Ireland has the potential to produce enough renewable electricity to power 64.4m homes across the EU if the Government developed the offshore energy sector in a strategic manner, Denis Naughten told the Dáil today. “The present approach of Government is to develop these opportunities in a piecemeal manner, which is positive for ports such as Ros a Mhíl with a …
Despite huge opposition families set to be paid to sell electricity back to the grid
Today, after a long & winding journey, the Government approved a micro-generation scheme to pay the public for excess electricity that they produce and export onto the electricity grid. This new scheme will allow families, farmers and businesses to install solar panels and small turbines to meet their own needs and to receive a payment for any excess that …
Budget 2022 is about energy and Government has failed to address costs
The single biggest inflationary pressure on our economic recovery is energy costs. Gas prices projected to rise by up to another 50% over the coming months and then settle at a rate about 10% higher than current prices in the second half of next year which will have a significant knock on impact on electricity prices. Electricity prices have already …
14 energy efficiency projects approved across County Roscommon & East Galway – Naughten
Local TD Denis Naughten has welcomed the allocation of funding under the Community Energy Grant Scheme for 14 different projects for energy efficiency upgrades to local homes, businesses and community buildings across East Galway and County Roscommon. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), have awarded grants to projects in Ballaghaderreen, Ballinasloe, Castlerea, Dunmore, Glenamaddy, Roscommon & Monksland as well …
Plans to address broadband bottlenecks mothballed since project started – Naughten
The Mobile Phone & Broadband Taskforce, established to address key bottlenecks in the delivery of vital broadband infrastructure across the country, has failed to meet since the contract with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) was signed in November 2019. This, in part, has contributed to the significant delays in the project delivery, claims Denis Naughten TD. “Based on current estimates from …
New law will allow us to tap into massive ocean energy potential – Naughten
Denis Naughten has pointed out that the recently published Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021, set to be debated in Dáil Éireann this autumn, will allow the country to generate enough electricity to not only meet Ireland’s needs but also the electricity needs of France and Austria as well. “Ireland has a sea area of 900,000 square kilometres, 10 times as big …
Marine planning must be strategic and not just developer led
There are two things we have in abundance in Ireland, one is grass and the other is our ocean. Ireland has a sea area of 900,000 square kilometres, 10 times as big as our island, so as a country we are far more blue than green. As a result, we have some of the best offshore renewable energy resources in …
Regional Independents to seek Dail approval for carbon budgets and separate targets for agriculture – Naughten
The Regional Independent TDs will table changes to the Climate Bill that will require Dáil approval of all carbon budgets as well as a separate emission target for agriculture to ensure it does not become the scapegoat for failures in other Government Departments. “We do not want to undermine the overall objective behind the Climate Bill, but we believe the …
€176m of electricity charges to be demolished as Minister leaves future of Midland plants to ESB – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD has said that he is disappointed with the “hands off” approach being taken by the Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan to the potential future use of the two midland peat power stations at Lanesboro and Shannonbridge. Deputy Naughten made his comments after questioning the Minister in the Dáil last night where Minister Ryan stated that the ESB …
Blended is the future for remote working, but public service must be open to innovation – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD has warmly welcomed the publication of the Government’s Remote Working Strategy but has warned it is doomed to failure unless there is a more open attitude to innovation within the public service. “I believe that blended working, involving remote hubs both within the public service and in society as a whole, will be key to the uptake …