Results 281-300 of 1,441 for speaker:Ann Phelan

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (30 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: To say they are of absolutely no use is perhaps a little redundant. Regarding the movement of people around the world, I remember raising in the Dáil in 2012 the issue of migrants, refugees and the Syrian crisis on a number of occasions. The Dáil record will testify to that. I do not remember anybody in this Chamber raising the issue of Syria. That can be checked in the Dáil...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (30 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: No, I am not. I do not remember Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett raising it.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (30 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: The purpose of the national mitigation plan relates to how to achieve emission reductions, not to how much of a reduction should be achieved. It would be out of place, therefore, to include quantified emission reduction figures in the national mitigation plan. Each successive national mitigation plan must abide by our legally binding mitigation obligations. In any event, specifying...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (30 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank Deputy Boyd Barrett for the history lesson. 4 o’clock I certainly admire the Deputy's powers to foretell the future.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (30 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: No.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (30 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: This amendment calls for the inclusion of targets up to 2050. This is a very similar amendment to those on which we spoke last night. Establishing domestic mitigation targets divorced from EU processes is not wise because Ireland is already subject to legally binding greenhouse gas mitigation targets up to 2020. Negotiations are ongoing at EU level to agree mitigation targets for all...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme (30 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: On 23 September 2015, I was delighted to announce, with the Taoiseach and my colleague Minister Kelly, the new Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This scheme is part of a concerted effort to support the development of rural towns and villages, not only as a component of a broader approach to rural development but also to improve the environment of rural dwellers in a way that will increase...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: As stated earlier, if we shorten it any further we would interfere with the process. In addition, consultations must also be entered into. I am glad that Deputy Stanley has welcomed the period of 18 months.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: I understand the intent behind the amendment but I do not consider it to be practical to project long-term savings and costs to the Exchequer in sufficient detail to inform the Government meaningfully when approving five-yearly national mitigation plans and national adaptation frameworks. Accordingly, I cannot support the amendment.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: At the risk of repeating myself, I appreciate the intent behind the amendment but I do not consider it practical to project long-term savings and costs to the Exchequer in sufficient detail to meaningfully inform the Government when approving national mitigation plans. Therefore, I cannot support this amendment either.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: The proposed amendment seeks to provide for the manner in which annual targets are set for the period 2015 to 2050. I do not accept the validity of establishing domestic mitigation targets divorced from EU processes. That is because Ireland is already subject to legally binding greenhouse gas mitigation targets up to 2020. Negotiations are currently ongoing at an EU level to agree...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: Meeting our EU targets is our main priority and the first national mitigation plan is currently being developed to address that aim.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move amendment No. 27:In page 6, line 9, to delete “24 months” and substitute “18 months”. The proposed amendments seek to shorten the timeframe for the production of the first national mitigation plan from 24 months after enactment of the Bill to less than that. Many Opposition Members and in the environmental NGO community were concerned at the original 24...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: This proposed amendment appears out of place in section 2. I am also not sure how practical it is to expect to quantify the costs to the HSE associated with climate change. One of my amendments, amendment No. 46, includes a reference to the protection of public health in section 4(7) of the Bill as it relates to the preparation of national mitigation plans. Accordingly, I cannot support...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: These amendments seek to include a reference to the principle of climate justice in either section 3 or section 4 of the Bill. My own amendment No. 17 calls for the inclusion of a reference to climate justice in section 3(2) of the Bill in a slightly different and more prominent place to that proposed in their amendments. Although legal reservations have been expressed about including a...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move amendment No. 6:In page 4, to delete line 6.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move amendment No. 17:In page 6, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following:“(b) the policy of the Government on climate change, (c) climate justice,”. This amendment seeks to include references to both the policy of the Government on climate change and to climate change justice in section 3(2). In respect of national policy considerations, a key element of the...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: The proposed amendment wishes to set out definitions of baseline years in respect of greenhouse gas emissions, with a view to more wide-ranging amendments to sections 3 and 4 of the Bill. I will reserve my principal observations on the more wide-ranging amendments until later in this debate. However, I would make the point that, as I do not agree with the proposed large-scale amendments to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development Projects (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: The projects referred to in the Question delivered the Community Development Programme from 2002 to 2009. My Department provided funding on an interim basis to the projects in question up to 2012 in order to ensure the continuity and future delivery of a range of services and supports. With effect from 2012, responsibility for the management, administration and funding of these projects...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme (29 Sep 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing funding for the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The monitoring costs (generally...