Vol. 492 No. 7
141 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the specific commitments, if any, set out in An Action Programme for the Millennium which have been implemented in full; the commitments, if any, implemented in part; the commitments, if any, initiated; the commitments, if any, yet to be initiated and implemented by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15044/98]
The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following schedule.
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Action Programme Objectives¹ |
Current Position |
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1. |
Raising the level of North-South economic co-operation (p4). |
The Department has been developing its links with the relevant Government Departments in Northern Ireland in areas of mutual advantage - particularly transport and energy. |
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2. |
Seek establishment of EU nuclear monitoring agency (p8). |
Proposals have been opposed by ‘nuclear’ states. IRL is supporting international conventions which provide ‘peer review’. |
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3. |
Continue campaign against Sellafield (p8). |
Minister of State ‘extremely active’ in voicing concern. Discharges from Sellafield will be raised at OSPAR² Ministers meeting in July. |
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4. |
Enhancing information and communication technologies (p9) |
Substantial progress is being made, through the transposition of EU Directives, in putting in place the necessary legal and regulatory framework to ensure an effective, liberalised telecommunications market which will be supportive of further investment and the development of high quality services. |
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5. |
Planning for investment post-1999 (ps9/10). |
The Department is now actively engaged in the preparation of priorities for funding for the transport, energy and communications sectors for the post-1999 period, having regard to public, private and EU funding sources. |
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6. |
Access to public transport by people with disabilities(p13). |
Progress on transport accessibility is one of the matters being considered by an Interdepartmental Task Force. This Task Force was established to draw up a plan of action, based on over 400 recommendations of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, for consideration by the Government. This Department participates in the work of the Task Force. |
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7. |
Low fares policy by airlines (p15). |
In line with EU policy, airlines servicing Ireland set their fares on the basis of their own commercial judgment, subject to safeguards against anti-competitive behaviour. Competition between airlines is the best method of achieving low fares. |
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8. |
Focusing public administration on needs of customer(p20). |
The Department published its Customer Service Action Plan in November, 1997. The plan will be implemented over two years (1998 and 1999). It includes a detailed customer awareness programme aimed at staff, together with a structured process of consultation with customers. |
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9. |
The State Sector (p21). |
Following the negotiation of the Employee Share Ownership Programme (ESOP) arrangement in Telecom Éireann, the question of similar schemes in other State companies has been arising. They will need to be considered on a case by case basis set in the context of a clearly formulated framework. The Department will be addressing these issues. |
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10. |
The principle of uniform charging for services will be adopted (p22). |
ESB are reviewing their connection charges with a view to introducing a standard connection charge for the vast majority of rural customers. Telecom Éireann charges are falling, particularly trunk charges. The Department of Public Enterprise, along with other Government Departments, has introduced a lo-call access number for the public. |
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11. |
Open new air links with the US and Pacific Rim (p22). |
Continental Airlines commenced scheduled operations from Dublin Shannon to Newark on 16 June 1998. A number of cargo services between the US and Shannon have also commenced. |
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New air services on all routes being encouraged through negotiations of bilateral air services agreements with other states including Pacific Rim. |
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12. |
Resist plans for abolition of duty-free shopping (p22). |
The Minister succeeded in persuading the Transport Council to back a call for a study of the effects of ending duty free and to write to the ECOFIN Council on the matter. On June 24 the Minister will meet a special delegate from the French Prime Minister to advise on how the French Government can promote the duty free issue. |
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13. |
Investment in rail network, including link to Dublin Airport (p23). |
Investment of £20 million in Dart and Dublin suburban rail is continuing. Reports on priorities for further investment in suburban and mainline rail are being evaluated. Link to Dublin Airport is incorporated in new light rail decision by Government on 5 May 1998. |
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Implementation of the mainline rail investment programme at a cost of £275 million to 1999, co-funded by the EU, has proceeded satisfactorily. The most visible project completed to date is the new Dublin/Belfast Enterprise service. |
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14. |
Study underground option of LUAS and extend project to Sandyford. (p23). |
Having examined the consultants' study, on an integrated option for Luas, the Government decided on a Luas plan incorporating an underground section in the city centre. CIE will withdraw its original application for light railway orders and substitute new applications for orders allowing construction of a light railway from Middle Abbey Street to Tallaght and St. Stephen's Green to Sandyford Industrial Estate. |
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15. |
Regenerate public transport, especially Dublin and Cork. (p23). |
See 6 and 7 re. Dublin. An Integrated Study on public transport in Cork has been sought from CIE and is expected by end of June 1998. |
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16. |
Encourage commercial investment in transport infrastructure (p23). |
A Department of Finance Group with representation from the Department of Public Enterprise will examine potential for public/private partnership to generate funding for public sector initiatives including light rail. |
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17. |
Develop competitive electricity sector within EU standards (p23). |
EU Electricity Directive requires legislation to be in place by 19 February 2000. Draft legislation proposals to implement the Directive were issued by the Department by way of public consultation on 15 May 1998. |
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18. |
Secure EU support for midlands peat station (p23). |
EU Commissioner has confirmed that expenditure incurred on the station up to end 2001 will be eligible for up to £21 million in EU grant-aid. The competition to build the new plant has been completed with a contract being awarded to the Finnish IVO Group. Construction work is expected to commence in late 1998 or early 1999 and the station will be operational by mid-2001. |
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19. |
Extend natural gas to towns and cities (p23). |
The European Commission has indicated that it will not raise any objections to the proposal to extend the natural gas grid to the midlands and west of Ireland, with the assistance of Exchequer funding. Details of the proposal are being reviewed in consultation with Bord Gá is and having regard to the current study of gas demand to the year 2025. |
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20. |
Publish Green Paper on environmentally sustainable energy sources. (p23). |
Minister of State has initiated a public consultation process as part of the preparation of the Green Paper which will be published before end 1998. |
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21. |
Support alternative energy pilot projects (p23). |
Support is ongoing. Policy will be reviewed in Green Paper. |
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22. |
Set strict targets for energy reduction in public organisations (p23). |
Public sector energy efficiency programme ongoing. Policy will be reviewed in Green Paper. |
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23. |
Supporting the network of regional airports (p24). |
The Department is administering the 1996/1999 Exchequer marketing support scheme in respect of the regional airports. The Department also administers the Essential Air Service Programme, to subsidise a network of regional air routes linked with Dublin. A scheme of grants, amounting to £5 million of Exchequer funding, was announced recently, for 1998, for infrastructural improvements at regional airports. |
