Results 1,381-1,400 of 25,713 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Issues regarding the development of the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, who are independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their respective functions. Both of whom are overseen by the independent regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. The Government does not have any role...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Infrastructure (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future published in January 2025 sets a number of targets which include the completion of the installation of high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people, including homes, farms, and businesses nationwide, by 2026. The majority of digital connectivity across the State will be delivered through commercial investment by the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: EirGrid is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department and was established under Regulation 50 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000. EirGrid is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department and Minister. As a matter of course I, as Minister, will regularly meet with the Chair and CEO or equivalent of the Agencies under...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Infrastructure (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Firstly it should be noted that providing telecommunication services and the repair of telecommunication networks is a matter for the relevant service providers, operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg) as independent Regulator. As the Deputy will be aware Storm Éowyn was the worst storm in history in respect of impact...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Contracts (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for the Environment, Climate & Communications, I have no function in relation to public procurement policy, which is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Public procurement is governed by both EU and national regulations. Similarly, I have no function in relation to industrial relations matters in another jurisdiction. This is a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bord na Móna (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Bord na Móna is a commercial State body under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, established under the Turf Development Act 1998. Bord na Móna is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department. Any proposal to sell part of Bord na Móna’s business is subject to regulatory approval, including Ministerial consent...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Solar Energy Guidelines (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government reaffirms Ireland’s ambitious targets of 8GW of solar energy by 2030 in order to support our target of 80% of electricity demand supplied by renewables. Ireland now has circa 1.4GW of solar energy generation with significant further development needed to support Ireland’s economic growth and meet our growing energy demands. As part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund. Last year saw a record spend of almost...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030. Data from SEAI shows that in the period 2020-2024, almost 162,000 property upgrades have been...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bord na Móna (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Bord na Móna is a commercial State body under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, established under the Turf Development Act 1998. Bord na Móna is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department. The strategic direction of Bord na Móna is primarily, therefore, a matter for its Board. Bord na Móna has recently...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Housing Schemes (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I have no function in relation to the matter raised in the Question. Responsibility for the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: To protect the environment and ensure the recycling of the valuable materials that they contain, it is important to dispose of vapes correctly. Proper takeback and disposal is also part of the transition to a circular economy. Ireland uses Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR measures for dealing waste streams such as batteries and waste electrical and electronic equipment. EPR...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Bring banks play a very significant role in Ireland’s textiles separate collection system. Textile banks located around the country are provided and managed by local authorities, the charity sector and a number of private operators. Textile collectors provide a management service for these used textiles to local authorities and charities and hold waste collection permits from the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 106, 113 and 114 together. The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy notes correctly that the National Risk Assessment (NRA) 2024 highlighted the importance of our strategic critical infrastructure, especially with regard to energy security. Risks can emerge through different developments such as weather events, including those influenced by climate change, and geopolitical tensions which bring the risk of deliberate disruption to both energy and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Policy (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: A public drinking water fountain scheme to improve our public drinking water infrastructure and reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles will be rolled out by my Department in phases. The initial phase of the scheme is focusing on the installation of drinking fountains within public buildings, with future phases to include installations in public outdoor spaces such as parks, greenways...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) operates on a return-to-retail model, where consumers bring empty containers back to a retailer to recoup their deposit. There are currently over 3,000 retail return points, about 90% of which are Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), providing a high level of coverage across the country. In its first year, almost one billion containers were returned through retail...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Climate Act 2021 has set Ireland on a legally binding path to achieving ambitious climate goals. As outlined in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. In the Programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 118 together. District heating is a proven technology that can decarbonise the built environment, diversify fuel sources for heat, and improve quality of life. The 2022 National Heat Study identified the potential of district heating to supply up to 54% of heat nationally and, crucially, identifies the prospect of using this technology in large towns...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Policies (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs) are a critical part of the Government’s strategic plan for our maritime area, which is reflected by the commitment stated in the 2025 Programme for Government to prioritise the publication of further DMAPs, while ensuring that the relevant State bodies and agencies are sufficiently resourced to accelerate these developments. The use of...