Written Answers Nos. 41-52
41. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals for a new offshore licensing and permitting regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53265/12]
View answerI have no proposals for a new offshore licensing and permitting regime at this time.
42. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the assessment of the International Energy Agency in its World Energy Outlook report that fears of peak oil are unfounded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53273/12]
View answerThe recently published IEA World Energy Outlook 2012 outlines how ongoing discoveries of oil and new methods of extraction of oil and gas combined with increased use of renewable resources continue to change the fossil fuel landscape as well as having impacts on global energy markets. Oil production is projected to rise from 84million barrels per day in 2011 to 97 million barrels per day in 2035 with the increase coming from natural gas liquids and unconventional sources.
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 critical work of the IEA on all aspects of energy supply.
Oil prices are impacted by geo-political uncertainties and fluctuating economic demand in OECD and developing economies. Volatility in global oil prices underscore the Government’s commitment to delivering national energy efficiency and renewable energy objectives which are aimed at moving the economy away from over reliance on imported carbon intensive fossil fuels. Irrespective of new global oil and, in particular, gas scenarios, Ireland needs to sustain all efforts to reduce the fossil fuel bill and reduce emissions.
The electrification of transport offers potential for Ireland, not just in terms of energy savings but also because of the opportunity to better utilise grid sourced renewable electricity, as work continues to progressively deliver on the target of 40% renewable generation by 2020.
The Biofuel Obligation Scheme is also enabling the sustainable growth of an Irish biofuels market affording opportunities for indigenous biofuel producers and displacing traditional oil products in the transport sector.
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.
44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which oil, gas or other exploration licences have issued on an annual basis over the past five years; the extent, if any, to which commercially viable sources have been identified on or offshore; if recent findings have indicated more positive results than in the past; when he expects to receive confirmation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53275/12]
View answerThe number of Mineral Prospecting Licences and Petroleum Exploration Licences granted in each year between 1January 2008 and to date in 2012 are set out in the following table:
Licences Granted during period 2008 – 2012
|
Year |
Prospecting Licences (Minerals) |
Petroleum Exploration Licences |
|
2008 |
91 |
5 |
|
2009 |
66 |
1 |
|
2010 |
93 |
0 |
|
2011 |
98 |
2 |
|
2012 |
102 (to 26 Nov. 2012) |
0 (to 26 Nov. 2012) |
|
Total |
450 |
8 |
While there have been no new commercial discoveries of oil and gas in the Irish onshore and offshore in the past five years the drilling of an appraisal well in the Barryroe prospect in the Celtic Sea has shown encouraging results. More work will be required to determine if the discovery is actually commercial and it is not clear at this stage how long this process will take. The only petroleum discovery in recent years that has been declared commercial but has yet to be developed is the Corrib Gas Field.
While no new commercially viable deposits of minerals have been discovered recently, there have been some encouraging results, particularly in Counties Limerick and Clare. However, it is too early to determine whether these results will lead to identification of commercially viable deposits or to estimate the economic benefits that might accrue.
Details of all exploration licences can be found in the six-monthly reports to the Oireachtas, which I am obliged to lay before the Houses under the Petroleum and other Minerals Development Act 1960 and Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999, respectively. These reports are also available on the Department’s website at: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/Petroleum+Affairs+Division/Acreage+and+Activity+Reports/
and http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/Exploration+and+Mining+Division/Oireachtas+Reports/
46. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that the digital switch over/analogue switch off is complete, his plan for reuse of what are known as white spaces in the broadcast spectrum in and around the new digital transmission and across the part of the spectrum used previously by analogue; and if he will ensure that the spectrum is put to best use for citizens and not sold off to private telecommunications companies in long licences. [53121/12]
View answerThe management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. ComReg is, of course, independent in the exercise of this spectrum management function.
