Parliamentary questions

Passport Services

Louise O'Reilly

40. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when person (details supplied) will be issued with their passport document. [14917/24]

Passport Services

Niall Collins

41. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is not mandatory to possess a PPS number in order to apply for a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14942/24]

Foreign Birth Registration

Cathal Crowe

42. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on two foreign birth register applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15035/24]

Official Engagements

Pauline Tully

43. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to invite a person (details supplied) to Ireland in the first half of 2024. [15099/24]

Passport Services

Pauline Tully

44. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications being processed within the Passport Office as of 2 April 2024. [15100/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Marian Harkin

45. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the reinstatement of Villa Spada as Ireland’s Embassy to the Holy See; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15139/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

46. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the bombing by Israel of a World Central Kitchen team that were travelling in a deconflicted zone in two armoured cars branded with the WCK logo; if he will initiate any sanction against Israel for this attack which killed seven aid workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15159/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

47. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, following the lodging of a Declaration of Intervention by Ireland in the case of South Africa v Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice, it is his intention that Ireland would submit written observations or seek an oral hearing from the court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15169/24]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Ring

48. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a document will issue to an Irish citizen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15182/24]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Healy-Rae

49. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a citizenship/foreign births registration application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15211/24]

Foreign Birth Registration

Niamh Smyth

50. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are changes to the requirements for a person after turning 18 years of age applying for a foreign birth registration; and if there are there any conditions they need to take into account or penalties they need to be aware of if they are over 18 years of age. [15212/24]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Healy-Rae

51. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on a foreign birth register application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15215/24]

Middle East

Neasa Hourigan

52. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to follow the steps taken by Spain and set about officially recognising the state of Palestine in the first half of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15239/24]

Foreign Birth Registration

Pearse Doherty

53. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a response to communication from this Deputy can be expected in relation to a foreign birth registration application (details supplied) submitted in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15305/24]

Middle East

Réada Cronin

54. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times he has summoned the Israeli ambassador since 7 October 2023; the dates of each request and attendance at same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15360/24]

Middle East

Réada Cronin

55. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he summoned the Israeli ambassador in the matter of the IDF killing of international aid workers last week; if so, if she attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15361/24]

Passport Services

Pearse Doherty

56. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application can be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal whose mother was sent abroad from a mother and baby home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15399/24]

Energy Conservation

Danny Healy-Rae

57. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide details of the number of SEAI Warmer Homes applications received in the past two years for County Kerry; the details of how many have been processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13582/24]

Public Sector Pensions

John McGuinness

58. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has approved the increase of 4% for the ESB pension scheme; and if not, the likely timeframe for a decision. [13601/24]

Energy Conservation

Jim O'Callaghan

59. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to confirm the current wait time for applications to the warmer homes scheme; and how much funding is allocated to the scheme. [13638/24]

Energy Conservation

Jim O'Callaghan

60. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many homes in Dublin city are currently on the waiting list for the warmer homes scheme; and what is the current wait time for the scheme in Dublin city. [13639/24]

Energy Usage

Seán Canney

61. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that persons are being forced by the ESB to have a smart meter, even if they do not want one, and that if the notification is not received, the ESB will fit the meter despite the objection of the householder; if he will intercede on behalf of householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13648/24]

Energy Policy

Denis Naughten

62. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for energy in line with Ireland signing a global accord at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to move away from fossil fuels and eliminate subsidies for coal, oil and gas, if he will outline the steps being taken domestically, at EU and IEA level as co-chair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13650/24]

Energy Prices

Claire Kerrane

63. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many electricity customers did not receive the latest electricity credit due to be being below the low energy threshold that is, using less than 150kWh (kilowatt-hour) of energy a quarter between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. [13652/24]

Energy Prices

Claire Kerrane

64. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications who decided that electricity customers who are below the low energy threshold that is, using less than 150kWh (kilowatt-hour) of energy a quarter between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 would be disqualified from accessing the electricity credit; the rationale for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13653/24]

Energy Prices

Claire Kerrane

65. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the decision to exclude electricity customers who are below the low energy threshold that is, using less than 150kWh (kilowatt-hour) of energy a quarter between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 from receiving the electricity credit has hit vulnerable households, especially people living alone who do not have the same usage requirements as a larger household yet are struggling with high bills; if he considered these households when introducing the electricity credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13654/24]

Energy Conservation

Ivana Bacik

66. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of research commissioned by his Department on retrofitting apartment complexes; his plans to expedite the introduction of special measures in light of the latest Energy Performance of Buildings Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13677/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of all current taskforces under his Department’s remit, in tabular form; to report on the objectives and progress of each taskforce; if he plans to set up any additional taskforces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/24]

