Written Answers.

Company Takeovers.

Jack Wall

Question:

8 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his reaction to the purchase of a company (details supplied); his views on the consequences for this sector here of this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19901/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I have no statutory function in the matter raised by the Deputy.

Question:

242 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he anticipates offering incentives to the producers of alternative fuels with the object of achieving a high degree of import substitution and compliant with Kyoto protocols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20379/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 19, 28, 41, 43, 47, 76, 198, 208 to 211, inclusive, and 242 together.

My Department is responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy including biofuels and I am committed to the development and promotion of a biofuels market in Ireland's transport fuel sector, and to the development of alternative fuels which can contribute to emissions reductions and security of supply.

In 2004, my Department secured an amendment to the Finance Act 1999, which provides for the introduction of a pilot scheme for mineral oil tax relief for biofuels which is designed either to produce biofuel or test the technical viability of biofuel for use as motor fuel.

A scheme under the Act has been agreed between my Department and the Department of Finance and received State aids clearance from the Commission in March 2005. Under the scheme, mineral oil tax relief may be granted for pilot projects producing up to 6 million litres of pure plant oil, 1 million litres of biodiesel and 1 million litres of bioethanol.

The scheme was publicly advertised as a competitive "call for proposals" on 20 April 2005 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 13 May 2005. A total of 34 applications were received under the call for proposals by the closing date. Applications were received under all three categories of biofuel.

The proposals are currently being evaluated by my Department and Sustainable Energy Ireland. It is therefore anticipated that my Department will be in a position to make recommendations to the Department of Finance shortly. The Department of Finance will then consider these recommendations and revert to my Department with a decision at which stage my Department will be in a position to communicate decisions to all applicants. The scheme is an initial measure designed to stimulate market development.

Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, was established under the Sustainable Energy Act 2002 to promote and assist in the sustainable production, supply and use of energy in support of Government policy. A number of SEI research, development and demonstration programmes are currently in operation across all sectors of the economy addressing these strategic objectives.

SEI is also funding a number of biomass projects and studies through its renewable energy research development and demonstration programme. Under the programme, SEI offers capital grant aid for biofuels market demonstration projects in the pure plant oil, biodiesel and bioethanol categories. Funding of €250,000 has already been awarded by SEI to one company, which is demonstrating the feasibility of producing and selling vegetable oil locally as a transport fuel. It is intended that further grant aid will be available under the programme for biofuel demonstration projects.

In addition to the existing demonstration project, SEI has provided grant aid to Teagasc for a study to establish testing procedures for oil quality assurance in the use of pure plant oil. The results of this study will guide the production and quality assurance of pure plant oil and will be critical to building market confidence.

SEI has also published a resource study on recovered vegetable oil and animal fats, which provides comprehensive information on the extent of this resource in Ireland and its availability for the purposes of biodiesel production.

75 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is disappointed to learn that Ireland has been passed out in broadband provision by most of the EU and that a wide range of countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East have embarked on more ambitious roll-outs than Ireland in view of his repeated challenges to broadband providers, most recently at the National Broadband Conference in Galway, and his stated intention to intervene if necessary in the market on an operator neutral basis to promote competition and choice for consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19941/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

172 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with broadband availability throughout the country, with particular reference to the potential for meeting targets identified by him for 2005 and 2006, in view of the fact that other European countries have a much more accelerated programme in respect of broadband provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20299/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

213 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects 100% broadband or other high speed telecommunications technology to be available throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20344/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

218 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason broadband availability here is not keeping pace with similar developments in other jurisdictions throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20351/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 15, 48, 51, 70, 75, 172, 213 and 218 together.

The latest available broadband figures from Eurostat relate to 2004, and are now almost six months old. They show, however, that Ireland is placed 20th of 26 countries in respect of broadband connections for all enterprises. The figure in respect of large enterprises is 79%, placing Ireland in 16th place. Eurostat also reports that 92% of all Irish enterprises have access to the Internet, which is 9th in the table, while for large enterprises the figure for Internet access is 100%.

The level of Internet access for households is 40%, or 11th place in the table, and about 25% of these have a broadband connection. The number of broadband customers in Ireland is increasing rapidly, and is now over 160,000, which represents an increase of more than 400% over the January 2004 figure.

The provision of telecommunications, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. ComReg's register of authorised undertakings currently lists no less than 169 companies offering Internet access services in Ireland with a wide variety of service levels.

My Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie, gives prices, service levels and contact details for each service provider offering a wide range of broadband products from 0.256 megabits per second to 56 megabits per second, using a range of delivery platforms such as DSL, fibre, fixed wireless, leased lines, cable and satellite. There are broadband technologies currently that can deliver broadband to any customer in Ireland.

The rate of broadband uptake is dependent on a combination of factors. These include access by the private sector service providers to suitable infrastructure, as well as competition between broadband service providers and demand conditions for broadband in the economy.

The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide in association with the local and regional authorities, and offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities to become self-sufficient in broadband through the county and group broadband scheme, which has already attracted 129 proposals covering over 500 communities.

The provision of broadband to all primary and post-primary schools in the country has now begun, and will be completed by the end of this year.

Full details of the regional broadband programme can be found on my Department's website, www.dcmnr.gov.ie.

The Government's broadband target is to be within the top half of EU countries by the end of 2007. I have set the industry a target of 500,000 broadband customers by the end of 2006, and I am confident that this can be achieved.

Broadcasting Services.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

11 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he anticipates the development of digital television in the future; the way in which he anticipates this to affect the provision of services by RTE and other broadcasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20013/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

190 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he anticipates the development of digital television in the future; the way in which he anticipates this to affect the provision of services by RTE and other broadcasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20317/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 190 together.

A migration to digital television is under way in most EU countries. Different technologies apply to the broadcasting of television services and new technologies are emerging all the time. I expect that all television broadcasting will eventually be on a digital basis. This will provide benefits to viewers, including more channels and better quality pictures and sound.

With regard to television broadcasting, Ireland's primary television stations are available throughout the country on a range of platforms including terrestrial, cable-MMDS and satellite platforms. New platforms, such as ADSL, may emerge in time.

Television stations are available on a free-to-air basis through analogue terrestrial transmission. Free-to-air digital terrestrial television is not yet available in Ireland, though provided for under the Broadcasting Act 2001. Over time, the analogue terrestrial network will have to be upgraded to a digital network. In this regard I have asked my Department to develop a digital terrestrial television pilot project this year.

Digital cable-MMDS and digital satellite multi-channel services are currently available in Ireland on a subscription and pay-per-view basis.

RTE and other broadcasters have been reacting to the advent of digital television on an ongoing basis. RTE and other broadcasters are making their services available across a range of platforms. In general broadcasters are seeking ways to distribute, improve and add to their services using new technical and commercial opportunities provided by digital television.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Liam Twomey

Question:

12 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that his intentions in regard to meeting 13% of national electricity requirements from wind generated sources in view of the regulators indications not to offer further assistance towards wind generated electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20030/05]

Richard Bruton

Question:

16 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when AER VII details will be announced; if he has had discussions with the industry in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19991/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

66 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, further to his recent announcements to the effect that wind generated electricity would provide for 13% of market requirements, the way in which he proposes to support the industry with a view to meeting this target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19988/05]

The target of 1,400 MWs includes large-scale hydro projects constructed by the ESB, other renewable energy plants already built or under construction, new projects which will build under the AER 5 and 6 support programmes and the additional capacity which will be supported under the new support mechanism.

The 1,400 MW target will therefore be delivered by a combination of biomass, hydro and wind powered technologies. Historically, the biomass category, as defined in the AER programme, could accept biofuel proposals. However, in the short term at least, biofuel proposals are more likely to be developed within the support measure I have launched for use in transport which is addressed in my reply to another question today. Wave energy is less developed as a technology and qualifies for support under the R&D programme operated by Sustainable Energy Ireland.

Although the competitive tendering element has been removed for the new support mechanism, a quantitative limit will continue to apply and a competitive element remains as required under section 39 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. It is necessary therefore that the detailed terms and conditions of the new support mechanism are published and accessible to all potential applicants on an equal basis. I am not in a position therefore to give any specific commitment regarding capacity allocations to any particular technology or category of technology.

My officials have had discussions on general points with representatives of project developers, some suppliers and financial advisers and with CER. Again, it was not possible to give any formal commitments on any detailed points to any of these parties in advance of publication of the terms and conditions. However, where it is practicable to accommodate the views of the various interests this will be done.

The published prices in the new support mechanism are the other item of intense interest. The prices must strike a balance between the interests of both developers and consumers. Project developers, in discussions with my Department, have accepted that the CER decision on revised connection charges will have a significant impact on the cost base of new projects. I intend to finalise proposals for consideration by Government this week.

Question No. 13 answered with QuestionNo. 6.

Energy Resources.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

14 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his policy in respect of fuel use and production with a view to achieving targets entered into under the Kyoto Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20039/05]

We are committed to increasing electricity generated from renewable sources to a minimum of 13.2% of total consumption by 2010 in line with EU requirements. I have already announced that future support for renewable energy will be on the basis of a fixed price as opposed to rounds of competitive tendering, and I expect that wind generation will remain the dominant technology in the short term for delivering this target.

The report of the renewable energy development group, which I intend to publish shortly, will form the basis for future policy decision on the increased penetration of renewable technologies in the electricity market. While we want to maximise the potential use of renewable energy in our fuel mix, it is necessary to recognise that in addition to technical issues there is an additional cost involved and that we need to achieve a balance between the price effect and the balance of our fuel mix.

I consider that a more structured approach to energy research and development has an important role to play in developing our renewable energy capability beyond wind. We are assessing responses to a consultation paper which I published recently and will take account of those responses in formulating a new approach in this area.

Energy efficiency has a significant role to play in reducing energy demand and is often described as the cheapest and cleanest method of meeting this objective. Our primary energy intensity, the ratio of primary energy consumption over GDP, has been decreasing since 1990 with the average decrease being 3% per annum. The structure of the economy, fuel choices for electricity generation and real energy efficiency gains have all played a part here. It is essential that we continue to build on this successful base by raising awareness right across the economy and bring about a step-change in the way that we use energy.

Biofuels are an alternative renewable fuel source for the transport sector and Sustainable Energy Ireland is funding a number of biomass projects and studies through its renewable energy research, development and demonstration programme. We are currently assessing applications in our recent call for proposals under the biofuels mineral oil tax relief scheme and expect to be in a position to make recommendation to the Minister for Finance shortly. Ireland is starting from a very low production base and this scheme is an initial measure designed to stimulate market development. Further measures to increase market penetration over a longer timeframe are currently being considered.

Our fuel mix for the future will also be influenced by the development of a single electricity market on an all-island basis and also by the Government's decision to approve the development of an east-west electricity interconnector with Wales. Increasing the critical mass of the electricity market and developing interconnection north-south and east-west are critical developments to take advantage of the scale of an all-island system as well as access to the UK market through a new interconnector. This project is being pursued by the Commission for Energy Regulation and will, in all likelihood, result in a 500 MW interconnector between ourselves and the UK. This will give us access to electricity from the UK and also improve our capacity to increase the level of renewable energy on our own system.

Question No. 15 answered with QuestionNo. 10.

Question:

197 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will use his directive powers to influence policy in regard to the retention of rural post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20326/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 18, 68, 71, 81, 113, 192, 194, 195, 196 and 197 together.

There will continue to be a key national role for An Post, both in delivery of mail and as a quality service provider through its nationwide network of post office outlets. The market for traditional postal and post office services is changing globally and meeting customer needs has become more important than ever.

In order to remain competitive, An Post needs to make the best possible use of its long established and trusted brand name and deploy its resources in a manner which continues to serve existing customers' needs and attracts additional customers for a range of new services.

There is agreement that change is required if the postal services of An Post are to adapt to the modern business environment and to continue to offer a top class nationwide delivery service to the customer into the future. To progress the change agenda, an exhaustive process of negotiation between An Post management and An Post trades unions, with the assistance of the State's industrial relations machinery, has been ongoing for some time. To keep up the momentum of the process and in an effort to resolve all remaining difficulties on collection and delivery arrangements, the outstanding issues are currently being dealt with in the Labour Court with a view to agreeing a way forward that will see the company placed on a secure financial footing.

With regard to the post office network, this Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network through a strategy of maximising the volume of both public and private sector business handled by the network. This is set out in the programme for Government.

The challenge for the company is to develop a strategy that satisfies the needs of existing customers, while attracting new customers into the post office. An Post has already had some success in winning new business and continues to benefit from a considerable amount of Government business, especially in the areas of social welfare payments and savings products.

To ensure that our post offices remain competitive and attractive to customers, future strategy must satisfactorily balance the social benefits of a nationwide post office network and the ongoing electronic technology issues that now face the future of the network. With this in mind, An Post has started working on a new business model for the network, which will involve a substantial upgrade of IT systems in order to offer EFT functionality to social welfare recipients and a wider suite of financial and other services to new and existing customers.

The Deputies will also be aware that An Post has just launched a process seeking proposals from financial institutions with a view to developing and expanding the range of financial services available through An Post. This development presents an important opportunity for the counters service to grow, win new lines of business and acquire the technology and other resources necessary to face the challenges of the future. The company has recruited advisors to assist with the process and hopes to move it to a conclusion by the end of the year.

On the issue of upgrading of post offices, the automation of the network was completed in 1997 and it had only been in very exceptional circumstances, such as an existing automated office closing and its equipment being transferred to a suitable neighbouring location which transacts significant volumes of welfare business, that further offices were automated since then. However, I am convinced that An Post's long-term strategy must satisfactorily address electronic technology issues in a comprehensive fashion. I have asked the management to develop such a strategy and in the interim, a pilot project will see ten small post offices computerised. In a separate initiative, the company, in conjunction with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, is working on an initiative to automate nine island post offices.

With regard to post office closures, it is only when a suitable candidate for a vacancy cannot be found or where there are no applicants that a post office is closed.

Question No. 19 answered with QuestionNo. 9.

Fishing Vessel Inspections.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

20 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the new European proposals for multinational inspections of fishing vessels in Irish waters; his views on whether such proposals will improve the management of fishing vessel inspections; the timeframe for the implementation of these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19897/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

The proposals to which the Deputy refers relate to the establishment of a Community Fisheries Control Agency. At the EU Fisheries Council in March 2005, final agreement was reached to establish this agency. This agency is the logical progression of the common fisheries policy as it has developed since the early 1980s.

All available scientific information indicates the necessity to support the sustainability of certain fish stocks through conservation and control measures. The emergence of recovery plans for key, high-value fish stocks such as cod has pointed to the need for transparent multinational co-operation in fisheries control activities.

I would like to outline, for the Deputy's information, some of the key functions of the new agency. The main function will be to organise operational co-ordination of fisheries control and inspection activities by member states. It is envisaged that this will be achieved through the development and application of joint deployment plans.

Under these plans, the control resources of a number of different member states may be assigned to control certain fisheries and this may include the use of multinational teams of inspectors.

The best use of Community control resources in such a co-ordinated way will yield greater transparency and will help to ensure that threatened fish stocks will be protected and will recover. It is very important that our fishermen have every confidence that conservation and control is being applied evenly and effectively on all European fleets.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 22, 27, 65, 72, 82, 89, 109, 173, 176, 181 to 184, inclusive, and 220 together.

I have no function in regulating pricing for phone services, market access or market share.

The regulation of telecommunications operators, including pricing for mobile services and market access, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations made under the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications.

As Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have responsibility for overall telecoms policy. My main goal in this policy is to create conditions for sustainable growth and competition that will benefit the economic and social development of Ireland and facilitate competitive services.

It is my belief that improving the market conditions to enhance competition is the best way to drive down mobile phone charges to the end user. The more competitive telecoms services that are on offer, the better in the long run for consumers, the sector and the economy.

In March 2004 my predecessor issued policy directions to ComReg, including a direction on competition. The direction on competition mandates ComReg to focus on competition as a key objective, with a particular focus on competition in the fixed and mobile markets and to implement, where necessary, remedies which counteract or remove barriers to entry and support entry by new players to the market and entry into new sectors by existing players; and to have particular regard to the following also: market share of new entrants; ensuring that the applicable margin attributable to a product at the wholesale level is sufficient to promote and sustain competition; price level to the end user; and the potential of alternative technology delivery platforms to support competition.

ComReg has, as one of its key objectives under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, the promotion of competition in the exercise of its functions. Competition in the fixed and mobile markets will drive down prices for consumers.

I have no information to say that Irish mobile charges are generally the highest in Europe. However, ComReg's quarterly key data for the Irish communications market for Q4 2004 indicates that the Irish mobile operators' average revenue per user is the second highest in Europe; Switzerland has the highest.

The Deputy will be aware that in February 2005 ComReg designated Vodafone and O2 as having joint dominance in the wholesale mobile access and Call Origination market. Following on from this, in March of this year, ComReg placed an obligation on Vodafone and O2, requiring them to provide access to other companies on their networks.

Vodafone, O2 and Meteor have notified me that they wish to appeal to an appeal panel, ComReg's finding of joint dominance and the resulting obligations imposed by ComReg on Vodafone and O2 to give other operators access to their networks.

The number of broadband customers in Ireland is increasing rapidly and is now over 160,000, which represents an increase of more than 400% since January 2004.

The rate of broadband uptake is dependent on a combination of factors. These include access by the private sector service providers to suitable infrastructure, as well as competition between broadband service providers and demand conditions for broadband in the economy.

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. ComReg currently lists no less than 169 companies offering Internet access services in Ireland.

The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide in association with the local and regional authorities, and offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities to become self-sufficient in broadband through the county and group broadband scheme, which has already attracted applications from over 150 communities.

The provision of broadband to all primary and post primary schools in the country has now begun, and will be completed by the end of this year.

Coastal Protection.

Mary Upton

Question:

23 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has made a final decision with regard to the acquisition of an emergency towing vessel for the Irish Coast Guard in view of the key safety concerns which would be addressed by the availability of an ETV; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19949/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

No final decision has been made on the question of acquisition of an emergency towing vessel, ETV, capacity for Ireland. The matter is still under consideration in the Department which is examining options on how the service could be delivered in the context of both the very significant costs projections and complex operational requirements associated with the provision of ETV capability.

In 1998 the then Department of the Marine and Natural Resources commissioned a study to investigate the feasibility of deploying ETVs around the coast. Following an assessment of the study, which was published in 1999, it was decided that Ireland should have access to ETV capacity and that the Department would consult with the Departments of Finance, Defence and the Environment and Local Government on such matters as cost effectiveness, location, financing, operational aspects and possible other uses. It was also decided that Ireland and the UK would consult on the possible sharing of an ETV to cover the east coast.

The Department set up an internal working group to manage and progress this consultation process. The working group concluded that ETV capacity should be provided to service the west coast and, separately, to service the east coast. They also recognised that the provision of the service would be very costly. In both cases a public private partnership process was recommended.

In the east coast case it was further recommended that a joint Ireland-UK approach might be adopted. I am conscious of the importance of bringing this matter to a satisfactory solution in the overall context of maritime safety and coastal protection. However, in examining how the ETV proposals outlined can be pursued the Department must have regard to the very significant costs involved as well as the cost benefits associated with such a facility.

