Vol. 656 No. 1
1 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress the Government has made in rolling out next generation and high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21645/08]
I propose to issue a draft policy paper shortly on next generation broadband, NGB, which will set out the framework for Government policy and related proposed actions in this area. I will invite comments on the draft paper through an on-line consultation process. While I cannot indicate the detail of the paper at this juncture, it is my ambition for Ireland to have a NGB infrastructure that will underpin a transformation to a knowledge economy based on leading edge development and application of information communications technology, ICT. In the main, the private sector should build and finance NGB networks.
The role of Government is to ensure the legislation and regulatory regime is such as to promote competition and investment by the private sector in NGB. Direct Government investment in broadband infrastructure will be primarily targeted at supporting regional competitiveness and addressing digital divide issue. The role of Government investment is not to support one particular broadband technology or the investment proposals of any particular private sector investor. In addition to an on-line consultation process referred to above, I also propose to hold a one day forum to hear the views of all stakeholders on the overall framework and specific policy actions. My Department has been given the new responsibility of drawing up a new action plan on the information society. I envisage that the broadband policy paper and the subsequent consultation process will be an important input into this action plan.
I thank the Minister. He is two weeks shy of completing his first year in the job and many questions and grey areas remain regarding broadband provision. The public is looking for a clear policy direction. The forum on broadband met last February. Since then Deputy Coveney, the Fine Gael spokesperson in this area, has repeatedly asked when the forum will report and engage in consultation. The Minister said this will happen soon. When will the consultation process happen? His reference to an on-line consultation is ironic. Will a facility be provided for those who do not have access to computers or broadband to contribute to the debate, given many rural areas do not have access to broadband?
An issue arose earlier regarding the Taoiseach's comment that the national development plan is under review. Will the investment the Minister plans in ICT in schools proceed? There is complete confusion about this, as highlighted by my colleague, Deputy Brian Hayes, earlier. Will the Minister shed some light on that?
Have industry representative groups been consulted? If not, when will that happen? The Minister said a report would be published soon but he still has not specified when. It is important that the industry representative groups, which are key contributors to the broadband debate, be included. When he was in Opposition, the Minister was a strong advocate of the importance of NGN. I do not intend this as a political slight but his energies have been very much employed in the green sector and the broadband debate has been consigned to the position of bridesmaid within his portfolio. It is evident our position on NGN, next generation networking, is weak in a EU context. Will he take responsibility for this area? He has been in the position for almost a year but, as of yet, he has provided little direction.
The development of broadband infrastructure and a new digital society is at the centre of the green agenda. It embodies many of the principles underpinning our political philosophy.
Will the Minister answer the questions?
It helps us to reduce our emissions, to access information and do our work without having to travel. It provides open democratic access to information that was not previously available. It is at the very centre of my agenda and I have been, and will continue to be, an advocate for the development of digital technologies.
All domestic groups will be involved in the consultation document. I regret the delay in putting it out but I apologise to no one for trying to getting things right before doing so. I am confident my colleagues will recognise this as a crucial investment under the NDP. In the past year, broadband connections increased from 500,000 to 1 million and mobile broadband connections from zero to 120,000, while Ireland was the third fastest growing economy in the OECD in terms of broadband connection. I am happy we are progressing but we have a long way to go. I am happy to lead us there.
2 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the average price of petrol and diesel in May 2004 and in May 2008; the proposed increases in ESB and gas prices planned for 2008-09; the action he will take to ameliorate the hardship for those on low incomes and senior citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21610/08]
The price of oil and diesel or petrol, which is set on international markets, is outside our direct control. The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated. There is free entry into the market. Prices at the pump reflect market factors such as global market price, transportation costs, euro-dollar fluctuations and other operating costs. In April 2008 the average price of petrol in Ireland was €1.20 per litre. The average price of diesel was €1.24 per litre. In April 2004 the average price of petrol was 93.8 cent per litre and that of diesel was 85.3 cent per litre.
