Written Answers Nos. 108-113
108. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 428 of 14 September 2011, No. 414 of 13 July 2012, No. 359 of 4 December and No. 358 of 17 December 2013 (details supplied), if his Department has progressed this matter. [18113/14]
View answerDespite several requests from the Human Resources Division of my Department, the person in question has not provided any evidence of his service in the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs. Nor has he provided any further information which would enable HR to carry out another search for his file. I can confirm however, that the grade of Night and Sunday Telephone Attendant was a part-time position and, as such, would have no superannuation entitlements. Unless the person in question produces evidence to the contrary, my Department will have to assume that there are no superannuation entitlements in this case.
109. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way in which he will ensure the stability and continued growth of the domestic renewables sector in view of the European Commission's adoption of new rules on state aid in order to expose the sector to regular market forces; how he will move from the current feed-in tariff arrangement to feed-in premiums over time; if he has prepared an assessment of the way the new rules will affect the Irish renewables industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18117/14]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to the delivery of the binding target of 16% of energy coming from renewable sources by 2020. In 2012, 19.6% of electricity demand was met by renewable generation, with 5.2% of heat and 2.4% of transport energy requirements coming from renewable sources. Overall, at the end of 2012, 7.1% of our energy was provided from renewable sources. The REFIT (Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff) schemes currently in place are the primary supports for the development of renewable electricity and which will deliver on Ireland's 2020 targets. These schemes have received State Aid approval from the European Commission and will not, therefore, be affected by the new rules adopted by the Commission last week. Any new support schemes that may be introduced for energy from renewable sources will be evaluated in the context of the Commission's guidelines.
110. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will list the full titles of all items of research initiated on behalf of IFI, either separately or collaboratively, with other bodies for each of the years 2003 to 2013, inclusive; in respect of each if he will state the cost of each item of research; the date of completion of each item of research; if the research was not completed, the reason for non-completion; the date of publication of each item of research; where it was published; and if not published, the specific public interest reason for non-publication. [18147/14]
View answerAs I indicated in my response to Questions Nos. 240 and 241 of 4 March 2014, all research completed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), since its establishment in 2010, is publically available on the organisation's website www.fisheriesireland.ie. While the information sought prior to IFI’s establishment is not as readily available, I understand that, following my request outlined in my response to the Questions above, the Chief Executive of IFI has liaised directly with the Deputy. I am advised that matters are in hand in IFI to provide him with a list of research identified as a result of that dialogue. I understand that the material requested by the Deputy is almost finalised and will be with him in a matter of days.
111. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 4 March 2014, the specific responsibilities which fall within the remit of the IFI to ensure the State's management of river districts is not adversely affecting the freshwater pearl mussel and if he is satisfied that these measures are adequate. [18148/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question 245 of 4 March 2014. Responsibility for protecting the freshwater pearl mussel falls within the remit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that their management of River Basin Districts involves on-going liaison with the NPWS to ensure consistency in terms of the responsibilities of both bodies having regard to the protection of freshwater pearl mussels.
112. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will list the specific measures in place, including any statutory instruments, for the protection of sea trout stocks, including the catching and killing of sea trout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18149/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my Department's website where a comprehensive list of measures, including Statutory Instruments and Bye Laws, relating to the protection of sea trout is set out. If the Deputy has an interest in a particular issue or aspect of this legislation, Inland Fisheries Ireland will be happy to discuss that with him. http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/Inland+Fisheries/Legislation/.
113. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the river systems of Newport River system SAC, Erriff and Bundorragha river system SAC, Clew Bay complex SAC, including Lough Furnace and Lough Feagh, have reached their conservation limits for wild salmon by reference to the relevant legislation for each of the years from 2003 to 2013. [18150/14]
View answerI am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland the information requested by the Deputy going back from 2006 to 2013 is not readily available. I am also advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that prior to 2007, scientific advice was presented on a fishery district basis with regard to attainment of salmon conservation limit (CL). From 2007 on, advice was presented on an individual river basis. The surplus or deficit of salmon above river specific conservation limits for the Erriff, Bunorrragha, Newport (given for both one sea winter and multi sea winter stocks) and the Furnace/ Feeagh catchment are shown in the table. The Standing Scientific Committee on Salmon (SSCS) uses the most recent five year data to determine attainment of conservation limit. It is therefore possible for a catchment not to have reached its salmon CL in any particular year but based on use of the five year average data for the SSCS advice for that river to be above CL. The independent scientific provided advice to Inland Fisheries Ireland informs the management measures being implemented and follow the conservation imperative.
|
Surplus/Deficit of salmon above or below CL over the 2007-2013 period |
|||||||
|
- |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
|
Newport one Sea Winter |
305 |
494 |
448 |
405 |
372 |
319 |
-216 |
|
Newport Multi Sea Winter |
-120 |
-30 |
-84 |
-134 |
-120 |
-106 |
-159 |
|
Erriff |
520 |
600 |
605 |
512 |
716 |
2346 |
1621 |
|
Bundorragha |
189 |
241 |
291 |
324 |
324 |
324 |
324 |
|
Furnace/Feeagh |
-81 |
-7 |
7 |
61 |
170 |
189 |
493 |