Departmental Data

Francis Noel Duffy

68. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of all current taskforces under his Department’s remit, in tabular form; to report on the objectives and progress of each taskforce; if he plans to set up any additional taskforces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13751/24]

Departmental Strategies

David Stanton

69. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications with reference to the public consultation on the draft National Biomethane Strategy, the number of submissions received ahead of the extended deadline of 5 March 2024; the findings of same; when he expects the final National Biomethane Strategy to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13761/24]

Official Travel

Peadar Tóibín

70. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount spent by his Department on travel and accommodation costs associated with Ministerial visits abroad to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13804/24]

Departmental Properties

Peadar Tóibín

71. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of properties either owned or leased by his Department, which are currently vacant; the length of time the properties have been vacant for; and the location of the properties, in tabular form. [13822/24]

Energy Policy

Thomas Pringle

72. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 28 November 2023, whether he expects to finalise the sectoral emission ceilings including LULUCF for the first carbon budget consistent with the aggregate budget of 295 million tonnes CO2 eq, before that period has expired (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13883/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

73. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13923/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

74. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to upgrade to a BER B2, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13924/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

75. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to upgrade to a BER B2 as part of the SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13927/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

76. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the projected/estimated targets for solar PV in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13928/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

77. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to install a heat pump, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13929/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

78. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown in of the number of heat pumps that were installed, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in 2024, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown of heat pump installation targets, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13930/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

79. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to install solar PV that led to an energy uplift of BER B2 or higher per SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13931/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

80. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on our 2030 heat pump targets; to report on the pathway between now and 2030 to reach our 2030 targets; to provide a breakdown of projected/estimated targets for completed retrofits per SEAI scheme in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13932/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

81. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the retrofitting targets, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown of how many retrofits were completed, per SEAI scheme, in the corresponding timeframe; to provide a breakdown of the retrofitting targets per SEAI scheme; to provide a breakdown of how many retrofits were completed to BER B2 standard or higher per SEAI scheme; to provide a breakdown of the retrofitting targets per SEAI scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13933/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

82. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on our 2030 retrofitting targets; to report on the pathway between now and 2030 to reach our 2030 targets; to provide a breakdown of projected/estimated targets for completed retrofits across SEAI schemes in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030; to provide a breakdown of projected/estimated targets for completed retrofits to a BER B2 standard or higher across SEAI schemes in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13934/24]

National Broadband Plan

Cathal Crowe

83. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications why Newmarket-on- Fergus in County Clare is not included in the National Broadband Ireland Fibre roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13951/24]

National Broadband Plan

Cathal Crowe

84. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what his long-term plans are to ensure adequate fibre broadband connectivity for Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13952/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

85. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard under the better energy warmer homes scheme in the year 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13963/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

86. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard under the one stop shop scheme in the years 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13964/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

87. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead B4 of the Revised Estimate for 2024, in tabular form. [13965/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

88. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of total capital and current funding allocated to the solar pv scheme under subhead b4 of the revised Estimate for 2024; and to provide a breakdown of the allocation under this scheme dedicated to domestic and non-domestic solar PV, respectively. [13966/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

89. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to instal domestic solar PV under the solar PV scheme; and the average size of systems installed on homes in kWp, in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13967/24]

National Broadband Plan

Louise O'Reilly

90. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a property (details supplied) will be provided with high-speed broadband. [13975/24]

National Broadband Plan

Louise O'Reilly

91. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a housing estate (details supplied) will be provided with high-speed broadband. [13976/24]

Energy Conservation

Cian O'Callaghan

92. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will expand or alter the 'one stop shop' list of suppliers, to allow homeowners access to more competitive prices when upgrading windows and doors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14036/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

93. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the process for a firm to be placed on the firms register of retrofitting companies authorised to complete works under the SEAI’s warmer home scheme; what checks are performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14046/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

94. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the process for a firm to be placed on the firms register of retrofitting companies authorised to complete works under the SEAI’s OSS scheme; what checks are performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14047/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

95. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the process for a firm to be placed on the firms register of retrofitting companies authorised to complete works under the SEAI’s better energy homes scheme; what checks are performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14048/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

96. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 20 March 2024, to provide a breakdown of the pre-BER and post-BER rating of solid fuel homes retrofitted as part of the SEAI retrofitting programme, broken down by SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14074/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

97. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 20 March 2024, to provide a breakdown of how many solid fuel homes retrofitted as part of the SEAI retrofitting programme, were fitted with a heat pump, broken down by SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14075/24]

Litter Pollution

Steven Matthews

98. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he will take to support local authorities to address the issue of cigarette butt litter following the enaction of legislation (details supplied); if a ring-fenced grant can be made available to support the purchase of small road sweepers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14081/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Holly Cairns

99. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if, following the CRU consultation on electricity generation and system services connection policy, he will support a second annual application window for renewable energy projects to connect to the electricity grid, in order to increase the number of grid connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14293/24]

Inland Fisheries

Mairéad Farrell

100. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the recent appointment of a deputy CEO at Inland Fisheries Ireland under section 24(3) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 was a tacit acknowledgement that the position of CEO is currently vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14342/24]

Inland Fisheries

Mairéad Farrell

101. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in light of the recent appointment in Inland Fisheries Ireland of a deputy CEO, what procedures were followed as per the Public Service Management Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14343/24]

Legislative Process

Darren O'Rourke

102. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress on the Just Transition (Worker and Community Environmental Rights) Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14438/24]

Departmental Strategies

Darren O'Rourke

103. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when an updated statement of strategy for this Department will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14446/24]

Climate Change Policy

Christopher O'Sullivan

104. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding provided to each local authority under the Community Climate Action Programme; the projects within each local authority that have been funded under the Programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14448/24]

Inland Fisheries

Mairéad Farrell

105. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his officials in the Inland Fisheries Division fully support the repugnant position of conserving and validating the presence of invasive/non-native freshwater fish such as pike in Lough Corrib SAC due to potential angling tourism revenue; if Fáilte Ireland has a veto over the application of the EU Habitats Directive when promoting catch and release angling for invasive/non-native freshwater fish present in Lough Corrib SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14492/24]

Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

106. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide cá mhéad uair a pléadh ina Roinn an Ghaeilge i bhforbairt Re-turn, agus cad iad na coinníollacha a leag sé síos lena chinntiú go mbeadh an Ghaeilge san áireamh i seirbhísí Re-turn.
[14595/24]

Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

107. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide cén fáth nach bhfuil an tseirbhís Re-turn ach i mBéarla amháin, i limistéir Ghaeltachta san áireamh, agus cén fáth gur theip ar Re-turn seirbhís as Gaeilge a chur ar fáil in aon ceann dá innill nó in aon chuid dá mhargaíocht in áit ar bith sa tír, agus an nglacann sé leis go bhfuil sé sin ag teacht salach ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus ar an gClár Rialtais maidir leis an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn, ina ngealltar limistéir Ghaeltachta a chosaint agus a chaomhnú lena chinntiú go mbeidh siad i gcroílár na teanga beo i gcónaí, agus cé na céimeanna atá á nglacadh aige chun an cás a cheartú [14596/24]

Inland Fisheries

Robert Troy

108. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current situation regarding the bye law banning the fishing of eels in the country which has not been renewed by the Minister since 2018; if the ban on eel fishing remains in place; and if not, if it is currently subject to review. [14617/24]

National Broadband Plan

Ged Nash

109. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the problems being experienced in areas such as Cherrybrook, Ardee, County Louth, where infrastructure/ducting deficits prevent homes from accessing commercial fibre broadband services through the recognised providers; if he will consider a 'gap funding' model to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14618/24]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

110. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 7 March 2024, if he is aware that millions of euro have gone unclaimed as part of the deposit return scheme (details supplied); how much has gone unclaimed since the scheme first started; what these unclaimed funds will be used for; how the deposit return scheme is monitored and regulated; what measures he is taking to increase the number of bottles returned as part of the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14632/24]

Recycling Policy

Peadar Tóibín

111. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there was any engagement with retailers and the hospitality sector prior to the introduction of the deposit return scheme on the additional card transaction charges and banking charge fees incurred as a percentage of the value of the transaction; if any analysis was conducted as to how much card merchants and banks will profit from the additional charges at the expense of the retail and hospitality sector; his plans to address this factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14646/24]

Energy Conservation

Niamh Smyth

112. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to review correspondence regarding SEAI waiting times (details supplied); if he will address the points raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14675/24]

Mining Industry

Paul Murphy

113. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 5 March 2024, if, given that the December 2022 mining policy states that no damage may be done to the environment and its protection is “paramount”, he can cite any location where lithium has been mined without severe damage to the environment. [14684/24]

Mining Industry

Paul Murphy

114. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 5 March 2024, if he will comment on how, in its literature the company states that it will remove the settled rock sediment from the drilling site ‘for appropriate disposal’, by saying this acknowledges that its drilling has produced material which is now in a toxic or dangerous state - otherwise why should it have to be removed. [14685/24]

Mining Industry

Paul Murphy

115. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 5 March 2024, if he will assert that a drilling, two rigs working 12 hours a day, six days a week, will not damage the amenities (details supplied). [14686/24]

Mining Industry

Paul Murphy

116. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 5 March 2024, if, given that in the response he mentions “working with Member States and stakeholders”, he considers that people who live and work in mining/prospecting areas are not stakeholders and that their water supply could be compromised. [14687/24]

