Written Answers Nos. 587 - 604
587. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on his Department's plans on implementing the decision of the Government to ban the sale of smoky coal by 2016 (details supplied). [4937/15]
View answerThe ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel (or ‘smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known) was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 in response to severe episodes of winter smog that resulted from the widespread use of smoky coal for residential heating . The ban proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels in Dublin. As well as bringing air quality levels into compliance with the then EU standards, the ban also had the effect of significantly improving human health in the capital. Research indicates that the ban in Dublin has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths. The ban was subsequently extended to other urban areas. In August 2012, following a public consultation process, new solid fuel regulations (S.I. No. 326 of 2012) were introduced with the aim of ensuring that the smoky coal ban remains fit for purpose in safeguarding air quality by limiting harmful emissions of air pollutants arising from the use of certain residential solid fuels. The ban now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide, including all towns with a population greater than 15,000 people, bringing the ban areas broadly into line with national EPA air quality management zones. While my Department keeps the matter under regular review, I have no immediate plans at present to extend the ban to new towns.
Air quality monitoring by the EPA has shown that air quality is poorer in towns where the smoky coal ban does not apply, although there is evidence that smaller smoky coal ban areas tend to be less effective. The further extension of the ban to smaller towns on an individual basis may not be the most effective solution to addressing the problem of emissions from residential solid fuel use in these areas. Similarly, the border with Northern Ireland would present enforcement challenges if a national ban on smoky coal were unilaterally introduced. However, it is recognised that having different regulations between urban and rural locations is not ideal, as it results in different levels of environmental protection and clean air benefits for citizens in different locations.
Under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council, and in conjunction with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, my Department has commissioned a study to inform a discussion on policy options to further address emissions from residential solid fuel use on an all-island basis. The study includes-
- an assessment of the solid fuel market and barriers to the use of cleaner fuels;
- consideration of the role and impacts of biomass (primarily wood and wood-based products) and the links to climate policy; and
- an economic analysis addressing the potential positive and negative effects on the consumer, for example, resulting from potential fuel switching, the availability of smokeless fuels to supply an all-island market and job creation opportunities in the manufacture and supply of smokeless fuels.
A final report is expected to be presented to the North South Ministerial Council in May 2015. It should be noted that no decision has been made at this point regarding a nation-wide ban on the sale of smoky coal.
588. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the large number of vacant local authority houses which have been lying idle in south Kildare Athy-Monasterevin area for upwards of six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4995/15]
View answerUnder Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, Kildare County Council as housing authority is responsible for the management and maintenance of the local authority social housing stock for the area concerned. My Department assists local authorities in developing and maintaining their housing stock through various funding programmes. The effective management of vacant and boarded up social housing units is a key area for local authorities in making effective use of their existing social housing stock and for achieving best practice and value for money in housing management. To this end, my Department in 2014 funded a planned programme of returning vacant and boarded up properties to productive use, under which over 2,300 units were remediated nationally at a cost of €26.1 million. Kildare County Council received funding in excess of €500,000 under this programme and returned 49 vacant units back into productive use throughout the county, including 13 units in the Athy area.
For 2015, I will provide further support to local authorities to target 1,000 such units. My Department has recently requested all local authorities, including Kildare County Council, to submit a list of vacant properties for consideration for 2015 funding.
In addition, Kildare County Council also received funding approval of €833,000 under my Department’s 2014 Local Authority Construction and Acquisition Programme to purchase and refurbish 10 derelict properties in the Athy area and I understand that work on this project should be concluded in 2015.
589. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation to rescind the legislation of the former Minister, John Gormley, banning bedsits, as the Act in question has been a significant contributory factor to the current homeless crisis. [5022/15]
View answerRegulations 6, 7 and 8 of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 came into effect for all residential rented accommodation on 1 February 2013. The purpose of Regulation 6 is to ensure that each rental property has exclusive access to its own sanitary facilities and that those facilities are contained within the dwelling unit. Regulation 7 relates to effective heating which can be independently managed by the tenant, while Regulation 8 provides for sole access to adequate facilities for the hygienic storage, preparation and cooking of food. The 2008 Regulations came into effect generally on 1 February 2009 but allowed a four year phasing-in period to facilitate any improvement works that needed to be carried out in respect of Regulations 6, 7 and 8. Responsibility for their enforcement rests with the local authorities, funded from part of the proceeds of tenancy registration fees collected by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). Since 2005, over 149,000 inspections have been carried out by local authorities on properties in the sector.
