Written Answers Nos. 812-829
812. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 5 July 2016, his plans as to the way the energy mix is to be organised per annum up to the year 2035; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22841/16]
View answerThe Energy White Paper sets out a framework that will guide policy in the energy sector from now up to 2030. It sets a vision of reducing emissions from the energy system by 80-95% by 2050. This will require the share of fossil fuels to be of the order of 26-51% of total primary energy requirement.
The Programme for Government also sets out important objectives in the energy sector that build on this vision. This includes Ireland’s long-term interests being best supported by further decreasing our dependence on foreign fossil fuels through the continued development of indigenous renewable energy.
The latest available data (as set out in SEAI's Energy in Ireland publication for 2014) shows the current energy mix in Ireland is largely comprised of fossil fuels - namely oil (47%), gas (28%), coal (9.5%) and peat (5.8%). Renewable energy sources consisted of 7.7% of the total primary energy requirement. Other sources of energy include electricity imports and non-renewable wastes which were circa 2% of the energy mix.
It should be noted the renewable energy sources made up 9.2% of gross final consumption of energy in 2015 relative to a 2020 target of 16%.
In the medium term, fuels with higher carbon content such as peat and coal will become relatively more expensive and be replaced over time by fuels with lower carbon content such as natural gas and renewable energy. The Energy White Paper acknowledges that oil and natural gas will remain significant elements of energy supply between now and 2035.
It should be noted that the Government will not determine what the exact energy mix will be by 2035, however policy clearly shows that there will be a much greater influence from renewable sources and increasingly less impact from high carbon, non-renewable sources.
813. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of energy his Department estimates will be generated by renewable energy by 2020 given current policy and current trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22842/16]
View answerThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Provisional data from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland estimates that we had reached 9.2% of the overall 16% target at the end of 2015. While good steady progress has been made, the 16% target remains challenging and will require the additional deployment of renewable energy in the electricity, heating and transport sectors between now and 2020.
In order to achieve the overall binding 16% total energy target, the Government remains committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport by 2020. The Government has adopted a range of policy support measures designed to meet these aims.
In the electricity sector, the primary support mechanisms introduced for renewable electricity are the Alternative Energy Requirement schemes and the Renewable Energy Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes. These schemes have proved successful at incentivising the development of the renewable electricity generation capacity necessary to meet our 40% renewable electricity target, and provisional figures show that in 2015 some 25.3% of electricity demand was met by renewable sources.
In the heating sector, my Department is working on the introduction of a new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to support the deployment of renewable energy in the sector. The primary aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in heating and to help reach our 12% target by 2020. In 2015 it is estimated that 6.8% of heat was derived from renewable sources.
In the transport sector, Ireland aims to meet our renewable target mainly through the increased use of sustainable biofuels, with electric vehicles also making a small contribution. In 2015, provisional figures indicate 5.7% of our energy needs in the transport sector were met from renewable sources.
The White Paper on Energy Policy sets out a vision for transforming Ireland's fossil-fuel based energy sector into a clean, low carbon system by 2050. The Programme for Government also sets out important objectives in the energy sector that build on this vision. The clear focus of my Department is on implementing the range of actions set out in the White Paper and Programme for Government that are aimed at meeting our energy and climate change targets.
814. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether keeping Moneypoint coal-fired power station open is compatible with meeting commitments to climate change mitigation targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22843/16]
View answer815. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to phase out coal-fired power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22844/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 814 and 815 together.
The Energy White Paper 'Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030', published in December last, notes that Moneypoint, Ireland’s only coal burning power station, contributes to diversifying Ireland’s fuel mix and the provision of competitively priced electricity. The station is owned by the ESB and the White Paper recognises that key decisions on its future will have to be taken before 2020 as the station will reach the end of its operating life in its current configuration in 2025.
In addition, the White Paper recognises that increasing ‘cost of carbon’ charges on Green House Gas emissions will drive up the cost of carbon-intensive energy sources and lead firms and consumers to adopt low carbon fuels and energy efficient technologies. It is anticipated therefore that the phasing out of higher carbon fuels will be achieved by a combination of sustainable policy measures and consumer reaction to the higher price of carbon intensive fuels.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a National Dialogue on Climate Change, which amongst its roles, will identify replacement low-carbon generation technology. This builds on the commitment in the Energy White Paper to establish a National Energy Forum to maximise and maintain consensus on the broad policy measures set out in the White Paper required to ensure the transition to a low-carbon energy future.
