Results 18,381-18,400 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: This is an operational matter within the remit of the Road Safety Authority.  I have therefore referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply.  If a response has not been received within 10 days please contact my office directly. The status or otherwise of payment methods is a matter for the Minister for Finance.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: The Road Safety Authority has advised it is prioritising driver testing for essential workers and has set up a dedicated email, urgentdrivingtest@rsa.ie, where applicants can request to be given priority and supply supporting documentation.  These requests are prioritised during the scheduling process with cancellation slots being offered where possible. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: It is not intended to further extend the validity of driving licences at this time. Irish driving licence legislation is based on a framework of EU law, and our current law is in line with that of the EU. At present, there is a requirement for a person to attend at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centre to have their photograph taken if they have not had such a photograph...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together. I am pleased to inform you that those 70 years of age and over will be contacted directly by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) and invited to renew their licence or permit by post. Previously only those aged 70 and over who renew their licence on a yearly basis were invited to renew by post. As a temporary measure, given...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Irish driving licences can only be issued to people resident in Ireland.  There is therefore no facility to issue driving licences to Irish citizens living abroad. EU driving licences are mutually recognised by Member States. If a holder of an Irish licence resides in another Member State, it is recommended that they exchange their Irish licence for a licence issued by the State...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Covid-19 has had on profound effect on the delivery of the Road Safety Authority’s driver theory testing services and a significant backlog developed.  The Driver Theory Test service has seen its capacity reduced significantly to comply with occupational and public health requirements.The Road Safety Authority has advised my office that it is engaging with its service...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together. As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to sustainable mobility infrastructure. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations including the development and management of public bike schemes. Decisions, including allocations to schemes, contracts, operation and expansion of...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I welcome the opportunity to meet the select committee today to discuss the 2020 Estimates for the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. I am accompanied by Ms Patricia Cronin, assistant secretary with responsibility for governance and operations in the Department. The total provision for the Department in 2020 is €541.5 million, comprising €404.8 million...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: The subhead is to cover failing to meet our 2020 renewable energy targets, which were set out in legislation ten years ago. Throughout Europe, 20% of all energy is to come from renewable energy. In our case, we had a legally binding target of 16%. The latest projections from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland shows that between 12.5% and 13% will come from renewables. We have a...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Yes, it is per energy unit that we are short.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: It is a direct payment. Certain countries will benefit. Those countries with a surplus, in other words that achieved more than what was set out in the European targets, will get a direct benefit from the Exchequer. It will bring us into compliance, and the focus must now be on meeting our climate emissions targets in the next decade so the same event does not happen again.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: We expect to have it paid before the end of the year. There is a small additional amount that might run into next year. It depends on the final balance, namely, on what our renewables achievement is this year. It is hard to be exact. We expect a much smaller amount, perhaps single figures, next year depending on the final outcome this year. We know that at least €50 million will...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: There was an increase in staff in the Department this year and there will be a significant increase next year. We need to increase the ability of our administration to deliver the targets we are setting ourselves, particularly in the area of energy. It will not just be in the Department but also in agencies such as the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, which needs a significant...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: The budget increased from €4.85 million in 2019 to €5.753 million in 2020. Across the Department, an additional 31 staff were recruited, 14 of whom were in the energy section and eight in the climate section. Regarding the two other areas with a big increase in demand in the Department, seven staff were taken on in respect of the national broadband plan and two in respect of...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I remember this arising when I was in this job ten or 12 years ago. It became a significant issue in that a survey at the time showed very serious levels of poisoning and pollution from historic legacy mining in the area. If I recall correctly, the Avoca River had very high levels of cadmium, arsenic and other pollutants associated with mine sites. It was discovered that the mine shafts...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: The companies participating in the petroleum frontier exploration licences are required under the licensing terms for offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production of 2007 to pay an annual contribution to the petroleum infrastructure fund. The expanded offshore support group is in place to support the funding of research and applied research projects that have the aim of...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: The subhead provides for Ireland's subscriptions to a range of international organisations in the natural resources sector. It includes contributions to the International Lead and Zinc Study Group, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, International Union of Geological Sciences and EuroGeoSurveys. I presume the International Lead and Sink Study Group is included because Ireland has one of the...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I do not believe there was any contraction in the staff or activities of Inland Fisheries Ireland. It is a critical agency that manages our inland fisheries. It has quite a large staff complement. There is quite a large number of staff right across the country managing our inland waterways, policing the system and protecting the key salmonoid rivers, the great western lakes and other key...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I am afraid I will have to ask my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, to come back to Deputy O'Rourke directly on this matter because it comes under the Minister of State's remit and the Department with responsibility for local government and heritage. On a related issue, and to update Deputy O'Rourke with information on current North-South co-operation, we had a good meeting...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Eamon Ryan: LAWCO?