Parliamentary questions

452. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the outcome of the EU Commission's assessment of Ireland's derogation notification to be exempted from the obligation on regulated entities to surrender ETS II allowances for the years 2027-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25358/26]

453. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount of allocated carbon tax funding that remained unspent at year end; the amount surrendered back to the Exchequer via the Central Fund; the amount carried over via formal arrangements for deferred surrender; and whether amounts carried over were retained for the specific programme/measure originally…

454. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the relevant grant issues. [25365/26]

455. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any initiative within his Department that seeks to prioritise the fast-tracking of offshore wind energy infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25390/26]

456. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will address the concerns regarding the proposed floating gas terminal on the Shannon Estuary raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25392/26]

457. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the rationale for setting initial renewable heat obligation levels at rates that independent analysis has shown will not require any additional renewable fuel blending; and if he will outline the evidence base used to determine that these obligation levels would achieve measurable emissions reductions. [25419/26]

458. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has modelled alternative obligation trajectories beginning at 5% or higher; and if so, whether he will publish the analysis of their impact on emissions reductions, consumer cost, and renewable fuel uptake. [25420/26]

459. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department will commit to establishing a clear, multi-year obligation trajectory to 2030, rather than a two year window, given that internal Government analysis indicates a minimum 15% obligation will be required to meet RES-H targets. [25421/26]

460. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which the proposed RHO will deliver a viable decarbonisation solution for the 700,000 households using heating oil, many of whom are located in rural areas and cannot access the natural gas grid; and if he will outline the alternatives for these homes if renewable liquid fuel blending is not meaningful…

461. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the assessment his Department has undertaken regarding the age and income profile of off-grid households; and the way in which the proposed RHO will avoid disproportionately increasing heating costs for these groups without delivering corresponding environmental benefits. [25423/26]

462. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will publish his Department's cost-benefit analysis showing the expected financial impact on households under the current RHO obligation levels; and whether consideration has been given to offsetting measures within the taxation of renewable fuels to ensure consumer affordability. [25424/26]

463. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has assessed the likely administrative and compliance cost burden on suppliers under the proposed scheme; and whether these costs are expected to be passed on to consumers despite no requirement for increased renewable content in heating fuels at the obligation levels proposed. [25425/26]

464. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which his Department plans to utilise the EU Union Database for Biofuels to ensure full traceability and sustainability verification for renewable liquid fuels used for home heating. [25426/26]

465. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total pay bill for the Civil Service in his Department for each year from 2016 to 2025, inclusive. [25438/26]

466. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the current level of national fuel reserves held in the State; the number of days' supply this represents based on average consumption; and the way in which this compares to the 90-day requirement funded through the NORA levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25479/26]

467. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if there are sufficient fuel reserves available to meet national demand over the next 90-days; if contingency measures are in place to ensure continuity of supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25480/26]

468. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps are being taken to guarantee adequate fuel availability for essential sectors, including agriculture; to confirm that agricultural contractors will have sufficient access to fuel during critical periods such as crop sowing and silage operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25481…

469. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update the preparations for managing European Union negotiations at COP31, particularly on financing fossil-fuel phase out and climate adaption finance for developing nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25618/26]

470. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update the preparations for managing European Union negotiations at COP31, particularly on financing fossil-fuel phase out and climate adaption finance for developing nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25619/26]

471. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if consideration has been given to begin drilling for oil off the coast of Barryroe, County Cork to alleviate the current energy crisis for the people of Ireland. [25682/26]

472. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the Climate Action Plan 2026; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25684/26]

473. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the Energy Affordability Action Plan; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25685/26]

474. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a list of all bodies, organisations, civil society groups and individuals with which the Energy Affordability Taskforce has met; the dates on which each meeting took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25686/26]

475. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of deposit return scheme machines; and the number of wheelchair accessible deposit return scheme machines. [25704/26]

476. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a list of AI pilot projects which have taken place in his Department within the past three months; the expenditure associated with those projects; and whether they are still ongoing, in tabular form. [25790/26]