Results 781-800 of 4,199 for speaker:Brian Leddin

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Air Quality (15 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: 80. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress of the expansion of the national air quality monitoring network under the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28883/23]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (15 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: 113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the findings of the EPA’s Ireland’s GHG Emissions Projections 2022-2040 report; his plans to revise the Climate Action Plan to achieve the 51% emissions reduction target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28843/23]

Our Rural Future Policy: Statements (14 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I note the Rural Independent Group left the Chamber together a few moments ago. I note the absence of their colleague and my county colleague, Deputy Richard O'Donoghue because he has fallen ill. I send my best wishes to Deputy O'Donoghue and his family. The Rural Independent Group spoke about the Green Party being anti-rural Ireland. I have to say that is absolutely, totally and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Data (14 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: 74. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 229 of 23 May 2023, the average VRT band, and the average emissions from the average car registered in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 for internal combustion engine vehicles only, that is, excluding electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28675/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I have received apologies from Senator Higgins. The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the decarbonisation of the heat sector in our country and, if we have time, to discuss the rising cost of district heating systems. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the following representatives from eHeat Ireland: Mr. Samuel Geraghty, project manager of Astatine; Dr. James Browne; Mr. Ronan...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Mr. Geraghty for his opening statement. I invite members to indicate to ask questions. While we take note of members' hands raised, I will summarise the statement. Mr. Geraghty or his colleagues may wish to contribute. There are two principal asks, I think. The first is that e-heat is treated in a similar way to biomass and anaerobic digestion, with the 15-year tariff, and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: Those are the two principal asks.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: Are there jurisdictions that are somewhat like Ireland, with higher unit costs and where the authorities may be addressing these to stimulate and grow e-heat? Is there special consideration in some countries, notwithstanding the higher unit costs, to support the sector?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Mr. Marren for that. Are supports generally related to the operational costs - the unit costs - of electricity or do they tend to relate to both the capital outlay and the operational costs? They tend to be both. One of the reasons is a substantial cost differential in the installation and integration of the equipment. Even when that investment is made, an operational support is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: The second part of my question relates to the flexible connections policy. Is it that ESB Networks simply is not there with respect to how it would enable connections and it is quite unwieldy for Mr. Marren and the members of Astatine to get connected? What do they propose? Is there a flexible connections policy in development? Are there particular elements to that we should know about?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I want to jump in on that last point regarding the project in the Boston Scientific plant. Has an analysis been done of the emissions that have been displaced because of the investment in that system in the last two years? It is probably very obvious that there is a benefit from an emissions point of view, but a rigorous analysis of that, if Mr. Coffey has it, would be very helpful to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: Will Mr. Coffey talk about the motivation for that investment? Was the existing plant at the end of its life and did a decision have to be made about what kind of new plant would be constructed? Was there a desire to get ahead of the game here a little? I am interested in hearing comments about these aspects from a representative of a company that has gone down this route already because...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: That is very interesting. It is fantastic to hear that a large company like Mr. Coffey's has that kind of ambition and is realising it. It is not just an ambition because there has been investment and results are now being seen. Many of Mr. Coffey's peers across the industry will be watching this endeavour and this committee is also very interested in what has been achieved.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: There is a crossover, however, between district heating and the waste heat from industry. Even if it is not waste heat from industry, we could have an industrial set-up essentially, so that while it is residential it would be of the scale of some of the company's industrial members.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I would argue that it is certainly not one or the other.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I was just wondering if Mr. Marren had a view on district heating or if he saw that as part of his remit, as given the scale of projects they might get close to the industrial scale.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I accept that. It is important to understand. The point is well made and clear that this is something the witnesses feel can be advanced quite quickly while district heating is a slower option. I agree that it is important not to conflate them. What the witnesses ask makes a lot of sense to me. It will be up to the Minister and the Department to dig into it and to look at how the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: Has eHeat Ireland done any analysis? I presume most of the members of eHeat Ireland have already identified that there is potential. Are there members who would go down this road but they see that grid reinforcement is required? It would be great to see it if there is any analysis. I am sure the Department would be interested in seeing it as well. If we are talking to the likes of EirGrid...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonisation of the Heat Sector: Discussion (13 Jun 2023)

Brian Leddin: I am sorry to cut across you. Does eHeat Ireland have regular engagement with EirGrid and ESB Networks?