Under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, electricity and gas prices are the statutory responsibility of the independent energy regulator, the Commission for Energy Regulation. I have no direct function in setting or regulating energy prices. I am, however, advised that the commission will commence its annual tariff review of Bord Gáis energy supply and ESB customer supply in the coming months. The commission has signalled that the recent upward trend in international fuel costs may have significant impact on electricity and gas costs for the coming tariff year 2008-09.
Increasing energy costs pose particular difficulties for vulnerable consumers, including the elderly and those on low incomes. A number of schemes are in place to assist those on low incomes in regard to fuel and electricity costs as well as to enhance the key contribution of energy efficiency to alleviating fuel poverty. The Revised Estimate for the Department of Social and Family Affairs includes provision of €158 million in respect of fuel allowance and electricity and natural gas allowances. I have provided €4 million to fund the warmer homes scheme in 2008. This scheme supports the installation of energy efficiency measures, including attic insulation, draught proofing, hot water cylinder insulation and wall cavity insulation. The scheme is co-ordinated by Sustainable Energy Ireland and is delivered principally through community-based organisations. Over 9,000 homes have benefited from the scheme since its introduction in 2003.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
The scheme is targeted at householders who are in receipt of the fuel allowance, disability benefit or invalid benefit and is provided either free of charge or for a nominal fee, less than €100. Households are identified by community-based installers working closely in association with other intermediaries including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, health services and GP networks.
The fuel poverty action research project is assessing the effectiveness of the interventions delivered under the current warmer homes scheme in addressing fuel poverty. Its final report is due in coming months. Information on all national and local schemes of assistance in respect of fuel poverty is provided in the cross-agency information pack Keep Well This Winter, Stay Well and Warm.
In addition, my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, introduced a new housing aid for older people scheme last November which provides targeted support to improve conditions in the existing housing of older people. The scheme supports works that can improve the energy efficiency of homes, including insulation, provision of central heating and repair or replacement of windows and doors.
The Minister must recognise that this is a grossly inadequate response to what is a real and extensive problem. I ask him to recognise that the impact of fuel poverty is very severe. It can and does take human life. On this island, it is reckoned that approximately 2,500 lives are lost in winter.
A fuel poverty strategy is in place in Northern Ireland. Does the Minister not accept that he has a particular responsibility to protect those vulnerable people who will simply not be able to heat their homes this winter? I ask him not to be so coy when it comes to giving information. We all know that Bord Gáis is talking about an increase of up to 20% and that the ESB is talking about something similar. In respect of petrol and diesel prices, will the Minister look to the example of Australia where a petrol commissioner has been appointed to take on the oil companies? Has the Minister dealt with the mystery of why diesel is still more expensive than petrol? Will he state how he intends to reduce the impact on people on low incomes and indeed people on incomes that are not necessarily that low because the pool is increasing all the time? These are the people directly affected by the steep rise in utility and petrol costs which we will see over the coming winter and which needs to be prepared for now and not left on the long finger.
We all need to recognise what the problem is. We need to represent the people and show them what the real problem is, which is that we are facing a peak in global oil production that is forcing prices up. We are not yet at the peak but we are close to it. We will see a plateau period where prices may go up or down but, inexorably, due to that geological certainty, we will see fossil fuel prices rise. We have a duty to be honest with the people, illustrate the scale of the problem and start leading this country away from our use of fossil fuels as the only correct long-term solution to protect us from this issue. There is——
That is sheer hypocrisy.
That is not hypocrisy, it is a truth.
As we speak, the Minister's colleague is putting oil-fired central heating into council houses across the country so the Minister should not lecture us about fossil fuels.
Deputy McManus must allow the Minister to proceed.
I am not lecturing. I am identifying——
The Minister's colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, is putting oil-fired central heating into low-income households. That is unsustainable and they will not be able to afford to pay for any——
I am not lecturing, I am simply seeking agreement on what the problem is.
The Minister should not talk to me about the problem.
That is the problem.
These people know what the problem is.
Identifying that as the problem demystifies the mystery of why diesel is more expensive. The reason diesel has been more expensive in recent times is that the demand for diesel globally is ahead of supply. It is because of events in China and other countries where it is being used in diesel generators because they are short of electricity. In Europe, it is because we are switching towards diesel cars. That is the reason diesel prices in every country have gone up.