Electricity Generation.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

24 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has read the recent British Council for Science and Technology report on future energy strategies; his views on the ramifications of the report for the Irish energy market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19986/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I am aware of the report on an electricity supply strategy for the UK published last month and referred to by the Deputy in his question. The report emphasises the importance of investment in energy research and development, suggests that large-scale non-carbon electricity generation will be needed to meet the UK's ambitious CO2 targets and urges a review of the existing regulatory structures.

The themes of the report are certainly interesting, but in considering the potential ramifications for energy policy here, it is important to put things in perspective. There are critical differences in size, market structure and development, and fuel mix between the electricity sector in the UK and ours, so recommendations and solutions that might be appropriate for the UK's market would not automatically be appropriate here.

There is an increasing focus internationally on developing non-carbon energy sources as a response to climate change. In order to meet that challenge there will need to be technology development in carbon sequestration, the development of new renewable energy sources and a step change in energy efficiency and demand management.

One parallel we would have with the recommendations in the report relates to energy research and development. There is a need to focus on innovation by better co-ordinating and supporting research, demonstration and development and ensuring it is aligned with policy goals of energy efficiency, development of renewable energy sources and lowering of carbon emissions. We have already issued a consultation paper on the future structure of energy R & D and are assessing the responses that will inform the development of a new energy R & D strategy.

I have launched a major consultancy study into the Irish electricity market and, in addition, I and my Department have commenced to look afresh at all aspects of energy policy with a view to publishing a policy document at the beginning of 2006.

Departmental Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Question:

25 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent and total cost of the use of couriers in his Department in each of the past five years; the extent to which such services were provided by An Post during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20032/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

201 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent and total cost of the use of couriers in his Department in each of the past five years; the extent to which such services were provided by An Post during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20332/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

243 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the total expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20383/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 201 and 243 together.

Courier services have been used by my Department on a regular basis for the past five years. An Post parcel service is used on an almost daily basis and other courier services are used as required.

The amounts paid for the period 2002 to date are as follows:

Year	An Post Parcel Service	Non Post	Total
	€	€	€
2002	77,278	18,857	96,135
2003	86,591	33,378	119,969
2004	56,572	20,779	77,351
2005 (to date)	33,618	12,846	46,464

The information for 2000 and 2001 is not sufficiently disaggregated to identify courier expenditure for those years and the cost in terms of staff resources in manually interrogating the records for those years to identify such expenditure could not be justified.

The above expenditure was incurred by the central services division of my Department but additional courier expenditure may have arisen in other administration budget subhead areas and in programme areas. It was not possible to assimilate this information within the time available.

The relatively high level of courier services procured from An Post parcel service reflects the dispersed regional spread of departmental offices and most notably the location of the Department's accounts unit in Castlebar.

Broadcasting Services.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

26 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his reaction to suggestions from Channel 6, the Irish TV station scheduled to broadcast later this year, that it is considering broadcasting from Belfast with a British broadcasting licence; if his attention has been drawn to any plans from the BCI to grant a broadcasting licence to Channel 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19902/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

While the decision as to whether or not a channel will seek a licence to broadcast from within the Irish State or from outside the State is a matter for the channel concerned, a number of considerations must be borne in mind.

Under Article 2 of the television without frontiers directive a channel is deemed to be under the jurisdiction of the State in which it is established. In that regard the directive sets out criteria which must be applied when deciding on jurisdiction which relate to the transmission frequencies used, the location of the head office, where the editorial decisions are taken and the location of the workforce. Thus if Channel 6 locates its head office in Ireland and editorial decisions are made in Ireland then under the television without frontiers directive that channel falls under Irish jurisdiction.

A further consideration under Recital 14 of the television without frontiers directive relates to the right of Ireland to take measures against a television broadcaster that is established in another member state but directs all or most of its activity to Ireland if the choice of establishment was made with a view to evading the legislation that would have applied to the broadcaster had it been established in Ireland.

Under the Independent Radio and Television Act 1988 and the Broadcasting Act 2001, an application from Channel 6 seeking a television broadcasting contract in Ireland would be a matter entirely for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.

Question No. 27 answered with QuestionNo. 21.

Question No. 28 answered with QuestionNo. 9.

Postal Services.

John Gormley

Question:

29 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which the introduction of post codes will be financed. [19928/05]

Liz McManus

Question:

42 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will ensure that traditional place names are retained in the new postcode system he plans to introduce; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the communications regulator has expressed concern at the potential for traditional place names to be lost under any new postcode system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19911/05]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

110 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the safeguards which will be included in the new postcode system to ensure that individual privacy is not threatened; his views on whether the introduction of postcodes could lead to pigeonholing and stereotyping of people and communities depending on where they live; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19912/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 42 and 110 together.

The Deputies should be aware that Ireland is the only country in the EU which does not currently have a national postcode system.

The Commission for Communications Regulation, whose remit includes postal issues, produced a report which followed a consultative process held in November 2003. The report is broadly favourable to the introduction of a postcode system and is a useful contribution to the debate on the issue.

I am favourably disposed towards the introduction of postcodes because of the case made that a national postcode system would offer significant potential benefits for the postal business, public utilities including the emergency services, business and consumers.

To this end I established a working group comprised of people with experience of the postal sector, together with a representative from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which is the lead department for the Irish spatial data infrastructure initiative to examine the issue of the introduction of a postcode system in Ireland. This group produced its report earlier this year.

The report found that the introduction of a publicly available postcode could deliver many potential benefits. The purpose of a postcode system would be to improve efficiencies and quality in the postal sector, stimulate mail volume growth, assist utilities and emergency services to address the problem of non-unique addressing and facilitate competition by making it easier for new postal operators to enter the market. These improvements collectively will boost the country's competitiveness.

Following from the recommendations of the working group report, consideration of the feasibility, design and implementation of a practical postcode project proposal will be advanced including establishing the cost of implementing such a postcode and how that cost should be met. In accordance with the recommendation of the working group that project managers be appointed to lead the postcode project, I have asked the Commission for Communications Regulation to appoint the project managers. A national postcode project board, comprising representatives of Departments, together with public and private sector organisations, will be appointed by the Minister to assist the project managers with their work and to present a proposal describing in sufficient detail a model that is the most efficient, effective and publicly usable postcode system by 31 December 2005.

The precise nature and format of any proposed postcode system has yet to be decided but I understand it is possible to allocate a code to every delivery point in a town land in a methodical way so that every person who is aware of the coding convention can identify where a specific delivery point is situated in relation to another delivery point or to a reference point. This enables the retention of the current address both in English and Irish irrespective of spelling. A postcode also overcomes the data protection-privacy issues that arise when a person's name and address is stored on a database in order to identify a specific delivery point. In its deliberations, the project board will take these matters into consideration when arriving at its recommendations for a postcode system.

Coastal Protection.

David Stanton

Question:

30 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, further to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 14 October 2004, if there have been further developments regarding the location of a new coastguard station at Ballycotton, County Cork; if the construction of a new station forms part of the station house building programme for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19940/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Construction of a station house at Ballycotton coastal unit is not included under the Irish Coast Guard's Station House Building Programme in 2005. However, a preliminary feasibility study on site suitability is at present being carried out by the Office of Public Works, OPW, which manages the building programme for the Coastguard.

This study will enable me to determine the approach to be adopted in providing the station house and I have asked the Department to ensure that this work is undertaken as quickly as possible.

I would also like to take this opportunity to inform the House that, with the objective of strengthening the coastal units around the coast, I have decided to carry out a comprehensive review of the Coastguard volunteer service. A steering group is now in place in the Department, which includes representation from the volunteers, and they are finalising proposals for the issue of an invitation to independent consultants to tender for the review work. The consultants will be required to complete their work and report before the end of this year.

Fisheries Protection.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

31 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the latest position with regard to discussions with scallop fishermen in County Wexford regarding their protests at new EU quota rules; the efforts he has made to reach a settlement with the fishermen; the reason he rejected a package offered by the fishermen on 1 June 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19889/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

The Deputy's question refers to new EU quota rules as being the basis for recent protests by scallop fishermen. There are, however, no quotas on scallops, in contrast to other key whitefish species. The issue on scallops concerns the management of fishing effort, the framework for which was agreed at EU level in 2003 with the support of the Irish fishing industry.

The need to establish a better balance between fleet size and available fishing entitlements is not confined to the scallops' fleet. The difficulties in the whitefish fleet are in fact of longer standing and accordingly there is a particular concentration on that fleet where quotas have been severely cut in recent years.

For that reason, I introduced a decommissioning scheme for whitefish vessels in April. When I met the scallop fishermen in early June, I explained this policy context and the necessity to concentrate the available funding of €8.8 million on the whitefish sector. The whitefish sector has indicated its view that substantial additional funding will, however, be required for that fleet alone.

While the problems in the whitefish sector are of longer standing, I accept that issues exist also in the shellfish sector, including scallops. It has therefore been decided to undertake an immediate and urgent review of the decommissioning requirement for the various demersal and shellfish fleets.

This review is to be completed by end June and will give an important overall perspective. It will examine the various issues involved including eligibility for decommissioning aid.

I cannot pre-empt the outcome of this review. It is a planned and structured approach and I look forward to receiving the report.

RTE Authority.

Ruairí Quinn

180 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to issue any directive to the regulator with a view to combating spam or unsolicited, unwarranted or offensive messages through the Internet or mobile phone service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20307/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 46, 79, 178 to 180, inclusive, together.

My responsibility in relation to the matters raised extends to the development of policy and legislation in relation to the sending of unsolicited e-mails and faxes for direct marketing purposes. The responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation dealing with unsolicited communications for direct marketing purposes rests with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner which is an independent body under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The responsibility for laws to tackle offensive messages sent by e-mail, phone or fax rests with my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the Garda Síochána.

It is an offence under section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act 1951, as amended by the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, to send by phone any message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.

186 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options in regard to the development of the broadcasting industry here with particular reference to independent broadcasting, satellite and terrestrial television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20313/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

219 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his policy in regard to the future of broadcasting here with particular reference to independent broadcasting, the national broadcasting services, terrestrial television and digital television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20352/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos 35, 38, 186 and 219 together.

My core policy objectives for the development of the broadcasting sector are detailed in my Department's Statement of Strategy, 2003-2005. These objectives are: to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTE; to secure a viable future for high quality public service broadcasting; and to seek to retain access to a range of high quality programming in analogue and digital form on a universal and free-to-air basis.

My key priorities for achieving these objectives include the following: developing the regulatory framework by bringing forward a Bill to provide for the establishment of a single content regulator for both public and private broadcasters and to establish RTE on the lines of a company under the Companies Acts; taking steps to establish TG4 as an independent entity; ensuring adequate public funding for RTE and TG4 so that they can deliver on their statutory mandate; building on progress made in maximising the effectiveness of television licence fee collection; developing proposals to ensure that in a digital era Irish viewers continue to enjoy access to a range of high quality programming; and bringing forward proposals for the future licensing of radio services in Ireland.

I am of the opinion that Irish viewers will be best served by a broadcasting environment that includes a strong public service broadcasting presence in the form of RTE and an independent TG4, together with private broadcasters.

In time all broadcasting platforms will move to a digital basis. Digital television services are available in Ireland through a number of cable and satellite networks. Digital television offers opportunities for Irish viewers to avail of an increased number of broadcasting services, including new services of particular relevance or interest to Irish audiences.

Ireland's terrestrial network is currently an analogue network. I expect that the terrestrial network will be updated to digital in time, and in this context I am currently developing a digital terrestrial television pilot.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard Allen

Question:

36 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he proposes an extended role and function for ComReg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19994/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

177 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he proposes an extended role and function for ComReg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20304/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 177 together.

Legislation is under preparation in my Department to enhance the enforcement powers of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in a number of areas. This legislation, the Electronic Communications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, will render non-compliance with the 2003 electronic communications regulations an offence, subject to summary or indictable penalties as appropriate and will accordingly increase ComReg's enforcement powers in this and other respects.

The legislation will give powers to ComReg in relation to the regulation of television retail broadcasting services from a consumer protection perspective.

In addition, the draft legislation specifically addresses ComReg's power to effectively intervene in an instance of suspected overcharging by an authorised operator.

I also intend to incorporate proposals in relation to the oversight of the Irish domain registry, more commonly known as the IEDR. I hope to publish the new Bill towards the end of this year.

EU Directives.

Joe Sherlock

Question:

37 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report to Dáil Éireann on the current position with regard to the proposed EU directive on ferries; when it is expected to come into operation; the implications of the directive for the current industrial dispute at Irish Ferries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19943/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

I understand that the Deputy is referring to a suggestion that a proposal is being developed for a European Community directive dealing with the employment of officers and ratings on ferries and that the proposal would deal with the nationality of these seafarers. The Department is not aware of any such proposal.

Question No. 38 answered with QuestionNo. 35.

An Post.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

39 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his reaction to the recent announcement in An Post’s 2004 annual report that the company recorded a pre-tax profit of €7 million for 2004; his views on whether the company is justified in seeking up to 1,500 redundancies in view of such profits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19900/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The financial outturn in 2004 for An Post resulted in operating profits of €1.8 million and an overall profit for the financial year of €6.5 million. This is attributable in large part to a policy of controlled financial management, in line with the recovery strategy that the company implemented throughout 2004 and the non-payment of Sustaining Progress awards and the company's policy of not filling vacancies restricted growth in labour costs in 2004.

The small profit in 2004 reverses the loss-making situation for the years 2001 to 2003 inclusive and represents a significant turnaround from the operational losses of €42.9 million experienced by the company in 2003.

Deputies should note that, while this return to profit is a welcome development, there is no room for complacency and 2004 was a challenging year for all involved in An Post — the board, the management and the employees — and difficult cost cutting decisions had to be made. To attempt to build a brighter future for the company, negotiations under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission continued throughout the year and although progress has been slow, I believe that with the continued co-operation of all parties, an agreement can be reached that will set the company on a firm financial footing for the future. The importance of the current negotiations coming to a successful conclusion cannot be stressed enough.

Changes in the collection and delivery operations area are critical to addressing the company's precarious financial circumstances. In this regard, An Post is seeking approximately 1,350 voluntary redundancies in collection and delivery together with changes in existing work practices. In particular, there is a need to cut existing overtime levels. The changes will increase operational flexibility and significantly reduce the company's existing cost base. Such changes will enable the company to provide a cost effective mails service and a quality of service standard which meets customer expectations.

The financial results in 2004 have provided a foundation on which the company can build. An Post has a statutory mandate to be financially viable and this needs to be reflected in the planning and actions of the company moving forward.

Telecommunications Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

40 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to submissions by service providers anxious to become involved in the more rapid roll out of broadband services throughout the country; the number of such expressions of interest to which his attention has been drawn; the possible obstacles to such proposals; if he intends to make specific policy directives in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20048/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

215 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the submissions by service providers anxious to get involved in the more rapid roll out of broadband services throughout the country; the number of such expressions of interest of which his attention has been drawn; the possible obstacles to such proposals; if he intends to make specific policy directives in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20347/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 215 together.

The telecommunications sector is fully liberalised, and regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

With the repeal of section 111 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 on 25 July 2003, it is no longer necessary to obtain a licence before providing telecommunications networks and services, including broadband. Instead, there is a general entitlement to provide electronic networks and-or services subject to compliance with standard conditions set out in a general authorisation.

Before providing networks or services to third parties operators are required to submit a notification to ComReg for the purposes of compiling a register of such operators.

ComReg's register of authorised undertakings currently lists 169 service providers offering Internet access using a variety of technologies including DSL, fixed wireless, cable modem, fibre, leased lines and satellite technology.

In March 2004 my predecessor issued a number of policy directions to ComReg relating to competition, broadband, wholesale and retail line rental, interconnection-leased lines, and national and cross-border roaming.

Question No. 41 answered with QuestionNo. 9.

Question No. 42 answered with QuestionNo. 29.

Question No. 43 answered with QuestionNo. 9.

Broadcasting Legislation.

Joan Burton

Question:

44 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the proposed new Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to be created under the new Broadcasting Bill will have the power to regulate RTE; if his attention has been drawn to the recent opposition voiced by the current RTE Director General to allocating such powers to a revamped Broadcasting Commission of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19892/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Work is continuing on the development of legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new broadcasting Bill.

The priority issues to be addressed by the legislative proposals are: the establishment of a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters; the establishment of RTE as a company under the Companies Acts 1963 to 2003; the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the television licence fee; and the development of the right of reply mechanism, allowing persons whose reputation and good name have been damaged by an assertion of incorrect facts in a television or radio programme to gain redress.

It is intended that the proposed single content regulator will combine the existing regulatory functions of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the RTE authority, as recommended by the Forum on Broadcasting, and as such will play an important role in the regulation of RTE.

I note that in its submission to the Forum on Broadcasting in 2002, RTE accepted the need for independent monitoring of public service broadcasting and welcomed in principle the establishment of a broadcasting authority.

I understand that the concerns recently expressed by the Director General of RTE centre on the recognition by any new regulator of the specific public service remit of RTE.

My intention in framing the legislative proposals will be to ensure that the broadcasting regulatory environment recognises this remit and continues to encourage the parallel development of high quality broadcasting by Irish public service, commercial and community broadcasters.

Search and Rescue Service.

Mary Upton

Question:

45 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the future of the Dublin Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in view of the necessity on safety grounds to retain an east coast marine rescue co-ordination centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19948/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

The decision to transfer the services of the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre from Dublin was taken on foot of a study of the Coastguard undertaken by independent consultants. Reflecting advances in modern communications technologies, the consultants recommended that the Coastguard should operate two control centres as opposed to the three centres that exist at present. Communications technology today is such that the geographical location of the co-ordination centres is less important now than in the past. This approach will have the effect of achieving significant cost savings, thus enabling other elements of the Coastguard service to be developed, which in turn will lead to further improvements in our marine emergency response services nationally.

The objective is that the remaining two centres will be developed to handle all emergencies around our coast, including the Dublin and east coast area, on inland waters and in relation to mountain, cliff and cave rescue.

I would like to emphasise that the capability of the Coastguard to co-ordinate and manage incidents will not be diminished as a result of relocation away from Dublin and I would also like to stress that the decision will not affect the emergency response resources that are available to the Dublin region and the east coast on the ground.

Question No. 46 answered with QuestionNo. 34.

Question No. 47 answered with QuestionNo. 9.

Question No. 48 answered with QuestionNo. 10.

Energy Sector.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

49 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the efforts he has made to promote an all-island energy market; his views on recent problems with the all-Ireland connector; if he has had any opportunity to raise this with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19895/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

225 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to the availability of electricity interconnectors; the extent to which supplies are transmittable currently and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20359/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 225 together.

Since my appointment as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have made it one of my priorities to continue the efforts of my predecessors in securing the development of the all-island energy market.

On 22 November 2004, in conjunction with my then Northern counterpart, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr. Barry Gardiner MP, I published the framework for the all-island energy market. This document is basically a blueprint for the development of the market and sets out the principles in accordance with which the market is to be developed. Most importantly, it also sets out a detailed list of priority objectives to be achieved if an effective all-island market is to be established and identifies time-scales within which this needs to be done.

Since the publication of the framework document, both regulators, North and South, have been engaged in developing the high-level principles governing the creation of a single electricity market, SEM. This has involved widespread consultation with industry and other relevant bodies and a final decision on this matter was issued by the regulators last Friday. The regulators are now continuing their work in developing the precise detail for the operation of the SEM by July 2007, the date set out in the framework document.