As you may be aware ComReg recently completed a multiband spectrum auction process and awarded spectrum rights in the former 800, 900 and 1800 MHz bands. In the run up to the auction and in accordance with its statutory functions, ComReg consulted extensively on its proposals for the release of spectrum rights of use in these bands. This award process marks a vital step in allowing for the next generation of advance mobile services to be made available for Irish consumers and businesses from next year. It was also an extremely good outcome for the Exchequer and the taxpayer with €855m being paid for the spectrum of which over €450m will accrue in 2012.
The analogue television network was switched off on 24th October 2012, and the replacement Digital TV service (DTT) Saorview is operating from over 60 transmission sites which provide coverage to over 98% of the population. In common with the analogue television service before it, DTT does not use all of the available UHF spectrum which is standardised for use by television receiving equipment. The unused spectrum blocks interleaved between the DTT transmissions are known as “white spaces”.
The future development of DTT and the surrounding white spaces needs further consideration both at a national level as well as at an EU level. Significant research on future possible uses of white spaces and potential equipment has been undertaken within Ireland. It is my objective that any further release of spectrum will be done in a way that maximises the economic value of the spectrum whilst ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.
47. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the recent 5% increase in electricity rates sanctioned by the Commission for Energy Regulation, if he will provide a breakdown of percentage of this cost which was to facilitate the expansion of wind energy and an indication of future increases which will be necessary to complete the proposed programme in the National Renewable Energy Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53339/12]
View answerI 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 accordingly the CER no longer sanctions or approves electricity prices in the market. Business and domestic customers can as a result of deregulation avail of competitive offerings from a number of electricity supply companies.
The Public Obligation Service (PSO) levy has been in place since 2001 and is the support mechanism for peat generation and the development of renewable electricity. The PSO also supports the output of two gas fuelled power plants built in 2005 to secure much needed generation capacity at the time. The levy is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur by purchasing electricity generated by the three peat stations and renewable energy sources. The levy has supported the connection of more than 1,400 MW of renewable energy, mostly wind, to the electricity grid over the last decade.
The CER determines the PSO levy which is a charge on all electricity customers. Its legal basis and method of calculation are set out in the regulations made under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. The CER publishes its decision on the total amount of the PSO as a result of these calculations annually for the purposes of determining the amount of the PSO to be charged for the forthcoming year starting 1st October. In August 2012 the CER published its decision paper on the PSO levy for 2012/2013, which came into effect on 1st October 2012. A total PSO levy of €131.2m has been calculated for 2012/13, of which €47.4 million of the cost is attributable to renewables (i.e. just over one third of the PSO). The PSO levy amount per customer is estimated by the CER for the coming year to be €27.82 per domestic customer (€2.32 per month), of which approximately €9 per annum would be attributable to renewable energy on this basis. This is among the lowest costs to consumers for the support of renewables in any EU Member State.
It is the case that the development of renewable energy in Ireland is lowering our exposure to the volatile fossil fuel imports market in the long run and that the existing feed-in tariff reflected in the PSO levy is essential to support this development.
Under Directive 2009/28/EC Ireland is required to achieve a legally binding renewable energy target by 2020 and as part of the Directive, each Member State was required to produce a National Renewable Energy Action Plan for submission to the European Commission setting out how the target would be achieved.
Ireland’s target is 16% overall, with a minimum of 10% in the transport sector. The target has to be met across heat, electricity and transport, which each represent approximately one third of our energy consumption.
At end 2011, 6.5% of Ireland’s energy consumption was from renewable resources and a further 9.5% is required in the next 8 years if Ireland is to meet its target. This will require a significant expansion in renewables. In terms of the electricity sector, Ireland’s intention is to meet a large proportion of the national target (40%) through onshore wind, which is cost effective to the electricity consumer. A decision was taken earlier in 2012 to pursue onshore wind over offshore wind in meeting Ireland’s national target in the first instance on cost grounds and in this regard a new feed in tariff scheme was introduced for onshore wind, while it was decided not to introduce a tariff for offshore wind.
