Results 1-13 of 13 for solar power speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Energy Charter Treaty: Statements (9 Nov 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: ...justify the position of Sinn Féin and many in the Opposition. For example, the Dutch had a short-term energy problem as their country was over-reliant on gas and prices went through the roof. In 2009, coal-power plants were invited into the Netherlands, and these opened in 2015 and 2016. To reach the country's climate targets, the Netherlands recognised that it was necessary to...

Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (27 Sep 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: ...outlook predicted "a challenging outlook for Ireland with capacity deficits identified during the 10 years to 2031” and that “in the short term the deficits will increase due to the deteriorating availability of power plants, resulting in their unavailability ahead of intended retirement dates". Just last week the media reported that industry sources stated that...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Second Stage (21 Sep 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: ...to a staggering 50% in 2023. Moreover, Irish living standards have already fallen further behind other European countries. This decline is a continuation of a downward trend since Fine Gael came into power almost a decade ago. In fact, we are now in the bottom half of the European league table. How does the Government expect to turn this around if it delays and dodges all the actions...

Support for Household Energy Bills: Motion [Private Members] (3 May 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: ...countries that are being more aggressive in terms of the individual thresholds within the measures. I can point to France, which is introducing a threshold of €100 per kilowatt hour for wind, solar, and nuclear. Ireland will introduce a threshold of €120. More importantly, we can point to other European countries which tackle the super excess profits that were made in the...

Climate Action Plan 2023: Statements (18 Jan 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: ...for renewable energy and outlined a number of measures that need to be taken. There needs to be increased ambition regarding the proportion of community, State-owned and domestic renewables. We must empower our strong State agencies. It is great to have them. We must empower communities. We must see the guidelines updated that have been on the books for far too long. If we are to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (15 Dec 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister. We can all agree there is great potential and appetite for solar power, particularly for residences, businesses and farm buildings. There is a barrier at residential level and we can see it in the design of the scheme. From the large number of applications we can see there is demand. I believe the demand goes beyond the scheme, and it needs to do so to reach 5 GW....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (15 Dec 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 78. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will increase the grant support for lower income households to aid the installation of solar PV; the target number of homes for solar PV installation in the years 2023 to 2025, inclusive, to help meet the recently announced increased target of 5 GW of installed solar power capacity by 2025; and if he will make a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (15 Dec 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I ask the Minister if he will increase the grant support for lower income households to aid the installation of solar photovoltaic, PV, and the target number of homes for solar PV installation in the years 2023 to 2025, inclusive, to help meet the recently announced increased target of 5 GW of installed solar power capacity by 2025.

Energy Security: Statements (27 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: ...recently to travel to the Moray East offshore wind farm off the coast of Aberdeen alongside colleagues from the climate action committee. This wind farm alone will produce enough electricity to power 1 million homes. It is a remarkable feat of engineering and highlights the opportunity we have on this island to do the same. However, we have had a lost decade of development in...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: ...our electricity demand and supply. It is quite remarkable that we are now being asked to completely set aside important planning and environmental conditions for the installation of 450 MW of power generators. In effect, it is more than a topical issue; I would say that it is a national scandal. At the outset, I must state my discomfort about bypassing the planning and environmental...

Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022: Second Stage (11 Oct 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: ...the energy price hikes are going to stop any time soon. With political instability in Ukraine and Russia, international gas prices could increase further this year. Our amendments would give the Minister power to make further payments to households, removing the need for more primary legislation down the line and ensuring that it could be done quickly. Unfortunately, the Government...

National Standards Authority of Ireland (Carbon Footprint Labelling) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Nov 2021)

Darren O'Rourke: ...manoeuvre and advertising sleight of hand, they present it as such. When a person signs up to a 100% renewable supplier, he or she is probably expecting the electricity will be generated by wind, solar or hydropower but, in many cases, 100% renewable involves suppliers getting electricity from whatever fossil fuel source they like and buying certificates to offset the non-renewable...

Climate Action: Statements (17 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: ...and fair. The Minister might provide us with an update on its progress. The challenge of climate change is undeniable despite what some might say. The science is clear and the evidence is powerful and alarming, whether it be in California at present, Siberia in recent months, the Arctic Circle or Australia. I have a brother in Australia with whom I speak weekly. When he speaks...