At the same time, officials from my Department, with their colleagues in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, have been examining what needs to be done in order to put in place the necessary legal framework that is required to underpin the SEM.

I can confirm that I met the new Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Ms Angela Smith, at the Energy Ireland Conference in Dublin on Monday of this week and have arranged to meet Minister Smith again later this month on 21 June in Limavady, where we will be meeting with members of the joint steering group that is driving this process forward. This group comprises representatives of the two regulatory authorities as well as officials of both Departments, North and South, and the meeting will provide an opportunity for both Ministers to receive a detailed progress report on the work to date. I expect that Minister Smith and I will issue a joint statement at that time reconfirming our commitment to the process and identifying new initiatives to be taken within the coming months.

The question of the operation of the existing North-South interconnector is a matter for the two network operators, North and South, and is not one in which I have a function. I understand that the interconnector is suffering from knock-on-effects from a transformer failure; there are no problems with the interconnector itself. I expect that the agencies concerned will rectify problems as soon as technically feasible.

Electricity Sector.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

50 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has selected a consultant to carry out the proposed review of the electricity sector here; and when such a report will be completed. [19926/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department signed a contract with Deloitte & Touche on 7 June 2005. Its report on the review of the electricity sector is expected by end December 2005.

Question No. 51 answered with QuestionNo. 10.

Harbours and Piers.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

52 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the discussions which have taken place between his Department and Sligo Harbour Commission in relation to the future of Sligo Harbour and the request by Sligo Harbour Commissioners for an upgrading of Sligo Port and its retention as an independent port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19932/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

The Government's ports policy statement, which I launched in January 2005, states that the continued operation of many of the regional harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance. The policy statement reiterated the view that most of these harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to local authority ownership or, where this is not possible, through sale to the private sector. In harbours where significant commercial traffic exists consideration will be given to bringing them under the control of a port company.

The Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to advance the implementation of the ports policy statement with regard to the transfer of regional harbours to local authority control. It is intended to arrange for the transfer of the designated regional harbours to their respective local authorities, where appropriate, and to proceed individually in conjunction with the relevant local authorities and harbour authorities, having regard to local requirements in each case.

On 17 May 2005, I met with the chairman and other members of Sligo Harbour Commissioners. At this meeting the position in accordance with the ports policy statement was outlined and it was explained that in the case of Sligo Harbour the Department's proposal is that it be transferred to Sligo County Council. It was explained that an order to be made under section 88 of the Harbours Act 1996 would be required to give effect to the transfer. Section 88 provides that I may, with the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, by order transfer all the property, rights and liabilities of scheduled harbour authorities and every member of their staff to the relevant local authorities.

On 1 June 2005, Sligo Harbour Commissioners sent a letter to the Department in which they request me to establish, by order under section 87 of the Harbours Act 1996, a port company in respect of Sligo Harbour. A substantive reply to the commissioners is currently in preparation by the Department. However, the position remains as set out above.

Telecommunications Services.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

53 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the current levels of economic activity on the metropolitan area networks, including the levels of income and traffic being generated by e-Net; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19935/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The question of the level of economic activity on the metropolitan area networks is a confidential commercial matter for e-Net, the company holding the services concession contract to manage the networks.

Departmental Bodies.

Willie Penrose

Question:

54 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason his Department requested a series of pay increases for the chairmen of RTE and a number of other State bodies; the further reason the Department of Finance rejected his Department’s request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19931/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The traditional model of attendance by the chairpersons of commercial State-sponsored bodies was one or two days per month. With the changing market environment in which these bodies now operate and the consequent competitive, regulatory and governance demands, chairpersons have found their roles to be increasingly challenging and time-consuming. It is also the case that attracting suitably talented individuals with wide experience in the private sector could become difficult if competitive remuneration were not put in place.

In these circumstances my Department made a case to the Department of Finance that the chairpersons of a number of the commercial State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department should be compensated for extra attendances. The Department of Finance was not prepared to agree to this request in all cases except one on the basis that it was not accepted that circumstances had changed since the standard fees were last increased in 2001 such as to justify an increase.

Industrial Disputes.

Joe Sherlock

Question:

55 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the course of action he is taking to ensure that the ongoing dispute at Irish Ferries is resolved; if he will ensure that seafarers on Irish registered vessels receive at least the Irish minimum wage and legal working conditions; if he will ensure that the Irish Ferries workforce is not changed to a yellow pack workforce of low pay and poor working conditions, where trade union representation is banned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19942/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Industrial dispute issues fall primarily within the ambit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes is a matter for the parties involved. The State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement machinery free-of-charge to assist this process, which, in line with the general principles of industrial relations in Ireland, is voluntary in nature.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment confirms that where a ship is registered in Ireland and is, accordingly, subject to Irish jurisdiction, the relevant entitlements of Ireland's employment rights legislation are applicable to employees concerned. Should sufficient information be made available to the labour inspectorate of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which indicates there is non-compliance with relevant Irish employment rights legislation, the matter will be investigated.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment also confirms that, for workers on an Irish registered vessel, the Irish Constitution guarantees the right to form associations and unions. There is, however, no legal or constitutional requirement for an employer to recognise or negotiate with a trade union.

Digital Hub.

Bernard Allen

Question:

56 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the cost to date of investment in the digital hub; the extent to which it is intended to expand or extend the digital hub project in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20035/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

200 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the current position in regard to the replacement of an anchor tenant at the digital hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20331/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

204 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the total cost to date of investment in the digital hub; the extent to which it is intended to expand or extend the digital hub project in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20335/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 200 and 204 together.

The digital hub project, managed by the independent Digital Hub Development Agency, has been and continues to be successful in attracting digital industry tenants and operates a number of significant community, educational and promotional initiatives as part of its role. Government funding of approximately €52.4 million has been used to purchase properties for development in the site. A further amount of €2.2 million has been spent in building a state-of-the-art broadband ring around the hub area.

In addition, current funding for the agency to an amount of €8.2 million for the years 2001, 2002 and 2003 was provided. Since then the digital hub has used an overdraft facility, which currently stands at €2.5 million, to meet its costs until its long-term development process is in place. I am currently exploring options with the agency to deliver the property development project in a timely manner. When completed the project will deliver 500,000 sq. ft. of enterprise, learning and educational, residential and retail space. A steering committee with membership from the various stakeholders including the Office of Public Works has now been set up under the chairmanship of this Department to drive the process forward. While the larger hub site is being developed, the agency is space constrained, given the high number of tenants. Parts of the former Media Lab Europe, MLE, building are now being utilised by the hub on a temporary basis.

Telecommunications Services.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

57 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he proposes any policy changes or directives with a view to achieving a more rapid delivery of broadband services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20061/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

217 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he proposes any policy changes or directives with a view to achieving a more rapid delivery of broadband services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20350/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 217 together.

In March 2004, my predecessor issued a number of policy directions to the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, relating to competition, broadband, wholesale and retail line rental, interconnection-leased lines and national and cross-border roaming. The number of broadband customers is increasing rapidly, and has now passed 160,000, an increase of over 400% in just over a year. ComReg lists 169 service providers offering Internet access in Ireland, and I am satisfied that this indicates a healthy growth in the broadband market here. The rate of broadband uptake is dependent on a combination of factors. These include access by the private sector service providers to suitable infrastructure, as well as competition between broadband service providers and demand conditions for broadband in the economy. The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide in association with the local and regional authorities, and offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities to become self-sufficient in broadband through the county and group broadband scheme, which has already attracted 129 proposals covering over 500 communities. The provision of broadband to all primary and post-primary schools in the country is now under way and will be completed by the end of this year. Full details of the regional broadband programme can be found on my Department's website, www.dcmnr.gov.ie.

Environmental Policy.

Jack Wall

Question:

58 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the clear necessity for the Government to lead by example, as energy Minister, he will recommend that the ministerial car fleet be changed to environmentally friendly and hybrid low emissions and fuel cost effective green vehicles and that gas guzzling and high emissions vehicles be replaced in line with the policy of other EU Governments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19950/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

As the Deputy is no doubt aware, responsibility for the procurement of the ministerial car fleet is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I will happily take up the suggestion implicit in the question with my Government colleagues and in particular with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Offshore Exploration.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

59 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a company (details supplied) will build a shallow water offshore terminal for the Corrib gas field due to safety concerns surrounding the onshore pipeline; the details of the new review of the quantified risk assessment carried out by Enterprise Energy Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19919/05]

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

84 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has made a final decision on the commissioning of the Corrib gas field onshore pipeline; if he has satisfied himself that the highest safety standards will be achieved in the construction of the pipeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19920/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 84 together.

The Deputy will be aware that the developers' plan of development for the Corrib gas field approved by the then Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Frank Fahey, in April 2002 was in relation to an onshore terminal and this is what was covered by the statutory approval granted. I would like to inform the Deputy that a decision on the company's application to install and commission the onshore pipeline is at an advanced stage but is not yet finalised. Both the quantified risk assessment, QRA, and the Johnston report, to which I have referred previously, will form part of this process. In so far as there may be issues in the QRA that need further clarification, elaboration or even additional material, Mr. Andrew Johnston, assisted by other independent consultants, will be providing the necessary advice to my Department. A tender competition was initiated for the selection of a consultant to carry out a review of the QRA. The company, which was successful following this tendering process, was the British Pipeline Agency, BPA. When I became aware that the company selected by means of a tendering process to undertake the QRA review is owned jointly by BP Oil UK Ltd. and Shell UK Oil Ltd., in the interest of ensuring confidence in the independence of the process of evaluation of the safety aspects of the pipeline as addressed by the QRA version F and considering the public concerns and sensitivities on this issue, I instructed officials of my Department to initiate a further review of the QRA immediately. A consultant has been appointed to carry out the recommissioned review of the QRA and I expect to receive his report shortly. I have already put the QRA version F into the public domain in north Mayo and it has also been published on the Department's website. I intend to do the same in relation to the recommissioned QRA review. It is my intention to progress consideration of the application for consent to install the upstream pipeline in an open, balanced and informed manner and to the highest international standards. My decision to publish the full suite of documents mentioned above, prior to my making a decision, will hopefully allay local fears in regard to the safety of the pipeline and the process being adopted.

EU Directives.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

60 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the role his Department and Sustainable Energy Ireland will have in the implementation of the new European Union energy efficient buildings directive; the number of staff that will be working in this regard; and the proposed timetable for the implementation of the measures required by the directive. [19918/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is primarily responsible for the implementation of this directive although I have responsibility for two narrow parts of it in regard to large air-conditioning units and boilers. Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, is closely involved in the action plan for implementation, as agents of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The staffing implications, timeframes etc. are matters between the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and SEI.

Departmental Expenditure.

Phil Hogan

Question:

61 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the total cost of the consultancies in his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20033/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

202 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the total cost of the consultancies in his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20333/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

228 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the total cost of consultancy services availed of by his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20362/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 202 and 228 together.

The total cost of consultancies in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in 2002 was €2.862 million, in 2003, €2.669 million and 2004, €2.381 million.

The total cost of consultancies in the former Department of the Marine and Natural Resources in the year 2000 was €734,000 and in 2001, €2.02 million.

This expenditure was charged to subhead A7, consultancy services, of the relevant Votes. The cost of consultancies may, in certain specific circumstances, be treated as a programme expenditure and charged to the relevant programme subhead. It has not been possible in the time available to compile details of consultancy expenditure from these subheads. I will arrange for this information to be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.

The Department's policy is to engage consultants only in the following circumstances: where specialised knowledge or expertise, which is not available in the Department or elsewhere in the civil or public service, is required for a temporary period; where a need for objectivity and-or independence is deemed essential; where a consultancy study is required by an external body, for example, the European Union; where a specialist study-project must be completed within a very short time scale; and where the specialised knowledge or expertise may be available within the Department but performing the task "in-house" would involve a prohibitive opportunity cost and-or would be impractical, for example, if staff engaged on other essential duties would have to be diverted.

The Department is particularly mindful of the value for money imperative and the need to deploy and develop in-house skills and services as far as possible in order to minimise the requirement for consultancies. The Department also seeks to avail of skills and experiences of other Departments or other parts of the public sector where appropriate.

Mineral Resources.

Martin Ferris

Question:

62 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the claim made by the Government to the mineral rights of the Porcupine Abyssal Plain at the UN Commission on the Law of the Sea, he will make assurances that any development of these rights will be done in the most environmentally sensitive way possible and that the benefits of these minerals will belong primarily to the people here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19969/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The Deputy's question refers to mineral rights. In fact, the submission to the UN also covers petroleum rights. Once the submission is agreed by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, UNCLCS, Ireland will designate by law the area claimed, or any part of it, for the purposes of the exploration and production of natural resources.

Development and production operations will be subject to the same environmental regime and standards as apply to similar activities within our existing designated continental shelf area, that is, within which Ireland can licence exploration and production operations.

Sea-bed and sub-sea resources in this area will belong to the State, on the same basis as do resources within the existing designated area.

Electricity Generation.

Joe Costello

Question:

63 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to a recent energy survey by IBEC showing that two-thirds of businesses surveyed switched from ESB to independent electricity suppliers in a bid to cut costs; his views on the high energy costs affecting Ireland’s ability to attract foreign investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19894/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I am aware of the survey in question and I very much welcome the new mobility in the electricity market.

Liberalisation of the electricity market has proceeded on a phased basis since February 2000 under the regulatory oversight of the Commission for Energy Regulation, the independent regulator for gas and electricity, in accordance with the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. On 19 February this year the market opened fully to competition. This is over two years in advance of the July 2007 deadline set down in Electricity Directive 2003/54/EC.

All customers are now eligible to source their electricity from any licensed supplier and the entire market becomes contestable. Scope now exists for all customers, household and non-household alike, to seek out keener prices in the competitive market. The switching between independent suppliers shows that business customers are price and quality sensitive and having a choice of supplier is allowing them to make the decision on what best meets their needs. I welcome the fact that companies are exercising their right to choose their optimum supplier as an indication that the liberalisation of the market is working.

My objective is to have in place policies and a regulatory environment, which will deliver a competitive energy and electricity market leading to the lowest sustainable prices. That said, locational disadvantages and some settled policies, such as the burning of peat and the support for renewable energy, place upward pressure on price. I expect that the major consultancy into electricity which commenced recently and the recent publication by both regulators of the single electricity market proposals will assist us in policy evolution towards a more competitive market.

Fishing Industry.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

64 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the ovigerous sea lice levels that were recorded in Killary Harbour for the first four months of 2005; and the actions which were carried out as a consequence of the levels that were recorded. [19930/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

The ovigerous sea lice levels recorded at the fish farm in Killary Harbour during inspections carried out by the Marine Institute in the period from January to May of this year are set out in the following table:

Inspections 2005	Average number of ovigerous lice per fish
January	0.27
February	0.74
March	(i) 0.5 (ii) 0.71
April	0.36
May	(i) 0.13 (ii) 0.02

A sea lice treatment was carried out by the company that operates the fish farm concerned over the period from 13 to 21 January, as part of a strategic programme of treatments carried out at fish farms generally over the winter and early spring period. A further treatment was carried out from 24 February to 8 March, on the advice of the Marine Institute. As the results of this treatment were not in line with the company's expectations, a bath treatment of the fish was undertaken in the week commencing 21 March. The situation is being kept under review through the ongoing programme of inspections by the Marine Institute, and further action will be taken, as necessary, to ensure the effective control of sea lice levels.

Question No. 65 answered with QuestionNo. 21.

Question No. 66 answered with QuestionNo. 12.

Vessel Registration.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

67 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent and purpose of the proposed new corporate vessel registration system which is being introduced as a new e-Government business application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19924/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

I am reviewing the legislative provisions underpinning the current arrangements for the registration of ships in Ireland under the Mercantile Marine Act 1955, as amended. My overall objective is to ensure that the register operates in the most efficient manner possible and fully reflects the needs of a modern shipping industry.

I also want to ensure that only those ships that conform to the highest international safety and operational standards will be allowed to fly the Irish flag.

As part of the review, the maritime safety directorate of the Department will shortly issue a consultation paper seeking views on the future operation of the register and the flag state policies that Ireland should pursue.

I encourage all interested parties to respond to the consultation paper and it is my intention to bring forward any proposals that are necessary to update the registration process and to ensure that the Irish flag remains one of the most respected in the world.

Question No. 68 answered with QuestionNo. 17.

Postal Services.

Paul McGrath

Question:

69 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which he proposes to combat junk mail in the event of the introduction of post codes as per his recent pronouncement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20068/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

232 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which he proposes to combat junk mail in the event of the introduction of post codes as per his recent pronouncement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20367/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 232 together.

I am favourably disposed towards the introduction of postcodes because of the case made that a national postcode system would offer significant potential benefits for the postal business, for public utilities, for businesses in general and for consumers, and facilitate the provision of a wider range of services to them.

On the issue of junk mail, I would like to point out that An Post is statutorily obliged under section 12 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 to satisfy all reasonable demands for postal services throughout the State.

The public receives a wide variety of mail from a number of sources, some of which could be regarded as unsolicited mail, including unaddressed mail material, which may also be delivered by operators other than An Post. An Post itself provides two services called Postaim and Publicity Post Material which allow businesses to address correspondence about their products and services directly to individuals or alternatively to have unaddressed publicity brochures delivered to houses in a particular area. Furthermore, one person's junk mail can be another person's great bargain or vital piece of information that they need.

Measures are already in place to manage the impact of direct mailing. Under section 2(7) of the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003, individuals have the right to request that they be removed from any direct mailing lists used by businesses. Householders also have the option of limiting the amount of unsolicited mail they receive by completing a mailing preference service form requesting that their names be removed from mailing lists controlled by members of the Irish Direct Marketing Association. The form, available from post offices, goes directly to the Irish Direct Marketing Association and only applies to addressed mail sent by their members. It has no bearing on mail from any other source or unaddressed mail.

I have no intention at this stage to introduce additional measures in respect of direct mailing.

Question No. 70 answered with QuestionNo. 10.

Question No. 71 answered with QuestionNo. 17.

Question No. 72 answered with QuestionNo. 21.

Digital Hub.

David Stanton

Question:

73 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which consultancy facilities have been engaged at, by or through the digital hub project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20034/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

203 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which consultancy facilities have been engaged at, by or through the digital hub project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20334/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

85 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that the availability of modern telecommunications services here is available or is likely to be made available in a cost competitive way similar to the costs applicable in other jurisdictions in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20046/05]

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

108 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the number of service providers currently engaged in the provision of broadband services throughout the country is adequate to meet the targets he has set in respect of 2005 and 2006; if his attention has been drawn to any issue creating an obstacle to meeting such targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20050/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

216 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the number of service providers currently engaged in the provision of broadband services throughout the country is adequate to meet the targets he has set in respect of 2005 and 2006; if his attention has been drawn to any issue creating an obstacle to meeting such targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20349/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 108 and 216 together.

Prices charged for broadband services vary, depending on bandwidth and other factors. My Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie, lists the monthly subscription fees for 190 broadband service offerings, ranging from 0.128 Mbps to upwards of 56 Mbps. Twenty-five of those service offerings are priced at €35 per month or less, which is close to the EU average for such services.

The number of broadband customers in Ireland is now over 160,000, an increase of more than 400% since the beginning of 2004, while the Commission for Communications Regulations, ComReg, register of authorised undertakings currently lists 169 Internet service providers offering services in Ireland.