It is my intention that the National Dialogue on Climate Change will encompass the role envisaged for the National Energy Forum but with a wider focus to include the examination of key infrastructural, land use, security of supply and economic issues that need to be addressed in our long-term transition to a low-carbon future.
It is important that the National Dialogue on Climate Change reflects the views of all stakeholders including businesses, communities and citizens. This will require careful consideration in terms of the membership of the dialogue, its format and how it engages with the wider public. My Department is currently considering these matters and I hope to bring proposals to Government with a view to the first meeting of the National Dialogue on Climate Change being held later this year.
816. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff who entered the public service post 1 January 2011 in his Department, by year of entry to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23494/16]
View answerI understand that the information requested by the Deputy is being compiled by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and will be provided to him by that Department.
817. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of implementing a pay increase to all those employed under the remit of his Department post 1 January 2011 of 2%, 4% and 5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23506/16]
View answerThe cost per annum for my Department, were the pay increases set out in the Question to be implemented, is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Actual Pay Allocation - €000 |
Cost of Pay Increase of 2% - €000 |
Cost of Pay Increase of 4% - €000 |
Cost of Pay Increase of 5% - €000 |
|
2011 |
16,289 |
326 |
652 |
814 |
|
2012 |
15,949 |
319 |
638 |
797 |
|
2013 |
15,749 |
315 |
630 |
787 |
|
2014 |
15,335 |
307 |
613 |
767 |
|
2015 |
17,550 |
351 |
702 |
878 |
|
2016 |
17,039 |
341 |
682 |
852 |
818. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is an application process for the unannounced remaining €3 million sports capital dormant accounts funding for 2016 for sports measures, including capital allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22617/16]
View answerThe allocation of the remaining €3 million in Dormant Accounts Funding for sports measures, including the €798,000 in capital funding, will be announced shortly. The allocation of this funding is subject to the approval of the Minister of State for Regional Economic Development who has responsibility for Dormant Accounts Funding. The Dormant Accounts Funding for sports measures will be administered by Sport Ireland.
819. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow holders of limousine licences to use bus lanes when carrying paying passengers in view of the significant role such services play to those considering foreign direct investment here and in light of the fact that taxis can under certain circumstances use bus lanes. [22056/16]
View answerBus lanes were introduced, at considerable public expense, to provide on-street priority for bus-based public transport.
In addition to buses, cyclists are allowed in bus lanes because they are inherently vulnerable road users and are safer in those lanes, and emergency services are also allowed to use the lanes. Taxis are permitted to use them because they are a public transport service available for on-street hire.
Since the creation of bus lanes, there have been numerous requests to my Department to allow other classes of road users into the lanes. These include multi-occupancy vehicles, electric vehicles, motorcyclists, animal ambulances and others, as well as hackneys and limousines.
These requests have been rejected down the years as to allow additional categories of road users into bus lanes would undermine the efficiency of the lanes for the purpose for which they were originally intended. It would also be difficult to allow any one of these many requests without allowing the others, thereby further undermining the working of the lanes as bus priority measures. I therefore do not propose to extend the use of bus lanes to any other categories of road users.
820. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide a copy of the two reports conducted by Helios and approved by the Government within the past year, which deal with the issue of safety at Dublin Airport. [22087/16]
View answerI can confirm that my Department engaged Helios in 2015 to conduct an examination of the functions of Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) in accordance with Section 32 of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993.
My Department, with the approval of Government, has published the Executive Summary of the Report on the Department website. However, a decision was taken by the Government on the 18th of February 2016 not to publish the full Report.
The publication of the Report is currently the subject of a freedom of information request which is being reviewed by the Office of the Information Commissioner. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this matter before the determination of the Information Commissioner has been made.
821. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to further extend the number of recognised states with which an agreement exists for the purpose of driving licence exchange; if he is aware of the problem faced by Irish citizens returning here from states with which no formal agreement is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22096/16]
View answerIrish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. Under EU law, we have reciprocal exchange of driving licences with all other EU Member States. In the case of non-EU States, we may reach bilateral agreements on exchange of driving licences. We have a number of such agreements in place. Work in recent years has produced agreement with three of the Canadian provinces, and good progress is being made towards agreement with the remaining provinces.
