Results 721-740 of 4,199 for speaker:Brian Leddin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I have received apologies from Deputy Farrell. The purpose of this morning's meeting is to continue the discussion on the decarbonisation of heating. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the following witnesses to the meeting: from the Irish District Energy Association, Ms Yvonne Murphy, chief executive officer and Dr. David Connolly, chairperson; and from Aalborg University in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: Yes, they are there now. Please go ahead.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: Thank you very much, Professor Mathiesen, for a very interesting presentation. I ask members to indicate to ask questions and the Clerk will take a list. I will go first and I direct this question to Ms Murphy or Dr. Connolly. Dr. Connolly mentioned that it is impossible to apply for a licence to put a thermal grid in the ground. We are reviewing the Planning and Development Act at the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Dr. Connolly. Does Professor Mathiesen wish to come in?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: That is very enlightening and has certainly corrected my impression. I will go to Deputy Bríd Smith.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I am mindful of Professor Mathiesen's time. As he has just 15 more minutes, we will come back to the regulatory question, which is important in the Irish context. He may wish to speak on the Danish regulatory approach. I will allow members to direct questions to Professor Mathiesen because he has limited time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Professor Mathiesen for a very comprehensive answer. I want to give Deputies Bruton and O'Rourke a chance to address questions to Dr. Connolly and Ms Murphy as they did not have the opportunity.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: Before Dr. Connolly responds, I thank Professor Mathiesan, who needs to leave, for his time. It has been very valuable to us and his contributions will help us as we deal with this exciting subject for our country.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: Those are very interesting points. Has the Irish District Heating Association done an analysis of the opportunity cost of not supporting the industry? The Government makes the decisions. It sounds like that €500 million to €1 billion investment that might be needed to get the industry going can be compared with the support that is there for retrofitting. If we do not do...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: With regard to the 50% of buildings that are suitable for district heating, and that is what the heat density map shows, that is not looking at the generation, so we are not saying the 50% are near a waste heat stream. If we were to aspire to connect 50% of our building stock, we would be talking about new heat generation plant. If we are, then what kind of heat generation plant are we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: Does Cork have the advantage in that it might be possible to build out in Aghada whereas in Dublin we would be trying to connect to an old city, essentially?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: On the Planning and Development Act, one ask is to look at how we might license the thermal grid under that Act. Is there another piece on residential density to make district heating viable? High density, which the Danes do very well, lends itself to district heating. Might it make sense that the Planning and Development Act would make special provision for high density to make district...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: That is enough.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: Thank you. We are at the end of the session which has been very thought-provoking. I think all the members probably have many more questions. We are going to try to tackle the heat challenge. The session today will help us with our report, which will ultimately go to Government. We will certainly try to capture the asks. If the witnesses want to come back to us with any further...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: -----that would be very helpful. I would also ask the witnesses to consider the planning and development legislation which is going through the Oireachtas in the next couple of months and how that can be leveraged to support the development of district heating in the country. There are two sides to it. There is the very specific licensing of thermal networks in public roads and public...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: If the Deputy wants to direct some questions through me and the secretariat we can relay them on.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: 212. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current status of the pathfinder projects for Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29453/23]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (20 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: 230. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the implementation of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan for Kerry, and in particular routes 2A from Skibbereen to Killarney and the 280 Ring of Kerry route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29677/23]