Written Answers Nos. 341-358
341. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuair sé féin nó an tAire Stáit sa Roinn cuireadh chuig an fhógairt post i gCorr na Móna, Co. na Gaillimhe ar 3 Feabhra 2014; má fuair, ar lorg siad comhairle Arc Heart i dtaobh freastal ar an ócáid; cén chomhairle a cuireadh orthu; cén fáth nach raibh ceachtar acu i láthair ag ócáid chomh tábhachtach sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [6875/14]
View answerI dtús báire, is mian liom a shoiléiriú don Teachta go raibh cuireadh faighte agam ón gcomhlacht atá i gceist a bheith i láthair le fógra a dhéanamh faoi na poist atá le cruthú acu i gCorr na Móna, Co. na Gaillimhe le tacaíocht ó Údarás na Gaeltachta. Go deimhin, bhí glactha agam go fonnmhar leis an gcuireadh sin. B’éigean dom áfach an socrú sin a chur ar ceal de bharr cúinsí pearsanta agus bhí sé seo curtha in iúl don chomhlacht roimh ré. An méid sin ráite, ní miste dom a rá go bhfuil áthas orm go raibh ar chumas Údarás na Gaeltachta tacaíocht a chur ar fáil don chomhlacht le tabhairt faoina phleananna forbartha. Táim sásta ach go hairithe go gcabhróidh na deiseanna fostaíochta a thiocfaidh as an bhfiontar seo go mór leis an gceantar sin agus go deimhin leis an gceantar Gaeltachta máguaird.
342. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the average wind speed for the proposed development site of wind turbines in the midlands regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6216/14]
View answerWind speeds and other business case variables for proposed wind farms are matters for project developers and not matters in which I, as Minister, have any role or function.
343. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 476 of 15 January 2014, if he will provide an update on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6219/14]
View answerAs outlined in my reply to Question No. 476 of 15 January, the ownership of the telecommunications mast in this case and any legal issues therein are primarily matters for RTÉ and other parties to the case. Section 98 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that RTÉ shall be independent in the pursuance of its objects and as such, I, as Minister, have no function in this matter.
That said, on foot of this response, my Department has contacted 2RN (formerly RTÉNL) in relation to this issue for their advice on the matter. This has now been received and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
344. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the average cost of domestic electricity bills and the average cost of domestic gas bills for each year from 2007 to 2013, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6244/14]
View answerI have no statutory function in the setting of electricity or gas 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.
While the CER still regulates the domestic tariff for Bord Gáis Energy, prices for all other electricity and gas offerings vary from supplier to supplier and customers are free to choose the best offer for their particular needs.
The cost of electricity and gas bills for customers will vary widely according to their usage and according to the price of electricity or gas they are charged by their supplier. Therefore the average cost is not necessarily a useful benchmark as the cost will vary widely from customer to customer.
The most recent detailed analysis of average Irish electricity and gas prices, as supplied to Eurostat, is set out in the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) Electricity and Gas price report. This report analyses data published by Eurostat collected under the methodology for the EU Gas and Electricity Price Transparency Directive. Since 2008, comparable data for all EU states is published every six months. The focus of the report is on the comparative electricity and gas price data for the first semester (January - June) of 2013. The report is available at: http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/EPSSU_Publications/#sthash.y8tjLqd4.dpuf.
345. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of Europe's wind energy potential Ireland possesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6297/14]
View answerIreland has one of the very best wind energy resources, both onshore and offshore, in Europe. Realising the potential of this abundant resource will allow Ireland to increase indigenous energy production, thereby reducing our dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports and improving our security of supply, while also contributing to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and creating jobs in the green economy.
I am advised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), that, based on a number of sources such as the work of the European Environment Agency, and ongoing work at national level, Ireland possesses, on 2020 timescale, around 5% of the total EU onshore wind energy resource that at this point could be technically exploited. All wind energy development is subject to planning consents, which includes environmental assessment.
Looking beyond 2020, Ireland is estimated to have around 45% of the offshore wind energy resource within the EU. However the level of this offshore resource that could be utilised will be dependent on a number of factors including environmental sustainability, the development of market demand for mature fixed wind technology, and the development of floating wind technology, currently at the research stage. The Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, which I published on 7 February, found that it could be environmentally sustainable to develop 4,500 MW of offshore wind in Irish waters in the period to 2030.