Census 2011 indicated that there were approximately 4,500 bed-sits across the country – the majority of which are found in Dublin – accounting for 1% of households in the private rented sector. A recent report from Dublin City Council found that the majority of dwellings selected for inspection (which were pre-1963 multi-unit buildings and more likely to be in this category of accommodation) were non-compliant with the regulations on initial inspection.
These inspections were part of an intensified inspection programme funded by my Department that commenced in 2012 and is due to run until March 2015. It specifically targeted concentrations of rented properties which were deemed to be at risk of non-compliance with the legislation. Up to October 2014, 66% of the non-compliant properties had been brought into compliance. Enforcement action continues against the remainder, including legal action in certain cases.
The purpose of the regulations is to provide a basic standard for decent, safe and secure accommodation and I have no plans to rescind the legislation.
590. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of all bonus payments to chief executives of commercial semi-State agencies paid in each year from 2011 to 2014 under the remit of his Department; if bonuses were withheld by commercial semi-States during the period; the reasons for withholding of bonuses; the current policy regarding the payment of bonuses in the commercial semi-State sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5201/15]
View answerIrish Water is the only commercial semi-state Company under the aegis of my Department. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann to be formed and registered under the Companies Act. The Managing Director of Irish Water was appointed by the Board of Bord Gáis Éireann, and his remuneration was approved by my predecessor as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and following consultation with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources . The remuneration of the Managing Director does not provide for a performance related pay award.
591. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of sea trout and salmon recorded as being caught on the River Maine and Brown Flesk for the year from January to December 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4442/15]
View answerI have been advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that the return of log books by anglers and the process of recording individual catch returns on the database for rivers around the country is ongoing, as is normal at this time each year. Consequently the information sought is not currently available. IFI expect to finalise this process in the next four to five weeks and I have requested that IFI contact the Deputy directly with the information when it is available.
592. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on the review of energy options for the State with the inclusion of nuclear power. [4383/15]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No 7 of 29 January 2014. The position is unchanged.
593. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the Pathways to Power report January 2015 compiled by the WWF and international marine consultants DNV GL on a fully renewable energy system in Scotland by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4384/15]
View answerI am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers regarding renewable energy in Scotland. Ireland also has ambitious renewable energy targets. Our 2020 target is to have 16% of our energy from renewable sources through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 10% of our transport and 12% of our heat from renewable sources. In 2013, 7.8% of Ireland’s overall energy requirement was met by renewable energy, made up of 20.9% of electricity demand, 5.7% of heat demand and 2.8% of transport demand. The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure, sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers.
To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. The total amount of wind generation connected to the grid is approximately 2,200MW. It is estimated that a total of between 3,500MW and 4,000MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to meet its 40% renewable electricity target.
With regard to 2030, the October European Council endorsed a binding EU target of at least 40% domestic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. In addition, an EU target of at least 27% is set for the share of renewable energy consumed in the EU in 2030, and an indicative target at EU level of at least 27% is set for improving energy efficiency in 2030 compared to projections of future energy consumption.
Ireland intends to make a cost-effective, achievable and fair (in terms of effort sharing among Member States), contribution to these high level EU goals. My Department is overseeing detailed and rigorous energy system and economic modelling to identify the contribution which is appropriate for Ireland taking account of our specific economic circumstances. This analysis will address issues such as the quantum of additional renewable electricity we should seek to achieve by 2030, the technologies that should be supported in this regard, and the level at which any future supports should be set.
Furthermore, my Department participates fully in the whole of Government approach to addressing the challenges of climate change and the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by the year 2050.
594. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a definition of public service broadcasting as it applies to the distribution of funds from the television licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4392/15]
View answerPart 7 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for public service broadcasting in Ireland and the provisions relating to the public service broadcasting corporations, RTÉ and TG4, including their principal objects. These objects provide the companies’ statutory mandates and encapsulate national policy in terms of public service broadcasting. They include the specific objective of providing national, free-to-air public service broadcasting services, as well as the provision of a broad range of other additional services that are seen as fundamental to the role of the public service broadcaster. In their pursuit of these objects, the provisions in the Act subject the public service broadcasting corporations to a range of additional requirements.