I am well aware of the difficulties for people returning to Ireland from countries with which we do not have reciprocal arrangements. However, the implication that we should simply reach such agreements with those third countries is mistaken. Driver licensing law exists so that we can be sure of the standard of driving reached by people allowed to drive on our roads. Agreements on exchange of licences are made only after detailed study by the licensing authorities on both sides, so that each side can be sure that the two systems operate to compatible standards. A commitment to explore an agreement with another jurisdiction does not automatically mean that an agreement will be possible. On the Irish side, such work is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority.
The Deputy may also wish to note that an Irish driving licence may be renewed up to 10 years after it has lapsed without the requirement to resit a driving test.
822. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Marine Survey Office, MSO, to hold 400 certificates in abeyance for training courses here (details supplied). [22105/16]
View answer825. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the engagement with the National Maritime College of Ireland on accreditation of mariners refresher courses which are vital to continue work at the NMCI; when the courses will be approved by his Department; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22130/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 822 and 825 together.
My Department had a number of concerns, including legal and jurisdictional concerns, in relation to certain courses being provided at the NMCI. As I have already indicated to the House, following discussions last week between officials of my Department and the course provider, arrangements are in place for addressing on an urgent basis the approval of the relevant training courses.
Provisional approval for all the courses concerned was issued from my Department on Friday, and officials from the MSO are in the College today to conduct assessments of delivery with a view to final approval. I understand that these assessments are proceeding satisfactorily.
823. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether a standard fixed penalty for breaking speed limits should be in proportion with the speed at which the limit was broken and that persons who are caught breaking the speed limit in excess of 20 km/h should receive harsher fines and penalties than someone who breaks the speed limit by less than 5 km/h. [22122/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, one of the main causes of road collisions on Irish roads is excessive and inappropriate speed. My Department, in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána and other stakeholders, is continuing to examine this area to identify measures that can be taken to bring about future reductions in fatalities and serious injuries.
The main goal of the penalty point system is to make drivers more aware of unsafe driving behaviour and by doing so, improve that behaviour. Motorists have a duty of care to other road users by complying with speed limits and other road traffic regulations. To offer a lesser penalty for speeding in certain circumstances would be to reward poor driver behaviour.
I have no plans in the near future to change the current system in relation to speeding offences. In fact, the last revision increased the number of penalty points for speeding offences.
824. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied there are adequate rest areas and services on the motorway and dual carriageway network given the dangers of driver fatigue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22123/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects (including motorway service areas and rest areas) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
826. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the safety measures being undertaken by his Department for the regulation of self-driving cars here; and the engagement which has taken place with companies in relation to self-driving cars. [22131/16]
View answerCurrently in Ireland, my department is not aware of any demand for the operational testing of automated vehicle technologies; it is my understanding that these are largely taking place in countries with a domestic vehicle manufacturing industry. Of course, there are a range of firms with a presence here which have some involvement in elements of the very diverse range of technologies involved.
However, as this more a matter of industrial policy than road safety, it is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation and I am unable to comment further. However, in relation to road safety and relevant legal frameworks, my Department is continuing to monitor the development of autonomous vehicles and how this new technology is being managed in other jurisdictions. The question of automated and connected vehicles will have to be looked at in the context of the EU as well as nationally, given the framework of relevant licensing, insurance, data protection, and other legislation at EU level as well as the existence of the single market. Ireland is engaging with our European colleagues as the issues and challenges, including safety measures, are explored and addressed at EU level. Many of these were highlighted in the Declaration of Amsterdam, which was endorsed by all Transport Ministers of the EU in April 2016.
It is expected that the Commission's Connected Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) deployment platform will furnish EU Member States with various policy recommendations for the development of a roadmap for C-ITS and identify solutions for critical areas of concern in relation to such vehicles.
827. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to investigate the cause of serious accidents occurring on an ongoing basis on the national primary route N5 at Scramogue Cross junction, Strokestown, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22140/16]
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 operation of individual road projects, including the N5 in Roscommon is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Collision data for national roads is mapped and collated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and noting this position, I have referred your question regarding the N5 to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
828. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered banning the use of rickshaws as a method of transport and as a method of carrying passengers until regulations have been introduced by legislation or other means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22187/16]
View answer829. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has consulted the Attorney General on the legal advice obtained by both Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority on their respective powers to regulate rickshaws; and if not, when he intends to do so. [22188/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 828 and 829 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Oral Question No. 55, which I answered earlier.