These figures demonstrate Ireland's high level of onshore wind resource relative to our landmass in European terms, and the very high potential Ireland has for offshore wind, given our location on the Atlantic seaboard of the EU.
346. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the memorandum of understanding signed between his Department and the British Government regarding the export of renewable energy from Ireland is a legally binding document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6298/14]
View answerThe Memorandum of Understanding on energy co-operation is not a legally binding document. It is, however, a statement of both Ireland's and the UK's shared interest in exploring the opportunity to export green electricity from Ireland to Britain. It has led to detailed consideration, which is continuing, of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of both countries.
For Ireland to enter into any Inter-Governmental Agreement there would have to be clear, realisable and significant benefits accruing to Ireland. Any potential rewards would have to outweigh all potential risks.
Subject to the on-going cost benefit analysis being finalised, and agreement regarding the benefits accruing to Ireland from any agreement, the ambition would be to settle an Inter-Governmental Agreement during 2014.
347. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is any legal requirement for companies supplying energy to Irish consumers to source a percentage of their energy from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6373/14]
View answerThere is no legal requirement for companies supplying electricity or heat to Irish consumers to source some of that energy from renewable sources.
The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means for Ireland to meet the target of at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020, which was mandated by the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive. The scheme works by obligating road transport fuel suppliers to bring a certain amount of biofuels, currently 6% by volume, to the market.
The principal supports for the development of renewable electricity are the three Renewable Electricity Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes which work by guaranteeing a minimum price for renewable energy generation over a 15 year period.
348. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made to make broadband available in Sallybrook, Glanmire, County Cork; the timeframe before the whole area will have coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6399/14]
View answerIreland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County can be found on a number of websites, including ComReg’s website at www.callcosts.ie as well as the websites of individual commercial operators.
The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses, including those in County Cork. This will be achieved by providing:
- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and
- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
Since the publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway and in some instances have been accelerated in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. In the fixed line segment of the market, Eircom has announced plans to pass some 1.4m addresses with its next generation broadband service, with speeds of up to 100Mbps, while UPC has increased its entry level and maximum speeds to 120Mbps and 200Mbps respectively. Mobile operators have also made announcements regarding network upgrades and are rolling out enhanced product offerings. I am aware of at least one service provider announcing that it will be providing advanced broadband services in Glanmire, County Cork before July 2016 and my Department will be happy to discuss this further with the Deputy.
These developments have been facilitated through the implementation of measures in the National Broadband Plan, including the conclusion of ComReg's multiband spectrum auction, and the new regulatory regime for fixed line Next Generation Access and service bundles. Both of these measures are designed to incentivise the rollout of services by operators.
The ESB Electronic Communications Bill, which I introduced last month, is a further step in promoting investment in competitively priced high speed broadband. The Bill will, when enacted, enable the ESB to utilise its electricity distribution network to provide telecommunications services in the Irish market.
In tandem with these developments, intensive work continues in my Department in relation to a State-led investment to secure the countrywide introduction of next generation broadband access. In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained. My Department is engaged in a comprehensive mapping exercise of the current and anticipated investment by the commercial sector over the coming years, the results of which will inform the areas that need to be targeted in the State-led investment as envisaged in the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations, including stakeholder engagement, are ongoing. The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched in 2014.
Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in, and maximise the benefits of, a digitally enabled economy and society.
349. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the legislation that has been introduced to set a minimum standard for broadband speed access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6407/14]
View answerThe delivery of specific broadband speeds to end users is dependent on a number of variables including the equipment used by the consumer, distance from the consumer to the access point in the network, core network traffic and the capacity of the server being accessed in the case of the internet.
Speed may also be affected by the use of a wireless router or “wifi” in the consumer premises. Almost all of these factors are beyond the control of the service provider.
In addition, broadband speeds in the marketplace are currently evolving rapidly, and are likely to continue to do so in the future, as new technologies and enhancements arise. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to include a provision in primary legislation providing for penalties for non-delivery of advertised speeds.