This is an indication of the vigorous growth in the broadband market here, which is being assisted in no small way by the investment of up to €200 million of Government and ERDF funding under the NDP in metropolitan area networks and other broadband infrastructure initiatives.

I have set the industry a target of 500,000 broadband customers by 2007, and I believe that target can be achieved.

Postal Services.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

86 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the denial to An Post workers of full backdated wage increase under the terms of Sustaining Progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19968/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

An Post is a commercial State body and the question of pay increases in the company is one in which I have no function.

An Post has a remit to be financially viable and following significant losses, which amounted to €43 million in 2003 alone, An Post management invoked the "inability to pay" clause provided for in Sustaining Progress.

The key challenge for the company is to return to long-term financial stability. In this regard, An Post unions and management have been involved in intensive negotiations with the assistance of the State's industrial relations machinery in a bid to agree a recovery plan that will put the company on a sound footing. The question of Sustaining Progress related payments was addressed in a Labour Relations Commission, LRC, brokered process. The LRC-appointed assessors issued their report last week. I understand that the report concludes that An Post is currently in a position to pay a 5% payment under Sustaining Progress and that the company has undertaken to do so by the end of this month. I also understand that the assessors' report finds that An Post cannot afford any further elements of Sustaining Progress or the mid-term review of Sustaining Progress, other than in the context of securing finalisation on rationalisation and restructuring requirements. I understand that the An Post unions are in disagreement with the findings of the report and that the matter will be referred to the Labour Court.

An agreement on a viable recovery plan will enable An Post to deliver quality services to our citizens, while at the same time providing sustainable well-paid employment for its staff.

Offshore Exploration.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

87 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has appointed a consultant to review the quantified risk assessment of the Corrib gas onshore pipeline; if further analysis of the risk of bog movement affecting the pipeline will be carried out; when he will receive a report from any newly appointed consultant; and when he will make a decision with regard to the pipeline. [19914/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I would like to inform the Deputy that a consultant has been appointed to review the quantified risk assessment, QRA, of the Corrib gas onshore pipeline. The consultant's report is expected to be received shortly.

My officials are at present completing their assessment of the developers' application to install and commission the onshore pipeline. The decision in relation to this application will not be finalised until the consultant's report in relation to the QRA has been received and assessed. I should also add that the consultant's report will be put into the public domain in north Mayo and on the Department's website as soon as possible after receipt.

Fishing Vessel Licences.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

88 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of licences for scallop fishing vessels that were issued in each of the past five years; the level of additional engine horse power that was allowed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19915/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Fishing boats are not licensed on the basis of individual species of fish. For the purpose of licensing the fleet is divided into five segments: pelagic, beamer, polyvalent, specific and aquaculture. Each segment provides for a certain level of entitlement as regards species but those entitlements may be subject to further restrictions such as quotas, area preclusions, etc. In principle boats licensed in all segments other than the aquaculture segment can fish for scallops. However, in practice the number of boats actively engaged in that fishery is much lower. Vessels in the specific segment of the fleet are restricted to fishing solely for bivalve molluscs, including scallop. A moratorium on the granting of additional licences in that segment was introduced in 1999, other than in the case of applications which were already on hand at the time of that decision. To date in 2005, a total of 12 dredgers have targeted scallops and the total engine power of these vessels is 7,118 kilowatts.

Question No. 89 answered with QuestionNo. 21.

Ferry Services.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

90 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the levels of pay and working conditions aboard the Cork to Swansea ferry (details supplied) and the impact of the proposed EU legislation on the Cork to Swansea service and all the vessels and ferries which facilitate Ireland’s trade. [19944/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

All merchant vessels of any significant size must be registered. There are over 140 ship registers in operation worldwide. Ship registers impose obligations on ship owners regarding maintenance, crewing standards and certification of those matters by the flag state or inspection bodies duly authorised by the flag state.

My responsibilities in regard to enforcing these obligations are confined to Irish registered ships; the operation of other ship registers is governed by applicable national and international law. Within the European Union there is freedom for ship operators to go on any EU membership ship register or on any third country ship register. I have no statutory function in relation to seafarers' wages.

The particular ship referred to by the Deputy is not registered on the Irish ship register. Obligations on the ship's owners regarding maintenance, crewing standards and certification of these matters are appropriate to the flag state concerned, which I understand in this case is St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Foreign registered vessels using Irish ports are inspected regularly by the marine survey office of the Department in the exercise of Ireland's port state control obligations. These inspections are aimed at ensuring that such vessels are maintained and operated in compliance with international safety standards laid down by the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, and, in relation to seafarers' social conditions, by the International Labour Organisation's, ILO, maritime conventions, together with relevant EU initiatives in the maritime area. Deficiencies identified are brought to the attention of the owner and flag state administration and may have to be rectified before the ship continues its journey.

Ireland participates in EU, IMO and ILO discussions on seafarers' welfare, supporting proposals aimed at improving their terms and conditions of employment. Ireland will continue to support efforts in all appropriate fora to enhance working conditions for seafarers and will continue to enforce safety and operational standards through the port state control framework. The Department is not aware of any proposed EU legislation that would be intended to impact on the pay and working conditions of seafarers aboard the vessels to which the Deputy refers.

Semi-State Bodies.

Liz McManus

Question:

91 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his response to the surplus of €6.8 million posted by RTE in 2004; the way in which the national broadcaster plans to spend this surplus over the next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19910/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

It is positive that the financial position of RTE has improved to the extent that it has achieved modest surpluses in two successive years having incurred significant deficits of €46 million and €22 million in 2001 and 2002 respectively.

Under the Broadcasting Acts 1960 to 2001, it is a matter for RTE to decide how to use the financial resources available to it to best deliver on its statutory mandate.

Pension Provisions.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

92 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been refused a pension by RTE on the basis that a person’s pension, under its superannuation scheme, ceases in the event of remarriage or cohabitation; his views on whether such a provision is unfair and discriminatory; his further views on whether such a provision should be removed from all pension schemes as recommended by the Commission on Public Service Pensions; his further views on whether, if this recommendation is accepted, it should apply retrospectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19883/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department has not received any correspondence in relation to the case mentioned by the Deputy.

Regulation 127, paragraph 5.1(b) of the rules governing the RTE superannuation scheme provides that: a widow’s pension shall not be granted or paid under the scheme — (a) if the widow was at the time of death of the member cohabitating with a man other than the deceased as man and wife; or (b) in respect of any time after the said death when the widow is remarried or is so cohabiting with any man.

I am aware of the recommendation of the Commission on Public Service Pensions referred to by the Deputy. I understand that in his reply to Question No. 84 on 1 June 2005 the Minister for Finance explained that a working group, chaired by his Department, was studying the recommendations of the commission and that this group is due to report by end November 2005. In the circumstances I would concur with the Minister for Finance that it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this stage.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

93 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the first stage of the off-shore wind farm on the Kish bank will be developed; and the way in which he intends to implement the conditions set out in the AER 6 support system in this regard. [19929/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The scheduling of works on any project successful in AER 6 is a commercial decision for the developer concerned, providing the schedule complies with the published rules of the competition.

The applicable rules, as published, provided that all onshore projects, other than "biomass fed CHP", should be built and selling electricity by 31 December 2004. The corresponding deadline for the "biomass fed CHP" and "offshore wind" categories is 31 December 2006.

In the case of the onshore categories, other than "biomass fed CHP", the published deadline was extended to 31 December 2005, in accordance with the published rules, in response to the impact of the decision by the CER and subsequent decisions of the network operators to apply a moratorium to new connection offers for renewable energy projects.

All the terms and conditions of AER 6 will be applied by my Department in accordance with the provisions in the published AER 6 competition notes, after taking legal advice if particularly complex issues rise. In the event that any applicant in any category of AER 6 is found not to be in compliance with a binding term or condition the offer of support can be withdrawn.

Question No. 94 answered with QuestionNo. 14.

Question No. 95 answered with QuestionNo. 83.

Fishery Offences.

John Perry

Question:

96 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the statistics regarding the level of penalties imposed for fishery offences here were not included in a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19888/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

The statistics to which the Deputy refers were required to be included in the report to the European Commission by reference to individual instances of the rules of the common fisheries policy having been seriously infringed. Ireland's data could not be broken down into that level of detail. The data available to the Department did not give a breakdown of the penalty imposed by the court for individual infringements in a case where a vessel was convicted for more than one infringement.

The Department has been in consultation with the Attorney General's office to arrange for more detailed records to be kept, in order that Ireland can contribute more fully to future reports.

Broadcasting Services.

Enda Kenny

Question:

97 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he proposes to influence policy arising from the availability of digital television and the delivery of television via satellite; the way in which he proposes the industry should develop in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20012/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

189 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he proposes to influence policy arising from the availability of digital television and the delivery of television via satellite; the way in which he proposes the industry should develop in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20316/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 189 together.

Ireland's primary television stations are available throughout the country on a range of platforms including terrestrial, cable and MMDS and satellite platforms. A migration to digital television is under way in most EU countries. I expect that all television broadcasting will eventually be on a digital basis. This will provide benefits to viewers including more channels and better quality pictures and sound.

Free-to-air digital terrestrial television is not yet available in Ireland. Over time, the analogue terrestrial network will have to be upgraded to a digital network. In this regard I have asked my Department to develop a digital terrestrial television pilot project this year. Digital cable and MMDS and digital satellite multi-channel services are currently available in Ireland on a subscription and pay-per-view basis.

The availability of an increasing number of television channels via digital satellite is having and will continue to have a major impact on the Irish broadcasting landscape. The fact that many of these channels are not subject to Irish regulation is also a factor.

A significant increase in the numbers of channels available to viewers does not necessarily mean that viewers will be offered a corresponding increase in the nature and range of the programming on offer. I am clear that in a digital era there will continue to be a central role for both RTE and private broadcasters in delivering high quality programming that is of interest and of relevance to Irish audiences.

Broadcasting Legislation.

Joan Burton

Question:

98 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his main intentions for the new broadcasting Bill, to be published in the autumn; the impact the Bill will have on RTE’s existing licence fee income or the revenue it generates through advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19891/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Work is continuing on the development of legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new broadcasting Bill. The priority issues to be addressed by the legislative proposals are the establishment of a single content regulator for both private and public service broadcasters as recommended by the forum on broadcasting; the establishment of RTE as a company under the Companies Acts 1963 to 2003; the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the television licence fee; and the development of the right of reply mechanism, allowing persons whose reputation and good name have been damaged by an assertion of incorrect facts in a television or radio programme to gain redress.

While still in development stage, it is not anticipated that the legislative proposals on enactment would significantly impact on RTE's existing levels of licence fee or advertising income. With regard to the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the licence fee, the approach under consideration involves reviews by the proposed single content regulator of: on an annual basis the achievement by RTE of its programming and change management commitments; and on a five year basis of the adequacy or otherwise of the licence fee to support public service broadcasting. The output from such reviews would be a recommendation as to an appropriate adjustment to the level of the licence fee. Annual reviews along similar lines were carried out by independent consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2003 and 2004.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

99 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has approved the draft scheme submitted by the BCI in December 2004 to his Department; when the scheme will become operational; the level of funding available at this stage in the innovation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19882/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

As I explained to the Deputy in Question No. 229 of 31 May 2005, I am awaiting the approval of the EU Commission in relation to the compatibility of the draft scheme with the relevant provisions of the EU treaty before I formally approve the draft in accordance with section 2(1) of the Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003.

Under EU Regulations 659/1999 and 794/2004 the commission has until the end of this month to make a decision on the scheme although this period may be extended with the permission of the member state involved. Until formal approval is received from the EU Commission it is difficult to estimate when the scheme will become operational. To date approximately €20.3 million has been paid into the fund.

Question No. 100 answered with QuestionNo. 12.

Inland Fisheries.

Port Development.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

104 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to proposals to develop a new deepwater port at Bremore, north of Balbriggan; his views on whether such a new port is necessary to divert traffic out of Dublin Port; the economic and transport benefits that would arise from such a development; the timescale for the construction of any such new port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19921/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

In January of this year, I launched the Government's ports policy statement. The policy statement aims to better equip the port sector and its stakeholders to meet national and regional capacity and service needs. One of the key challenges that lies ahead is the provision of adequate in-time port capacity, particularly for unitised trade. The policy statement sets out a framework to ensure that capacity needs are identified, planned and progressed in a co-ordinated manner.

As an initial step, the Department has sought information from the commercial ports which handle unit load cargo on key projects identified by them as essential to deal with anticipated capacity deficiencies to 2014 and beyond and whether the ports see these as being funded from their own resources or in partnership with the private sector. In its response to this request, Drogheda Port Company has provided information to the Department concerning its proposal for the development of a new deepwater port at Bremore. The timeframe for the proposed development and the preparation of a detailed business plan are matters for Drogheda Port Company in the first instance.

As indicated in the policy statement, it is intended to prioritise a range of projects catering for unitised traffic at our commercial ports from an overall economic national and regional perspective, as opposed to the perceived requirements of individual ports. To that end, the Department will be procuring expert and independent assistance from consultants to refine the criteria to be used for project evaluation, to draw up a uniform template for submission of detailed project proposals and to subsequently evaluate and rank the projects submitted as a basis for the Department's recommendation to Government. The terms of reference for the proposed consultancy are being prepared by the Department at present.

Energy Resources.

Dan Boyle

Question:

105 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has entered into negotiations with the Department of Finance with regard to the possible future provision of capital grants from the State for the introduction of energy efficient technologies such as solar panels, geothermal heating systems or woodchip boilers in homes here; and if any other support mechanisms for such technologies are being considered. [19916/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements a wide variety of programmes on energy efficiency and renewable energy on behalf of my Department.

Under SEI's House of Tomorrow Research, Development and Demonstration Programme, HOT, financial support is directed at encouraging developers of housing, both new-build and refurbishment, to incorporate design and technology features, which deliver significantly superior energy and CO2 performance. By targeting developers of schemes of houses, from the private or social housing sectors, the aim has been to establish over a number of years a nationwide network of accessible examples of more sustainable energy design and technology practices.

With the accompaniment of other promotional measures by SEI, this is intended to encourage a sufficient degree of market replication, without subsidy, to elevate energy performance standards across the wider housing stock. This targeted approach is also designed to be an administratively efficient method for deployment of public moneys.

187 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he sees revenue from advertising to be attracted by satellite television providers, terrestrial services or others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20314/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

188 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he has had discussions with likely satellite television service providers here; the extent to which satellite television is likely to impact on terrestrial television services and national broadcasting policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20315/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 116, 187 and 188 together.

It is important to differentiate between television broadcasting services and the platforms on which they are made available. RTE and TV3 are, for example, available on analogue and digital cable systems, digital MMD systems, the analogue terrestrial network and BSkyB's digital satellite system. Ireland has, therefore, a number of channels available on a satellite platform. We do not, however, have any satellite platform operators based in Ireland nor is it likely that this will happen in the near future.

However, the availability of an increasing number of television channels on the satellite platform is having and will continue to have a major impact on the Irish broadcasting landscape. Under the television without frontiers directive, member states must ensure freedom of reception and shall not restrict retransmissions on their territory of television broadcasts properly regulated in other member states. While this has been the case for many years, recent technological developments which allow transfrontier broadcasting services to insert area-specific advertising have increased the potential impact on broadcasting services in smaller member states.

In Ireland's case this is evident by the number of UK channels which now broadcast specifically Irish advertising. While this may result in Irish channels receiving a smaller share of the Irish advertising market, it may also reduce Ireland's ability to apply Irish broadcasting standards to broadcasting services which are primarily aimed at Irish viewers.

In that context, Ireland, along with a significant number of other member states, favours an amendment to the television without frontiers directive whereby broadcasting services which originate in one member state but are intended for reception primarily in another member state should be subject to the broadcasting standards which apply in the member state in which the service is received.

This is an issue which Ireland intends to vigorously pursue in the forthcoming discussions on the review of the television without frontiers directive which is currently being conducted by the European Commission.

Postal Services.

Willie Penrose

Question:

107 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has received a copy of the report, An Post, A New Vision, commissioned by four An Post unions; his response to the report’s recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19923/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

A copy of the report, An Post, A New Vision, was received in my Department and my officials are currently conducting a detailed examination of its findings and recommendations regarding the future strategic direction of An Post. I will comment on the report when I have had the opportunity to fully review its findings and recommendations.

Question No. 108 answered with QuestionNo. 85.

Question No. 109 answered with QuestionNo. 21.

Question No. 110 answered with QuestionNo. 29.

Electricity Supply Board.

Joe Costello

Question:

111 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the latest Government plans for the ESB, in view of the record €1.2 billion the company has raised for investment in its business; his views on the way in which the company plans to spend this money; if there will be further investment in the national electricity network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19893/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Subject to the statutory ceiling and required sanctions of capital programmes, the management of the finances and borrowings of the ESB are matters for the board. However, I can confirm that the company is engaged in a major network renewal programme involving expenditure of approximately €3.5 billion in the period 2000 to 2004 and it is my understanding that further expenditure of an estimated €3.3 billion is being proposed for this programme for the period 2005 to 2009.

I have engaged consultants to review all aspects of the electricity market and policy will evolve in the context of their report, which is due at the end of the year.

Port Development.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

112 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is still considering the request of the Dublin Port Company to have public land made available to a developer seeking to build the national conference centre days before the final deadline for entries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19922/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 221 and 222 on 24 May 2005 in which I stated that on 18 May, the Department had received a letter from the Dublin Port Company requesting ministerial approval for its proposal to enter into an arrangement with a consortium as detailed in draft heads of terms attached to the letter. The company states that in essence, the proposal provides that in the event that the consortium is successful in its bid for the development of the national conference centre and appropriate planning and other consents issue in respect of the national conference centre, the Dublin Port Company will make available a site in order to facilitate the development of the national conference centre together with further and complementary commercial development.

The company's letter is still being considered by the Department at present in consultation with the Department of Finance and a decision will be made in due course.

Question No. 113 answered with QuestionNo. 17.

Post Office Network.

John Deasy

Question:

114 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if consideration has been given to the provision of banking services through An Post and the post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20018/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

193 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if consideration has been given to the provision of banking services through An Post and the post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20322/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 193 together.

The Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network as set out in the programme for Government. The post office network has been the subject of a number of studies and reviews in recent years. Many of the recommendations arising from these reviews have been implemented, with particular regard to winning new business, including extra banking and new utility business. An Post has started working on a new business model for the post office network, which will involve a substantial upgrade of IT systems in order to offer electronic funds transfer, EFT, functionality to social welfare recipients and a wider suite of financial and other services to new and existing customers.

There is widespread recognition that the best strategy to sustain the post office network is for An Post to continue adapting to customer needs with a view to retaining existing customers, while at the same time developing services to attract new customers. This strategy is already being followed with some success.

Gas Storage Facilities.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

115 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has carried out any research on the development of either large scale LNG or natural gas storage facilities within the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19925/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The question of liquefied natural gas, LNG, facilities and major gas storage facilities are matters for the market players in the first instance. I would very much welcome private sector investment in these areas. My Department has not undertaken any research in respect of the development of such facilities. I am of course aware that LNG facilities would give us access to gas from geographic areas not otherwise accessible to us, which is of interest in the context of security of supply.

In the context of the all-island energy market development framework, as part of the strategic goals enunciated, scope for a common approach on storage and liquefied natural gas within a timeframe of 2005 to 2007 has been identified.

