Written Answers Nos. 933-947
933. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Ireland is implementing the new European electrical grid codes, 2015 to 2018, differently from other European Union Member States; if he will provide a rationale for that difference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11197/15]
View answerThe internal energy market is a key policy goal for the European Union and its Member States. The delivery of the internal energy market is crucial to achieving the key goals of energy policy - energy security, competitiveness and environmental sustainability. The methodology for harmonisation and integration of cross border electricity markets is set out in the 2009 "Third Energy Package" - a package of EU Regulations and Directives. Significant progress with the implementation of the package has been achieved. Some of the detailed rules are still being developed and negotiated through the development of network codes and guidelines, particularly with regard to the European electricity markets.
Ireland is not implementing the codes and guidelines differently from other Member States. The network codes and guidelines, once agreed by Member States and the European Commission, will become legally binding European Regulations.
There are significant differences between the all-island wholesale electricity market and other European wholesale markets. Consequently, Ireland and Northern Ireland have secured an extension to the deadline for the implementation of one of the guidelines, the Capacity Allocation and Congestion Management (CACM) Guideline. Ireland must be compliant with all aspects of CACM by 31 December 2017, whereas other Member States will introduce the provisions of this guideline after it comes into force, expected later in 2015.
935. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to provide efibre broadband to an area (details supplied) in County Dublin, as works have been carried out on all surrounding estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11281/15]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan 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 and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland 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.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available 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 and includes Castle Grove, Swords, Co Dublin.
The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention. The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises/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.
936. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure that efibre broadband is made available to an enterprise centre (details supplied) in County Cork, to allow it to attract digital marketing companies to the area. [11351/15]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan 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 and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland 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.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available 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. Mitchelstown is included in this category with many parts of the town already able to access high-speed broadband services through commercial investment. I understand work is continuing on upgrading services and should be completed in the near future.
The AMBER areas on the map show the target areas for the State intervention.
The map can be checked to establish the precise location of individual premises or residences. Any premises within the Amber area will be included in the State's intervention.
937. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the estimated amount of electricity, as a percentage, that Ireland will generate from biomass in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11354/15]
View answerThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our overall energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020, to be achieved through 40% renewables in electricity, 12% in heat and 10% in transport. In 2013, 7.8% of Ireland's overall energy requirements were met from renewable sources, with energy from biomass accounting for 3.2%.
To date wind energy has proved to be the most commercial renewable energy technology in the Irish electricity market. In 2013, 16.5% of Ireland's electricity demand was met by wind generation. Nevertheless, diversification of the renewable generation portfolio in the longer term will be important for creating a sustainable, carbon free, electricity system. In this regard, biomass will have a role to play. Electricity generated from biomass is already supported through the three REFIT schemes and, depending on electricity demand, the full implementation of current policies could mean that up to 5% of electricity may be generated from biomass in 2020. Biomass is likely, however, to have a more significant role to play in the heat and transport sectors where fewer alternative technologies exist.
In this regard, the analysis underpinning the recently published Draft Bioenergy Plan is that an additional bioenergy focussed measure in the heat sector would represent the most cost effective means of meeting a number of different policy goals, including reducing the emerging gap to meeting 12% renewable energy in the heat sector. Accordingly, the draft plan recommends the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive to incentivise larger heat users in the industrial and commercial sector to change to heating solutions that produce heat from renewable sources.
The design of the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme will commence this year and will include public consultation, the first stage of which will be launched shortly. Once designed, it will require State Aid clearance from the European Commission and further Government approval. Subject to these approvals, it is proposed to have the scheme in place in 2016.
938. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the proposed Maighne Wind Farm in north County Kildare, the model that was used to forecast the wind speeds for the midlands project; if the data used was based on actual data from weather stations in the midlands or on a computer model for the British Meteorological Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11381/15]
View answerThe assessment and development of any potential site for the generation of electricity, regardless of the energy input (natural gas, coal, peat, wind, hydro, etc.) is a matter for the project developer. I understand that the source, quality and quantity of data inputted to developers' assessments would likely be influenced by the stage of development of a project. I am further advised that sufficiently robust data would be essential to secure project financing. While there are international and domestic best practice guidelines for forecasting of wind speeds, it is important to note that project development, project financing and wind speed forecasting are not matters in which I, as Minister, have any role or function.
939. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the proposed wind farms in the midlands, the plan that a organisation (details supplied) has in place for the future dismantling of obsolete turbines; in the case where the developer has moved on or is no longer trading, his plans for the future decommissioning of turbines to prevent them from becoming a blight on the landscape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11382/15]
View answerPlanning policy is a matter for the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. I have no role with regard to the independent process through which applications for planning permissions for renewable energy installations are considered or enforced.
Wind Energy Planning Guidelines were published by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in 2006. The document is currently being revised. Sections 5.14 and 7.19 give guidance in relation to decommissioning and reinstatement of wind farms.
I understand that plans for decommissioning should be outlined at the planning stage, and decommissioning of a wind energy development must be assessed once electricity ceases to be generated. Issues to be addressed include restorative measures, the removal of above ground structures and equipment, and landscaping.
I understand decommissioning and reinstatement conditions requiring the lodgment of financial bonds have been used in the past to try to ensure that decommissioning will take place in a responsible manner. However, the Wind Energy Planning Guidelines (2006) recognise that the use of long-term bonds to secure satisfactory reinstatement of sites, upon cessation of projects, put unreasonable burdens on developers given the long life spans involved in wind energy developments. I am advised that the recycling value of turbine components, particularly copper and steel, should more than adequately cover the financial costs of the decommissioning. Accordingly, the Guidelines do not recommend the use of long-term bonds.
Finally, a planning authority may condition a developer to agree a final plan, including decommissioning provisions, prior to commencement of construction in order to comply with planning. Some planning authorities require a Decommissioning and Rehabilitation Plan to be submitted with the planning application, and notice may need to be given to the local authority in advance of decommissioning work.
940. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the subsidies received by Irish wind farms and wind developers for the years 2011 to 2014 and 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11384/15]
View answerThe primary support mechanisms for renewable energy, including wind farms, are the Alternative Energy Requirement (AER) schemes and the Renewable Energy Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes. These schemes were introduced to incentivise the development of the renewable electricity generation capacity necessary to allow Ireland to meet its renewable energy targets, including a target of 40% of electricity demand from renewable generation by 2020. This target must be achieved in order for Ireland to meet its binding obligation of 16% of total energy demand to be from renewable sources by 2020.
The existing feed-in tariff schemes are a very cost effective tool to support renewable energy development relative to other EU Member States. Ireland's approach was confirmed as one of the most cost effective within the EU by a report published by the Council of European Energy Regulators in January this year.
The schemes are supported by the electricity consumer through the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy. The PSO levy for each year is determined in the annual PSO decision published by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) on its website. The figures for each year include a projection for the forthcoming PSO period and a reconciliation of costs against the projection for the PSO period two years previously. In other words, the figure for 2014/15 projects the amount required to be paid to generators for that period and includes any reconciliation associated with the 2012/13 PSO period.
While the majority of projects supported under these schemes are for wind generation, the subsidies are not currently broken down by technology. The CER has initiated a project to generate a report on the annual and cumulative costs to date in relation to REFIT schemes for each technology supported under REFIT.
The following table presents the PSO costs for overall renewable generation since 2010/11.
|
Year |
PSO funding for Renewables (€ Million) |
|
2014/15 |
94.3 |
|
2013/14 |
49.0 |
|
2012/13 |
64.8 |
|
2011/12 |
41.6 |
|
2010/11 |
52.2 |
941. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way the increased financial return to the State from discoveries made under future exploration licenses and licensing options, as announced in June 2014 (details supplied), will be monitored; and the way the current and future returns can be scrutinised by Dáil Éireann. [11385/15]
View answerDuring the course of the Dáil Éireann debate on the 9th of July 2013 on the May 2012 Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, my predecessor indicated his intention to seek independent expert advice on the “fitness-for-purpose” of Ireland's oil and gas fiscal terms.
Following a public procurement process, Wood Mackenzie, a UK based international advisory services company specializing in the energy, metals and mining sectors, were engaged to advise on the appropriateness of Ireland's oil and gas fiscal terms. Wood Mackenzie furnished their Final Report to my predecessor at end May 2014.
