Results 9,801-9,820 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (19 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 814 and 815 together.   The Energy White Paper 'Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030', published in December last, notes that Moneypoint, Ireland’s only coal burning power station, contributes to diversifying Ireland’s fuel mix and the provision of competitively priced electricity. The station is owned by the ESB...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Recruitment (19 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: I understand that the information requested by the Deputy is being compiled by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and will be provided to him by that Department.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Remuneration (19 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The cost per annum for my Department, were the pay increases set out in the Question to be implemented, is set out in the following table: Year Actual Pay Allocation - €000 Cost of Pay Increase of 2% - €000 Cost of Pay Increase of 4% - €000 Cost of Pay Increase of 5% - €000 2011 16,289 326 652 814 2012 15,949 319 638 797 2013 15,749 315...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: I think this is the first question I have taken from a constituency colleague. Deputy Murphy asked whether it is major challenge. Yes, it is. It is not only a major challenge globally but locally in our constituency as well. We saw the devastating impact last December of the flooding. We have had ongoing flooding in turloughs since then. We have had issues of flash flooding throughout...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: I wish to make a brief point. Deputy Murphy is right. There is an extraordinary challenge here. We have to take carbon out of our economy in the next 400 months. At EU level we are currently negotiating the targets for the next 160 months up to 2030. That means Deputy Murphy and myself must work together with the communities in our constituencies and in the adjoining counties of...

Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The programme for a partnership Government commits to the delivery of high-speed broadband under the national broadband plan as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and a State intervention under the national broadband plan in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming. On 5 July 2016,...

Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: I am conscious of the point made by the Deputy, and other Deputies in a Private Members' debate last week. I have the same inclination as the Deputy in respect of public assets. It is important to note, however, that the asset we are purchasing is not like the Telecom Éireann asset, which was a full copper network that covered every corner of the country. We are purchasing part of a...

Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: I ask the Deputy to elaborate as I am not getting the gist of his argument.

Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: I agree with everything the Deputy said on the objectives behind the national broadband plan. This is the reason I made the decision with a heavy heart. However, the model I selected met all of the criteria the Deputy set out compared with the other model. To respond to the Deputy's question on the last mile, 26 years from now, the last mile will be owned by the private sector. For the...

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: In fairness, we are but 71 days in office. It is great that the Deputy has gained such experience in those 71 days to make a call like this on the matter. As she knows, I committed earlier today that we would actually appoint an environmentalist. We can talk about the theory all we like, but the reality concerns practice. I agree with the Deputy that we should have someone with...

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: I have read it.

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: I have read the report and noted what Trócaire has stated about investments. We are examining this matter. It is not just about making legislative change; it is also about real change, not just in the way we do things but in changing the attitudes and perceptions of the public. Part of the difficulty was that the last Government failed to recognise that while one could change the law,...

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: On the broader issue, we are examining the heating sector. There is a lot that will be coming down the tracks within the next 12 months. I look forward to the Deputy's participation in some of the public consultations and getting feedback from her.

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Deputy for his question. Currently, there is no universal service obligation, USO, in respect of high-speed broadband provision. The USO in place relates solely to voice telephony and functional Internet access to a level of 28.8 kbps and is provided for under the EU regulatory framework governing telecoms. The introduction of a USO would give a legal right to individuals to...

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: To deal with the Deputy's specific concerns about the USO, we have 26 years to get this right and neither he nor I will need to worry about the issues he has raised. It is my intention to have matters set in train long before then. The USO will not affect 96% of the country, geographically, for 26 years. In the intervening period the NBP will effectively provide for a USO. It is our...

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: No.

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Deputy is right about mobile telephony. There is no plan to introduce a USO in respect of mobile telephony. If we have one in respect of broadband and fixed line services, it will address the issue for every business. Part of the problem in respect of mobile telephony is obtaining planning permission. In the Deputy's county of Cavan the development contribution in the case of a mobile...

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: In County Monaghan the contribution is €10,000 and in Galway, €20,000. There are major variations in the granting of planning permission. In fairness, approximately 86% of applications in County Cavan are granted initially, but let us consider the costs involved in terms of site rental; development contributions; in building the mast; linking with fibre services and servicing....

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: The task force will examine that and other issues in the short term.

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Denis Naughten: Is the Deputy sure?