Written Answers Nos. 1566-1583
1566. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which commercially viable discoveries of oil, gas or other minerals have been made in the past five years to date on or offshore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32296/15]
View answer1573. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of oil, gas or other exploration licences issued in each of the past five years to date; the number of commercially viable discoveries arising therefrom; the number of such licences activated by way of actual exploration; the number still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32303/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1566 and 1573 together.
Details of all authorisations granted by the Department are published in the six monthly reports to the Oireachtas, which I am obliged to lay before the Houses under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999 and the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960, respectively. The last such reports were in respect of the period ending 30 June 2015. These details and reports are also available on my Department’s website at www.dcenr.gov.ie. The number of Mineral Prospecting Licences granted between 2010 and 31 August 2015 is set out in the following table:Mineral Prospecting Licences Granted during the period 2010-2015
|
Year |
No. of Prospecting Licences |
|
2010 |
93 |
|
2011 |
98 |
|
2012 |
102 |
|
2013 |
142 |
|
2014 |
71 |
|
2015 (to 31 August 2015) |
50 |
While the number of active mineral prospecting licences, currently in excess of 550 licences, indicate the prevailing state of mineral exploration in Ireland, no new commercially viable deposits of minerals have been discovered during this period. While there have, however, been some encouraging results, particularly in Counties Limerick and Clare, it is too early to determine whether these results will lead to identification of commercially viable deposits. The number of Petroleum Authorisations granted between 2010 and 31 August 2015 is set out in the following table:Petroleum Authorisations Granted during the period 2010-2015
|
Year |
Exploration Licences |
Licensing Options |
Petroleum Prospecting Licences |
|
2010 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
2011 |
0 |
9 |
3 |
|
2012 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
|
2013 |
5 |
5 |
9 |
|
2014 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
|
2015 (to 31 August 2015) |
0 |
1 |
2 |
There have been no commercial discoveries of oil or gas within the territory of the State in the past five years. There has, however, been a positive upswing in the level of petroleum exploration activity during this period, in particular acquisition of new seismic data. That positive momentum is set to continue following on from the close last week of the 2015 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round.
1567. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the degree to which non-fossil fuel generated electricity is available to the national grid at present; the extent to which further improvement is likely in this regard, with particular reference to alternative or renewable sources; the extent to which such replacement is set to continue, if in keeping with EU and UN targets in respect renewable energy- carbon reduction within the timescale set out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32297/15]
View answerThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. Ireland has made good progress with regard to renewable energy deployment. To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. Provisional figures provided by the SEAI for 2014 show that 8.6% of Ireland's overall energy requirement was met by renewable energy. In addition, SEAI has calculated that 22.6% of electricity, 6.6% of heat and 5.2% of transport were met from renewable sources.
In 2014, 22.6% of gross electricity generation was from renewables with the sub-categories listed in the following table.
|
Renewables % of Gross Electricity |
22.6% |
|
Hydro (normalised) |
2.6% |
|
Wind (normalised) |
18.2% |
|
Biomass |
1.2% |
|
Landfill Gas |
0.5% |
|
Biogas |
0.1% |
Electricity generated from renewable sources is playing an increasingly important role as part of our energy mix and has increased from 7.2% in 2005 to 20.9% in 2013. There are a range of policies in place to incentivise the increased use of renewable electricity. The REFIT schemes underpin the development of a range of renewable electricity technologies, including hydro, biomass combustion, biomass combined heat and power, landfill gas and onshore wind. These schemes close to new applications at the end of 2015. The cost effectiveness of support for renewables is a key consideration in the work now underway in the Department to consider the appropriateness and design of any new support scheme for renewable electricity. This will be available in 2016 subject to State Aid approval from the European Commission. The initial consultation period on the design of this scheme closed on 18 September 2015, however there will be two further opportunities for the public to contribute at key points in the design of the scheme.
Green House Gas emissions targets are a matter for my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
1568. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current electricity generating capacity derived from biomass, wind, hydro or micro-generated; the extent to which export substitution with consequent economic benefit continues to be achieved arising from the use of alternative energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32298/15]
View answer1574. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which the total amount of alternative electricity generation achieved to date and to express this as a percentage of total requirements in respect of carbon reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32304/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1568 and 1574 together.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and, in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. Ireland has made good progress with regard to renewable energy deployment. To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. Provisional figures provided by the SEAI for 2014 show that 8.6% of Ireland's overall energy requirement was met by renewable energy. In addition, SEAI has calculated that 22.6% of electricity, 6.7% of heat and 5.2% of transport were met from renewable sources.