These statutory objects and requirements clearly set the State-owned public service broadcasters apart from their commercial counterparts who, while bringing choice and competition to the market, are privately owned and funded companies that have entered the market on the basis of a commercial proposition.
In relation to the funding of the public service broadcasters RTÉ and TG4, this is met through a mix of licence fee revenues, Exchequer grant-in-aid and commercial revenues obtained largely from advertising.
The rationale for providing State funding for Public Service Broadcasting is to provide an independent and reliable income flow that allows these corporations to attain their public service objects, while ensuring they can maintain editorial independence. This is especially important in the context of news and current affairs.
A proportion of the television licence fee monies is available to both public and independent broadcasters through the Broadcasting Funding Scheme. The purpose of this Scheme is to encourage the inclusion of additional programming of a particular character in broadcasters programme schedules. The Scheme is open to independent producers and all ‘free to air’ broadcasters. It is funded by way of a payment of 7% of net licence fee receipts, which is paid to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) in respect of this Scheme. This amount was increased from 5% to 7% under the Broadcasting Act 2009.
595. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons currently employed in the role of television licence inspector in each county; and the total number of prosecutions for the non-payment of television licence fees in each county in 2014. [4435/15]
View answerAs per Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, An Post is empowered to issue, on payment of the appropriate fee, licences for television sets. The day to day administration of licence issuing and inspection is a matter for An Post. I have asked An Post to follow up directly with the Deputy in relation to the matters raised.
596. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, for the years 2007 to 2010, the total photography costs in his Department, including a list of which photographers were booked, the photographers used and breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4489/15]
View answer597. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, for the years 1997 to 2007, the total photography costs in his Department, including a list of which photographers were booked, the photographers used and breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4505/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 597 together.
My Department was established in its current configuration in June 2007. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the period June 2007 to end-2010 is set out in the following table. The additional information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department.
|
Company |
Date |
Cost |
Totals |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
15/06/2007 |
€817.48 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
26/06/2007 |
€291.41 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
03/07/2007 |
€533.73 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
05/07/2007 |
€533.73 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
13/07/2007 |
€732.36 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
15/07/2007 |
€677.60 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
06/08/2007 |
€633.90 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
06/08/2007 |
€141.88 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
13/08/2007 |
€90.80 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
19/09/2007 |
€482.38 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
26/09/2007 |
€113.50 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
02/10/2007 |
€319.79 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
17/10/2007 |
€283.75 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
26/10/2007 |
€263.04 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
26/10/2007 |
€206.29 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
31/10/2007 |
€554.45 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
23/11/2007 |
€206.29 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
30/11/2007 |
€234.66 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
12/12/2007 |
€518.41 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
13/12/2007 |
€170.00 |
- |
|
Total 2007 |
- |
- |
€7,805.45 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
10/01/2008 |
€654.90 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
10/01/2008 |
€626.52 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
11/01/2008 |
€490.04 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
18/01/2008 |
€845.86 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
24/01/2008 |
€582.82 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
30/01/2008 |
€90.80 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
01/02/2008 |
€654.90 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
08/02/2008 |
€582.82 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
15/02/2008 |
€206.29 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
27/02/2008 |
€526.07 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
29/02/2008 |
€533.73 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
15/09/2008 |
€962.25 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
19/09/2008 |
€90.75 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
01/10/2008 |
€461.92 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
20/10/2008 |
€258.34 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
06/11/2008 |
€1,105.34 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
26/11/2008 |
€90.75 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
26/11/2008 |
€560.84 |
- |
|
Total for 2008 |
- |
- |
€9,324.94 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
22/01/2009 |
€949.83 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
08/02/2009 |
€623.90 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
16/02/2009 |
€297.98 |
- |
|
1 Image Photography |
27/03/2009 |
€566.43 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
03/04/2009 |
€913.68 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
20/04/2009 |
€623.90 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
08/05/2009 |
€715.03 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
12/05/2009 |
€30.38 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
15/05/2009 |
€532.78 |
- |
|
Ken Finegan News pics |
18/05/2009 |
€204.30 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
18/05/2009 |
€212.62 |
- |
|
Mac Innes Photography Limited |
21/05/2009 |
€158.56 |
- |
|
Finbarr O’Rourke Photographic |
18/06/2009 |
€522.45 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