In June 2014 Government approval was received to revise Ireland's oil and gas fiscal terms along the lines recommended by Wood Mackenzie.
A key recommendation of Wood Mackenzie was that the fiscal terms applying in respect of new petroleum authorisations (which include licensing options and exploration licences) should be revised to ensure a higher share for the State from the most profitable fields should commercial discoveries of oil or gas be made at some point in the future. The level of profits arising from a field depend on a combination of factors including, the volume of recoverable gas or oil, the cost of developing and operating the infrastructure, the price of gas or oil over the life of the field, together with the timing and profile of production.
To achieve this higher share Wood Mackenzie recommended an increase in the marginal tax take from 40% to 55% (comprising corporation tax and a proposed petroleum production tax).
In addition Wood Mackenzie recommended that the revised fiscal terms should include a minimum payment (petroleum production tax) at a rate of 5% which would function like a royalty and would result in the State receiving a share of revenue in every year that a field is selling production.
It is intended to give operational effect to this approach in the Finance Bill 2015 with the revised fiscal terms applying to petroleum authorisations issued after June 2014.
The Wood Mackenzie Report and recommendations, and the Government response to same, were debated in Dáil Éireann on the 3rd of July 2014.
Application of the revised oil and gas fiscal terms as proposed for the Finance Bill 2015 will, on enactment, be a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
I am informed that the Revenue Commissioners have a statutory obligation to observe confidentiality for taxpayers' information. However, mindful of this obligation, the Revenue Commissioners publish net tax receipts aggregated at a sectoral level in their statistical publications. Taxes relating to oil and gas production activities are usually recorded in such statistics within the category 'Mining and Quarrying'.
I am also advised that the Revenue Commissioners have a system of risk rating, and that all taxpayers, including petroleum exploration and development companies, are risk rated to ensure full compliance with the tax code.
942. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the applications for onshore petroleum exploration licences can be revoked by his Department, before the Environmental Protection Agency study findings are reported; and if so, the grounds that would lead to invalidation of those applications and their subsequent dismissal by his Department. [11386/15]
View answerWhile my Department has carried out a preliminary examination of these applications, further consideration has been put on hold until there has been time to consider the outcome of the major research programme commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency. As I have informed the House on a number of occasions no decision will be made on any proposal for the use of hydraulic fracturing, as part of an unconventional gas exploration or extraction project, until there has been time to consider the outcome of the EPA research, which is not expected before mid-2016.
The completion of this research project will ensure that future decision making is informed by extensive scientific analysis based on the consideration of baseline data with respect to ground-water, air and seismicity together with consideration of the potential implications and mitigations that are required to be considered in order to understand the possible environmental impacts of using this technology and whether or not it can be undertaken in an environmentally protective manner in accordance with the requirements of environmental law.
943. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to provide efibre broadband to areas (details supplied) in County Dublin, in view of the fact that works have been carried out on all surrounding estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11396/15]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan 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 and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland 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.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available 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 and includes the townlands of Ballyboghil and Oldtown, Co Dublin. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention.
944. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the fact that no public body or Government Department is maintaining an accurate or usable record of full planning permission granted to wind farms, including his Department, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, or the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; his further views on the difficulty the lack of such information poses for the assessment of compliance with renewable energy targets; the assessment by planning authorities of the need for any further renewable energy planning proposals; the scope of future strategic energy planning to be conducted by his own Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11407/15]
View answerThe development and operation of a wind farm in Ireland requires planning permission from the relevant planning authority. It also requires an Authorisation to Construct or Reconstruct a Generating Station and a Licence to Generate from the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER).
The issue of planning permission is a matter between the developer of a wind farm and the relevant planning authority, subject to the Planning Acts, which include requirements for public consultation. Each planning authority must maintain a detailed register of all planning applications and decisions made under Section 7 of the Planning and Development Act. An Bord Pleanála also maintain a register of cases determined by the Board which is available at www.pleanala.ie.
Applications for Authorisations to Construct or Reconstruct a Generating Station and Licences to Generate are assessed by the CER ahead of the granting or refusing of an application for planning permission. The conditions imposed in the Authorisation and the Licence must be met by the generator, and compliance is monitored by the CER on an ongoing basis. I do not have a role with regard to the permitting or monitoring of individual wind farms.