In 2014, 22.6% of gross electricity generation was from renewables with the sub-categories listed in the following table.
|
Renewables % of Gross Electricity |
22.6% |
|
Hydro (normalised) |
2.6% |
|
Wind (normalised) |
18.2% |
|
Biomass |
1.2% |
|
Landfill Gas |
0.5% |
|
Biogas |
0.1% |
With regard to import substitution, our progress to date has already had a significant impact on the fossil fuel imports and carbon intensity of our economy. A report published by the SEAI in 2014, "Energy in Ireland 1990 - 2013" looking at fuel and CO2 emissions noted that renewable electricity generation displaced 778 kilo tonnes of oil equivalent of fossil fuel, with an associated saving of almost 2 million tonnes of CO2. The respective monetary savings were €245 million and €15 million. Furthermore, the SEAI report noted that energy related CO2 emissions fell by 3.8% and that the carbon intensity of electricity dropped to a new low of 469 grams of CO2 per kilo watt hour in 2013.
This transition has continued with the SEAI estimating that the use of indigenous renewables for electricity generation in 2014 avoided an estimated €254 million in fossil fuel imports, achieved in spite of a reduction in fossil fuel prices in the intervening period since 2012.
1569. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he hopes to encourage retention and development of the postal system including utilisation of the network of post offices and sub-post offices, and counter services throughout the country and incorporating suitable or compatible extra modern services, thereby making maximum use of the existing postal service through modernisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32299/15]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 87 on today's Order Paper.
1570. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that adequate steps are being taken to protect and develop the post office network and postal services in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32300/15]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 87 on today's Order Paper.
1571. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when it is expected that all the necessary preparations will have been completed to facilitate the introduction of Corrib gas to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32301/15]
View answerFollowing completion of the construction of the Corrib gas pipeline, Shell E&P Ireland Limited, on behalf of the Corrib partners, submitted an application on 18 August last under Section 40 of the Gas Acts for consent to operate the pipeline. This consent is required by the developer before production of gas can commence. A public consultation process in relation to the application was initiated on 25 August and is open for submissions for a period of one month. Submissions received will inform the evaluation and decision to be taken.
1572. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which fuel prices at filling stations have been reduced in the past year commensurate with the reduction of oil prices on the international markets; if further oil price reduction is envisaged and can be passed on to the consumer such as motorist and domestic consumers of heating oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32302/15]
View answerThe Irish oil sector is completely privatised, liberalised and deregulated. There is free entry into the market and it is Government policy to encourage price competition and consumer choice. As such, I have no function in the setting of petrol, diesel or home heating oil prices. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC, under the aegis of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation) has a role in ensuring that the market is functioning correctly and that consumers are not being disadvantaged. Previous investigations and surveys into oil prices (available at www.ccpc.ie) that the CCPC have undertaken indicate that the price paid by consumers is largely determined by taxation levels, the internationally traded price of crude oil and the consequent price at which refined product is traded in Europe, along with the level of competition in the retail market. As oil is traded in US dollars the recent weakness of the euro has also impacted on oil prices in the euro area.
The European Commission maintains a Statistics and Market Observatory, which presents consumer prices and net prices (excluding duties and taxes) of petroleum products in EU Member States (known as the Oil Bulletin) on a weekly basis. The Oil Bulletin is designed to improve the transparency of oil prices and to strengthen the internal market. The relevant link is:
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/observatory/oil/bulletin_en.htm. The latest bulletin from 14 September 2015 shows that petrol prices (including taxes) in Ireland were €1.37 per litre while diesel prices (including taxes) were €1.23 per litre. Heating oil prices (including taxes) in Ireland were €640.49 per 1,000 litres. In September 2014 the comparable prices (including taxes) for Ireland were €1.57 for petrol, €1.48 for diesel and €1,038 per 1,000 litres of home heating oil. This data illustrates that the consumer has seen a reduction in oil prices over the last year.
Question No. 1573 answered with Question No. 1566.
Question No. 1574 answered with Question No. 1568.
