Written Answers Nos. 146-53
147. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will intervene to revive the proposed €600 million liquid gas terminal at Tarbert; if he will introduce a legislative mechanism to address the impediments and ensure that the LNG terminal is developed as it would increase security and diversity of energy supply and give direct access to competitive gas supplies which is crucial for our economic recovery. [54652/13]
View answerSince 2002, the regulation of the gas market has been the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is independent in the performance of its functions. I have no direct statutory function in relation to liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, including specific projects like the Shannon LNG project. The LNG facility would provide additional security of supply to Ireland in that it would bring diversity to Ireland's supply sources and would bring connectivity for the first time to the global LNG market. The prospect of such a facility is therefore a potentially positive step for the island of Ireland. Decisions on the regulatory treatment of the gas interconnectors and tariffing are statutorily matters for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. Therefore, policy in relation to tariff setting has been settled since 2002 when the Oireachtas conferred responsibility for tariff setting on the CER. The CER as the independent energy regulator has a remit to protect energy consumers, ensure security of supply and support competitiveness. The CER also has a duty to ensure that new sources of gas for the Irish market do not result in unwarranted increases in the price of gas to business and domestic consumers.
On the 29 June 2012 the CER published a decision in regard to the regulatory treatment of the BGE interconnectors. That decision subsequently became the subject of a Judicial Review by Shannon LNG. On the 11 December, 2013, the High Court upheld the CER decision of 29 June 2012 on reform of the tariffing regime. The matter of an appeal of that decision is an issue for consideration by Shannon LNG.
I understand that the CER intends to carry out a consultation on tariff settlement in Quarter 1 of 2014 with decisions in Quarter 2. Tariff reform is being driven by the entry of Corrib gas into the system, with first flows anticipated in 2015. Therefore, it is in the interests of all stakeholders, including consumers, that clarity in regard to tariffing arrangements is obtained as soon as possible and I would urge all concerned to engage with the CER on its forthcoming consultation on this regulatory issue.
The independence of the CER in its decision making is expressly provided for in EU legislation as transposed into Irish law. Requests have been made to me as Minister to issue a policy direction to the CER in accordance with powers of direction provided under section 10A of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. Section 10A of the 1999 Act, as amended, does provide that I may give “general policy directions” from time to time. However, I am expressly precluded from giving any policy direction in respect of any individual undertakings or persons. Taking account of binding EU legislation as transposed into Irish law in regard to the independence of regulators and the assignment of gas regulatory functions to the CER, including tariffing, I am of the view that Section 10A of the 1999 Act does not provide an adequate legal basis for a direction sought by and for the benefit of an individual entity.
148. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the names and amount by which each programme manager-special adviser in his Department has exceeded the relevant pay guidelines as laid down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54747/13]
View answerMy Department requested sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to appoint my Special Advisers, Mr Finbarr O' Malley and Mr Simon Nugent, at salary rates commensurate with their previous remuneration. Sanction was granted to appoint Mr. O’Malley at a salary rate of €83,337 per annum and Mr. Nugent at a salary rate of €97,200 per annum. Both salaries have been subsequently reduced in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013 and the relevant provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement.
149. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the research that has been undertaken to date in relation to the potential link between electromagnetic field, EMF, emissions and childhood leukaemia; the recent research or reports that have been undertaken-published in respect of the overall potential health risks, if any, that are associated with non-ionising radiation emitted from pylons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54527/13]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question Nos. 380 and 381 on yesterday’s Order Paper which sets out the position in this matter.
150. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the COP 15 fast start finance promised to the amount to $30 billion for the period 2010-2012 by developed countries, what the Irish Government did to deliver fast track finance in 2012; whether these disbursements were reported in the fast track finance database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54603/13]
View answerFor the year 2012, Ireland reported a contribution of €33.22m in respect of fast start finance. Details of Ireland’s contributions to fast start finance have been provided to the European Commission and the Secretariat to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
151. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a pension cut in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54609/13]
View answerPensions of former local authority employees are subject to the Public Service Pension Reduction. The arrangements for the payment of these pensions is a matter for each individual local authority under the provisions of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme.
152. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has concerns at reports that more than 320,000 persons are drawing their water from risky supplies; the work that is being undertaken to upgrade these supplies; when this work is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54494/13]
View answerSince 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has profiled public water supplies to determine whether the supply needs to be replaced or upgraded, or operational practices improved to ensure that there are no risks to the supply of drinking water. Supplies which require such improvement are included in a list known as the Remedial Action List (RAL).
Many of these supplies are small and where infrastructure improvements are required, my Department has made funding available to local authorities through a special contingency fund under the Rural Water Programme (RWP). Over €30m has been provided by my Department since 2008 under the RWP for this purpose. Larger supplies are included in the current Water Services Investment Programme 2010–2013 under the environmental objective which sought to undertake works required to respond to Environmental/Public Health objectives.
The first RAL published by the EPA in 2008 identified 339 public water supplies where action was required to ensure that there were no risks to the supply of drinking water. The latest EPA report on the Provision and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland (December 2013) confirms that 237 supplies have been removed from the original list because the necessary remedial actions were completed. Some supplies have been added to the original RAL and the latest figures from the EPA show that 147 supplies remain on the list.
From 1 January 2014 Irish Water will be responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure and is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 - 2015. This Plan will provide for the transition of relevant projects currently included in the Water Services Investment Programme.
153. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the average period of extension granted by local authorities on applications for an extension of planning permission based on substantial works having already been carried out. [54496/13]
View answerMy Department collates and publishes a wide range of planning statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy, and those data are available on my Department’s website. Data on the total numbers of extensions to planning permissions granted by the planning authorities on an annual basis are included in these data; however, statistics for the average period for such extensions are not collected by my Department.