Mining Industry

Paul Murphy

117. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 5 March 2024, the reason the Government is favouring the mining of lithium with its many problems over development of truly sustainable systems. [14688/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Darren O'Rourke

118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the spending on programmes under subheading B4 as part of the revised estimates for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14703/24]

Wind Energy Generation

Seán Sherlock

119. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the current progress of the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14724/24]

National Broadband Plan

Jennifer Whitmore

120. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the immediate measures that are in place to ensure that the residents of Ardee, and similar communities who are awaiting fibre broadband, are not left behind in our national effort towards digital inclusivity; how he plans to hold accountable those responsible for the delivery of these services; what measures are being implemented to prevent such discrepancies in broadband access in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14760/24]

Energy Conservation

Jennifer Whitmore

121. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the low-interest loans for retrofitting; when an interest rate will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14762/24]

Telecommunications Services

Marian Harkin

122. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to introduce any restrictions in regard to the pricing model being used by broadband and mobile phone service providers who impose annual price rises that are linked to the rate of inflation, plus a certain set percentage, at the same time each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14768/24]

Food Waste

Francis Noel Duffy

123. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current annual budget allocation to the stop food waste section of the EPA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14853/24]

National Broadband Plan

Cian O'Callaghan

124. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the case of a location (details supplied) will be examined, whereby a house is not included in the National Broadband scheme due to its location, but it has extremely slow broadband speeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14889/24]

Land Issues

Matt Carthy

125. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 697 of 19 February 2008 and 123 of 5 March 2024, the current position regarding the ownership of the site on which the GPO stands; if ground rent is being paid for that site and to who; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14988/24]

Fisheries Protection

Michael Healy-Rae

126. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15041/24]

Just Transition

Claire Kerrane

127. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will advise on the source of matched funding for the Just Transition Fund (details supplied); advise in a scenario where the Government should decide to increase funding, would this match funding come from the same source or another source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15043/24]

Telecommunications Services

Cian O'Callaghan

128. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to combat the price increases across mobile and broadband providers; if these increases are consistent with price gouging practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15054/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Robert Troy

129. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what actions are being taken by his Department to ensure An Post complies fully with the terms of section 46 of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs Act 1983 in providing the correct pension entitlements to retired employees (details supplied). [15137/24]

Energy Prices

Seán Sherlock

130. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is an issue with low electrical consumers receiving the Government allocated credits to their bills; if an issue with allowing such consumers receive the credit in the past; how many consumers did not receive the credit for this reason; if the Government will refund these customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15299/24]

Inland Fisheries

Darren O'Rourke

131. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of a situation (details supplied); what measures he plans to introduce to deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15354/24]

Defence Forces

Louise O'Reilly

132. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he plans to bring forward changes to the public service pension to allow workers to work past their contracted retirement date, as per the recent announcement from the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14564/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

133. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 28 February 2024, if he will report on the work of the Implementation Group established to implement the 12 recommendations intended to ensure that the Defence Forces medical policies and practices continually develop in light of best practice; the status of each of the 12 recommendations in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13645/24]

Defence Forces

Éamon Ó Cuív

134. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of troops serving at present on UN approved missions; the number of UN approved missions worldwide that Ireland does not have troops involved in due to lack of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13666/24]

Official Travel

Peadar Tóibín

135. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount spent by his Department on travel and accommodation costs associated with Ministerial visits abroad to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13801/24]

Departmental Properties

Peadar Tóibín

136. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of properties either owned or leased by his Department, which are currently vacant; the length of time the properties have been vacant for; and the location of the properties, in tabular form. [13819/24]

Middle East

Réada Cronin

137. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether the RTI unit has examined, and is satisfied, that member-based organisations and/or companies, either Irish or multi-national Irish based, with which it confers, consults or liaises on matters of defence and security, have no financial or other material interest in Israeli companies, companies in the OPT, or engage in activities beneficial to or related to the IDF or any other Israeli military or security operations, given Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza that fit the definition of Torture, War Crimes and Ethnic Cleansing, with ‘Plausible Genocide’ under active consideration by the ICJ. [13852/24]

Defence Forces

Réada Cronin

138. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether the self-styled Irish Defence and Security Association is receiving State funding, either directly as an organisation or through its membership companies; whether his Department and/or the Defence Forces themselves are satisfied that it is appropriate for any organisation or association that is not under the strict aegis of Ireland’s Minister for Defence and the Defence Forces themselves, to operate under a title and logo that could be mistaken for an official Irish authority in the critical and sensitive matters of the State’s security and defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13853/24]

Naval Service

Réada Cronin

139. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether a feasibility study has been done on using the LÉ Eithne for cultural and educational purposes; if so, if he will publish the findings of that study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13854/24]