Results 15,121-15,140 of 20,131 for speaker:Brian Stanley

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: 47. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the new technologies that can be ready for incorporation into the electricity system to address directly the use of fossil fuels in view of the report from the Climate Change Performance Index which placed Ireland last in terms of action on climate change in the European Union. [53131/18]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: My question is in the same vein as the previous one as it relates to the new technologies that are ready to be incorporated into the electricity system. The Climate Change Performance Index ranks Ireland as the worst country in Europe and one of the worst countries in the world when it comes to climate change. That is an indictment of this Government and previous Governments. We are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Global warming has been catastrophic in 2018 and it is registering with people that we are not in a good place. For the past seven or eight years, I have been highlighting this issue with the Minister and his predecessors, including Mr. Phil Hogan and Mr. Pat Rabbitte. We do not have many practical measures in place at this stage. The Minister...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: The Minister of State did not answer my question on what Moneypoint power station will be converted to and where, if it is biomass, the material will come from? Natural gas supplies will last for a further ten years at best, based on current information. The Minister of State mentioned developing solar generation in the mid-2020s. That needs to be fast-tracked because the mid-2020s is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: Do we have just one opportunity to speak?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: To set out Sinn Féin's position on the Bill and following on from what was said on Second Stage, I asked that renewable energy alternatives be specified in the report. The report poses the question as to whether sufficient renewables are coming on stream to protect us against future security of supply concerns. We asked if it is right to use fossil fuels from other countries while...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: I want to correct what has just been said. I did not say the Bill did not make the link with increasing or reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. What I said was we needed to link the Bill with renewable energy production. That is the point I made and it does not figure in the Bill, although it is a key part of it. The two have to happen in tandem and we need to move on very quickly with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: Obviously, there are two very different positions here. The amendments of Senator McDowell or the Minister of State would basically kill the Bill at this stage. The committee is split. Six members want the Bill to proceed. While I do not wish to speak for other members, some may agree to the Bill being amended on a further Stage. It would be a pity for the Bill to be killed off because...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: The Bill has the potential to address it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: I suggest that the Bill be allowed to progress on the basis that it will be substantially amended on Committee Stage. It is very simple. The proposed amendments would stop the Bill in its tracks. I am taking at face value the statements of the Minister of State and the Government regarding their wish to accelerate the pace at which we adopt renewable energy. I accept that. However, that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: I ask them to withdraw their amendments.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: Yes, that is exactly what I suggest.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: The Bill passed Second Stage in the Dáil. I want to see it progressing with amendments. We have not been able to agree on the report. It has been defeated following a tied vote. The Chair used the weight of her casting vote to defeat it. That is the situation we are in here now. The Bill is still here on Committee Stage.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: I understand we are now free to amend the Bill on Committee Stage if we want to do so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: I would like to clarify this so that we are crystal clear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018: Discussion (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: A previous speaker seemed to indicate that there may be a way to keep the Bill alive. Is it procedurally possible for us to do something with this Bill on Committee Stage? Can we amend it to get it back into the Dáil or Seanad?

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: 73. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has an alternative model for the national broadband plan if the tender process cannot find a feasible bidder. [53126/18]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: 83. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to use powers under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to issue a policy direction to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities regarding energy supply markets and its resultant effect on prices for householders. [53129/18]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Services (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: 87. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding changes to the An Post retail and mail delivery businesses in the context of the retention of the universal social obligation. [53130/18]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bioenergy Strategy (18 Dec 2018)

Brian Stanley: 93. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which indigenous biomass supply to maintain security of energy supply will be ensured in view of plans to convert peat plants to the use of biomass. [53127/18]