All applicants seeking support under the REFIT schemes must provide evidence of having valid planning permission for the project seeking support.
Ireland currently has approximately has 2,500MW of renewable electricity generation of which 2,200MW is wind generation. It is estimated that between 3,500MW and 4,000MW of renewable electricity generation will be required to achieve the target of 40% renewable electricity by 2020.
Work is being advanced by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, in conjunction with my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, on the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Guidelines. It is proposed to update the relevant sections of the existing Guidelines as appropriate. There will also be a number of technical appendices developed to assist planning authorities in relation to noise assessment, monitoring and the setting of planning conditions. Draft guidelines were published in December 2013 for public consultation. Submissions were received from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during the public consultation period. Following consideration of the submissions, the revisions to the Guidelines will be finalised and issued to planning authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
I should also highlight that my Department is preparing a Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework, which is to be underpinned by a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an Appropriate Assessment. The proposed Framework will be completed in 2015, and will be a high level strategic policy, which is intended for the guidance of persons seeking development consent primarily in relation to large scale renewable electricity projects, as well as for the guidance of planning authorities, statutory authorities and the public. The next stage of public consultation will commence shortly with the publication of the scoping report.
945. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of eel catches in the years 2005, to 2009, separated into silver eels and brown eels; the name of the waters from which the figures were drawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11500/15]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the State Body with responsibility for the protection, conservation and management of the inland fisheries resource, was established by the Inland Fisheries Act 2010. The information requested predates the establishment of IFI, and therefore the declared catch details for eels in the period in question were reported separately to each of the then 7 Regional Fisheries Boards.
The following table sets out the summary data, compiled by amalgamating reports to each of the 7 Regional Fishery Boards of commercial catch of Brown and Silver eels 2001 - 2007. Limited returns were made by fishermen in 2008, the last year the fishery operated, as such returns would normally be associated with the licence application for the following year. Fishing for eels was suspended in 2009.
|
Year |
Brown (kg) |
Silver (kg) |
Brown/Silver (kg) |
LSNR* (kg) |
Total (kg) |
Total (tonne) |
|
2001 |
51832.48 |
33891 |
- |
17 |
85,740 |
85.74 |
|
2002 |
62436.48 |
44190 |
- |
160.85 |
106,787 |
106.79 |
|
2003 |
63523.88 |
33528.97 |
- |
171.36 |
97,224 |
97.22 |
|
2004 |
63496.75 |
57900.3 |
77 |
134 |
121,608 |
121.61 |
|
2005 |
51195.76 |
37079.68 |
44 |
29 |
88,348 |
88.35 |
|
2006 |
57383.65 |
60533.45 |
642 |
- |
118,559 |
118.56 |
|
2007 |
68172.79 |
36139.08 |
243.5 |
126.5 |
104,682 |
104.68 |
* LSNR means Life Stage Not Reported and indicates the quantity of eels caught but to which there was no assignment of life state (brown or silver eel) reported.
The reported annual catch from 2001-2007 averaged 100 tonnes as referred to on the Departments website at: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/Inland+Fisheries/Conservation/Eels/Eels.htm
As regards the breakdown of commercial catch by area, a more detailed table setting out these data, as reported at Fisheries Board level, is appended. These data indicate that the majority (almost 80%) of the catch is reported caught in the Shannon RFB and Western RFB areas.
946. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if positions will become available within Ordnance Survey Ireland; and if so, if they will be advertised to the public [11504/15]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy in relation to the recruitment of staff by Ordnance Survey Ireland, is an operational matter for OSI directly and I have no function in this regard.
947. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons that have been injured on the gas network pipeline at the N7 Limerick/Dublin Road; if he will provide an update on the Health and Safety Authority investigation into the death of one of the workers there; if he is satisfied that a sub-contractor (details supplied) is compliant with safety regulations on this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11530/15]
View answerI am advised by Ervia that an accident occurred near to the N7 Limerick-Dublin Road on Friday 27 February 2015. Sadly, the accident resulted in a fatal injury to one person working at the site. The incident is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Health and Safety Authority. While the Commission for Energy Regulation are responsible for gas safety, in this instance gas was not flowing through the pipeline at the time. I am also advised by the company that there have been no other injuries reported on this project.
