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Thursday, 29 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 143-154

Crime Levels

Questions (143)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

143. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the threat that the recent rise in metal theft poses to the telecommunications industry; if he has had any dialogue with the main telecommunications and broadcasting companies here on the matter; if he will provide a list of metal communications infrastructure which has been stolen in the past two years; the estimated cost to the State of each of these thefts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53529/12]

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Written answers

The protection of telecommunications industry from metal theft is a matter for the owners of such property in the first instance. The investigation of any individual case of theft, as a criminal offence, is a matter for An Garda Síochána and is not therefore a matter in which I have any statutory role.

I am aware of reports of thefts from public lands and premises of metal for the scrap value. Clearly to the extent that such thefts impact adversely in the provision of telecommunications services then this would be a matter of concern to me. The problem has for example been brought to my attention by RTE in relation to metal theft at RTE sites and I have relayed my concerns on this matter to the Minister for Justice and Equality.

I understand that in the area of metal thefts, a number of initiatives have been developed by the Garda Síochána National Crime Prevention Unit.

A Metal Theft Forum has been established under the Garda National Crime Prevention Unit. This forum has met with stakeholders particularly affected by this type of criminality including those in the communications, energy supply, transport, brewery and farming sectors.

I also understand that a Metal Theft Crime Prevention and Reduction Plan which focuses on crime prevention and regulation of the scrap metal industry is at an advanced stage of development and this work is proceeding in consultation with the stakeholders represented on the Metal Theft Forum.

Question No. 144 answered with Question No. 26.

Tax Code

Questions (145)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

145. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are any plans to increase the amount of taxation on oil companies profits in Ireland considering the advanced technology that enables said companies to retrieve oil more easily from the Irish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53572/12]

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Written answers

Incremental advances in technologies of relevance to the international oil and gas exploration industry will not in general confer any greater advantage on Ireland relative to other countries with whom Ireland competes to attract mobile international exploration investment. Notwithstanding some positive recent indications, it is worth recalling that the Corrib gas field, which was discovered in 1996, was the last discovery in the Irish offshore to be declared a commercial discovery. The only producing gas fields in the Irish offshore are those in the Kinsale area and no oil has been produced to date.

The fiscal terms, which were last revised in 2007, seek to reflect the reality of Ireland’s exploration experience and seek to strike a balance between maximising the financial return to the State and the need to set the terms at a level that will encourage a greater share of mobile international exploration investment to the Irish offshore. Without a substantial increase in the level of drilling activity in the Irish offshore, from the current level of about one well per year, the true potential of our natural resources will not to be proven.

Ireland’s fiscal terms are set at a level similar to countries such as France, Portugal and Spain, who, like Ireland, have limited petroleum production and with whom we compete for investment, rather than at a level comparable to countries such as the UK and Norway who are major petroleum producers.

Broadband Services Provision

Questions (146)

Nicky McFadden

Question:

146. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will summarise the results achieved for those of the 2011 applicants noted in Parliamentary Question No. 991 of 18 September 2012 by county and by delivery platform dsl, fwa, mobile, satellite and so on, the number, if any, of applicants now remaining in the rural broadband scheme; the position regarding these applicants; the measures that will be taken on behalf of these applicants and when these measures will take place. [53574/12]

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Written answers

The Rural Broadband Scheme (RBS) was launched last year in recognition of the fact that despite the widespread availability of broadband throughout Ireland, there still remained individual premises that were unable to receive broadband provision. This Scheme is aimed at making a basic broadband service available to un-served premises in rural non-NBS areas.

The Application Phase of the RBS closed on 29 July 2011. The Department received 5,000 applications and of these, approximately 3,700 qualified under the terms of the scheme.

The details of applicants were passed to participating companies and the companies responded to DCENR indicating where they may be able to offer services. A total of 29 companies participated in this part of the Scheme and a total of 2011 applicants gave their consent to receive written offers of service from the participating companies.

Data files concerning these remaining 2011 applicants were sent on 30 March 2011 to the remaining participating companies (29 ISPs, no consents were received from applicants identified by two of the participating ISPs and one other withdrew from the process).

ISPs wrote to applicants during April 2012 with offers of service and sought to conclude matters with applicants (where it was possible to do so) over the period 20th April – 27th July 2012.

With all 29 ISPs having returned data files to the Department, the outcome of the Verification Process was that 509 applicants took up a service offered to them and 1496 applicants did not take up a service.