I understand that ComReg has taken a number of proactive initiatives to address consumer concerns with respect to speeds including working closely with the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland and providing enhanced information on this matter on its website.
I am also advised that ComReg has recently secured industry agreement to participate in a pilot project to measure and report on broadband speeds measured at the point of access to the premises. This would measure speeds prior to any of the variables I outlined above occurring within a customer’s premises. I understand ComReg plans to launch this pilot in Quarter 2 of this year and I look forward to the outcome of this pilot.
I share the concerns that I know many of my colleagues have about advertised speeds versus those that are experienced by consumers. I note however that much of the current significant investment being made by commercial operators involves emphasis on fibre and fibre-powered connectivity. I am confident that these fibre-based investments, together with the State-led investment planned under the National Broadband Plan will significantly enhance the overall level of service quality for customers.
350. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to this Deputy's various recent questions and in view of the recent positive reports from Inland Fisheries Ireland, which has agreed that eel stocks in the Suir and Barrow rivers could sustain a commercial harvest (details supplied), if he will now reconsider the eel ban in the Waterford-New Ross district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6436/14]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 19 of 30 January 2014 and 376 of 4 February 2014.
With regard to the Waterford region, I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that the advice from Ireland's scientists on the independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) for Eels does not support any assertion that stocks "in the Suir and Barrow could sustain a commercial harvest”. I am further advised that a survey of eel stocks was carried out in the Waterford estuary in 2009 and 2011. Low mark-recapture rates indicated probable high levels of movement within these waters and made population estimation difficult. Due to the difficulties in obtaining density estimates for eels in large water bodies and the migratory habits of eels moving upstream into the rivers and/or leaving the transitional water as silver eel, estimating silver eel escapement/production for transitional waters remains extremely challenging. The high growth rate confirms the importance of the transitional waters as a productive habitat for eels. In the absence of historic eel biomass estimates for the Waterford estuary to assess achievement of the eel escapement target, telemetry eel tagging studies undertaken in 2012, 2013 and continuing into 2014, will assist in giving a clearer indication of the movement habits of eels in estuaries and improve population density estimates.
Fishing for elvers is not included as a management action in Ireland’s EMP as surplus elver recruits were not identified for the 2012-2015 period.
351. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will name each company awarded a contract for the provision of professional services by his Department and agencies under his aegis since May 2011; the value and purpose of the contract; if a competitive tendering process was undertaken in line with public procurement best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6451/14]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
352. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if draft net fishing licences are reallocated if a licence holder passes away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6512/14]
View answerSalmon stocks in Ireland are assessed on an individual river basis because each river contains a genetically unique stock. The annual assessment is carried out by the independent Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon and underpins management decisions for the coming season.
Following scientific assessment and management advice, the surplus (if any) available in each river is established so that it may be apportioned between anglers and commercial fishermen. The annual Control of Fishing for Salmon Order comes into force around March each year prior to the commencement of the commercial fishing season.
This Order authorises the issue of commercial fishing licences by Inland Fisheries Ireland, sets out the criteria under which those licences may be issued and prescribes the maximum number of commercial licences which may be issued. I am arranging for a copy of the most recent order (S.I. No. 75 of 2013 for the 2013 season) to be forwarded to the Deputy and this is also available online at http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2013/en/si/0075.html.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, I would be happy to have IFI personnel locally brief him on how the process is implemented.
353. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total amount spent on advertising by his Department and each agency under his aegis in 2013; if he will provide a breakdown of the amount spent on each of TV, radio, print, outdoor, Internet and social media platform advertising; the amount spent on advertising agencies; if he will provide the information in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6578/14]
View answerAs with all areas of public expenditure, spending on advertising is carefully controlled and limited to that necessary for the effective discharge of my Department’s functions. The principal reason for such expenditure is statutory notices that I am required to publish in the case of certain proposed authorisations, which require publication in a local newspaper circulating in the area where the proposed authorisation arises. Advertising by way of national and regional media is also required, in conjunction with press releases and conferences, to communicate the Department’s initiatives, schemes and services to the public.