25/06/2009 |
€879.66 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
03/07/2009 |
€151.88 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
20/07/2009 |
€715.03 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
21/07/2009 |
€502.40 |
- |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
10/08/2009 |
€182.25 |
- |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
19/08/2009 |
€486.00 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
16/10/2009 |
€623.90 |
- |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
22/10/2009 |
€524.88 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
23/11/2009 |
€30.38 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
23/11/2009 |
€311.95 |
- |
|
Total for 2009 |
- |
- |
€10,760.17 |
|
Fennell Photography |
31/03/2010 |
€185.13 |
- |
|
Fennell Photography |
31/03/2010 |
€185.16 |
- |
|
Jason Clarke photography |
22/04/2010 |
€484.00 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
12/05/2010 |
€121.00 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
15/06/2010 |
€60.50 |
- |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
16/06/2010 |
€484.00 |
- |
|
Provision Limited |
17/06/2010 |
€964.75 |
- |
|
Jason Clarke photography |
15/07/2010 |
€484.00 |
- |
|
Jason Clarke photography |
23/09/2010 |
€484.00 |
- |
|
Jason Clarke photography |
04/10/2010 |
€484.00 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
02/11/2010 |
€526.35 |
- |
|
Fennel photography |
02/11/2010 |
€61.71 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
03/11/2010 |
€526.35 |
- |
|
Maxwell Photography |
04/11/2010 |
€387.50 |
- |
|
Jason Clarke photography |
02/12/2010 |
€484.00 |
- |
|
Total for 2010 |
- |
- |
€5,922.45 |
|
Total 2007 - 2010 |
- |
- |
€33,813.01 |
598. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, a list of all external public relations firms hired by his Department and associated costs incurred from 2007 to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4539/15]
View answerMy Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise.
The Department, therefore, necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations from time to time. In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and to keep expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The information which the Deputy requested is outlined in the following table:
Amount spent on public relations
|
Company |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
Murray Consultants |
- |
- |
- |
€12,206 |
|
Q4 PR Limited |
- |
€98,259 |
- |
- |
|
TOTAL |
- |
€98,259 |
- |
€12,206 |
599. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for extending high quality broadband to an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4646/15]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades. Approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland are expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
On the 24 November last, a public consultation on a national high speed coverage map 2016 was launched. This consultation will close on the 12th February next. The map can be accessed at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016. The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention. This includes Ardaneanig, Co Kerry.
The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises or home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention. It also provides detailed information on over 50,000 townlands throughout the entire country including County Kerry.
It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be also delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.
In tandem with the mapping consultation, intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy. The strategy will address a range of issues in relation to the intervention including the optimum procurement model, ownership model for the infrastructure, intervention cost and likely market impact.
Following the public consultation, towards the end of this year a detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders. The Department will design a tender in a way that maximises efficiencies and keeps the cost of the network build as low as possible. I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 5 year period.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.
600. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason EirGrid has not consulted the communities affected by the North-South interconnector regarding specific underground route options. [4660/15]
View answer601. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will direct EirGrid to ensure that specific underground route options have been determined and that the communities of counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath have been consulted before EirGrid makes any fresh application to An Board Pleanála in respect of the North-South interconnector. [4661/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 601 together.
One of the key concerns arising from public consultation processes on EirGrid’s Grid25 Strategy has been the extent to which undergrounding options have been explored, so as to allow ready comparison with overhead line solutions, for individual projects, including the North South (N/S) transmission line project.In January 2014, an Independent Expert Panel (IEP) was established to oversee the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both the Grid Link and Grid West projects. The studies are required to take account of environmental (including visual amenity) impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. The IEP will comment on the completeness, objectivity and comparability of the studies and reports.
The Panel was also asked to consider what work it might usefully undertake to establish whether or not there has been parity of treatment between the N/S project and the Grid West and Grid Link projects, including route-specific studies of overhead and underground options. Having considered and discussed all of the material provided by EirGrid, in July 2014 the Panel provided its unanimous opinion that, in all material respects, what has already been done on the N/S project is compatible with the methodologies now being employed on the Grid West and Grid Link projects.
The N/S project is part of an on-going process which is expected to be subjected to rigorous assessment as part of the planning processes in both jurisdictions (Ireland and Northern Ireland). I understand that EirGrid, prior to submitting its planning application, will re-engage with communities in Meath, Cavan and Monaghan. I am advised that this will involve opening offices in Navan, Kingscourt and Carrickmacross and that EirGrid also intend to appoint dedicated community liaison officers to ensure all interested stakeholders are engaged with fully.
602. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the expert panel in reaching their decision on 1 July 2014 were aware of the existence of the Tobin report which was published on his Department's website on 3 July 2014. [4662/15]
View answerAn Independent Expert Panel (IEP) was established in January 2014 to oversee the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both the Grid Link (GL) and Grid West (GW) projects. On 2 May 2014, the IEP finalised the Terms of Reference for the studies and published the Terms of Reference on 7 May 2014. While the North South Transmission Line project (N/S) is outside of the IEP's Terms of Reference, the IEP did agree, on foot of a request by my predecessor, to provide an opinion on the compatibility of the methodologies to be employed on the GL and GW projects with what has already been done on the N/S project up to and including 2 May 2014, being the date that the Panel decided to examine the N/S project.
Having considered and discussed all of the material, the Panel issued a statement on 1 July 2014, indicating its unanimous opinion that, in all material respects, what had already been done on the N/S project is compatible with the methodologies now being employed on the GW and GL projects. While the Panel acknowledged that no two grid infrastructure projects are identical, and that some non-comparabilities are likely to arise when assessing the potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors, the Panel was of the opinion that no material differences in the methodologies arise.
It is important to note that the Tobin report referred to in the Question relates specifically to the GW project and is one of several pieces of analysis undertaken at the request of the IEP. In other words, the Tobin report was undertaken within the methodologies being employed on the GW project in accordance with Terms of Reference set by the IEP.
603. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has considered the use of anaerobic digestion technology as an energy source here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4774/15]
View answerBiogas, which is produced by anaerobic digestion, can be utilised to generate electricity, heat or as a transport fuel. In addition, biomethane, produced by removing impurities from biogas, can be used as a substitute for natural gas and can be injected directly into the gas grid. Electricity and combined heat and power produced from biogas is already supported under the REFIT schemes and biogas and biomethane, when used as a transport fuel, can be used to meet the obligations set under the Biofuel Obligation Scheme.
Academic and industry research suggests that there is a potentially significant role for biogas and biomethane in the heat and transport sectors. However, given the stage of technology development and cost, more detailed economic analysis of the supply chains, from production through to distribution and use, would be helpful to guide future policy. In this regard, the draft Bioenergy Plan proposes that the Bioenergy Steering Group, which has been established to coordinate the implementation of the draft Plan, would consider the matter further.
604. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of recent strong criticism of the performance of the Commission for Energy Regulation in relation to CER’s failure to investigate retail electricity prices for consumers; his views on a fundamental reform of the governing legislation and operating structure of the Commission. [4893/15]
View answerThe Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is Ireland’s independent energy regulator. The CER was established in 1999 and has a wide range of economic, customer protection and safety responsibilities in the energy sector. The CER is also Ireland's economic regulator of the public water and wastewater sector. While the CER is entirely independent in the execution of its statutory duties, I am satisfied that it carries out its statutory duties to the highest standard.
The Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland, published in May 2014, sought views on the conduct of a review of the regulatory framework. The responses to that consultation are being considered and will be taken into account in developing our future energy policy. The White Paper on Energy Policy will be published in September and will include a commitment to review the regulatory framework and the CER mandate.
I am acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by families and businesses from high energy prices. While electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive, and operate within national and European regulatory regimes, I intend to meet with the CER later this week to discuss recent developments.
The CER was assigned the function of market monitoring under the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulation 2010 (S.I. 450 of 2010) under which they are charged with advising me, inter alia, on rates of customer switching, disconnection rates, customer complaints and whether the development and operation of competition in the supply of electricity is benefiting final customers. As part of the CER’s function under those Regulations, I intend to get its advice on whether customers are benefiting from competition and on the perceived slowness with which energy suppliers have passed wholesale price reductions on to consumers. I will also be seeking CER’s advice as to what can be done to address the high proportion of customers that have never switched suppliers.
I welcome the recent announcement of major suppliers to reduce domestic gas and electricity prices and I am encouraging other suppliers to pass savings on to their customers. As with any competitive market, it is hugely important that consumers would shop around to ensure that they get the best price and I would encourage all consumers to either switch supplier or to contact their current supplier to ensure that the best available deal is being provided.