That is backed up by the fundamental problem that we are approaching a peak in global oil production. We are not unaware of and are committed to protecting our people from fuel poverty in those circumstances in whatever way we can. I increased the budget in the warmer homes scheme from €2.5 million to €4 million to provide people with what is the only proper solution. This is insulating and reducing their use of the material as the best way of cutting back in their long-term spending.
The Minister should show me how.
The time for this question has expired.
My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, introduced a new housing aid for older people scheme last November which provides targeted support to improve conditions in existing housing for older people. These are real measures we are introducing but we cannot confuse the Irish people by not being clear and honest with them about what the fundamental problem is, which is a finite geological resource off which we must wean ourselves.
3 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has had contact with the National Consumer Agency or with the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment to address the high cost of diesel here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21646/08]
As I said in my reply to the previous question, the Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated. There is free entry into the market and prices at the pump for both petrol and diesel reflect market factors, notably global market price, transportation costs, euro-dollar fluctuations and other operating costs.
Traditionally, diesel has been less expensive than petrol at the forecourts in Ireland. This has been due to the fact that the international prices for both products were previously at a similar level and excise duty is lower on diesel. The international price of diesel has, however, increased because of a rising demand for diesel in Europe, as well as in China and other developing economies. European refineries have been unable to keep pace with the demand for diesel, which means that it has to be sourced from further afield, particularly Russia.
The International Energy Agency has also reported an over-supply of petrol in the market stemming from high production and high stocks of petrol in the US. This has curbed exports of petrol from Europe to the US, resulting in high stocks of petrol in Europe. The combination of these various market factors has contributed to the rise in diesel prices relative to petrol.
The increase in the price of diesel is affecting all of Europe. EU price figure comparisons published on 19 May 2008 show that the average price of diesel in Ireland in April was €1.24 per litre. This price ranks as the eighth cheapest price out of the 27 EU member states reported by the EU on 19 May. The average price of diesel in the UK in the same report was €1.56 per litre and the average EU price for diesel was €1.40 per litre. These comparisons demonstrate that Ireland is by no means the worst affected country in Europe in respect of the price of diesel.
My officials are in regular contact with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on a range of matters, given the clear relationships between energy policy, competitiveness and enterprise. Neither Department, however, has any role in respect of price control in the oil market. Price differences are an ongoing feature of the market economy and it is a matter for consumers to exercise choice.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
The Deputy will be aware that petrol stations are required to display their prices clearly so that consumers can make an informed choice. Consumer protection is a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and consumers can report any infringements of the law in this regard to the National Consumer Agency.
The upward global trend in oil prices and the prospects of a peak and then decline in global oil production reinforces the imperative for Ireland to reduce its oil dependency and to use energy wisely and efficiently. The actions we are taking to accelerate delivery of our targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency are essential to ensure a sustainable energy future for the economy and consumers.
I will be brief this time and give the Minister some time to answer my question. I came into this job working from the basic premise of thinking globally and acting locally. The Government has gone completely askew. It is blaming global matters and doing nothing locally.
Everybody knows that diesel is €1.40 per litre. The Minister is trying to get people to use environmentally friendly fuels but it has completely backfired. There is a danger that people might start buying petrol cars. There are no incentives for hauliers who have bought environmentally friendly lorries in terms of reduced motor tax for complying with environmentally friendly regulations.
In respect of doing something locally and not blaming global matters, the Minister mentioned countries from the UK to China to the US. In terms of something local, we on this side of the House launched a proposal to reduce the VAT rate from 13.5% to 12.5%, which would affect goods like coal, gas and electricity products. What is the Minister's position in respect of this proposal? Will he consider bringing it to Cabinet because it will directly affect the matter referred to by Deputy McManus, namely, heating oil for people? We are talking about a figure of approximately €300 million that is going directly as a windfall tax to the electricity producers, which could go directly to the consumer. What is the Minister's position on this and will he consider the Fine Gael proposal launched yesterday?