Work is progressing in bilateral discussions in both jurisdictions involving the Departments and regulatory authorities on this matter. I am also aware that the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, is in discussion with Marathon Oil Ireland Limited about the development of natural gas storage facilities at south-west Kinsale.

The CER will commence a public consultation on licence conditions for the storage facility shortly. It is planned that the storage facility will be operational from March 2006.

Question No. 116 answered with QuestionNo. 106.

Departmental Agencies.

Phil Hogan

Question:

117 Mr. Hogan asked the Taoiseach if he is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20115/05]

The Taoiseach

The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the National Statistics Board, the National Economic and Social Council, the National Economic and Social Forum, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, the National Economic and Social Development Office and the Law Reform Commission. I am satisfied that no member of these bodies is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

118 Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the total expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20380/05]

The Taoiseach

The amount of expenditure by my Department in 2004 for courier services in each of the past five years are as follows:

Year	Total Expenditure on Courier Services
	€
2000	17,078
2001	8,171
2002	12,304
2003	6,357
2004	8,153

Services available through An Post were not used.

Departmental Agencies.

Phil Hogan

Question:

119 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20116/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Officials from my Department have examined the register of persons who are disqualified from holding directorships of private companies and consequently I am satisfied that no such person is a member of any board under the aegis of my Department.

Health Services.

Dan Neville

Question:

120 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when orthodontic treatment will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [20160/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Medical Cards.

Dan Neville

Question:

121 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding renewal of a medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [20161/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Dan Neville

Question:

122 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding provision of a medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [20162/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Accident and Emergency Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

123 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the improvements she intends to make to the accident and emergency department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, following her recent visit to the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20163/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Constitutional Amendments.

Dan Neville

Question:

124 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has plans to amend the Constitution in order to include express rights for children. [20164/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. B. Lenihan)

Respect for children as a global ideal has been affirmed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention on the Rights of the Child was ratified, without reservation, by Dáil Éireann on 21 September 1992, the document of ratification being deposited with the Secretary General of the United Nations. The convention entered into force for Ireland on 21 October 1992.

The publication of the national children's strategy, Our Children — their Lives, in 2000 is a major initiative to progress the implementation of the convention in Ireland. The strategy is rooted in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and it sets out an ambitious set of goals and objectives to guide children's policy over a ten year period.

The issue of express inclusion of children's rights in the Constitution is a matter which has been given some consideration in recent years. The Constitution review group, CRG, in its report published in 1996 considered a number of articles of the UNCRC, namely, article 7 — name and nationality; article 3 — best interests of the child; article 9 — separation from parents; and article 18 — parental responsibilities, all of which make reference to the best interests of the child. In its published report in 1998, the CRG recommended that the Constitution be amended to include the welfare principle, and to provide an express guarantee of certain other children's rights deriving from the UN convention.

The All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution is currently carrying out a review of the Articles in the Constitution dealing with the family. This follows upon a long-standing request from the Department of Health and Children to consider a constitutional amendment to underpin the individual rights of children. The committee has stated that the study of children's rights is in the context of an examination of the place of the family in the Constitution. The committee is studying the case law that has been developed under these Articles, the report of the Constitution review group, 1996, referred to above and the report of the Commission on the Family, 1998. The committee also has available to it submissions on the family from interest groups and individuals to the Constitution review group and has sought public submissions in relation to the issues. Both the National Children's Office and the Adoption Board, which are under the aegis of my Department, have made submissions to the committee pointing out the commitments contained in the UN convention and the need to protect the rights of children in any proposed amendments to the Constitution.

The outcome of the deliberations of the committee is awaited. I understand that the committee has received a very large number of submissions from a wide range of organisations and individuals. It is anticipated that the committee will be in a position to report later this year.

Health Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

125 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who have expressed an interest in providing medical services for the hospice beds in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo. [20165/05]

Michael Ring

Question:

126 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in relation to the hospice beds in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo, it is possible to obtain a copy of the conditions and salary which are being offered for a medical position with respect to same. [20166/05]

Michael Ring

Question:

127 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of times which the job in relation to a medical position has been advertised over the past number of years with regard to the hospice beds in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo. [20167/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 to 127, inclusive, together.

The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued direct to the Deputy.

John McGuinness

Question:

128 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the senior area medical officer of the HSE refused a primary certificate in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if this person is entitled to any other assistance based on their condition and the medical assessment; if there are options in this person’s case, if they explained were to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20188/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Reasonable child care expenses will be taken into account in the eligibility assessment guidelines for medical cards due to be issued shortly. These guidelines are promulgated by the Health Service Executive, HSE, and any changes will be publicised by the HSE as soon as the details have been finalised.

Richard Bruton

Question:

136 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the doctor only medical card is now in place; if the HSE has issued special application forms for this purpose; and the number of applications which have been received to date. [20271/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered, on its behalf, health and personal social services. This will include responsibility for the determination of eligibility of persons for GP visit cards.

In 2005, funding has been provided to allow the Health Service Executive provide an additional 30,000 people with full medical cards and also to extend free access to general practitioner services under the general medical services scheme to up to a further 200,000 persons. The Health Service Executive has put in place the necessary administrative arrangements for the introduction of the GP visit cards. It is intended that a public information campaign will be undertaken which will indicate the process to be followed by applicants to obtain application forms and to have their eligibility assessed by the HSE. It is my firm view that this initiative should be implemented for the benefit of persons on low income as quickly as possible.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

137 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the total expenditure incurred by her Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20381/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of courier and packaging services in each of the past five years is as follows:

	Total Expenditure	Expenditure on An Posts SDS (included in Total Expenditure figure)
	€	€
2000	13,106	nil
2001	19,695	521
2002	31,831	9,730
2003	28,914	1,967
2004	33,482	4,798

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Appointments to State Boards.

Phil Hogan

Question:

141 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20117/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

Appointments to State boards under the aegis of my Department are in the first instance subject to the relevant legislation governing the establishment of the board. In considering a person's suitability for appointment to such boards I would have regard to a range of factors including any known, or potential, conflicts of interest. Following appointment to a board, the normal disclosure requirements under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 apply where the body is prescribed in regulations made under the 1995 Act.

Based on the information available to me, I am satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of a State board under the aegis of my Department.

Disabled Drivers.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

142 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in processing an application for the disabled drivers tax concessions scheme by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the applicant applied in 2001, was turned down and appealed in June 2004 but has yet to be informed of the decision in their appeal case; his views on whether this is satisfactory; if the five medical practitioners for the board of appeal mentioned in previous replies have been recruited; if all necessary appointments have now been made to the board of appeal; the reason a decision cannot be reached when the appeal in this case has already been heard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20172/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I have no direct responsibility for the day to day operation of the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions scheme. Queries in regard to individual cases may be addressed to the Secretary of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, c/o National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin or alternatively by telephone at 01 2355279.

The Deputy may be aware that there were a number of operational difficulties with the board of appeal and these have now been resolved. The new chairperson of the board, whom I appointed on 14 March 2005, has been asked to address the backlog of appeals as a priority. To facilitate more frequent meetings of the board, I brought in new regulations on 7 April 2005 allowing for the appointment of up to ten medical practitioners to the board of appeal. There are currently seven medical practitioners on the board of appeal, and I hope to make further appointments shortly. It is intended that these improvements will substantially reduce the current waiting time for an appeal.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

143 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will list payments, to contain the name of the payee and the firm or practice, made to the suppliers of legal and professional services to commissions of inquiry, tribunals of inquiry and special inquiries initiated by the Government since 1990. [20221/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

There have been no payments from my Department's Vote to suppliers of legal or other professional services in respect of such services to commissions of inquiry, tribunals of inquiry or special inquiries initiated by the Government since 1990.

I note that the Deputy's question has been put down to a number of other Departments also.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

144 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the total expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20382/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

The table below sets out the expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of courier services in each of the last five years. My Department has used a number of courier providers each year over the period in question, including An Post's SDS courier service.

Expenditure on Courier Services.
Year	€
2000	12,546
2001	14,907
2002	17,190
2003	10,325
2004	20,689
2005 (to date)	2,925

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

145 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has exercised his policy prerogative in respect of ComReg; if he will do so in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19827/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I understand this is a dispute between an individual and his telecommunications service provider. I understand it relates to a compensatory claim. As such I have no function in this matter. I further understand that the issue also involves a complaint in regard to how the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, has operated in carrying out its functions. As ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions, I also have no function in this matter.

Post Office Network.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to issue any policy directive in regard to the future of the post office network having particular regard to his preferred options as expressed in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19828/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network through a strategy of maximising the volume of both public and private sector business handled by the network. This is set out in the programme for Government.

The challenge for the company is to develop a strategy that satisfies the needs of existing customers, while attracting new customers into the post office. An Post has already had some success winning new business and continues to benefit from a considerable amount of Government business, especially in the areas of social welfare payments and savings products.

To ensure that our post offices remain competitive and attractive to customers, future strategy must satisfactorily balance the social benefits of a nationwide post office network and the ongoing electronic technology issues that now face the future of the network. With this in mind, I have asked the management of An Post to develop such a strategy and the company has started working on a new business model for the network, which will involve a substantial upgrade of IT systems in order to offer electronic funds transfer, EFT, functionality to social welfare recipients and a wider suite of financial and other services to new and existing customers.

An Post has just launched a process seeking proposals from financial institutions with a view to developing and expanding the range of financial services available through An Post. This development presents an important opportunity for the counters service to grow, win new lines of business and acquire the technology and other resources necessary to face the challenges of the future. The company has recruited advisers to assist with the process and hope to move it to a conclusion by the end of the year.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

147 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he has monitored the cost of broadband provision per customer; the length of time it will take to galvanise broadband provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19829/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The telecommunications sector is fully liberalised and the provision of services, including broadband, is a matter for private sector companies operating under the regulation of the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

Prices charged for broadband services vary, depending on bandwidth and other factors. My Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie, lists the monthly subscription fees for 190 broadband service offerings, ranging from 0.128 Mbps to upwards of 56 Mbps. Twenty-five of those service offerings are priced at €35 per month or less, which is close to the EU average for such services.

The number of broadband customers has now passed 160,000, an increase of over 400% since the beginning of 2004, while ComReg's register of authorised undertakings currently lists 169 Internet service providers offering services in Ireland. This is an indication of the vigorous growth in the broadband market here, which is being assisted in no small way by the investment of up to €200 million of Government and European Regional Development Fund, ERDF, funding under the national development plan, NDP, in metropolitan area networks and other broadband infrastructure initiatives.

Broadcasting Services.

I must stress that the views of the Commission set out in the Article 17 letter are preliminary in nature and should not be regarded as the final decision of the Commission. The outcome of the process is subject to ongoing formal and informal contacts and is a matter of negotiation between the Irish authorities and the EU Commission. Accordingly, it would be inappropriate for me to make any detailed comments on the contents of the Article 17 letter at this point.

I can confirm, however, that Ireland forwarded a response to the Commission on 30 May 2005. The Commission is currently examining that response to see if it adequately addresses its concerns. Because of the nature of the process involved I do not propose to publish Ireland's response at this time. If the outcome of the procedure requires legislative changes, I will bring such changes forward in the context of the proposed Broadcasting Bill.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

151 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will be referring the accounts and records of RTE and TG4 to the Comptroller and Auditor General in view of the fact that in the year ended December 2003 and again in the year ended December 2004, public funding of one kind or another constituted more than 50% of the revenue of RTE and TG4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19833/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Section 7 of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1990 provides that RTE's accounts shall be audited annually by qualified auditors appointed by the authority. I have no proposal to amend this provision.

Section 8(1)(b) of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 provides the Comptroller and Auditor General with a power to inspect the accounts of a body where that body receives more than 50% of its income from a public source. This provision does not apply to a number of bodies listed in the second schedule of that Act and RTE is among these listed bodies.

Question No. 152 answered with QuestionNo. 148.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

153 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with a company (details supplied) or others with a similar capacity, in view of the discussions which have taken place between such service providers and Government representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19358/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I have no function in the regulation of the telecommunications market, which is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations made under the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications.

As Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have responsibility for overall telecoms policy and legislation and my main goal in this policy is to create conditions for sustainable growth and competition that will benefit the economic and social development of Ireland and facilitate competitive services.

My officials and I regularly meet representatives from the industry on an ongoing basis to exchange views. These meetings can cover the full range of telecoms issues. I can confirm that I have met representatives from Energis as well as many other telecommunications companies.

Broadcasting Legislation.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

154 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to make provision for broadcasting the Ryder Cup as part of one of the events designated in 2006 under the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20113/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003, designates a range of sporting events as events of major importance to society which should, in the public interest, continue to be made available on Irish free-to-air television services.

The purpose of designation is to prevent certain events that have traditionally been available on free-to-air television services from migrating to subscription or pay-per-view services on an exclusive basis.

The Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Act 2003 was enacted to strengthen the provisions of the 1999 Act to ensure that the events included in the designation order will continue to be made available to qualifying broadcasters in Ireland. Section 9 of the 2003 Act provides that I shall carry out a review of designated events not later than three years after the passing of the 2003 Act. Accordingly, a review must be undertaken not later than April 2006. Before designating any event the legislation requires that I must first consult with the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, along with the event organisers, free-to-air broadcasters and the public. EU approval is also required.

I am conscious that the 2006 Ryder Cup is an event in which there will be much interest in Ireland and would be likely to be considered by any formal review of the list of designated events. I will take this into account when determining the timing of the review.

Offshore Exploration.

Jerry Cowley

Question:

155 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason independent consultants hired by his Department to review the safety of the Corrib gas onshore pipeline are part owned by the project’s major shareholder (details supplied); his views on whether it is better to defer a decision to grant consent to install and commission the Corrib gas pipeline in the interest of the health and safety of the Erris residents; his further views on whether the only option available is an off-shore oil terminal, especially in view of the warning issued by the North Western Regional Fisheries Board concerning silting of the Ballinaboy river, a tributary of Carrowmore lake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20114/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I gave a commitment in the Dáil in March 2005 to undertake a review of the developers quantified risk assessment, QRA, for the Corrib gas field upstream onshore pipeline. Tenders for the QRA were invited from four companies with requisite competencies. The company, which was successful following this tendering process, was British Pipeline Agency Limited, BPA.

Following media queries on 25 May 2005 my Department became aware that the company selected to undertake the QRA review is owned jointly by BP Oil UK Limited and Shell UK Oil Limited. Notwithstanding that, BP Oil UK and Shell UK Oil Limited own the company jointly, BPA remains of the view that there is no conflict of interest. While I accept that BPA has completed the review in a fully professional and objective manner, I remain conscious of the association of Shell UK Oil Limited with BPA by means of its 50% ownership of the company and I regret that this situation ever arose. In the interest of ensuring confidence in the independence of the process of evaluation of the safety aspects of the pipeline as addressed by the QRA Version F and considering the public concerns and sensitivities on this issue I instructed officials of my Department to initiate a further review of the QRA. I can confirm that my Department has engaged a consultant to carry out a further review of the QRA.

A decision on the developers application for consent to install the onshore pipeline is at an advanced stage but is not yet finalised. I will make a decision when I receive the report from the consultant.

The Deputy will be aware that the developers of the Corrib gas field have received approval for the onshore gas terminal at Ballinaboy, County Mayo. This is a statutory approval and there is no question of withdrawing any approvals already given.

Alternative Fuels.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

156 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to offer support or an incentive to encourage the production of alternative fuels with particular reference to the use of biodiesel, woodchip, solar energy and other eco-friendly fuels in conjunction with a fuel conservation policy with the objective of achieving a greater degree of economic independence through home production and a greater ability to comply with the Kyoto principles in line with the objectives already set by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20297/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department is responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy including biofuels, biomass and solar energy and I am committed to the development of alternative fuels, which can contribute to emissions reductions, security of supply and contribute to meeting Ireland's commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, was established under the Sustainable Energy Act 2002 to promote and assist in the sustainable production, supply and use of energy, in support of Government policy. To date, SEI's research and development programme has committed €7 million on over 70 projects, which include biomass, biofuels and solar energy. Funding has also been made for wood pellet boilers and solar water heaters, under SEI's House of Tomorrow grant scheme.

My Department and SEI are evaluating applications under the recently advertised biofuels mineral oil tax relief scheme and recommendations will be made to the Department of Finance shortly. The scheme is an initial policy measure and further measures to increase market penetration are being considered.

In December 2003 my Department set up a Bioenergy Strategy Group, BSG, to make recommendations for action to increase the penetration of biomass energy in Ireland. The BSG findings are being inputted into the work of the renewable energy development group, whose report is expected shortly. This will form the basis of my future policy decisions on the increased penetration of renewable energy technologies, including biomass, in the electricity market.

Departmental Bodies.

Phil Hogan

Question:

157 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20118/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Part VII of the Companies Act 1990 provides for the restriction and disqualification of directors and others of private companies under certain circumstances. The Registrar of Companies is obliged to maintain a register of disqualified persons, having being notified by the court registrar when the court grants a restriction or disqualification order against an individual. Based on the information contained in this register I am satisfied that none of the names on it corresponds to those of members of the boards of any of the State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department.

I am requesting the chairpersons of the State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department to ensure that I am informed in the future in the event of a board member being disqualified from holding directorship of a private company.

Aquaculture Development.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

158 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he will meet with a group (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20149/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Officials of the Department will visit the area in question in the near future to meet the persons concerned to discuss a range of issues relating to the aquaculture operations there. The objective will be to determine a framework within which aquaculture can continue and progress in the area in an orderly and sustainable manner.

Grant Payments.

Joe Walsh

Question:

159 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if grant aid will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [20150/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Responsibility for the operation of the EU fleet renewal and modernisation schemes has been assigned to An Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Accordingly, I do not have any role in regard to this issue.

Joe Walsh

Question:

160 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if grant aid will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [20151/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Responsibility for the operation of the EU fleet renewal and modernisation schemes has been assigned to An Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Accordingly, I do not have any role in relation to this issue.

Fuel Costs.

John Perry

Question:

161 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to help ease the rising cost of diesel for fishermen; if help will be given to fishing organisations to liaise with financial institutions to ascertain whether schemes utilised in other EU member states can be applied here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20256/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

The escalation of fuel costs, as a result of global economic and political conditions, remains a matter of concern for all sectors of industry, including the fishing industry. It is important to note that the fishing industry, in Ireland and throughout the European Union, already receives favourable treatment in the form of a full rebate on excise and VAT on marine fuel, if the enterprise concerned is registered for VAT.

In terms of assistance to fishermen to ease this problem, there are strict EU rules in relation to public aid which state:

State aid which is granted without imposing any obligation serving the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy on the part of the recipients . . . and which has the effect of reducing the recipient's production costs or improving the recipient's income is, as operating aid, incompatible with the common market. The Commission intends to apply this rule with rigour to all operating aid, including aid in forms of tax relief, or of reductions of contributions to social security or to unemployment benefit systems.

Accordingly, the question of compensation to offset the costs arising from the increase in fuel prices does not arise.

This impact of high fuel costs on the fishing industry is to be discussed at next week's EU Fisheries Council in Luxembourg and I am prepared to support any Community initiative to alleviate the situation for fishermen. I will continue to keep the situation closely monitored and consider any proposals from industry that are compatible with the State aid rules.

Aquaculture Development.

