Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012
392. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline in tabular form the commitments in the Programme for Government pertaining to his ministerial portfolio; the current status of these commitments in terms of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42875/12]
View answerIn March this year the first Annual Report setting out progress being made on the commitments in the Programme for Government, was published. It is the intention of Government to publish the second annual report next March which will set out specific progress on implementation during the second year.
I have outlined in tabular format below the commitments in the Programme for Government which relate to my Department along with the current status on each.
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Commitments under the Programme for Government |
Status |
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Secure additional resources for the national housing energy retrofitting plan, as part of plans to phase out subsidies in this area by 2014 |
Completed |
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We will double funding for home energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes until the end of 2013, after which time these schemes will be ended. After 2013, we will roll out a "pay as you save" scheme to continue home energy efficiency retrofitting work without recourse to public funding. We will explore the use of funding options such as an Energy Efficiency Obligation on energy suppliers |
In progress |
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We will tender for a "pay as you save" contract to insulate all public buildings in the state, where the contractor provides the capital |
In progress |
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We will facilitate the development of energy co-operatives to make it easier for small-scale renewable energy providers to contribute to our renewables target |
In progress |
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A Next General Telecoms Network: NewERA will co-invest with the private sector and commercial semi state sector to provide next generation broadband to every home and business in the state. This will be achieved by delivering fibre to the home or kerb for 90% of homes and businesses in Ireland with the remaining 10% provided with high speed mobile or satellite broadband |
In progress: The National Broadband Plan was published on 31st August last; it will provide high speed broadband to all parts of the country including a minimum commitment of 30 mbps to all premises and is based on co-investment with the private sector |
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A 21st century "Smart Grid": Beginning with the hand-over of ESB's transmission assets to Eirgrid, we will create a new "Smart Grid" company with ultimate full ownership and responsibility for the development of Ireland's electricity and gas networks |
Government has decided that ownership of transmission assets should remain with ESB and EirGrid will continue as transmission system operator. Progress being made in Smart Grid development. |
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Bio-Energy and Forestry: To accelerate the development of Ireland's forestry and bio-energies, NewERA will merge together Bord na Móna and Coillte to create a new State company called BioEnergy Ireland to become a global leader in the commercialisation of next generation bio-energy technologies, including an annual 14,700 afforestation programme |
Under review: Further development of plans for a merger between Coillte and Bord na Móna will have regard to the outcome of the Bioenergy Strategy process. |
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Complete and publish a strategy to tackle fuel poverty |
Completed |
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We will legislate to support the geothermal sector |
In progress |
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We will ensure that future wind farms are built in locations where wind regime is best and that they are built in large numbers or in clusters to reduce cost of connection to grid under new "planned" Gate 4 process, as opposed to existing "developer led" system |
In progress: Whilst taking full account of need to build out wind energy capacity in line with Ireland’s ambitious targets in this case |
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We will incentivise and promote off-shore drilling and streamline planning and regulatory process for bringing ashore these reserves and seek to maximise the return to the Irish people |
In progress |
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We will review and reform the PSO levy to ensure that only most cost-effective projects are supported by ReFIT tariff and that consumer can benefit from claw-back when market prices exceed tariff or where appropriate, share of profits or royalty. |
In progress: Revised ‘REFIT’ tariff commenced and REFIT for biomass also commenced |
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We will appoint an independent international expert commission to review and report, within six months, on a case for, and cost of, undergrounding (all or part of) Meath-Tyrone 400KV power lines. |
Completed |
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We will provide ReFIT for micro-generators wishing to produce electricity for their own homes, farms and businesses and facilitate them to sell surplus electricity to the grid. The tariff will not be significantly above single energy market price for electricity. |
In progress |
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We will mandate the regulator to require all broadband providers to publish average speeds for each package. |
In progress |
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We will restrict misleading advertisements relating to monthly caps. |
In progress |
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We will introduce a new government rating system so that home owners and tenants can assess broadband facilities easily. |
Action required |
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We will examine the role, and collection of, the TV license fee in light of existing and projected convergence of broadcasting technologies, transform the TV licence into a household-based Public Broadcasting Charge applied to all households and applicable businesses, regardless of the device they use to access content and review new ways of TV licence collection, including the possibility of paying in instalments through another utility bill (electricity or telecom), collection by local authorities, Revenue or new contract with An Post. |
In progress |
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We will review the funding of public and independent broadcasters to ensure a healthy broadcasting environment in Ireland. |
In progress |
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We will maintain the current regime with regard to the Heineken Cup. |
Completed |
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A universal postal service is an essential public service, in particular for rural communities and those disadvantaged communities affected by digital divide. A publicly owned, commercially viable, profitable and efficient An Post is critical to the long-term viability of the postal market. We will enact into law the Postal Services Bill which opens postal market to competition. Will protect universal service obligation by assigning it to An Post for at least 20 years, make provision for state subvention and require that any decision by ComReg to reassign or scrap USO is subject to ministerial approval. |
Completed (universal service obligation has been assigned to An Post for 12 years) |
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We will ensure that the network of post offices around the country is maintained and that communities have access to adequate postal services in their locality. |
In progress |