This can be further broken down on a county basis, showing the number of consents and number of offers accepted per county, along with the relevant percentage measurement as set out in the following table:

County

Consent to Receive Offers

Accepted Offer of Service

% Served per County

Carlow

21

7

33.33%

Cavan

45

11

24.44%

Clare

115

30

26.09%

Cork

146

44

30.14%

Donegal

151

56

37.09%

Dublin

46

9

19.57%

Galway

96

22

22.92%

Kerry

67

25

37.31%

Kildare

87

26

29.89%

Kilkenny

40

15

37.50%

Laois

70

22

31.43%

Leitrim

56

13

23.21%

Limerick

37

9

24.32%

Longford

81

17

20.99%

Louth

37

5

13.51%

Mayo

49

13

26.53%

Meath

97

18

18.56%

Monaghan

119

25

21.01%

Offaly

135

25

18.52%

Roscommon

57

8

14.04%

Sligo

42

12

28.57%

Tipperary

186

42

22.58%

Waterford

33

8

24.24%

Westmeath

102

16

15.69%

Wexford

67

21

31.34%

Wicklow

29

10

34.48%

Overall

2011

509

25.31%

The Internet service providers participating in the scheme were not required to provide information regarding the technology used to serve applicants and accordingly it is not possible to provide a breakdown of delivery platform for applicants served through the scheme.

The data returned by the participating service providers indicates that in the case of a total of 6 applicants, it was not possible to provide a service from any of the service providers who made offers.

In these cases, the next step is for my Department to assess what arrangements are necessary to enable a service to be offered to these applicants. However, as the locations in question are so difficult to serve by any of the existing service operators it is unlikely that a standard installation will be a workable solution and once-off solutions might be necessary. Accordingly, the first step is to arrange for the sites in question be visited by one of the Department’s technical officers to assess what, if any, workable solution might be found to assist in providing a basic broadband service at the locations in question. My Department will be contacting the applicants in question shortly to make the necessary arrangements.

Cyber Security Policy

Questions (147)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he and or his European colleagues have been made aware of the increasing incidents of cyber bullying; if any means have been found to combat the extent to which electronic means are used to threaten or intimidate persons of all ages and young person's in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53578/12]

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Written answers

The Office of Internet Safety has been established by the Government to take lead responsibility for Internet safety in Ireland particularly as it relates to children. This Office operates under the aegis of the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Office also aims at building linkages and cohesion between all Departments and Agencies to ensure that the State provides the best possible protection for the community and promotes Internet safety.

I also understand the Department of Education and Skills have recently set up an anti-bullying working group to address this issue and to make recommendations on how to tackle the challenges associated with cyber bullying.

My Department has developed a website called www.makeITsecure.ie to promote best practice in relation to many issues arising from the use of the Internet. This campaign, which was developed with industry, does provide some information in relation to use of ICT by children. While my Department does not lead on the specific issue of cyber bullying, it is available to assist in any initiative taken forward by the other Departments and continues to engage across all Departments in issues relating to the use of the Internet and ICT generally.

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Questions (148)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which non-fossil fuel electricity production contributes to the national electricity grid; the extent to which targets have been met regarding this to date; his plans for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53579/12]

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Written answers

Under the Renewable Energy Directive, Ireland is legally required to ensure that 16% of all energy consumed is from renewable sources by 2020. This target must be met across the electricity, heating and transport sectors, with a sub-target of 10% in transport. In order to meet 16% of total energy, Ireland requires 40% renewable electricity, 10% renewable transport and 12% renewable heat in 2020.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has recently published a report entitled Energy in Ireland. It shows that in absolute terms, the total use of renewables in Ireland has almost trebled between 2003 and 2011. In 2011, renewable energy accounted for 6.5% of overall energy:

- 17.6% of electricity usage

- 5% of thermal energy

- 3.6% of transport energy

The use of renewable energy avoided the emission of about 3.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2011. The use of wind energy in 2011 in Ireland is estimated to have reduced fuel imports by about €300 million. Achieving the requisite increase to meet our legally binding target in the relatively short timeframe available will be challenging.

In the electricity sector, EirGrid’s “Gate 3” initiative provides for sufficient new renewable generation to meet the 40% electricity sub-target. EirGrid is ensuring sufficient grid upgrade as part of its Grid25 programme as well as ensuring under the “DS3” programme that the necessary operational changes are made to the grid so that our 40% target can be achieved. It is estimated that around 200 MW of new renewable generation needs to be connected per annum to ensure our target is met. New renewable plants from onshore wind, hydro and biomass can apply to participate in the REFIT (Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff) scheme, administered by my Department.

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Questions (149)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the results to date arising from scientific research into the development of alternative energy sources with particular reference to wind energy, hydro or wave energy or other alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53580/12]

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Written answers

Scientific research into a range of alternative/ renewable energy sources has been taking place over many years, and continues to take place in Ireland and internationally. This is supported from both national and EU sources.

