeting online with the UK minister in early August and our officials had a meeting with the European Commission yesterday on this reform. The President of the Commission, Dr. von der Leyen, said yesterday that they are now working on an emergency intervention and a structural reform of the electricity market. We need a new market model for electricity that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities has set out some of the timelines on this, but I will go further. Going right back, our first energy policy was set with the White Paper I was involved in back in 2007. That was followed in 2015 with a further White Paper on energy policy. In that period, we always had capacity payments for new generation. The European Commission was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: We recognised in the spring that we needed to do an independent review. I approached Mr. Dermot McCarthy, who is former Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach. He started work during the summer. I expect an interim report in the autumn. I am giving him great flexibility, freedom and independence in how he conducts that review. Our intention is to make it public. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Over the years, and in the past year or two, I have always found that the public servants who work on behalf of the public serve it to the best of their ability and to the highest standard. I have found that to be the case in the past two years in working with the regulator, the transmission system operator and the ESB. Those three organisations serve the public interest. They are public...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I have met representatives of every industry involved with the energy and environmental area. With regard to the UK and gas security, there was a statement from the UK Government's spokesperson earlier in August indicating the UK has no issues with either gas or electricity supply and the UK Government is fully prepared for any scenario, even those that are extreme and very unlikely to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: We do not currently have gas storage but it will be considered within the study.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: We have asked Gas Networks Ireland and CRU to come back to our steering group on emergency planning with further measures. The measures under public consultation from CRU on time-of-day pricing is a good example of how we can manage demand and have flexible demand management to help us through this incredibly difficult period. On the RESS scheme, which the Senator mentioned, I note a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: On the question of the UK and the gas grid, since 2011, the UK and Irish system operators have arrangements in place to provide Ireland with assistance in the event of a gas supply emergency. Typically, National Grid and Gas Networks Ireland meet every six months to discuss matters of mutual interest and to complement these arrangements and the regional approach to emergency planning. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: We treat it on an all-island basis, first and foremost. The interconnector is connected with the Isle of Man as well. One has to remember it is an interconnection with the Republic, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. We have to continue to deepen electricity interconnection, not just with the new one coming on stream, but to look at further mechanisms. Increasingly, stronger...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: We do not have the specific proposals yet from the Commission. This is highly complex. Europe has tended to divide between northern and southern perspectives and it tends to vary between countries that have a large of amount of gas in their generation portfolio and those who have a smaller amount. We are in one of the largest categories. Some of the solutions that might apply in other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: It is very important that we maintain energy co-operation between the UK and Europe. We are the island behind the island, as it were. We will have connection with the French market. We were in a Russian energy gas crisis before - nowhere near as bad as this one - in 2008. The European markets are much more fungible and connected this time. That serves our purposes. It is important that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The strategy on combating energy poverty did not conclude in 2019. It is being continuously implemented, and we now have a progress review and public consultation in place. We will get that delivered in time to influence budget decision-making, which will be the critical part. It involves three very significant tranches where we increase not just the fuel allowance but another mix of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I do not know what the Minister of State said here, but if the local authority has not passed that on, will the Deputy provide evidence or an example, because that should be done or efforts should be made to ensure they are eligible and get the payment? It is a universal payment and, as the Deputy says, those most at risk this winter are those in less well-insulated dwellings. Caravans...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: You do.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Eamon Ryan: They are the sort of customers we must target. On demand reduction, I have not yet received anything from Gas Networks Ireland or the CRU about our planned involvement in the 15% demand reduction but as soon I have anything, I will share it with the committee and put it out there. There has been considerable muddying of the waters. This goes back to what the Chairman said about equating...