A number of studies have to date been undertaken to examine the effect of renewables on electricity prices by various bodies including the ESRI, the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) and jointly by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland SEAI) and EirGrid. The ESRI and IWEA studies both looked at 2020, while the SEAI and EirGrid study looked at 2011. The SEAI and EirGrid study found that because wind reduces the cost of wholesale electricity when wind is available on the system, the effect of the PSO was cancelled out and the cost was effectively zero. While this is true for 2011, it is acknowledged that a significant amount of grid build and grid upgrading is required to achieve the 2020 target and the same might not hold true for 2020. The ESRI study found that wind is a hedge against high fossil fuel prices. In that regard wind also provides security of supply benefits along with climate and sustainability benefits.
My Department, together with the SEAI, CER and EirGrid, are conducting a joint study to look at the anticipated effect of renewables in 2020, taking into account the requirement to upgrade the grid.
48. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if any form of hydraulic fracturing will be permitted should an exploratory licence be granted in the Lough Allen Basin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53331/12]
View answerI can confirm, that until there has been time to consider the second stage of the EPA research on the environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing as a means of extracting natural gas from underground reserves, the terms of reference for which are currently being scoped, that the use of hydraulic fracturing will not be authorised over any area in the Lough Allen Basin.
51. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Sandra McLellan den Aire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ar na bearta atá tógtha ag an Rialtas chun fostaíocht san earnáil TCF a mhealladh go dtí an Ghaeltacht; agus cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ó thaobh clúdach leathanbhanda a leathnú chun cabhrú leis an bhfostaíocht sin a mhealladh. [52972/12]
View answerIs é aidhm Scéim Leathanbhanda Náisiúnta an Rialtais atá foilsithe le déanaí, ná an tírphictiúir leathanbhanda a athrú go radacaí lena chunntiú go mbeidh seirbhísí ard-luasa 30Mbps ar a laghad a chur ar fáil dar saoránaigh agus lucht gnó tamall maith roimh 2020, sprioc dáta an AE, agus chomh maith leis sin go mbeidh seirbhísí níos luaithe ar fáil d’ oiread teaghlaigh agus lucht gnó is féidir.
Is é ceann de na phríomh bearta i seachadadh na gealltanais 30Mbps agus 40Mbps ná an tasc mapáil náisiúnta, foirmealtá a chriochnú chun eolas cruinn a fháil maidir leis na sóláthraithre seirbhísí tráchtalá atá ann anois agus atá pleanáilte ar fud na tíre. Chun an tasc seo a bhrostú tá obair ullúmhcháin tosnaithe ag mo Roinn.
Athdheirim go bhfuil an Rialtas tiomanta na luasanna thuasluaite a sheachadadh lena chinntiú go mbeidh seirbhísí nua-aimseartha, árd luasa, leathanbhanda ar fáil i ngach chuid den tír, an Ghaeltacht iniatach.
Tugann Údarás na Gaeltachta tacaíocht do ghnólachtaí atá ag plé le teicneolaíocht faisnéise agus cumarsáide i roinnt ceantar Gaeltachta. Chomh maith le sin, tá dul chun cinn suntasach déanta ó thaobh an bhonneagair theileachumarsáide de le blianta beaga anuas agus tá seirbhís leathanbhanda ard-luais iomaíoch ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht, atá in ann freastal ar bheagnach gach uile riachtanas cumarsáide gnó.
52. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a situation (details supplied) regarding investment properties; if his Department has had any involvement or plan to have any involvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53534/12]
View answerI am aware of the case regarding investment properties in Turkey to which the Deputy refers. My Department has received a number of representations on the issue. The Irish Embassy in Ankara has been asked to raise the issue and has written to the relevant Turkish Authorities detailing the concerns of Irish citizens. However, the Deputy will be aware that the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade concerning private property transactions by Irish nationals abroad is limited and redress in such cases should be sought through the relevant legal system.