Such work can apply at various stages in the development path from idea to market: from basic research to applied research to development to demonstration to commercialisation. In the case of renewable energies, depending on the state of maturity of the technology, such research can focus on proof of concept (early research), or performance improvement, or cost efficiency. For the technologies referenced in the question, hydro and wind are more mature technologies whereas wave energy is still very much at the research and demonstration stage.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) hosts an energy research web portal on its website at http://www.seai.ie/Renewables/Energy_Research_Portal/ giving details on projects, technologies and research institutions. SEAI also annually publishes an inventory of energy research in Ireland, including renewable energies, on those pages.

The results of studies to date have indicated that wind energy is in the near term Ireland’s most abundant, technologically viable and cost competitive renewable energy resource and have further confirmed that the wind energy resource may contribute up to 40% of electricity demand without compromising a stable and reliable electricity system. It is therefore a renewable energy policy priority to utilise Ireland’s wind energy resource to the fullest extent possible to meet national 2020 EU renewable energy targets.

Gas and Electricity Disconnections

Questions (150)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which electricity prices here in respect of both a domestic and industrial consumer compare favourably or otherwise with those applicable in other EU member states within and without the Eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53581/12]

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Written answers

I have no statutory function in the setting of electricity prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated parts of these markets. Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. Since 4 April 2011 prices in the electricity retail market have been fully deregulated and business and domestic customers can as a result avail of competitive offerings from a number of electricity supply companies. Price setting by electricity suppliers is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned.

Global gas and oil prices have risen sharply since the start of 2011 driven by events in the Middle East, North Africa and Japan and demand from the emerging economies of China and India. There are clear indications that international oil and gas prices will rise further over the coming months. The Government is most concerned at the impact of higher electricity prices on residential and commercial consumers. It is the case that in the main Ireland is at the mercy of international fossil fuel prices which dictate the retail price of electricity.

At a national level, our competitive energy market helps put downward pressure on prices. In addition, we must focus on all possible additional actions to mitigate costs where possible for business and domestic customers. This is essential for competitiveness, employment and for economic recovery. I am committed to working with enterprise and with the energy sector to ensure that the costs of energy are as competitive as possible through those measures at our disposal including sustained focus on energy efficiency and renewables.

The latest analysis of data published by Eurostat for electricity and gas prices is published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and covers the period July to December 2011. As usual, price statistics are presented for a number of different business and domestic consumers, differentiated by consumption level. This material is publicly available. Most household electricity consumers saw increases of between 18% and 20% in prices during the second half of 2011. For large domestic electricity consumers, comprising 50% of the share of the domestic electricity market, electricity prices were, on average, 98% of those in the Euro area and 105% of those in the EU area. In the second half of 2011 prices to business users increased by just under 12% for most customers, on average. This meant that in the various business user categories, depending on the level of consumption, prices were from 94% to 116% of the EU area average, and from 90% to 110% of the Euro area average.

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Questions (151)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications for access to the national grid in respect of wind or other alternative energy generating sources; the average waiting time in respect of such applications based on experience over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53582/12]

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Written answers

EirGrid figures show that the total number of applications for renewable energy connection to the national grid to date is 879. Of these applications, wind represents 696 applications and other renewable sources represent 183 applications.

372 of these applications were received and placed in the queue from the date that the Gate 3 applications were closed which was November 2007. Until such time as any next gate process is decided upon these applications are not being processed further.

It is not straightforward to provide an “average waiting time” however the majority of these unprocessed applications were received between November 2007 and December 2009.

There has been considerable growth in the deployment of wind farms in Ireland from around 300 Mega Watts of capacity in 2005, to over 1,600 Mega Watts of capacity operational in the market today.

The latest forecasts from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland as to the amount of renewable generation required to meet our 40% renewable electricity target is around 4000 MW of operational capacity, subject to achieving our energy efficiency goals. Currently, approximately 2000 MW of renewable generation is connected to the grid including over 1600 MW of wind generation. A further 1500 MW of renewable generation, almost all of which is new wind generating capacity, has contracted with either EirGrid or ESB Networks.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) operates a processing approach for wind projects looking to connect to the electricity grid. This allows for a strategic view to be taken of network requirements and serves to put in place efficient connection solutions to cater for a large number of applications and to ensure optimum network development, minimising network costs and, where possible, avoidance of network bottlenecks. The EirGrid GRID25 strategy was devised to put in place the necessary infrastructure needed to underpin this market growth.

To date there have been 3 Gates and in the latest Gate 3 phase some 3900 MW of offers have issued to renewable generators. The take up of Gate 3 offers cannot be quantified as yet. Somewhere around 500 MW of Gate 3 have accepted their offers to date and have already contracted with EirGrid or ESB Networks. It is expected that between what is already built in Gate 1 and Gate 2 and what has already contracted to build along with the remainder of Gate 3 is largely sufficient for the achievement of our 40% target, even if some Gate 3 developers ultimately decide not to accept their offer.