John Perry

Question:

162 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to introduce initiatives to encourage persons to enter seaweed aquaculture; if he has any strategy in place to examine the potential of seaweed and its possible economic viability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20257/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

In line with the recommendations of the national seaweed forum, which was published in 2000, the Marine Institute, the marine research agency which operates under the aegis of this Department, is actively pursuing research and development initiatives to support the development of seaweed aquaculture. An extensive study on the technical and economic feasibility of the culture of selected seaweeds under Irish conditions was carried out in 2002-03 and published in 2004. Seaweed aquaculture has also been the subject of a recent study prepared by the Irish Seaweed Centre, Martin Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland in Galway. This report was funded with the support of the marine RTDI measure of the national development plan which is administered by the Marine Institute. A further recent study published in 2004 assessed the potential of kelp harvesting.

There is also a developing interest in using seaweed extracts for nutraceutical or functional food products, and for identifying compounds that have biopharmaceutical applications, and a number of initiatives have been supported under the marine RTDI measure for these applications.

The seaweed sector is included in the current strategic review of the research and development needs of the overall marine sector which is being carried out by the Marine Institute, in consultation with stakeholders. This review will form the basis of a new national strategy for marine research and development for the period 2006 to 2012.

Responsibility for the seaweed company, Arramara Teoranta, was transferred from this Department to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in July 2003. Recent developments in relation to Arramara Teoranta would be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and his Department.

Fishing Vessel Licences.

John Perry

Question:

163 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of vessels owned and operated here which will be licensed to fish for mussel seed in the Irish Sea in 2005. [20258/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

I am not yet in a position to provide a definite answer to the Deputy's question. The matter is under consideration by the Department and a decision will be made in the near future.

Aquaculture Development.

John Perry

Question:

164 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the total investment by the industry and the Government under the NDP programme in new vessels to fish for mussel seed and ongrow them in aquaculture areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20259/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Seven mussel dredgers have been approved under the aquaculture measure of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 involving total investment of €24,979,000. Of this, grant aid, EU and national, amounted to €9,550,736.

Fishing Vessel Licences.

Question No. 171 answered with QuestionNo. 12.

Question No. 172 answered with QuestionNo. 10.

Question No. 173 answered with QuestionNo. 21.

Question No. 174 answered with QuestionNo. 12.

Question No. 175 answered with QuestionNo. 77.

Question No. 176 answered with QuestionNo. 21.

Question No. 177 answered with QuestionNo. 36.

Questions Nos. 178 to 180, inclusive, answered with Question No. 34.

Questions Nos. 181 to 184, inclusive, answered with Question No. 21.

Question No. 185 answered with QuestionNo. 74.

Question No. 186 answered with QuestionNo. 35.

Questions Nos. 187 and 188 answered with Question No. 106.

Question No. 189 answered with QuestionNo. 97.

Question No. 190 answered with QuestionNo. 11.

Question No. 191 answered with QuestionNo. 7.

Question No. 192 answered with QuestionNo. 17.

Question No. 193 answered with QuestionNo. 114.

Questions Nos. 194 to 197, inclusive, answered with Question No. 17.

Question No. 198 answered with QuestionNo. 9.

Question No. 199 answered with QuestionNo. 12.

Question No. 200 answered with QuestionNo. 56.

Question No. 201 answered with QuestionNo. 25.

Question No. 202 answered with QuestionNo. 61.

Question No. 203 answered with QuestionNo. 73.

Question No. 204 answered with QuestionNo. 56.

Question No. 205 answered with QuestionNo. 83.

Questions Nos. 206 and 207 answered with Question No. 14.

Questions Nos. 208 to 211, inclusive, answered with Question No. 9.

Question No. 212 answered with QuestionNo. 12.

Question No. 213 answered with QuestionNo. 10.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

214 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that the availability of modern telecommunications services here is available or is likely to be made available in cost competitive way similar to the costs applicable in other jurisdictions throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20345/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

229 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied at the progress to date in regard to the provision of broadband services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20363/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

239 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to issue instructions or directives with a view to ensuring maximum competition and access to infrastructure in respect of telecommunications with particular reference to broadband availability and mobile phone technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20376/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 214, 229 and 239 together.

The telecommunications sector is fully liberalised, and regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. With the repeal of section 111 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 on 25 July 2003, the former licensing regime has been replaced by a general entitlement to provide telecommunications networks and services, including broadband, subject to compliance with standard conditions set out by ComReg in a general authorisation.

Before providing networks or services to third parties operators are required to submit a notification to ComReg for the purposes of compiling a register of such operators. In March 2004 my predecessor issued a number of policy directions to ComReg relating to competition, broadband, wholesale and retail line rental, interconnection and leased lines, and national and cross-border roaming.

Access to suitable infrastructure is a major factor in the provision of broadband by the sector. However, recognising that investment by the sector had failed to keep pace with demand, the Government decided in March 2002 to target the widespread availability of open access, affordable infrastructure, using ERDF and State funding under the NDP 2000-06. The metropolitan area networks, or MANs, programme is the mainstay of the Government's broadband strategy, and has given the sector access to world-class infrastructure that it could not afford to build for itself. Full details of the MANs programme and my Department's other broadband rollout initiatives can be found on the website www.dcmnr.gov.ie.

As an indicator of the increasingly buoyant state of the broadband market in Ireland, ComReg's register of authorised undertakings currently lists 169 service providers offering Internet access using a variety of technologies including DSL, fixed wireless, cable modem, fibre, leased lines and satellite technology. My Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie, lists 190 different service offers from the sector, ranging from 0.256 Mbps to 56 Mbps, and 25 of those offers are priced at €25 per month or less. The number of broadband users is now over 160,000, an increase of more than 400% since January 2004, and I am confident that the industry can achieve the target I have set it of 500,000 broadband customers by the end of 2006.

Question No. 215 answered with QuestionNo. 40.

Question No. 216 answered with QuestionNo. 85.

Question No. 217 answered with QuestionNo. 57.

Question No. 218 answered with QuestionNo. 10.

Question No. 219 answered with QuestionNo. 35.

Question No. 220 answered with QuestionNo. 21.

Post Office Network.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

221 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he has developed his policy regarding the future of An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20354/05]

There are currently nine petroleum exploration licences awarded to petroleum exploration companies; one reserved area licence, 21 licensing options and 11 petroleum prospecting licences. The licences are additional to the Kinsale, Seven Heads and Corrib petroleum leases. A licensing round in the north-east Rockall Basin closed on 31 May 2005. The results of the round will be available shortly. The next licensing round will be in the Slyne-Erris and Donegal basins with a closing date of 15 March 2006. My Department has not received any applications to drill this year. Due to the increased costs of hiring drilling rigs, it is unlikely than any applications will be made in 2005.

For information on non-petroleum mining and exploration, I refer the Deputy to the six-monthly report I am required to lay before the Oireachtas under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999. The report for the six months to 31 December 2004 was presented recently. The report contains details of all prospecting licences and State mining leases and licences.

Question No. 228 answered with QuestionNo. 61.

Question No. 229 answered with QuestionNo. 214.

e-Government Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

230 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the current position in regard to the development of the e-Government project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20364/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Several projects have been initiated by my Department under the aegis of the e-Government project. The Department has invested considerable time in designing and implementing the infrastructure upon which to build quality e-Government services to the public.

Some of the projects are as follows. Minerals application processing system, MAPS, is an online application for prospecting licences and is in place and accessible from the Department's website at www.dcmnr.ie. The Department plans to expand on the MAPS framework to bring further prospecting services online, including tracking of applications for licences and geographical information systems, GIS, services. The integrated fisheries information system, IFIS, went live in March 2005. Together with the release of MAPS, the IFIS brings together the infrastructure and back office work done by the Department which paves the way for the introduction of further business applications in 2005-06. The system caters for licensing and registration of the fishing vessel fleet and the recording and reporting of catch data to the EU. Phase II — online forms — is to follow in Q3 2005, including an online application for a sea fishing licence.

Question:

235 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, having regard to the rate of increase in the price of electricity to the consumer in the past two years, he has proposals to bring about positive changes beneficial to the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20371/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

First, as regards domestic electricity prices, the Deputy will be aware I do not have any function in regard to the pricing of electricity as this falls within the remit of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, the independent regulator for electricity and gas.

The CER was given the responsibility for regulating tariffs under the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000, which amended section 9 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999.

Liberalisation of the electricity market has proceeded on a phased basis since February 2000 under the regulatory oversight of the CER, in accordance with the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. On 19 February this year the market opened fully to competition. This is over two years in advance of the July 2007 deadline set down in Electricity Directive 2003/54/EC.

All customers are now eligible to source their electricity from any licensed supplier and the entire market becomes contestable. Scope now exists for all customers, household and non-household alike, to seek out keener prices in the competitive market. The evidence of switching between suppliers shows that business customers are price and quality sensitive and having a choice of supplier is allowing them to make the decision on what best meets their needs. I welcome the fact that companies are exercising their right to choose their optimum supplier as an indication that the liberalisation of the market is working.

Over time as suppliers target the domestic market, I expect to see those benefits extended to the domestic customer. Like any newly opening market, suppliers have initially concentrated on serving larger customers — not least because the market for larger customers was opened earlier.

My objective is to have in place policies and a regulatory environment, which will deliver a competitive energy and electricity market leading to the lowest sustainable prices. I expect that the major consultancy into electricity which commenced recently and the recent publication by both regulators of the SEM, single electricity market, proposals will assist us in policy evolution towards a more competitive market.

The SEM will allow participants to buy and sell wholesale electricity across the island regardless of either the demand or supply location. It is expected that the new market will be more efficient as in general, the lowest cost generating plant on the island will be run first, leading to potentially lower electricity costs.

Over time the aim is to facilitate the development of an efficient competitive market thereby minimising the wholesale cost of electricity. This will create a more attractive location for new generation investment. Additionally, it is expected that the SEM will improve the security and reliability of electricity supplies throughout the island.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

236 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the extent to which energy prices have risen here with obvious negative impact on both industrial and domestic consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20372/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Energy costs relate primarily to the market prices of fuels and the capital and operating costs of energy providers, matters in which I have no function. Costs to industry generally are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Ireland is an importer of fuels, which are traded on the international market and have encountered unprecedented levels of volatility in the past year. There is a lack of cheap indigenous resources unlike for instance in Austria, Norway or Scotland which can utilise substantial hydro-power. France, Belgium and others rely heavily on nuclear power.

The distance from fuel supply sources brings higher transportation costs which place a significant premium on prices — landed prices for natural gas in Ireland are considerably higher than those paid by our mainland European counterparts. Furthermore, the current lack of widespread electricity interconnection limits access to other competitive markets in Europe.

The following comparisons for the EU15 countries is based on the most recent data from EUROSTAT, the statistical office of the European Communities. Electricity prices, excluding VAT, to industry were 19.8% higher in Ireland than the EU average in January 2005. Fuel oil prices, excluding VAT, to industry were 8.3% lower in Ireland than the EU average in January 2005. Natural gas prices, excluding VAT, to industry were 5.9% lower in Ireland than the EU average in January 2005 for the lower consumption bands. No data for Ireland were available for higher consumptions. Automotive diesel prices, all taxes included, were 6.1% lower than the EU average in January 2005. Electricity prices, VAT included, to households were 1.4% higher in Ireland than the EU average in January 2005. Heating oil prices, VAT included, to households were 4.1% lower in Ireland than the EU average in January 2005. Natural gas prices, VAT included, to households were 16% lower in Ireland than the EU average in January 2005. Premium unleaded petrol prices, all taxes included, were 7.3% lower in Ireland than the EU average in January 2005 and were 17.4% lower than the UK during the same period.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

237 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to promote and encourage the use of solar energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20373/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements initiatives on renewable energy and energy efficiency, including research, on behalf of my Department.

SEI is involved in a number of projects aimed at promoting solar energy in Ireland. Through its information office in Cork, SEI offers advice to the public on solar energy systems and suppliers.

SEI is currently supporting the establishment of an installer academy in order to ensure there is a sufficient number of trained solar energy equipment installers available to consumers. This project will be run jointly with Energy Action in Northern Ireland building skills both north and south of the Border and is funded through the EU INTERREG III programme.

Under SEI's house of tomorrow research, development and demonstration programme, solar panels are among a number of energy technologies eligible for support in the context of an integrated set of measures comprising a whole house energy efficiency solution.

Under the public sector programme, a number of large scale demonstrations of solar energy systems has been supported in public sector buildings, through its model solutions scheme, in order to encourage best design practice in the marketplace.

SEI also commissioned a study by the Danish Energy Authority to learn from international experience in the field and to determine the cost and market potential for solar thermal energy in Ireland.

Industrial Relations.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

238 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the efforts that have been made to improve labour relations in An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20374/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The full resources of the State's industrial relations machinery continue to be made available to management and unions to assist in resolving industrial relations issues at An Post. I have urged both sides to make full use of that machinery and I am pleased to say that progress has been made in regard to resolving many of these issues.

A recovery plan has been devised by An Post in consultation with the unions. A key element of the plan concerns the continuing implementation of a major change programme, throughout the company, to deliver significant cost savings and efficiencies. In regard to the non-payment of Sustaining Progress increases, in which An Post has invoked the "inability to pay" clause, it is open to the unions to refer this matter to the Labour Relations Commission, LRC, and ultimately the Labour Court where a binding ruling can be made. Following a hearing in the Labour Court in March 2005, the LRC appointed assessors to examine whether the company was correct to invoke the "inability to pay" clause. The assessors' report was presented to both parties in the LRC in early June. The key recommendation was for an increase of 5% backdated to 1 January 2005. An Post unions have not accepted this recommendation and the issue will now be referred to the Labour Court. An Post intends implementing the assessors' recommendation and will pay employees a 5% increase from the end of June 2005, backdated to 1 January 2005.

Question No. 239 answered with QuestionNo. 214.

Question No. 240 answered with QuestionNo. 12.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

241 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had sight of or received a copy of the submission by a company (details supplied) to ComReg, entitled, Forward-Looking Strategic Review of the Irish Telecoms Sector, encompassing recommendations for the future of telecommunications; its impact on industry; the necessity for open ended competition; the separation of the national infrastructure from the incumbent service; if he intends to implement the policy implications of this submission at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20378/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, has published a consultation document entitled, Forward-Looking Strategic Review of the Irish Telecoms Sector. ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions and it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on this matter. I can confirm that Energis sent my Department a copy of its submission to ComReg.

Question No. 242 answered with QuestionNo. 9.

Question No. 243 answered with QuestionNo. 25.

Appointments to State Boards.

Phil Hogan

Question:

244 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20119/05]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Based on the information available to me, I am satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the aegis of my Department.

Foreign Military Aircraft.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

245 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when and the person by whom a decision was made to change long-standing criteria whereby permissions for foreign military overflights or landings in the State were conditional on an aircraft being unarmed, not carrying arms, ammunition or explosives, and not being an integral part of training manoeuvres by foreign military aircraft, or in the case of troop-carrying aircraft, not being en route to military exercises, operations or a theatre of war; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20152/05]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs discretion in the granting of permission to foreign military aircraft to overfly or land in the State. Permission is normally granted on conditions including that the foreign military aircraft is unarmed, and not carrying arms, ammunition or explosives. It should be noted that these conditions are policy stipulations applied at the discretion of successive Ministers and not legal requirements.

As regards overflights and landings of US military aircraft relating to the military campaign in Iraq, Dáil Éireann voted on 20 March 2003, following an extensive discussion of the issues involved, to support Government policy in this area. Furthermore, the United Nations Security Council has, since October 2003, adopted a number of resolutions asking members of the United Nations to give assistance to the multinational force in Iraq.

The regulation of matters relating to commercial air carriers carrying foreign military personnel is primarily a matter for the Department of Transport.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

246 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20384/05]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The total amount spent by the Department of Foreign Affairs on courier services over the last five years is as follows:

Year	Expenditure on Courier Services (including diplomatic freight) (€)
2000	447,314.75
2001	534,788.01
2002	622,059.70
2003	557,432.57
2004	572,613.34

Diplomatic bag and freight services to and from our network of 69 missions account for approximately 96% of the Department's annual expenditure on courier services.

The Department uses the general postage service of An Post. In addition, the Passport Office has an arrangement with An Post with regard to issuing passports through its swift post service. The Department also uses An Post's special delivery service, SDS, and express mail services, EMS, where appropriate, for the diplomatic bag service.

Appointments to State Boards.

Phil Hogan

Question:

247 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20120/05]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

I am not aware of any appointees to State boards under the auspices of my Department currently disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

248 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the total expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20385/05]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

The total expenditure on courier and postal-packaging services by my Department including expenditure by the National Archives, the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland, for the years 2000 to 2004 is as follows:

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
	€	€	€	€	€
Courier Services	21,204.84	42,202.80	75,313.98	59,855.71	65,064.45
Postal Services	52,121.62	45,747.50	122,170.93	97,271.68	85,575.95

My Department and the three national cultural institutions use a number of service providers including various delivery services provided by An Post.

Intellectual Property Rights.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

249 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which he proposes to uphold the current political agreement on computer implemented inventions with a view to ensuring that Irish and European industry can operate within a stable legal framework that protects the intellectual property rights essential for future research and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20375/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. M. Ahern)

The Council of Ministers adopted a formal common position on the proposed EU Directive on Computer Implemented Inventions in March 2005. The proposal is now before the European Parliament for its second reading. Ireland will play an active role in Council in considering any amendments which the Parliament may propose.

Ireland strongly supports the aims of this proposal and the Council's common position text. I see the draft directive as offering increased certainty in intellectual property right protection by clarifying what can, or cannot, be patented. This, in turn, will reinforce the incentive to innovate and support a properly functioning Internal Market.

Appointments to State Boards.

Phil Hogan

Question:

250 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20121/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

Based on the information available to me, I am satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the aegis of my Department.

Phil Hogan

Question:

251 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the background, place of residence and previous experience of those appointed to the interim board of the National Consumer Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20173/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

The chairperson of the interim board of the National Consumer Agency is Anne Fitzgerald, who is chief executive officer of the Irish Association of Investment Managers and who served as the chairperson of the consumer strategy group. The members are Carmel Foley, the current Director of Consumer Affairs; Alex Schuster, who is a lecturer and barrister attached to the School of Law at Trinity College, Dublin, and who also served as a member of the consumer strategy group; Marie Barry Ring, a consumer representative who has worked in the voluntary sector for over 19 years; Stephen Costelloe, who is chairman of the General Consumer Council of Northern Ireland and who was a member of the consumer strategy group; Robin O'Sullivan, president of the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland; Dr. Edward Shinnick, who is a lecturer in the Department of Economics in University College Cork and who was a member of the consumer strategy group; Gillian Kelly, a consumer representative who does considerable voluntary sector work in Waterford; John Fingleton, chairman of the Competition Authority; Inez Bailey, chief executive officer of the National Adult Literacy Agency; Deirdre McDonnell, managing director of Operative Training Services, Limerick; and Eddie Hobbs, who has a background in financial services, is a member of the council of the Consumers Association of Ireland and is a consumer advocate.

