Results 1,861-1,880 of 6,804 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: From the Seanad (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: That does not answer the question I asked. When will people see the benefit of this legislation? The Minister of State should bear in mind that the Government is among the slowest in Europe to move on this matter. It was decided at European level last October and November. Many European countries have already moved and implemented legislation. When will people see the benefit of this...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: From the Seanad (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: We are paying out on the energy credit. Tomorrow, the Select Committee on Environment and Climate Action will meet to agree the additional moneys to transfer. The Minister of State should not tell people it is going to be funded out of this legislation, which has not even been passed. When will people see the action of this windfall tax? Is it next September, as was originally intended?...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: From the Seanad (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: We have been a long time waiting for this legislation. When I saw this Bill in our office this week, I presumed it was the legislation relating to energy credits. I find it amazing that we are still dealing with this Bill, but we are, and with these amendments back from the Seanad. It must be a month at this stage since we dealt with this Bill here previously. It must be borne in mind...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: The British Government has succeeded in uniting every party on this island in opposition to its so-called legacy Bill. The Bill is not about legacy or in any way endorsed by people on this island. It will be devastating for families and unilaterally close the door on them getting truth and justice. It is contrary to the Stormont House Agreement, which states that processes dealing with the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: To pick up on an earlier point, is the community dividend obligation the same under a CPPA as it is under the RESS?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Ms Donnelly is right that it is not the same. There is an issue there in terms of community acceptance. There is the idea that we are delivering renewable energy in which citizens have a stake and from which they are benefiting, compared with the idea of building renewable infrastructure in their communities that is offsetting data centres owned by multinational corporations. There is a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Will Dr. Hemmingway repeat that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: How many of those came into play after CRU's plan-led DCCOPP and the enlightenment and awareness around the impact of data centres?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Was nobody anywhere paying attention to this? I take the point that there was a focus during that period on the pressure on the electricity system and that there now needs to be an update to deal with decarbonisation. Where does the responsibility lie in this regard? We had legislation on climate and climate action plans, and we now have stronger climate legislation and a stronger climate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Of the one data centre that is connected and the 11 that are contracted, is there any room for manoeuvre? It may not be in Mr. Gannon's gift to answer this. Can CRU impose any obligations on those centres, or at least encourage them, to move to alternative sources, avail of a CPPA and move away from gas?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: It would be helpful if Mr. Gannon could do so. I have a final question. I see CCAC and CRU welcome the review and revision of the legal mandate of relevant State agencies. It speaks to the point about who is the responsible authority in Government and its agencies for saying there are contradictions in terms of the policy direction and that we have obligations in terms of climate while in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: The comment from the CCAC, which was welcomed by the CRU, that the Government should review and revise the legal mandate of relevant State agencies and public bodies to ensure they are consistent with delivering the climate action plan and the carbon budgets speaks to some of the points we have been discussing here today. What are the relevant bodies and agencies? What should a review look...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Future Licences and Contracts to Connect Data Centres to the Gas Network: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Do Mr. Gannon or Ms MacEvilly want to add anything to that? Do they feel the CRU's own mandate should be looked at? Is it for the commission or someone else to keep an eye on all of that and to ensure consistency with carbon budgets and climate action plans?

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 32. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to report on the three grid studies to support communities to identify sites in their locality that are most likely to have an economically viable grid connection; how his Department will implement their findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50146/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: 97. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there are any current plans to expand the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme to include County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50111/23]

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2023
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I apologise for being late as I had commitments in the Dáil Chamber. I have questions from the two ends of this transaction. The first concerns the roll-out of the NBP. In fairness to National Broadband Ireland, it is clear with its information. We had extensive engagement with the company over the Covid period at this committee. It has good interfaces on its website for members and...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2023
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (15 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: We have seen the devastating impact of floods. International counterparts have emergency alert systems in place. What is the current state of affairs on the emergency alert system?

Escalation of Violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory: Motion [Private Members] (14 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Over the past month and more, the world has watched in absolute horror as the Gazan people face annihilation. Missiles rain down on 2 million people who have been denied food, fuel and water in one of the most densely populated areas in the world. We are bearing witness to a cataclysmic event. We are bearing witness to war crimes. We are bearing witness to genocide. Israel acts with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the witnesses for their contributions so far and for their presentation. We are here to discuss the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. One of many substantial proposals focused on structure, governance, individual Departments and a new national independent agency. We heard at previous sessions about the challenge of almost contradictory...