Written Answers Nos. 27-33
27. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures taken by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to prevent persons or corporations from gaining undue control over the media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40360/14]
View answerThe Broadcasting Act 2009 provides the framework for the licensing and regulation of broadcasting services in Ireland. In order to fulfil the functions provided for in Section 66 of the Act, the BAI operate an Ownership and Control Policy (the most recent version of which was published in 2012) which sets out the regulatory approach and the rules enforced regarding ownership and control. The policy is used by the BAI to assess applications for broadcasting contracts and when assessing requests for variations to ownership and control structures for existing licencees. It pays particular attention to “the desirability of allowing any person, or group of persons, to have control of, or substantial interests in, an undue number of sound broadcasting services in respect of which a sound broadcasting contract has been awarded under this Part”. Part 4 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2014 updates legislation in regard to media mergers, strengthening protection of the public interest in maintaining a pluralistic media market. The Act recognises the vital role played by the media in our open democratic society. The most significant element of this section of the Act is a new public value test, involving a more thorough definition of media concentration than before and which deals specifically with cross media ownership. The Act introduces significant new responsibilities for the BAI in relation to protecting the public interest in maintaining media pluralism in the State. This includes new requirements to conduct research on matters relating to plurality of the media and to publish the results of such research. Furthermore the BAI are, if requested, required under the Act to conduct a ‘Phase 2’ investigation of proposed media mergers in regards to the potential impacts on the public interest in maintaining a pluralistic media market in the state.
28. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the contact he has had with Eircom regarding their plans to remove the functionality of the fixed SMS system which supports house alarms, especially used by elderly persons. [40389/14]
View answerThe provision of telecommunications services, including fixed line SMS, occurs within a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions, can intervene in the market to ensure universal public access to basic voice, fax and functional internet access services at fixed locations from at least one service provider. ComReg can also intervene in the market to ensure that specific services are accessible for people with disabilities.
The provision of other telecommunications services is undertaken on a commercial basis by competing service providers. A decision to introduce any new service or to withdraw any particular service, other than those regulated by ComReg, is a commercial decision for each service provider. I have no statutory role in the process.
29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider including using local labour and local economy gain stipulations in the licensing regime for off shore gas and oil exploration and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40411/14]
View answerThere is potential for Ireland to enjoy both economic and energy security benefits from its indigenous oil and gas resources. The principal benefit to the economy from the offshore oil and gas sector arises from producing fields. These benefits include the direct return to the Exchequer, the significant economic activity that arises from the development stage of a project as recently evidenced by the Corrib gas project, together with a strengthening of Ireland’s security of energy supply. The long-term aim of the sectoral strategy of promoting the opportunity to invest in exploration in the Irish offshore is aimed at increasing the likelihood of new commercial discoveries being made, which would result in the benefits outlined.
Exploration activities in the Irish offshore do give rise to some employment opportunities in ancillary supply/support areas such as ports. Until there is a much higher level of exploration activity in the Irish offshore, however, the opportunities will remain relatively limited.
Whilst wishing to maximise the employment potential arising we must of course be cognisant of our EU and wider treaty obligations in respect of the free movement of labour.
30. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the level of diversity that exists in the broadcast and print media here; the measures he plans to introduce to ensure that media ownership cannot be excessively concentrated in one company or person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40363/14]
View answerThe media enjoy a position of special rights and responsibilities and are an important conduit for the exercise of freedom of expression, the development of civic discourse and the proper and adequate representation of the diversity that exists in our society. Owing to this critical role played by the media it is vital to the public interest that the State protect media pluralism as far as is practicable. In March 2008, an advisory group was established to review the existing legislative framework regarding the public interest aspects of media mergers in Ireland. The Group’s recommendations were incorporated in the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014. One key change was the passing of responsibility for the Media Mergers process from the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to me in my capacity as the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The Act enhances our ability to pursue the public interest in protecting media pluralism. It provides for a determination to be made on whether a proposed media merger should be permitted or not based on its effect on the plurality of media in the State and on its implications on the concentration of ownership in media. It conveys further powers on the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to assist in a thorough ‘Phase 2’ of a proposed merger, if so requested, and gives the BAI further responsibilities to conduct and publish ongoing research into media pluralism in the State.
Taken together with our long standing support for public service broadcasting, I am confident that we have a robust and effective set of measures in place to support and encourage a plural and diverse media.
31. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will amend the current postal services Acts to introduce a public service obligation on An Post to maintain a minimum level of service to rural communities by providing a geographical spread of sub-post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40168/14]
View answerI refer to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 4 June 2014. The position is unchanged.
32. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a time frame for the roll-out of broadband to all homes here; if he will provide an update on the Government’s plan to spend €500 million to build a fibre powered infrastructure here; if this plan has received state aid approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40195/14]
View answerThrough the National Broadband Plan (NBP) the Government aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland, through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in network upgrades and at least 1.6m of the 2.3m addresses in Ireland are expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next number of years.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. My Department is currently finalising a national map which will identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial examination has already identified a significant number of areas that will require State intervention.
As part of the mapping process, a stakeholder consultation was launched in June. 32 submissions have been received and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses were published by my Department earlier today.
I expect to publish the map shortly. Those accessing this map will be able to identify their own house or premises and see whether it is in the proposed intervention footprint. Where a house or premises is not in the proposed intervention area it means it either currently, or will in the near future, have access to commercial high speed broadband services. The map will be subject to change as new information becomes available or commercial investments are announced in the future.
A further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015. My Department is also working closely with the European Commission with a view to obtaining State Aid clearance for the programme.
A detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) towards the end of 2015.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland. Our goal is to ensure that quality broadband services are available to all citizens regardless of where they are located.
33. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider amending the legislation concerning the energy regulator in order to ensure that part of his remit is the reduction of energy prices here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40194/14]
View answerIrish energy markets, in complying with EU and national legislation, are liberalised, competitive, commercial, and subject to regulation by the independent Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). I have no statutory function in the matters of monitoring or setting of gas and electricity prices. The CER does not decide the retail prices charged by any of the various suppliers of electricity and gas, including the prices charged by commercial State companies. Competitive and commercial markets offer choice in terms of suppliers, products, and prices and minimise the potential for negative impacts on competitiveness and consumers.
Prices are set competitively by suppliers in the electricity and gas retail markets and their pricing decisions are wholly commercial matters for them. The CER carries out statutory market monitoring functions under SI No. 630 of 2011 to ensure the market operates competitively to the benefit of the consumer. The CER also has the power to take whatever action it considers necessary to prevent any restrictions in competition and to ensure that customers benefit from competition in the supply of gas and electricity.
Energy efficiency represents a significant opportunity for households to reduce their energy costs. There are energy efficiency measures in place to assist both business and domestic energy consumers, with significant funding allocated to them. Promotion of indigenous sustainable sources of energy also helps to offset the impact of volatile fossil fuel prices. The Government has a target of 40% of electricity being generated from renewable sources by 2020. Steady progress has been made in meeting this target and its realisation will introduce more certainty in the energy fuel mix as well as boosting security of supply.
Data on average electricity prices are in the public domain and are published in the SEAI "Electricity and Gas Prices in Ireland" reports and these are available on the SEAI's website. The reports are published biannually since 2008 in accordance with the EU Gas and Electricity Price Transparency Directive 90/377/EEC as amended by Council Decision 2007/394/EC.