I greatly appreciate that all the above have agreed to become members of the interim board. I am certain that each will make a valuable contribution to the work of the interim board. I am satisfied that the board is broadly representative of those involved in consumer policy and I am confident that those I have appointed will enable the interim board to ensure that the National Consumer Agency will be a forceful advocate for the consumer. All members of the interim board are resident in the State with the exception of Mr. Stephen Costelloe who is resident in Northern Ireland.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

252 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will list payments, to contain the name of the payee and the firm or practice, made to the suppliers of legal and professional services to commissions of inquiry, tribunals of inquiry and special inquiries initiated by the Government since 1990. [20223/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

To the best of my knowledge, the only inquiries initiated by my Department in the period in question relate to the area of company law inquiries. As the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available I will have to revert to the Deputy in the matter and will do so as soon as possible.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

253 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20386/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

According to the records of my Department, the total expenditure incurred in respect of courier or packaging services centrally in each of the past five years is as follows:

Year	Amount
2000	£31,422.65
2001	£24,270.71
2002	€31,132.24
2003	€41,290.74
2004	€56,456.61

In the period 2000 to 2001, a sum of £29,016.80 was paid to SDS Courier Services and in the 2002 to 2004 period, a sum of €68,480.69 was paid to SDS.

The details outlined above relate to the central budget of the Department and do not include some offices that come under the auspices of the Department but have separate budgets. Details in respect of these offices will be forwarded to the Deputy separately when collated.

Appointments to State Boards.

Phil Hogan

Question:

254 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20122/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

The five statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, Comhairle, the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. I am satisfied that no person who is currently a member of any of the boards of these agencies is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Ring

Question:

255 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved for the free schemes. [20241/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

The person concerned was awarded an electricity allowance with effect from 2 May 2005. The ESB has been notified to apply the allowance to her electricity account.

She was also awarded a telephone allowance. However, as she does not yet have a telephone installed in her home, it is not possible for her to avail of the allowance at this time. However, if she obtains a telephone she should notify my Department's free schemes section of her telephone number and the date of installation of her telephone in order that the allowance can be activated. She is also entitled to a free lifetime television licence with effect from the date on which she obtains her next television licence.

Social Welfare Code.

Richard Bruton

Question:

256 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason he terminates the payment of child benefit to parents when a child in full-time education reaches the age of 19; and if he will consider changing this in order to bring it into line with the age 22 cut-off point which applies in respect of the child dependant allowance. [20269/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

Child benefit is payable up to the age of 16 years and continues to be paid in respect of children up to age 19 who are in full-time education, or who have a physical or mental disability.

The policy of the Government over the past number of years has been to substantially increase the amount spent on child benefit for all families. The Government's commitment to this policy is reflected in the substantial resources invested in the child benefit scheme since 1997.

According to figures collected under the quarterly national household survey by the Central Statistics Office for the final quarter of 2004, there were an estimated 84,400 students aged 19 to 22 years. Extending child benefit to this category would therefore cost in the region of €144 million per annum.

In recognition of the need to target resources towards low-income families with children in full-time education, child dependant allowances are paid to social welfare recipients in respect of qualified children to age 22 where the parent has been in receipt of a short-term social welfare payment for six months or more. Short-term schemes include such payments as unemployment benefit and assistance, disability benefit and supplementary welfare allowance. This provision also applies to recipients of long-term payments.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

257 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the total expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20387/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

The total expenditure, including the specific expenditure on An Post services, incurred by my Department in respect of courier and packaging services in each of the past five years is as follows:

Years	Total Expenditure	An Post
	€	€
2000	326,502	98,602
2001	313,783	47,347
2002	396,581	82,873
2003	344,695	104,440
2004	375,181	83,385
2005 (to 1/6/05)	183,251	42,399

Appointments to State Boards.

Phil Hogan

Question:

258 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20123/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

Part VII of the Companies Act 1990 provides for the restriction and disqualification from holding office of directors and others of private companies under certain circumstances. The Registrar of Companies is obliged to maintain a register of disqualified persons, having being notified by the court registrar when the court grants a restriction or disqualification order against an individual.

Based on information contained in this register dated 31 May 2005, I am satisfied that none of the names on it corresponds to those of members of the boards of any of the State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department.

I am requesting the chairpersons of the State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department to ensure I am informed in the future in the event of a board member being disqualified from holding directorship of a private company.

Airport Security.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

259 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the steps which have been taken to try to ensure the security and the safety of the travelling public as well as workers and persons living in the vicinity of Shannon Airport in the event of serious accident, sabotage or terrorist attack, in view of the quantity of munitions, explosive substances and other dangerous materials such as depleted uranium and napalm-equivalent incendiary bombs which are widely reported to be regularly transported through the airport by the US military; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20153/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

Requests for exemptions under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973 are received from civilian air carriers carrying military troops with their personal weapons and ammunition.

Requests for exemption are also received from cargo carriers. The cargo contained on these flights includes items such as helicopter parts, grenades and cartridges. These items are normally carried in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, regulations for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air as approved by ICAO.

As the day-to-day oversight of aviation safety falls within the remit of the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, all applications under the 1973 order, including details of the cargo carried, are submitted to the IAA for its observations. Applications are also sent to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which in turn informs the Garda Síochána of each and every operation. Observations are also sought from the Department of Foreign Affairs, and each application is sent to the Department of Defence for information. Should any of these bodies express an objection to the operation of these flights, I would refuse to grant an exemption under the 1973 order.

In addition, the authorities at Shannon Airport are required, under the Irish Aviation Authority's aerodrome licensing procedures, to establish an emergency plan which provides for the co-ordination of the actions to be taken in the event of an emergency occurring at the aerodrome or in its vicinity. The plan must be tested by conducting a full-scale emergency exercise every two years. I understand that the airport authority conducted an exercise in November 2003 and that plans are being made for a further exercise later this year.

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 261, 262, 263, 267 and 269 together.

It is my policy that Irish Rail should remain in the rail freight business and the company has made significant progress in growing the rail freight business in areas where it holds a competitive advantage over road haulage, such as in the carriage of sugar beet, cement and pulpwood. Irish Rail continues to pursue a policy of growing its rail freight business where opportunities present. However, as in all businesses, it must adjust the freight business from time to time to reflect changes in the marketplace.

The company has developed a business plan based on a strategy with regard to freight which is to break even by 2006; increase the profitability of the existing profitable business; withdraw from those businesses that are heavily loss-making; and target trainload traffic. In formulating this plan, Irish Rail has held wide-ranging consultations with business interests around the country, including representatives of business located in the west of Ireland, to identify those freight activities which are best suited to rail transport.

The strategic rail review, commissioned by my Department and published in 2003, contained a comprehensive examination of the rail freight business and its realistic potential to support economic development and contribute to a sustainable environment. The Irish Rail business plan has been developed against that background.

Since 1999, we have invested over €1.5 billion in rebuilding the railways, with Government and EU support for the investment programme delivering improvements in new trains, upgraded infrastructure and customer facilities. While such investment has primarily focused on improving passenger services, the investment in improving rail infrastructure also has a direct beneficial impact on freight activities.

It remains my priority that any additional Exchequer subvention should focus on expanding passenger services to meet the continuing unmet demand for such services, in seeking to address the adverse social and economic impacts caused by traffic congestion.

Departmental Records.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

264 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the reason his Department does not hold statistics on traffic volumes; and if he intends to correct this in view of his Department’s role and responsibilities. [20159/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

My Department makes use of a range of statistical information on transportation. While some of this information is collected and maintained internally within the Department, most of it is obtained from a variety of other sources including the Central Statistics Office, State agencies under the remit of my Department, other State agencies and international organisations.

In particular, data gathered annually by the National Roads Authority, Córas Iompair Éireann and the Dublin Airport Authority address traffic flows on the national road network, passengers numbers on CIE bus and rail services, and air passenger numbers and aircraft movements in the State airports. These data are published by the relevant agencies on an annual basis.

Each Department is required to prepare a data-statistics strategy as an integral part of its information strategy. Work on the preparation of a data-statistics strategy for the Department of Transport has commenced. As part of this process, the CSO is currently finalising an evaluation of administrative and statistical data holdings in a number of Departments, including the Department of Transport. The report of the CSO and the development of a data-statistics strategy will assist the Department in the future development and implementation of transport policy.

Taxi Hardship Panel.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

265 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he has sought legal advice on the legality of the taxi hardship panel compensation payments in view of the case taken in recent months to the Equality Authority on the grounds of age discrimination against under-50s; if the advice available to him considers this age threshold to be legal or illegal; if a review of the terms and conditions of the scheme is under way in view of the case; if he intends to amend the terms of the scheme to address this discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20180/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

I understand that a number of complaints of age discrimination under the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 have been made to the Equality Tribunal in relation to the taxi hardship payments scheme, which is administered by ADM on behalf of my Department. A mediation hearing on one complaint took place in March 2005 but ended without resolution. ADM has been informed by the tribunal that the case will now proceed to investigation and, in this context, there is no indication at this stage as to when the proceedings will commence.

Legal advice has been sought on this matter and is awaited. There are no proposals to amend the taxi hardship payments scheme pending the outcome of the above proceedings.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

266 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if he will list payments, to contain the name of the payee and the firm or practice, made to the suppliers of legal and professional services to commissions of inquiry, tribunals of inquiry and special inquiries initiated by the Government since 1990. [20225/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Commission / tribunal of inquiry/special inquiry	Name of payee and/or firm of practice	Legal and Professional service provided	Cost	Total cost
			€	€
Inquiry into fatal Accident to Aer Lingus Viscount St. Phelim, Reg. EL-AOM 2000	Mr. C. Torkington	Professional assistance to International Study Team	14,038
		International Study Team	83,203.00
				117,035.62
Review of the Public Inquiry into the non-fatal accident to an Aer Lingus DC 3 near Birmingham, UK on 1st January 1953 carried out by Judge Thomas Teevan	*Mr. Patrick Keane	Senior Counsel	37,093.20
	Mr. Keane was assisted by two Technical Assessors
	C.M. Stubbin	Technical Assessor	22,172.70
	Technical Assessor Safety Services		21,407.20
	Doyle Court Reporters		10,717.20
				94,953.66
Cahir Inquiry	Met Éireann	Meteorological advice	90.00
	Irish Stenographers	Stenography services	3,129.52
	Dr. Brian Broderick	Engineering consultancy	13,915.00
				17,134.52
Kiltroom Inquiry	Irish Stenographers	Stenography services	2,087.66
Kilkenny Railway Order	Dom Hegarty	Inspector	8,048.00	239,259.44

Information on public inquiries into Luas lines A, B,C and C(S) will require more time to compile and will be forwarded when available.

Question No. 267 answered with QuestionNo. 261.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

268 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the total expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20388/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The total expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of courier or packaging services since September 2002 is as follows:

Year	Amount
	€
2002 (part)	5,391
2003	34,933
2004	65,465
2005	29,480
Total	135,269

My Department has utilised the services available through An Post during the period in question.

The data are available from September 2002 as the information for the few months from formation of the Department in mid-2002 is not readily available due to a change in financial systems.

Question No. 269 answered with QuestionNo. 261.

Appointments to State Boards.

Phil Hogan

Question:

270 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20124/05]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

I am satisfied that no person whose name appears on the list maintained by the Companies Registration Office of those disqualified under section 160 of the Companies Act 1990 from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of my Department.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

271 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20389/05]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

Since the establishment of my Department in June 2002 to date a total of approximately €63,000 has been spent on couriers and packaging services.

The breakdown for each year is as follows:

2002	2003	2004	2005 to date
20,711.02	15,436.92	19,438.62	6,965.25

The amounts for each year include payments made to SDS.

Appointments to State Boards.

Phil Hogan

Question:

272 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20125/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The agricultural measures under the agriculture and rural development priority of the two regional operational programmes have a wide remit. The primary purpose of the measures is to improve competitiveness and the environment. A job creation target was set only in the case of the potato sub-measure. In that sub-measure 29 jobs have been created out of a 2000-06 target of 80.

Grant Payments.

Denis Naughten

Question:

279 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason, as of the end of 2004, only 27% of the forecasted agriculture and rural development measure of the BMW regional operational programme had been allocated; the measures she intends to take to rectify this underspend before the end of the NDP in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20212/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The agricultural measures under the agriculture and rural development priority of the BMW regional operational programme are demand-led ones. Various factors such as the foot and mouth situation in 2001 have influenced demand and resultant expenditure. The measures' financial allocations and their eligibility conditions are kept under continuous review. In 2004, for example, improvements were made to grants available under the farm waste management and dairy hygiene schemes.

I will continue to keep the measures within my remit under review. Where deemed necessary and the budgetary situation allows it, further changes will be effected.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

280 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will list payments, to contain the name of the payee and the firm or practice, made to the suppliers of legal and professional services to commissions of inquiry, tribunals of inquiry and special inquiries initiated by the Government since 1990. [20226/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The detailed information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be sent to him within one week.

Grant Payments.

Denis Naughten

Question:

281 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total amount of proposed funding committed to the native wood and neighbourhood wood schemes under the NDP in the BMW and south and east regions; the funding which has been allocated to these schemes to the end of 2004 in each region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20239/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The native woodland scheme and the neighbourhood scheme are part of the woodland improvement sub-measure of the regional operational programmes. This sub-measure includes the reconstitution, shaping, pruning and woodland improvement schemes. NDP funding is committed at a sub-measure level and is not broken down by individual scheme. The total commitment — public expenditure — in the BMW region for the woodland improvement sub-measure for the period 2000-06 is €32.02 million. The figure for the south east region is €20.08 million.

In the period 2001-04 inclusive, under the native woodland scheme in the BMW region, a total of 759.39 hectares was approved. The value of this approval depends on the composition of species planted but could be as much as €3.5 million. To date, €603,516.84 has been drawndown.

The position is that the herd number in this case is in the joint names of a brother and sister. I understand that both have cattle on the same farm with each managing his or her part of the herd. There has been a dispute between brother and sister for a number of years concerning the herd number and, furthermore, I understand there are legal proceedings pending by another family member concerning the lands farmed by the brother and sister.

The animals registered recently in this herd number were registered by the brother. He was entitled to register these animals in the herd as his is one of the joint names under which the herd number is registered. Indeed, he was obliged under EU and national legislation to do so. All the identification numbers registered were legitimate identification numbers which had been checked and approved by officers at Nenagh District Veterinary Office.

My Department, in particular, the field officers and staff at Nenagh District Veterinary Office, have devoted considerable time and effort in trying to resolve ongoing difficulties in this case. To date, either one or both of the family members in whose name the herd is registered have objected to all the solutions proposed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, my Department will continue in its efforts to facilitate a resolution of these difficulties.

Grant Payments.

Billy Timmins

Question:

286 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if this issue will be rectified and the person awarded the full amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20403/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Ireland implemented the single payment scheme in January 2005. The special beef premium scheme and the slaughter premium scheme were the only schemes where the deadline for the receipt of applications was 31 December 2004. This meant that as many farmers as possible submitted their applications in late December 2004 in order that they could benefit from the special beef premium. Under the 2004 scheme, applications for in excess of 2.4 million animals were lodged, of which almost 1.4 million were quota animals, that is, first age-bull animals. The application figure in each of the previous three years was 1.9 million animals. In effect, the same amount of premium was available for payment on a much increased number of animals.

The person named lodged a total of eight applications for special beef premium in 2004. The total number of eligible animals listed on these application was 46, three animals for first age premium, 22 animals for second age premium and 21 animals for bull premium. To date, the person named has received payment of €328.50 on first stage premium and €3,372.60 on bull premium. On the second stage premium €2,541 has already issued to the person named. The final payment on special beef premium will issue when the quota cut on 2004 special beef premium is finalised.

The level of the overshoot of the regional ceiling is attributable to the ending of the special beef premium scheme in 2004 and application patterns, both in terms of total numbers of animals applied upon and the timing of lodging of applications, strongly suggest this to be the case. I am fully aware of the impact that the overshoot reduction will have on beef farmers who claimed on more than 25 animals. I am seeking a solution to this issue and will continue to do so with the European Commissioner.

Proposed Legislation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

287 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his policy or proposals in regard to the possible introduction of a press council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20410/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I have already indicated in response to Question No. 407 of 8 February 2005 my proposals concerning a press council in the context of the reform of the law on defamation. I expect shortly to be in a position to announce details of my proposals for such reform as approved by Government.

Appointments to State Boards.

Phil Hogan

Question:

288 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20126/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

As the Deputy will be aware, the functions of the various boards under my Department's aegis are not of a commercial nature, nor are they equivalent to those performed by private sector companies. However, the procedures followed with regard to vetting persons being considered for appointment to such boards comply with the various relevant Acts and the public service guidelines in place.

Residency Permits.

298 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to review the deportation of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20272/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 290, 293, 295 and 298 together.

I ask the Deputies to refer to the answers I gave to Questions Nos. 248 and 249 dated 23 March 2005, Nos. 104, 733 and 722 dated 12 April 2005 and Nos. 397 and 403 dated 19 April 2005 and to note that the position as stated therein is largely repeated hereunder.

The correspondence referred to in these questions relates to a document widely circulated by a group called Athlone Families Together, which gives a particular version of how the deportations took place and sets out a series of arguments — legal and otherwise — as to why the persons who were deported should be returned. I have also received a number of other representations, including from the aforementioned Athlone Families Together group, requesting that these persons be permitted to return to Ireland.

The two persons referred to by the Deputies are Nigerian women who were deported from the State on a charter flight to Lagos on the night of 14-15 March 2005. One of the women was accompanied in the State by four of her children, while the other was accompanied by two children. The asylum applications of both women and their children were refused following negative determinations by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Their cases were further considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, including representations on their behalf for leave to remain in the State, before deportation orders were signed.

I am informed that despite the best efforts of the Garda national immigration bureau on the day of the removals to maintain the unity of both families, the women refused to co-operate with the Garda in locating the whereabouts of all their children. In the end, both women were deported accompanied by only one child each. It is understood the remaining four children, who were hidden from gardaí, were passed into the care of other local Nigerian nationals by their mothers. The Garda national immigration bureau informed the local area Health Service Executive of the position regarding these children.

The Garda Síochána is tasked with the execution of deportation orders. All persons subject to such orders are required to present at Garda stations for the purpose of their removal from the State. In enforcing these orders it is a priority, as far as operationally possible, that family units which are the subject of such orders are not broken up in the process. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that in the circumstances which gave rise to these questions, members were obliged to call to school properties to enforce deportation orders because of a failure by the parents concerned to comply with a lawful request to present the family unit to the Garda. A complaint has been made to the Garda Complaints Board in respect of this matter which precludes me from commenting further at this time. To date, no decision has been reached by the board.

Notwithstanding the outcome of the complaint made to the Garda Complaints Board concerning the manner of the removals, the unalterable fact of this case is that it was the consequence of a deliberate choice of the persons concerned that they are now separated from their children. This behaviour by parents cannot form a basis for revoking the deportation orders in this instance and I do not intend doing so. Those persons who are caring for the children left behind by their parents should make themselves known to the authorities and every facility will be afforded to enable the children to be returned to Nigeria to be reunited with their families. Such a successful family reunification was recently effected in Romania in respect of a Romanian child who, similarly, had been deliberately left behind by his parents in the course of a charter removal operation from Ireland to Romania which took place on 2 June 2005.

Citizenship Applications.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

291 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will receive a response to their application for a certificate of naturalisation. [20147/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 14 September 2004. The average processing time for such applications is currently 24 months. On the basis of the current average processing time, therefore, it is likely that the application of the individual concerned will be finalised in the second half of 2006. I will inform both the applicant and the Deputy when a decision has been made on the application.

