Results 561-580 of 1,055,478 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Mick Barry OR speaker:Frank O'Rourke OR speaker:Seán Fleming OR speaker:Aengus Ó Snodaigh)

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: 63. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the work his Department has undertaken as part of the energy poverty steering group; how many times the group has met; what actions have stemmed from these engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25438/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: It is the first time since the Minister, Deputy Ryan, announced that he will be stepping down as leader of the Green Party and will not be contesting the next general election that I have had an opportunity in the Chamber to wish him well. We have had lots of engagement both here and in the committee and it has always been constructive and policy-focused. I thank him for that and wish him...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: First, I thank Deputy O'Rourke, in turn. It has always been a pleasure to work with him in various committees and in the Chamber here. I can respond similarly to the Deputy about the constructive approach he takes. As we still have some months to go in this Government, he and I will probably disagree on various issues, but the engagement with the Deputy has always been very civil and I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: One of the issues of contention for some time in this area is definitions. A clear definition gives us the opportunity to measure. There are different definitions. Does the Minister have an update on the work towards agreeing a definition on energy poverty? Will the Government adopt the EU definition, for example, or is the Minister considering a focus on outcome and experience of going...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: We are looking at definitions. The ESRI has been commissioned and will complete a body of research, although it will be some time before that is completed. An evidence-based approach will be key to its analysis and coming up with a definition. For the State, the most effective measure in terms of definitions or impacts has been on the awarding of fuel allowances for some 400,000 homes....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Darren O'Rourke: One of the things we need to do, which would be enabled by clarity on definitions, is better mapping and managing of data, for example, on income, CSO data, population data and also BER data from the SEAI. That would allow us to have clear targets for energy poverty reduction built into our national retrofitting plan. I have raised this issue with the Minister before and he pointed towards...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Eamon Ryan: First, our retrofit schemes are the most effective mechanism. We have immediate measures such as the fuel allowance, but the best way of tackling fuel poverty is to deal with the problem at source and to improve the building fabric so that people do not have to spend money, especially on wasteful or inefficient fossil fuel heating systems. Our strategy in that regard is very clearly towards...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jun 2024)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. Everything he sets out there is on the direction we need to travel but a concern is that there is not the urgency or the momentum to make it really stick. There is still a supply of weapons to the warring parties. Humanitarian aid is not getting through on the scale needed to prevent famine. I wonder to what extent the gathering...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: Before the Minister of State replies, perhaps he will also respond to Deputy Carthy's query.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jun 2024)

Seán Fleming: As I mentioned, we did take concrete actions at EU level in imposing sanctions just very recently. The big question is whether the warring parties are receiving support from outside the country. Unfortunately this is the case. A number of states from the Gulf to Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Russia are all alleged to be providing material and other supports for the warring parties. This clearly...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jun 2024)

Richard Bruton: I will just make one comment on the wider situation. Is it not the case that migration is now disrupting European politics in a way that is extremely worrying? I welcome the EU migration pact, which we agreed in the House last night, but the truth is that war, displacement and climate change are building up massive problems for us in Africa. The seriousness with which this must be taken at...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jun 2024)

Seán Fleming: The Deputy is absolutely correct. This is having a significant regional impact as well. The arrival of waves of refugees in neighbouring countries, and economic and political implications of the conflict, are placing a strain on an already fragile region to the extent that people in neighbouring countries are at risk of being drawn into the war. This is a very serious situation. Two...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Conflict Resolution (27 Jun 2024)

Conflict Resolution

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Conflict Resolution (27 Jun 2024)

Patrick Costello: 13. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take at both national and European level to ensure peace and justice for Armenia; if he will seek to increase the EU observer mission in the region; if he will seek accountability for Azerbaijan for its crime of ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27495/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Conflict Resolution (27 Jun 2024)

Patrick Costello: My question relates to the ongoing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. There has been ethnic cleansing, provocation and aggression from Azerbaijan, and many false allegations. One of the few things maintaining peace in the region is the EU observer force. Can we increase this? Now is the time, of course, when there is much change in the European Union. Can we push this to ensure...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Conflict Resolution (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his continuing interest, commitment and advocacy on this issue. Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain an issue of concern for Ireland and the European Union. I regularly discuss the situation in Armenia and the region with my European Union colleagues, most recently at the March meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. The European Union has been playing an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Conflict Resolution (27 Jun 2024)

Patrick Costello: I thank the Tánaiste. I will just underline that what we are dealing with here is a dictatorship in Azerbaijan that has not only trampled over the rights of its own people but continues to do so with the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, including those who have been arrested without trial. Azerbaijan also continues to threaten Armenia. As the Minister says, there have been attempts at...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is absolutely no evidence that any airport in Ireland or any Irish sovereign airspace is being used to transport weapons to the conflict in the Middle East. All foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly or land in the State are required, without exception, to obtain diplomatic clearance. This has been the case for many years. Such permission is granted only where all relevant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (27 Jun 2024)

Violet-Anne Wynne: I appreciate the Tánaiste's response. Since the conflict began, 37,202 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 85,000 injured. I acknowledge that 1,200 Israelis are reported to have been killed, with nearly 5,500 reported as injured. Some 17,000 children are now known by the descriptor, wounded child with no surviving family, WCNSF. Approximately 70,000 homes have been destroyed and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am very clear that there is no weaponry going via Ireland to Israel and certainly, as I have said, not through any airport. There is absolutely no evidence at all to suggest any airport in Ireland or Irish sovereign airspace is being used to transport weapons to the conflict in the Middle East. There is a distinction drawn between civil aircraft and military aircraft. Civil aircraft come...