I am happy to set out my position. I disagree with the Fine Gael approach. That is the same approach suggested by Hillary Clinton in the US which involves giving a gas holiday tax break. Fundamentally, it is leading our people in the wrong direction and does not recognise the fundamental problem. To pretend that we can get out of this by just cutting tax and that no finite resource issue exists is to get it wrong. Instead I would give back any such financial resources we have to the Irish people to give them the chance to reduce their use of fuel in terms of——
That is the proposal.
No, what Deputy McHugh is proposing is a tax reduction, what I am saying is that I would give the Irish people the ability to reduce their use through investing in energy efficiency measures and new renewable energy fuel supplies that will not be subject to future price increases. Fine Gael is engaged in a short-term gimmick that does not address the fundamental long-term problem. It does not get us out of our use of fossil fuels. It is attempting to solve a problem——
With all due respect, we have had ten years of wealth in this country which we have not redistributed into the area about which the Minister is talking.
The Minister is in order.
The consumer can benefit directly rather than having a windfall for the producers.
The market could quite easily gobble up any such VAT reduction the Deputy proposes should be put in place. It does not provide a fundamental long-term solution to the problem, which is our use of fossil fuels.
The long-term solution could have been found ten years ago.
The Minister is in possession.
That money can be valuably used in cutting people's use of fuel, in developing a role in local supplies so that we are protected from future oil and gas price shocks. That is the correct policy decision.
Apart from aspirations, what are the Minister's alternatives?
The decision proposed by the Deputy is a short-term gimmick that does not address the fundamental problem.
What about the loss to this sector during the ten years when we had wealth, which was wasted and squandered by the Government of the day?
4 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will launch or bring forward a national strategy for the promotion of bio-fuels; the details of same; the role he envisages bio-fuels will play in Ireland’s energy mix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21647/08]
The Government is firmly committed to the sustainable development and deployment of bio-fuels in line with the EU commitments agreed by the European Council in March 2007. We have committed to achieving a target of 5.75% market penetration by 2010, in accordance with the current EU bio-fuels directive and Commission proposals in this area. We have also committed to achieving 10% market penetration of bio-fuels by 2020 which is the target proposed by the EU Commission. These targets will be underpinned by the introduction of a bio-fuels obligation in 2009. The proposed obligation will require all fuel suppliers to ensure that bio-fuels represent a certain percentage of their annual fuel sales. By moving to an obligation market players will be given the long-term certainty to make appropriate investment decisions. Eleven other member states have chosen obligations as their preferred policy option.
My Department is actively engaged in the EU Council Working Group, which is working to agree the sustainability criteria. Currently, the feed stocks used for bio-fuels production are generally sourced on the open internationally traded commodities market with little or no information attached to these with regard to their origins. It is only through setting stringent sustainability criteria that Ireland and other member states will be able to trace the source of these fuels, and obviate the cumulative effect of unsustainable practices on developing countries. I wholeheartedly support the Commission's commitment to ensuring that rigorous sustainability criteria are put in place and complied with under the new directive.
The obligation will build on the 2005 and 2006 mineral oil tax relief schemes for bio-fuels. A total of 18 projects have been awarded excise relief between 2005 and 2010. The schemes, valued at more than €200 million aim to ensure that Ireland reaches an initial target of over 2% market penetration of bio-fuels this year. The schemes are geared towards those producing bio-fuel. As a result of the excise relief schemes, bio-fuels are already being mainstreamed in blends of up to 5% at a number of existing petrol and diesel pumps.
Ireland's national bio-fuels obligation will take full account of EU developments on bio-fuels and related sustainability. Ireland is working closely with other member states in the negotiation of the directive to ensure that all bio-fuels placed on the European and Irish market are verifiably produced by reference to appropriate environmental and social sustainability criteria.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
The motive for promoting bio-fuels is to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector and to ensure we have an alternative fuel supply to power essential transport, agriculture and industrial services in the event of a disruption in conventional oil supplies.
I will shortly be launching the public consultation process on the proposed obligation which will allow all interested stakeholders to submit their views on the proposal. Specific details of the obligation will be finalised on foot of the consultation process and will reflect EU developments over the coming months.
