Results 1,561-1,580 of 28,190 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: In line with the agreed sectoral emissions ceilings, Government has committed to supporting the production of up to 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane annually by 2030. A first step to realising this ambition was the publication of the National Biomethane Strategy which sets out 25 key strategic actions and outlines the necessary supports needed to drive growth across the biomethane...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: To assist in the achievement of our national and EU climate and energy targets, the Government has committed to supporting the production of up to 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane annually by 2030. Delivery of this target, and the use of biomethane within our energy system will have multiple cross-sectoral benefits for Ireland’s economy, energy security and emissions...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Meetings (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I have not, as yet, had the opportunity to hold a meeting with the National Biogas Concern Group.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Meetings (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I can confirm that I have had the following engagements with the Environmental Protection Agency since my appointment. I met with EPA Director General Laura Burke, Director Eimear Cotter and Programme Manager Mary Frances Rochford on Monday 3 March 2025. I also met Eimear Cotter, Mary Frances Rochford and EPA Inspector Suzanne Monaghan on Wednesday 21 May 2025. Officials from my...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: All Phase One offshore wind projects have submitted applications for planning consent to An Bord Pleanála. I am aware that three of these projects have received requests for further information from An Bord Pleanála. The timeline for determinations on planning applications is a statutory function of An Bord Pleanála in accordance with the Planning and Development Acts. On...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Contracts (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has one contract which falls within the category specified by the Deputy. Supplier Contract Value Contract Expenditure (Inc VAT) Term Expiry Date Discontinued PHD Media (Ireland) Ltd. €20,000,000 €11,644,553 3 years 07/12/2024 No The information...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Data Centres (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Environmental Protection Agency have provided estimates of the annual emissions generated by all existing data centres currently operating in the State in each of the past ten years, in tabular form (available in the attached excel table). These estimates are based on the latest information available to the Environmental Protection Agency which are from two sources:EU Emission Trading...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fishing Industry (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has spent a great deal of time in the preparation and drafting of Heads of Bill for our new Inland Fisheries (Consolidation) Bill. It is not possible, however, to estimate precisely the number of hours spent on this Bill due to turnover of staff and restructuring of work areas that deal with this project since 2013. The new Inland Fisheries (Consolidation) Bill is highly...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister, I am concerned with the threat posed by the presence and spread of all non-native invasive fish species in Irish waters including those in Lough Inagh, County Galway and Lough Melvin, County Leitrim and the impact they pose to our native fish population species and our ecosystems. The management of any species in a particular fishery is an operational matter for Inland...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fishing Industry (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I do not accept the Deputy's characterisation of inland fisheries policies. As a matter of fact it is a time of enormous opportunity for the inland fisheries section of my Department and for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) more generally. My Department is progressing the development of a draft policy framework for the Inland Fisheries sector, while IFI is also progressing its 2026–2030...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fishing Industry (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer the Deputy to the written response given to Question 136 on Tuesday 22 October 2024, which stated: Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is currently reviewing the Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 as part of an extensive work programme on relevant Bye-Laws that are in existence for over 10...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fishing Industry (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy is aware, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), in conjunction with my Department, is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application. The Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 are being examined as part of this...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Inquiries (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Angling Consultative Council of Ireland (ACCI) was renamed as the Angling Advisory Group (AAG) by agreement of the Group at its meeting in August 2024. The change was proposed and agreed principally because the new name more accurately reflects the purpose and function of Group and now clearly distinguishes it from the Angling Council of Ireland (ACI). My Department provided information...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Renewable Energy Generation (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As part of the Government Decision (S180/20/10/2704) adopting sectoral emissions ceilings, it was agreed to introduce a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) to ensure the increased use of renewable fuel types across the full heating sector, with the primary aim of supporting the achievement of Ireland's heating and cooling targets at national and EU levels. The development of the RHO is a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Renewable Energy Generation (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The development of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) is a key priority for my Department and the necessary analysis and impact assessment which has informed the design of the RHO has now been finalised. This included consideration of ways to incentivise the domestic production of biomethane which identified the use of a multiplier for related certificates. EU Directive 2015/1535...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Strategic Infrastructure (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Deputy is aware, I recently received Government approval to proceed with the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a temporary gas reserve is critical to Ireland’s energy security as we continue to transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Data (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve supports a secure transition to a renewable-led energy system and mitigates the risk to our society and economy of an interruption to gas supplies. The policy decision taken by Government ensures the risk of stranded fossil fuel assets is reduced as the reserve will be temporary and used in emergencies only, and does not support increased gas demand. These...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Reports (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: A robust and fit-for-purpose gas safety framework is essential to protect lives and property and is of the utmost priority for my Department as we seek to deliver the strategic gas emergency reserve (SGER) as per the Government decision of 4 March 2025. The selection of the Floating Storage and Regassification Unit (FSRU) as the preferred technology solution by Gas Networks Ireland, the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Policies (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184, 185 and 188 together. I have recently answered a number of parliamentary questions on the topic of Private Wires including Dáil Questions Numbers 24 of 10th April, 135 of 22nd May, and 20 of 11th June. This matter was also the subject of debate in the House recently. The position is unchanged and it is my intention to bring a policy document on...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fishing Industry (1 Jul 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Suir, and three minor rivers that drain into the Suir estuary are integrated as a single salmon river system for assessment and subsequent provision of annual catch advice by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The Suir river system is not treated as three distinct salmon fisheries for regulatory purposes, nor from a scientific catch advice point of view. A single provision of scientific...