The total amount spent on advertising by my Department in 2013 was €109,906 and I have set out below in tabular format a breakdown of the cost.
|
Source of Advertising |
Amount spent in 2013 |
|
TV |
- |
|
Radio |
- |
|
|
€109,906 |
|
Outdoor |
- |
|
Internet and Social Media |
- |
With regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department, this is an operational matter for each body. I will, therefore, request the relevant body to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
354. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department currently engages in real-time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6594/14]
View answerMy Department constantly monitors various media outlets through its Press Office. This includes monitoring of television and radio broadcasting, print media, and online activities. The Department has a website and a Twitter account, both of which are updated regularly.
The Department has a Twitter policy which is displayed prominently on both the Department's Twitter account, as well as on the Departments website. The Department tweets cover some or all of the following:
- Press Releases on the Departments activities and Ministerial speeches;
- Event information and occasional live coverage of events;
- Alerts about new content on our website; and
- Other practical information on services available through the Department.
The Department welcomes feedback from its Twitter followers and will try to join the conversation where possible. However, the Department is not able to reply individually to all the messages it receives via Twitter and does not currently engage in real time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to the Department. The best means of communicating a query to the Department is by availing of various contact options outlined on the Department's website.
355. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received a proposal from An Post on the amendment of the company's superannuation scheme; and if so, if he has approved the amended scheme or when he expects to finalise the matter. [6617/14]
View answerMy Department together with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform recently met An Post with regard to their intention to amend their superannuation scheme. I expect to receive a formal proposal on the matter in the near future.
356. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the context of the introduction of postcodes, if he has received a proposal from an Irish company to introduce post codes into Ireland without any cost to the Exchequer; if he and his Department have reviewed such proposals; and if he will revert to this Deputy on same. [6629/14]
View answerCapita Business Support Services Ireland Limited has been approved by Government as the company which will develop, roll-out and operate the National Postcode System.That selection was made following the conclusion of a public procurement process.
All proposals received as part of the procurement process were fully evaluated.Three parties qualified for the final phase of the procurement. The Department subsequently received two final bids from consortia led by Capita and An Post. Landmark, a UK company, withdrew from the process at the final tender stage.
357. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the statement by Facebook that Neknomination material is not in breach of its rules; his planned actions in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6630/14]
View answerI have noted Facebook's position on compliance in respect of its own editorial guidelines.
There is no doubt but that the pervasive use of social media has challenged a wide number of previously accepted norms, both in terms of media governance and in more general societal terms. To that end, I have asked the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group which I formed in December, to evaluate the full range of content issues that now arise online. This group will report in May and Government will consider that report in great detail. A public consultation is now open, and submissions from all interested parties are welcome. I am aware also that the Group expect to meet with all key stakeholders as part of their work in the coming weeks.
The issues here are complex and delicate; a balance has to be struck between preserving freedom of speech and freedom of expression online, and protecting children and young people in particular from content that may well be age inappropriate or harmful. Social media and online content in general are not subject to the same types of editorial restrictions as broadcast media, for example, and questions as to the most appropriate governance model are being asked by governments and civil society groups around the world. There are no simple answers to these questions but I am confident that the Group will evaluate all of these issues thoroughly and in detail, and I look forward to their report and recommendations with great interest.
Although there has been significant media commentary around the way the phenomenon referenced by the Deputy has been propagated, the key issue here is our underlying attitude towards alcohol in this country.
This Government has been very clear about its commitment to deal with these patterns of alcohol misuse in Irish society and the widespread harm it causes. The issues are multifaceted, and a coordinated approach is in place across a number of Government Departments.
Last October the Government approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse based on the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, which was published by the Department of Health in February 2012. These measures are being delivered and include a minimum price for alcohol and a number of new restrictions on how alcohol is advertised, and particularly how it is advertised to children and young people.
358. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the national bioenergy strategy will be published; the steps both his and other relevant Departments are currently taking to ensure its success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6787/14]
View answerMy Department is currently finalising a Bioenergy Strategy, with a view publishing it as soon as possible. The strategy will set out the actions required to optimise the contribution that a sustainable bioenergy sector could make to achieving the 2020 renewable energy target for Ireland. A strong bioenergy sector could also make important contributions to a wide range of Government policy objectives, from agriculture through to environment policy and the strategy will draw on contributions from various government departments and agencies, as well as other stakeholders.