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Questions (152)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the full extent of bio-fuel production with particular reference to biodiesel and ethanol; the full extent of all production facilities currently available; his plans for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53583/12]

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Written answers

According to the most recent Biofuels Obligation Scheme Annual Report, there were four entities producing biofuels participating in the Biofuel Obligation Scheme.

The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means to meet the target of at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020, which was mandated by the Renewable Energy Directive. It is estimated that 8.4% of the energy in transport in Ireland will be achieved by deployment of biofuels by 2020. The Biofuel Obligation currently requires that the amount of biofuels brought to the market is not less than 4% by volume of the relevant disposal of petroleum road transport fuels. This obligation will increase over time with the first increase happening from 2013. The biofuel obligation has successfully delivered increased amounts of biofuel in Ireland resulting in 145 million litres of biofuel being placed on the Irish market in 2011. It will ensure the sustainable growth of the Irish biofuels market thus supporting the growth of sustainable indigenous production of biofuels.

Energy Resources

Questions (153)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the degree to which this country’s dependency on imported fuel/energy sources has changed in relation to its reliance on imported fuels; the extent to which this has developed over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53584/12]

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Written answers

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) released its latest Energy in Ireland report on Tuesday November 27th. This shows that Ireland’s overall energy import dependency reached 90% in 2006 but has decreased to 88% in 2011. The SEAI report highlights that a number of factors influence this trend, including reduced production of domestic gas and peat. However, in recent years Ireland has begun to harness significant quantities of renewable resources. In 2011, renewable energy grew by 24% to represent 6.4% of Ireland’s gross final energy use.

Energy policy objectives for Ireland and the European Union are delivering security of supply and reducing the impact of energy costs for consumers and business through the development of renewable energy resources, enhanced energy efficiency and greater competition. National and EU energy policy objectives are also informed by the vital work of the IEA on all aspects of energy supply.

Ireland, however, remains critically dependent on imported fossil fuels, particularly oil and natural gas, which are subject to price volatility and geopolitical risks. This dependency underlines the immediate and long term imperatives of enhancing energy security and moving to more sustainable forms of energy. It is also critical for climate change targets. The Government is also committed to continuing and enhancing the delivery of significant energy efficiency improvements across the commercial, public and private sector. Energy efficiency will progressively reduce Ireland’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, while supporting energy competitiveness and security as well as employment and economic activity and reducing emissions.

Electricity Generation

Questions (154)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which the full potential of this country’s ability to export electricity is likely to be achieved in the short and medium term; the degree to which this is likely to impact on the economy in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53585/12]

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Written answers

In 2011, Ireland had 17.6% renewable electricity, 3.6% biofuels and 5% renewable heating, which amounted in total to 6.5% of all energy consumed being from renewable sources.

Our intention, in order to meet our 2020 binding targets, is to increase renewable energy to 40% in the electricity sector, 10% in the transport sector and 12% in the heating sector, which together amounts to 16% overall, in line with our legally binding target under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.

Separate to meeting our challenging national target, the potential for export of renewable electricity was outlined in the Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012-2020, which I published earlier in the year.

The mechanisms by which renewable energy can be traded with another country are provided for under the Renewable Energy Directive in Articles 6-12 on cooperation mechanisms.

Countries can agree statistical transfer, which involves the purchase of renewable credits by the importing country in order to meet their target or they can agree joint projects which involves identifying specific projects for the purpose of renewable trading and agreeing how the projects will be financed and how the renewable value will be counted towards each country’s renewable target under the Directive.

The use of these co-operation mechanisms under the Directive requires formal agreement between two or more Governments. Increased interconnection between the UK and Ireland offers Irish developers the prospect of being able to access a much larger electricity market.

The electricity market in GB is around ten times the scale of the electricity market in Ireland. In the short term there are opportunities for on and offshore wind and biomass projects, but in the medium to longer term as technologies mature and become commercially deployable, there will also be opportunities for wave and tidal developers. The volume of such trade that may develop over time depends on the ability of developers to successfully bring their projects through planning stages and achieve market access for their projects in the UK market.

There are currently a number of potential project developers that have expressed interest in renewable export. I have had a number of bilateral discussions with my UK counterpart in this regard and my officials are actively exploring the possibility of trade in renewable energy between the two jurisdictions, with a view to reaching a Memorandum of Understanding by end year. If the Irish Government decides to enter an Inter-Governmental agreement under the Directive with the UK or another Government, it will have to ensure sufficient return and benefits to the state from such projects. This would likely include either a share of the renewable value or the imposition of a royalty of some type.

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