Road Safety.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

292 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of drink driving breath checks carried out in 2004 fell by 10% compared with the figure for 2003; if he has been informed of the reason for this reduction; if he is considering introducing measures to reverse this reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20148/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the 2004 annual report of the medical bureau of road safety, which comes under the aegis of the Minister for Transport, is not yet available and accordingly a comparison between the number of drink driving breath checks carried out in 2003 and 2004 is not possible at this stage. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Commissioner continues to attach a very high importance to the detection of drink driving in the context of the Government road safety strategy.

Question No. 293 answered with QuestionNo. 290.

Visa Applications.

Michael Noonan

Question:

294 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider the decision regarding an appeal by a person (details supplied) for visas for their spouse and child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20187/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The visa applications in question were to enable a wife and child of a non-EEA national employed under the employment permit scheme to reside with him in the State. A worker employed under the work permit scheme may be joined by their spouse and minor children after the worker has been in the State for one year and has been offered a contract for a further year. The worker must also be able to fully support the family members in question without the need to have recourse to public funds.

When assessing applications for family reunification the visa officer will consider, among other things, whether the level of salary of the worker would come within the ambit of qualifying for payments from public funds. The applications in question were refused as it was felt that the documentation did not show that the worker in question was in a position to fully support his family without recourse to public funds at the time.

An appeal in respect of the applications was received on 13 December 2004. However, based on the additional documentation supplied, the visa appeals officer was unable to conclude that the initial refusal decision should be overturned. Consequently, the application was refused on appeal on 21 December 2004. It is open to the persons in question to submit fresh applications with current supporting documentation.

Question No. 295 answered with QuestionNo. 290.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

296 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will list payments, to contain the name of the payee and the firm or practice, made to the suppliers of legal and professional services to commissions of inquiry, tribunals of inquiry and special inquiries initiated by the Government since 1990. [20228/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

In light of the breadth of the information sought by the Deputy, it has not been possible to compile a response in the time available. To the extent that this information can be compiled without the application of a disproportionate amount of staff resources, I will forward the details sought to the Deputy shortly.

Prisoner Releases.

Tony Gregory

Question:

297 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1, recently released, served their full sentence. [20237/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person referred to was sentenced on 20 February 2002 in the Dublin Circuit Court to five years' imprisonment with the sentence backdated to 18 August 2001. With normal remission of one quarter of sentence he was expected to serve three years and nine months from this date and his expected release date was calculated as 17 May 2005. The person in question was not granted any form of early release and was released from custody following the completion of his sentence.

Question No. 298 answered with QuestionNo. 290.

Garda Deployment.

Seán Crowe

Question:

299 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the recent spate of car break-ins on Murtagh Road, Dublin 7; if there are plans to increase the Garda presence in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20275/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Based on my Department's examination of the register of persons disqualified or restricted from holding a directorship of a private company, I am satisfied that no such person is currently a member of any body under the aegis of my Department.

Special Educational Needs.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

304 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools which have lost special needs assistants since March 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20140/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

SNAs are assigned to schools to meet the care needs of individual children who have been assessed by a psychologist as needing this type of support. There has been no change to the criteria or guidelines for allocating SNA support to schools and there are no plans to review the criteria or guidelines under which SNA support is allocated.

Applications for SNA support are now dealt with by the National Council for Special Education, which processes all applications for support from schools and communicates the decisions directly to the schools. At this stage, the council has dealt with all new applications from schools for SNAs that will be required from the beginning of September 2005.

To ensure that resources are used in the most effective manner, a review has been conducted in my Department in recent months to establish if primary schools have the level of SNA support that they need for children in their care, if they have resources which they no longer need or if they need extra resources.

The review has found that some schools no longer have the care needs for which the SNA was originally sanctioned, that is, in some cases the child may have left the school while in other cases the care needs of the child have diminished as the child has progressed through the school. In this regard, the schools where surplus SNA support was identified have been advised that they may retain this surplus until the end of the current school year. Accordingly, no schools that were identified as having surplus SNA support have yet lost that support.

My Department is engaged in discussions with the trade union representing SNAs, under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission, on a number of issues relating to the employment of SNAs and these discussions are continuing. It would not be appropriate for me to comment specifically on any of the issues under discussion.

It has always been the case that where the care needs of a child no longer justify SNA support, that support should no longer have been available to the school.

This Government has put in place an unprecedented level of support for children with special needs. Since 1998, the number of SNAs has increased from under 300 to more than 6,300 nationally. In addition to this, more effective systems, such as the establishment of the National Council for Special Education, have been put in place to ensure that children get support as early as possible.

School Accommodation.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

305 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the crisis which is building up at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in classroom accommodation; her views on the case put forward for the provision of an extension at second storey level; the way in which adequate classroom accommodation will be provided for the school children in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20141/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The school to which the Deputy refers applied to the planning section of my Department on 9 June 2005 for additional accommodation for the 2006-07 school year onwards. There is no indication in the application that the school has any additional accommodation requirements for the 2005-06 school year.

The application will be assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation for large scale building projects. The project will be assigned a band rating and its progress will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2005 onwards. The school authority will be notified when the assessment is completed.

School Staffing.

Dan Neville

Question:

306 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science if an extra teacher will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Limerick. [20142/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30 September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule is outlined in primary circular 15/05 which issued to all primary schools recently. This is in line with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.

In the current school year the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises of a principal and five mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 163 pupils at 30 September 2003. In addition, the school has the services of a learning support teacher and a resource teacher.

In accordance with the staffing schedule which issued recently to boards of management, the mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will remain at a principal and five mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 158 pupils at 30 September 2004.

To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department primary circular 19/02 which is also available on my Department's website. The appeals board will meet in July to consider appeals on the mainstream teaching allocation to schools for the 2005-06 school year.

The closing date for appeals is 24 June 2005. Appeals must be submitted to primary payments section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, on the standard application form, clearly stating the criterion under which the appeal is being made. The application form is available from primary payments section or on my Department's website.

It would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.

Special Educational Needs.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

307 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science her Department’s disposition towards the small complement of permanent teachers with restricted recognition and who are now being placed on the special education panel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20143/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Enrolment decisions are the responsibility of the board of management of each individual school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment by schools.

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Where an appeal under section 29 is upheld, the Secretary General of my Department may direct a school to enrol a pupil.

The National Educational Welfare Board, NEWB, is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board national headquarters at 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7, or by telephone at 01-8738700.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

311 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will list payments, to contain the name of the payee and the firm or practice, made to the suppliers of legal and professional services to commissions of inquiry, tribunals of inquiry and special inquiries initiated by the Government since 1990. [20230/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is the only relevant inquiry in respect of my Department. Detailed information is being compiled and a comprehensive reply will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

School Transport.

Pat Breen

Question:

312 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if the costings regarding re-routing of a school bus will be reduced for persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20236/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

In general post-primary routes are planned so that no eligible pupil will have more than 3.2 kilometres to travel to a pick up point. In this case, the family referred to in the details supplied reside less than 3.2 kilometres from the present pick-up point. As this service is within the school transport scheme guidelines the present arrangement is the most that can be offered.

There is provision for families of eligible children to pay for extensions of service subject to certain conditions. The family referred to may avail of this option by paying the appropriate fee. It is not open to my Department to waive the fee.

State Examinations.

Richard Bruton

Question:

313 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that parents of children with dyslexia have to pay up to €600 for an assessment of their children prior to each State examination in order to secure concessions needed by those pupils in respect of the taking of the examinations; and if the State should carry the cost of such assessments. [20266/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

On foot of a Government decision, the then Minister for Education and Science formally established the State Examinations Commission on 6 March 2003. The commission now has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations and this includes the matter raised by the Deputy. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply.

Grant Payments.

Richard Bruton

Question:

314 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that courses provided by the Dyslexia Association of Ireland which are an essential resource for children with dyslexia seeking to successfully complete State examinations are very costly for parents; and if she will consider increasing the grant support to the association in order to assist parents. [20267/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

My Department has provided annual funding of €63,500 to the Dyslexia Association of Ireland since 1999. This funding has helped the association to operate an information service for members and the public. Part of this funding has assisted in meeting the costs associated with the attendance of some children from disadvantaged backgrounds at workshops and programmes organised by the association.

My Department has received representations from certain branches of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland expressing concern at the costs of running the workshops. My Department is in communication with the association at central level for its funding requirements. My Department has developed an information resource pack on dyslexia on CD-ROM, DVD and video format, in association with the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. This product has now been made available to all primary and post-primary schools. The DVD and video will provide support for parents of pupils with dyslexia while the CD-ROM will assist teachers who are teaching children with dyslexia in the mainstream classroom. These new materials will help and support parents and teachers to understand and respond to the educational needs of children with dyslexia.

Provision of resources to address the learning difficulties of children with low levels of achievement in reading has been given a very high priority by my Department. Last month, I announced that 660 additional special needs teaching posts will be put in place in primary schools from next September to cater for the needs of pupils with high incidence special needs, including pupils with dyslexia. Every primary school will be allocated resource teaching hours, based on their enrolment figures to cater for this pupil cohort.

One in five of the teachers in primary schools is allocated for the support of children with special educational needs. My Department also provides funding to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment such as computers to assist pupils with special educational needs, including pupils with dyslexia, with their education where such equipment is recommended by relevant professionals. Schools can apply to the local special educational needs organiser directly for this support. Training is available through the 21 teacher education centres nationally for teachers using ICT and assisting technologies to support pupils with special educational needs, including those with dyslexia.

At second level, each school in the free education scheme or block grant scheme with an enrolment of fewer than 600 recognised pupils, excluding pupils on post-leaving certificate programmes, receives an allocation of 0.5 of a learning support post. Schools with an enrolment of 600 such pupils and more receive a full learning support post. The Department also allocates resource teacher posts and special needs assistant posts to second level schools and vocational education committees to cater for pupils with special needs, including pupils with dyslexia.

There are a total of 528 remedial-learning support teachers, 620 guidance posts and 1,388 whole-time equivalent resource teachers in place. Additional special support services are being made available on an ongoing basis in response to identified needs. A further 100 posts will be allocated for guidance from the commencement of the 2005-06 school year. Second level pupils with specific learning disability are normally integrated into mainstream classes. In such situations, they may receive additional tutorial support through the remedial teacher, guidance counsellor and subject teacher. Depending on the degree of the condition, they may also be eligible for special arrangements in the certificate examinations.

Special Educational Needs.

Richard Bruton

Question:

315 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the action she has taken to date on foot of her assessment of the needs of pupils with dyslexia; and the recommendations which remain to be implemented. [20268/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The report of the task force on dyslexia contains over 60 individual recommendations ranging across a wide variety of issues from identification and assessment, to models of service delivery, specialist training for service providers, to issues relating to structural reforms and the maintenance of a database of pupils with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia, who are in receipt of special education services in primary and post-primary schools.

Since the task force reported, several initiatives have been taken in the area of dyslexia. These include: the introduction of the first ever on-line training course for teachers catering for pupils with dyslexia; the appointment of ten new learning support trainers to the primary curriculum support programme, specifically to provide in-depth support for the implementation of learning support guidelines for children with dyslexia; a reduction from 11:1 to 9:1 in the pupil-teacher ratio applicable to special classes catering for pupils with dyslexia; the development, in association with the Department of Education in Northern Ireland, of an information resource on dyslexia to be made available in CD-ROM, DVD and video format.

In addition to the above measures, a key focus of my Department has been on advancing the fundamental structural and legislative measures, which are necessary to underpin the development and delivery of services for persons with special needs, including children with dyslexia.

A key development on the structural front has been the Government's decision to approve the establishment of the National Council for Special Education. The National Council for Special Education, which became operational on 1 January 2005, now processes applications for special educational needs supports. The council has a key role in the development and delivery of services for persons with special educational needs, including children with dyslexia. It will have a research and advisory role and will establish expert groups to consider specific areas of special needs provision. It will also establish a consultative forum to facilitate inputs from the education partners and other interested parties. The council has a local area presence through a network of 71 special educational needs organisers.

On the legislative front, the Oireachtas has approved the Education for Persons with Special Needs Act 2004. This act sets out the rights and entitlements of persons with special educational needs, including dyslexia, to an appropriate education service and provides the necessary framework for effective service delivery.

My Department also provides funding to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment such as computers to assist children with special educational needs, including children with dyslexia, with their education where such equipment is recommended by relevant professionals. Schools can apply to the local special educational needs organiser directly for this support. Training is available through the 21 teacher education centres nationally for teachers using ICT and assisting technologies to support pupils with special educational needs, including those with dyslexia.

The provision of resources to address the learning difficulties of children with low levels of achievement in reading has been given a very high priority by my Department. Last month, I announced that 660 additional special needs teaching posts will be put in place in primary schools from next September to cater for the needs of pupils with high incidence special needs, including pupils with dyslexia. Every primary school will be allocated resource teaching hours, based on their enrolment figures to cater for this pupil cohort.

One in five of the teachers in primary schools is allocated for the support of children with special educational needs including those with dyslexia. Where the condition of a pupil with dyslexia is of a more serious nature, provision can be made in one of the four special schools or 23 special classes attached to ordinary primary schools and dedicated to the needs of children with dyslexia. All special schools and special classes for such children operate at a reduced pupil-teacher ratio of 9:1.

At second level, each school in the free education scheme or block grant scheme with an enrolment of fewer than 600 recognised pupils, excluding pupils on post-leaving certificate programmes, receives an allocation of 0.5 of a learning support post. Schools with an enrolment of 600 such pupils and more receive a full learning support post. The Department also allocates resource teacher posts and special needs assistant posts to second level schools and vocational education committees to cater for pupils with special needs, including pupils with dyslexia.

There are a total of 528 remedial-learning support teachers, 620 guidance posts and 1,388 whole-time equivalent resource teachers in place. Additional special support services are being made available on an ongoing basis in response to identified needs. A further 100 posts will be allocated for guidance from the commencement of the 2005-06 school year. Second level pupils with specific learning disability are normally integrated into mainstream classes. In such situations, they may receive additional tutorial support through the remedial teacher, guidance counsellor and subject teacher. Depending on the degree of the condition, they may also be eligible for special arrangements in the certificate examinations.

In September 2003, my Department established the special education support service to manage, co-ordinate and develop a range of supports in response to identified training needs. The special education support service, which is hosted in County Laois Education Centre, provides a nationwide service to teachers and special needs assistants. As part of its response to the growing demand from teachers for support and training, the special education support service is developing teams of trainers to deliver training in four specific areas, autism, challenging behaviour, dyslexia and inclusion. This training will be delivered locally through the education centre network.

My Department is continuing to prioritise the development of the network of special educational provision for children with special educational needs, including children with dyslexia and I believe that the steps taken in recent years and those in hand represent significant progress in the development of those services.

Site Acquisitions.

Denis Naughten

Question:

316 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 14 April 2005, the progress to date on obtaining a site for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20273/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The accommodation needs of the school in question are being assessed by officials in the school planning section of my Department in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria which was revised following consultation with the education partners. When a final decision is taken on the matter, the question of the acquisition of a site will be considered.

Special Educational Needs.

Denis Naughten

Question:

317 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if permanent status will be given to the speech and language unit at a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20274/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The National Council for Special Education which became operational on 1 January 2005 now processes all applications for special educational needs supports. My officials will arrange to contact the local special needs organiser on the matter raised by the Deputy.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

318 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the total expenditure incurred by her Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20392/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

In 2001, costs amounted to €986,985.10. In 2002 costs amounted to €1,242,739.28. In 2003 costs amounted to €123,315.78. The drop in departmental expenditure was due to the establishment of the State Examinations Commission as an independent agency in March 2003. In 2004 costs amounted to €270,536.64, an increase due to the EU Presidency term. To date in 2005 costs amounted to €70,604.64. The services available through An Post were used extensively during each of the years detailed above.

State Examinations.

Jack Wall

Question:

319 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that putting a question on the junior certificate examination paper regarding a school bus was insensitive; if she will make an apology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20404/05]

Jack Wall

Question:

320 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on putting an essay titled, Travelling on a School Bus, on the junior certificate English paper; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20405/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.

On foot of a Government decision, the then Minister for Education and Science formally established the State Examinations Commission on 6 March 2003. The commission now has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. This includes the matter raised by the Deputy. I have forwarded the question to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply.

Appointments to State Boards.

Phil Hogan

Question:

321 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is a member of any State board under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20128/05]

Minister for Defence (Mr. O’Dea)

I am satisfied that none of the members of State boards under the auspices of my Department is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company.

I am in the process of appointing a new Civil Defence Board as the three year term of office of 12 of the members of the first Civil Defence Board expired with effect from 5 June 2005.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

322 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years; if services available through An Post were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20393/05]

Minister for Defence (Mr. O’Dea)

Expenditure incurred by my Department, including the Defence Forces where available, in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years is as set out in the following table.

Year	An Post SDS	Iarnród Éireann FASTRACK	DHL	Total Expenditure
	€	€	€	€
2000	44,870.07 #	—	— #	44,870.07 #
2001	52,368.09	—	2,578.09	54,946.18
2002	219,312.20	—	14,614.02	233,926.22
2003	68,499.77	—	6,527.74	75,027.51
2004	90,939.58	348.48	93,954.49	185,242.55

# Does not include expenditure by the Defence Forces as figures are not available.

EU Directives.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

323 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which EU policy directives on energy efficient buildings is operational; if new buildings under construction comply with these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20357/05]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

The area in question is located near the Carrigower river, a tributary of the River Slaney, and is within the Slaney river valley candidate special areas of conservation. My Department is in the process of implementing a revised approach to inclusion of marginal areas along river banks in candidates for special area of conservation. In general terms, the boundaries of river for candidate special areas of conservation are being reduced to a distance of 2.5 M from the river bank. Lands beyond the 2.5 M limit will continue to be included if the area constitutes a floodplain of the river or contains valuable wildlife habitat such as woods or wetlands.

In the case in question, in November 2004, an application for a boundary revision on scientific grounds was submitted by an ecological consultancy on behalf of the landowner. Following inspection of the site by my Department it was decided to make an adjustment to the boundary of the candidate special areas of conservation in line with the revised national approach to such designations as outlined above.

My Department has been consulted by the Environmental Protection Agency for a waste licence application covering inter alia part of the land now to be excluded from designation as a candidate special areas of conservation. In response, my Department has indicated that it opposes the granting of this licence on grounds of adverse impact on the candidate special areas of conservation.

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 15 Jun 2005

Company Takeovers.

Jack Wall

Alternative Fuels.

Gay Mitchell

Olwyn Enright

Denis Naughten

Pat Breen

Pádraic McCormack

Paul Connaughton

Dinny McGinley

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Dan Neville

Seán Crowe

Seán Ryan

Damien English

Seán Ryan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Broadcasting Services.

Jim O'Keeffe

Bernard J. Durkan

Alternative Energy Projects.

Liam Twomey

Richard Bruton

Bernard J. Durkan

Michael Noonan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Energy Resources.

Olivia Mitchell

Simon Coveney

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Postal Services.

John Deasy

Seymour Crawford

Tom Hayes

Billy Timmins

Paul Kehoe

Paul McGrath

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Fishing Vessel Inspections.

Brian O'Shea

Telecommunications Services.

Olwyn Enright

Pádraic McCormack

Pat Breen

Tom Hayes

Seán Crowe

Gay Mitchell

Olivia Mitchell

Paul Connaughton

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Jun 2005