The Minister's colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, announced the introduction of bio-fuels schemes in 2007 at which time he promised there would be a period of consultation to be followed by the introduction of legislation. It is now mid-2008 and as of yet consultation has not taken place. Furthermore, we are still completely in the dark about the proposed legislation. Will the Minister clarify if at this late date there will be a consultation period and, more important, will legislation on this area be introduced shortly?
Some 16 companies in this sector have been granted permits for excise duty. Does the Minister consider that figure of 16 companies is adequate or should the number of such permits granted be increased to stimulate the bio-fuels industry?
I hope and plan to have the consultation paper prepared in July this year. There will be a consultation process prior to any legislation being framed.
We are very much driven by the proposals being developed in the European Union. This is an area where we as a small country cannot control world markets or the World Trade Organisation's negotiation rules in the area. We have to work with the Commission. I agree with the key developments it is examining. The first is to guarantee that any bio-fuels development adds a carbon emissions reduction, namely, that there is an energy gain from it. A second development it is examining is that any bio-fuels development must be from sustainable resources. We must ensure we are not in the process of developing bio-fuel targets that would lead to world hunger, that would result in the chopping down of native rainforest or infringe other ecosystems which must be protected and that we can have a clear traceability of fuels so that we know exactly from where they are coming. It is through such European negotiations, which are ongoing and should be completed by the end of this year, that we will establish our policy framework.
A bio-fuels obligation system is the right way to go rather than the taxpayer subsidising the sector. The targets in this sector are different from some of our other renewable targets in that they are not targets for us to strain to exceed or reach at any cost. We need a small supply of bio-fuel alternative fuels to ensure that if we do have a serious future oil shock, we will have an essential alternative oil supply that will run essential farming, industrial and transport services to maintain our society.
The key incentive for me in developing bio-fuels is to have a security of oil supply in the event of a global oil shock. We would obtain a 1% or 2% supply from waste material, which is a small but significant percentage. Such energy generation contributes to solving an environmental problem and it is indigenous. The more companies there are in this area, the better. We should aim to grow as many bio-fuel crops as we can without bankrupting or destabilising other aspects of our agricultural industry. There is potential to grow additional crops, particularly if there is the development of second generation bio-fuels, which involve the use of a feed stock — not a product that would otherwise go into the food chain but one such as algae or some other such product that does not interfere with the food market. We will also be purchasing bio-fuels on the international market, but that can only be done within the constraint of the new EU obligation system which, itself, will set the criteria that makes sure that they are sustainable and that their production does not cause world hunger. That is the policy framework within which we will develop a bio-fuels policy.
Having regard to all the proposals the Minister mentioned, in terms of the windfall tax that will be substantially gained by the electricity producers up to 2012 in regard to carbon tax exemption, is he prepared to take back that levy and windfall gain and discuss with those involved what he is seeking to realise within a more sustainable and environmentally friendly society?
I ask the Minister to give a brief reply as I must move on to the next question.
My Department is looking at the details of that issue. It is an issue across the European Union because it is under the European emissions trading system that such windfall profit arises.
Will the Minister consider taking it back?
We are looking at the proposal. There are difficulties involved.
Will the Minister take it back?
I am trying to answer the Deputy's question. There is only one country in the European Union which has progressed a proposal in that regard, that is Spain. It is running into legal difficulties with it, which is a constraint, but it is something that we are looking at with the regulator.
Is the Minister looking at it or considering it?
I have to return to the fundamental principle I mentioned earlier. The way the Spanish are approaching this — and what Fine Gael proposes in this respect — is in terms of tax revenue, namely, that it would be taxed. Such tax yield would go back into the general tax revenue. My key point on this issue is that if we are raising any revenues, and it is not by any means certain or easy that it could be done effectively but if we can — and we are examining that — we would have to ensure that the revenue goes back into what is the most crucial investment we need to make, namely to turn this economy around to ensure a renewable, more energy efficient future.
We must move on to the next question, No. 5 in the name of Deputy Coonan.
