Results 17,201-17,220 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. In order to assist with the achievement of these targets, €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided this year through my Department’s Vote...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Action Plan (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Regulation 2018 sets out the process for the preparation and submission of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). The NECP was approved by Government in July 2020 and formally submitted to the European Commission on 4 August 2020. The NECP incorporates the goals and additional policies identified by the last Government as part...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the matters raised by the Deputy, is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Data (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Details of the funding provided and the projects supported for the period 2017 to 2019 by local authority are available on the Department's website at the following link - Total tonnages of waste removed under the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) for each of the three years 2017-2019 are as follows: 2017 - 2,500t 2018 - 2,571t 2019 - 1,638t It is important to note that clean up is only one...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Litter Pollution (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I have committed, under the Government's Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, to increase the range of offences to which Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) penalties would apply and the level of the on-the-spot litter fine may be considered in that context. I have also set out a commitment in the Waste Action Plan to ensure that all waste enforcement legislation will be “data...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: A sustained reduction of commuters and commuting time will, over time, bring a reduction in transport carbon emissions. Previous work in this area indicated that, for each new full-time remote worker, estimated average daily transport-related emissions savings of approximately 2.6-2.9 kg CO2, depending on petrol/diesel fuel mix, could be achieved. My Department is currently in the process of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Government policy in relation to data centres is primarily a matter for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Government Statement on the role of data centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy, 2018 recognises that a plan-led approach is needed to develop a range of measures to promote regional options for data centre investment, minimising the need for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Strategies (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is currently working to finalise Ireland’s first National Clean Air Strategy which I intend to publish in the coming weeks. The Strategy will provide the policy framework necessary to identify and promote the integrated measures and actions across Government that are required to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air, while delivering on wider national objectives....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Supply Board (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together. The first progress report of the Just Transition Commissioner, Mr Kieran Mulvey, published on 22 May, reflects a comprehensive engagement with relevant stakeholders in the Midlands, setting out the analysis of the challenges facing the region, and for Bord na Móna workers, their families and communities, arising from an accelerated...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Maritime Issues (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together. The standard of training in Ireland for maritime education and training is set by the International Maritime Organization’s Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping as implemented in EU law by means of EU Directive 2008/106, as amended, and further transposed into Irish law. The training for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 91, 92, 96 and 98 together. The Government continues to advise against non-essential international travel and that essential travel is undertaken with due regard to public health safety measures. In the case of Great Britain and South Africa, flight bans were introduced for the first time with effect from 1 December in response to the emergence...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Deputy may wish to be aware of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Project Tracker which is available at the following link and details all of the major projects and programmes (including details around timings and costings) in the National Development Plan: A number of the key rail projects/programmes currently being delivered include – - The National Train...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Protected Disclosures (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Department’s policy is not to make any comment or observation on individual protected disclosures. Any protected disclosure received in my Department is managed in accordance with the Department’s Policy on Protected Disclosures, which is aligned with central government guidelines, and the 2014 Protected Disclosures Act.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As of 8 January, there are 97,100 tonnes of salt available for use on the network of National Roads and Motorways. In addition, there are 68,900 tonnes available for use on the Regional and Local Roads network. To date, 24,700 tonnes of salt have been used this winter on the National Roads and Motorway networks, while a further 35,400 tonnes has been used in relation to the Regional and Local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the administration of the SPSV Driver Entry Test, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 83 together. The Deputies are likely aware that there are two reports available on my Department’s website in relation to the proposed reopening of the Western Rail Corridor Phases 2 and 3. The Deputy can access the documents through this link: The first report is a financial and economic appraisal (sometimes referred to as a preliminary...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: This is a matter for the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS). The NDLS usually processes licence-exchange applications in approximately three weeks. It must be noted that the service is currently experiencing unprecedented demand due to a Covid19 fuelled backlog. The Road Safety Authority has worked with their providers to create additional capacity through a combination of additional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Staff in my Department have not yet received COVID-19 vaccinations. Staff will be vaccinated according to the schedule of vaccination as outlined in the National COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy. Staff may fall under different priority levels as defined under the Strategy, depending on the nature of their work, their age and health status. The vast majority of staff in my Department have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Since January 1, following the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, the UK has been outside the EU Single Market and Customs Union and this means that a range of new formalities apply to goods moving to, from or through the United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland. The Government has been working to prepare for Brexit for several years – with an intensive effort...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (20 Jan 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Operational arrangements at test centres, including the availability of waiting and washing facilities, are a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I understand that the Authority decided to temporarily close public toilet and waiting facilities in the interests of public safety - and particularly the health and safety of testers and other test centre workers - as part of its overall Covid-19...