Results 341-360 of 8,013 for speaker:Bríd Smith

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: Dealing with two Smiths in a row is probably too much for the Minister, but we are not related, thank God.

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: I ask this question in the light of the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and the European Commission's country report have shown that Ireland is falling short in meeting its 2020 targets. Despite what some noble Kerrymen might say about the man upstairs, climate change is a scientific fact, one to which we must respond with a greater sense of urgency and concern.

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: My experience so far of the plans and strategy of the Government, which experience is borne out by many in this Chamber and also by reputable organisations such as Trócaire, is that there is no genuine, concerted, holistic plan using joined-up thinking to take on the considerable challenge of reducing our carbon emissions. In order to meet targets set for 2020, policies and plans have...

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: I accept that the Minister made a commitment, but he was very opposed to including it in the legislation. We are here to legislate and change legislation. As I pointed out to him, a commitment by an individual is not the same as having legislative change which insists on there being an environmentalist on the committee to fight climate change. That is what we will continue to fight for....

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: -----is calling on the new Government to review the investments it makes to bring them into line with international climate change obligations. The NTMA Act allows the Irish Strategic Investment Fund which is to be reviewed to invest in fossil fuel production. One of the worst investments made was an investment by the State in a TransCanada pipeline from the tar sands in Alberta to the Gulf...

Other Questions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: It is a small amendment to which the Minister is opposedt.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Budgets (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: 20. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to spend any savings as a result of the privatisation of the national broadband plan; the portion he expects to spend on climate change mitigation and prevention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21591/16]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Agencies Board Appointments (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: 29. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to consider reserving a place on the board of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for a non-governmental organisation with a track record of environmental campaigning in the area of sustainability and climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21595/16]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas Exploration Revenue (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: 247. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the estimated value of the Corrib gas supply in its first year of operation and the estimated value of revenues the State expects directly from that gas flow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21762/16]

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: Broadly speaking, I support Deputy Ryan's amendments but I want to flag a further amendment that I would like to make to this which specifically concerns allowing communities and local co-operatives access to the national grid. At the moment, they do not have access if they produce the energy by certain means. I flag the amendment now to be able to table it on Report Stage.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: What has been said harks back to what Deputy Stanley objected to, which is the idea we have to be guided all the time, in advance, by what Europe might say about what we want to do. I will press for a further amendment of this draft legislation. The Minister has missed the idea that within Ireland's energy market, specific communities, co-operatives and local individuals can produce, thanks...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: But not in legislation.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: There are so many contradictions in what the Minister has said that I do not know where to start but I will start with where he finished. He will not encourage communities to produce their energy needs if he does not allow them access to the grid and remove the necessary burden of financial resources that they need in order to compete with the big players. It is just not fair. We are a...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: Let us start with the communities.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: I will finish with this point or we will be here all day talking about this. I totally disagree with the Minister's approach. I am not saying this is an alternative to everything else in the Bill. I would not get away with saying that. However, we must insert a clause in the Bill that legally allows communities and co-operatives access to the national grid without having the financial...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: Why not give the direction?

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: I am not raising it as a problem, but as a positive.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: I move amendment No. 10:In page 28, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following:"(11) The Minister shall also reserve a place on the Board for a representative of the not for profit environmental NGO sector with a record of campaigning against climate change and for sustainability.",". The thinking behind the amendment is that the mission of SEAI is to play a leading role in...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: The Minister could appoint three of them. I could change the number to three.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)

Bríd Smith: The amendment seeks the appointment of "a representative of the not-for-profit environmental NGO sector with a record of campaigning against climate change and for sustainability". What would the Minister like that would give him more flexibility than that?