5 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures his Department will take to address the rehabilitation of the Silvermines area following extensive mining in the past and the significant continuing pollution and health risks that remain of concern to the people in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21648/08]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has agreed to fund, through the Vote of my Department, the rehabilitation of the abandoned mine sites at Silvermines, County Tipperary. North Tipperary County Council agreed to act as agents in this matter and I am happy to continue with this arrangement.
In 2006, following a competitive tendering process, North Tipperary County Council appointed Golder Associates to finalise the design and manage the implementation of the rehabilitation programme as set out in earlier conceptual plans. The initial focus of the rehabilitation project at Silvermines is being placed on those sites that contain hazardous waste, Gortmore Tailings Management Facility and the waste facility at Garryard.
Planning permission was granted by North Tipperary County Council on 17 September 2007 for the design of rehabilitation work at the Gortmore Tailings Management Facility. A tender notice was advertised in the EU Journal on 21 January this year, following which seven companies were shortlisted and invited to submit a tender for the first phase of the rehabilitation works. Tenders were received from all seven companies on 21 April 2008 and subsequently assessed by Golder Associates. On 21 May 2008, my Department authorised North Tipperary County Council to issue a letter of intention to accept the tender of a construction firm for the first phase of the remediation works at Gortmore at Silvermines. I understand that this letter was issued by the council on 22 May and it is expected that works will commence on site in June, subject to the contractor producing insurances, bond and tax clearance.
I wish the Minister of State well in this Department. I welcome what has been announced for the Silvermines area, but the local people are disappointed that this is only a patching exercise. I understand that less than €2 million is being spent on a part of the site. There are six sites in total. The Minister mentioned two. The other four are Shallee, Gorteenadiha, Ballygowan and Magcobar. Will the Minister of State reaffirm the Government's commitment to the rehabilitation of the Silvermines Mogul sites and confirm that the necessary resources will be made available in the coming years? Will the Minister of State outline the funding which will be made available in 2009 and 2010 and the works which will be carried out?
The people of this area have been waiting for 26 years for this development. Before last year's election, a commitment of €10.6 million was made for the rehabilitation of Silvermines. There is a huge difference between €2 million and €10.6 million.
I am delighted to hear the Deputy's welcome for the decision to proceed with this work. This is a complex project and, for that reason, it is being carried out on a phased basis.
Will the Minister of State give the commitment?
The money has been provided and the works will start in June next. It is intended that the initial works will be completed by October. Further works are scheduled to take place in 2009 and 2010. It will be necessary to obtain a waste licence from the Environmental Protection Agency for the planned storage of hazardous waste at the Garryard site. This is a complex matter which is being actively pursued by the project team. It is expected that an application will be made for this purpose in the very near future.
Work is also continuing on finalising the detailed designs for the other sites to be rehabilitated at Silvermines. In addition, essential conservation works are being carried out on the historic mine structures at Ballygowan and Shallee. That money was made available and the Government has shown its commitment by providing €10.6 million for the work at Silvermines. I realise the threat it presents——
Where is the money? Why is it not being spent?
This is a complex project and must be dealt with on a phased basis. It is not something that can be done overnight. I appreciate that the people of the area have been waiting some time for it. However, the money has been provided, a Government decision made and work is starting. Deputy Coonan will not have to wait long before seeing the real commitment——
Not according to the RSK report.
Unfortunately, I cannot turn back the clock. We are keen to have this work proceed. The money has been provided and work will begin on the site next month.
Deputy Coonan, do you wish to ask a short supplementary question?
Will the Minister of State confirm that the complete works, as outlined in the RSK report which has been accepted by the Department and the County Council, will be carried out, even on a phased basis over the next two or three years, and that the funds will be made available?
The Government has already accepted the need to carry out rehabilitation works to make the site safe. It cannot be allowed to continue in its current state. We have already provided funds to make the site safer and those works are already in progress. They will be carried out on a phased basis.
The Government previously committed more than €10 million to this project. It will cost more. However, it is our intention to provide the necessary funds to ensure that the works are carried out on a phased basis. Some of those works will begin in June of this year. A figure of €2 million has been provided for that work. The other works which need to be done will take place in 2009 and 2010.
I hope that is a definite "Yes".