1576. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of internal audit across his Department; internal audit's relationship with external auditors and audit committees, as well as internal audit's adherence to professional standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32547/15]
View answerMy Department has an Internal Audit Unit which reports directly to the Secretary General under the general guidance of the Department's Audit Committee. Both the Internal Audit Unit and Audit Committee operate under charters approved by the Secretary General and the Audit Committee which includes an external chair and committee members. The Department’s Audit Committee, appointed by the Secretary General, is part of its control environment, tasked with providing independent advice to the Secretary General, as Accounting Officer, regarding the suitability and robustness of the Department’s internal control systems and procedures. Internal Audit meets with the Audit Committee at least 4 times per year and has full and free access to the Audit Committee and Accounting Officer as required.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) is the Department’s external auditor. Internal Audit provides copies of minutes from Audit Committee meetings, the Audit Committees Annual Report and completed audit reports to his office. Internal Audit also tracks the implementation of issues raised in the Internal and C&AG audits of the appropriation accounts. The Audit Committee meets with the C&AG annually to discuss their audit and other issues of common concern which may arise.
Internal Audit is guided by the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing which the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform determined, in November 2012, should be the standards which apply across the central Government sector.
1577. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the annual cost to his Department of fees paid to private for-profit companies to provide services, such as consultancy work, recruitment services and other outsourced services, for example cleaning, catering and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32711/15]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1578. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the annual cost to his Department of fees paid to private for-profit companies to provide public services, for example, waste collection, motorway toll operators, public transport such as Veolia-Luas and private bus companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32720/15]
View answerIn the time available, it has not been possible to ascertain the annual cost, if any, to my Department of fees paid to private companies to provide public services. I will reply to the Deputy as soon as possible with the requested information.
1579. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the closure of Portlaoise Driving Test Centre is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30575/15]
View answerThe operation of the driver testing service, including the location of testing centres, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
1580. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Kerry County Council has sought specific funding for the Listry Bridge which is located on the Killarney/Dingle via Milltown road in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30804/15]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
In the past local authorities were able to apply under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme for funding towards the cost of road improvement projects, including bridge replacement but due to the cut backs in capital funding for roads the Specific Improvement Grant Scheme has had to be curtailed in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work. In lieu of the Specific Improvement Grant Programme, applications were sought for bridge repair works (which is a subset of the current Specific Grant Programme) for 2015. Listry Bridge is not one of the bridges being funded this year - funding was not sought by Kerry County Council for repair works at this bridge.
It is also important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like Kerry County Council in their own resources spending in this area. It is open to the Council to fund this project from its own resources.
1581. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the motor insurance market here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31416/15]
View answerThe role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to motor insurance is confined to the legal requirement that under the Road Traffic Acts to have third party insurance to drive a motor vehicle in a public place.
My Department has no powers to regulate the motor insurance industry. The Central Bank, as Financial Services Regulator is responsible for the regulation of Insurance Companies, but their powers do not extend to pricing, which is seen as a matter for an open market.
1582. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that the National Roads Authority prioritises the need for an extension of a footpath on the Killarney-Killorglin Road in the townland of Dromin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31615/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), formerly the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1583. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the service of fixed charge notices where the recipient claims in court that service was never received, his plans to amend legislation to provide for secondary service of such a notice and adjournment of court appearance instead of facilitating the person avoiding any consequences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31911/15]
View answerThe fixed charge notice system was introduced in 2002. Overall the system has worked very well with over 70% of those receiving fixed charge notices opting to pay within the time stipulated.
Under legislation currently in effect, a person issued with a fixed charge notice has 28 days in which to pay. If they do not, they are given a further 28 days in which to pay the original charge plus 50%. Only if they have not paid after 56 days is a summons to court issued.
Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 provides for a "third payment option" whereby a person will receive a third and final payment of option of the original fine plus 100% at the same time as they receive a summons to court. This will render any attempt to argue in court that a fixed charge payment notice was not received impossible, as by definition those appearing in court will have received the payment notice with their summons. A sub-group of the Criminal Justice (Fixed Charge Processing System) Working Group has worked through the operation of the proposed third payment option and identified the broad changes to existing systems and procedures that are necessary. A Memorandum of Understanding between my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality has been agreed with respect to capital funding for the project and sanction has been received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to proceed with the project. A project Steering Group comprising representatives of Department of Justice and Equality, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, An Garda Síochána, and the Courts Service has been established to oversee implementation of the project.
I expect that the legislation will be commenced in mid 2016.
