Results 1-20 of 280 for speaker:Ciarán Ahern

Select Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 29 - Climate, Energy and the Environment (Revised) (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: In respect of A.7 and the just transition, €47.7 million was allocated. Some €25.3 million of that is allocated to other Departments. Presumably, that is the Department of agriculture, Bord na Móna and places like that. I am curious as to where the balance of that is going, if the Minister has that information.

Select Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 29 - Climate, Energy and the Environment (Revised) (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: That would be great.

Select Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 29 - Climate, Energy and the Environment (Revised) (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: I am looking at subhead C4. There was mention of geothermal energy development. It is not something we discuss particularly frequently. I understand that there is a trial in place at TUD Grangegorman about geothermal energy, but I am curious about where else this might be going on or how progressed it might be, as well as where it is potentially leading.

Select Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 29 - Climate, Energy and the Environment (Revised) (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: On the energy development piece, does the Minister know how much is being spent and what the status of the projects might be?

Select Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 29 - Climate, Energy and the Environment (Revised) (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: I understand it has significant potential.

Select Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 29 - Climate, Energy and the Environment (Revised) (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: I have one other item. It concerns subhead C6 and waste management and enforcement activities by local authorities. It has been on this committee's agenda already. We had Wexford County Council in here about Lady's Island Lake. I am querying whether there is any provision for funding for the recommendations this committee made in respect of getting that project under way to remediate the...

Select Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 29 - Climate, Energy and the Environment (Revised) (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: Out of interest, had any of those contacted the Minister seeking more funding before that report came out?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Climate Change Targets 2026-2030: Electricity Sector (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: I thank all our participants for giving us the benefit of their expertise and their time. I would like to move on to private wires for a minute because Deputy Byrne raised it. Maybe this is more for EirGrid and ESB Networks. Have they any concerns about the development of private wires? This in some respects amounts to part-privatisation of what was previously a totally State-controlled,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Climate Change Targets 2026-2030: Electricity Sector (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: On the broader issue of the network, we can build all the offshore wind we want but if we cannot connect it up to our network and distribute it throughout the country, there is no point. What do the witnesses see as the practical impediments to the enhancement and expansion of the grid? Mr. Tarrant spoke earlier about the need for local area plans to include zoning for electricity...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Climate Change Targets 2026-2030: Electricity Sector (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: I have one last question relating to the level of political involvement. What is the organisation hoping for from the national development plan next week, in the context of political support and investment, to make this happen?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Climate Change Targets 2026-2030: Electricity Sector (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: We spoke a bit about the reliability and security of our energy grid earlier. Someone mentioned Portugal having about 70% of its electricity coming from renewables. Someone said that might be a bit high or could be perceived as risky. Is there an ideal energy mix for our grid when it comes to reliability, security and all those aspects?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Climate Change Targets 2026-2030: Electricity Sector (16 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: Is there scope or does Dr. Ryan see a need for further interconnectors as part of our energy future? Obviously a North-South one is being built up and there is the Celtic interconnector too.

Commission of Investigation (Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools) Order 2025: Motion (15 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: Before I begin, I acknowledge the presence of Mr. David Ryan in the Public Gallery. Mr. Ryan and his brother Mark participated in an RTÉ radio documentary, which precipitated all of what we are speaking about today. The establishment of this commission of investigation is welcome. It is not before time. The scourge of child sexual violence in our schools and the abject failure of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Budget 2026 (15 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: 221. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his priorities for Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39452/25]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (15 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: 222. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which he plans to address the €3.3 billion environmental investment gap identified in the latest European Commission Environmental Implementation Review country report for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39453/25]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Recycling Policy (15 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: 223. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his response to the fact that Ireland’s waste recycling rates have not improved for the past five years and are at risk of missing 2025 recycling targets; the steps he is taking to remedy the situation; the way in which he plans to improve Ireland’s circular use of materials rate, which stood at 2.3% versus...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (15 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: 224. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the timeline for the phase-out of incineration in our waste management system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39456/25]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (15 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: 225. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for a progress report on the implementation of Buying Greener: Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39457/25]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mining Industry (15 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: 226. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the implementation of the previous Government’s 2022 Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining; the items that remain outstanding; the steps he is taking to ensure their implementation by the end of the five year implementation period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39458/25]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (15 Jul 2025)

Ciarán Ahern: 227. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to increase the construction and demolition waste materials recycling rate in Ireland, which stood at 39.7% in 2020 versus an EU average of 78.1%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39459/25]