Written Answers Nos. 707-716
707. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a person has a right to refuse the installation of a smart meter on his or her property on the grounds of the unknown health effects of wireless radiation and to provide health and environmental impact studies that have been done regarding their safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37619/16]
View answerThe EU’s Third Energy Package stipulates “where roll-out of smart meters is assessed positively, at least 80% of consumers shall be equipped with intelligent metering systems by 2020.” The majority of energy customers in Europe are expected to have an electricity smart meter by 2020 and smart meters are also being rolled out in other parts of the world including the United States, Brazil, India, and China.
In Ireland, the National Smart Metering Programme is managed by the Commission for Energy Regulation. The roll-out will include replacement of electricity meters, by ESB Networks, and gas meters, by Gas Networks Ireland, with new smart meters.
Smart meters are considered safe, having a smart meter in one’s home is on a comparable scale with having WiFi or a baby-monitor. In the delivery of smart meters, ESB Networks, and Gas Networks Ireland are required to ensure that any meters procured would, at a minimum, meet Irish and EU product health and safety legislation and standards, which require manufacturers to ensure that any product placed on the market is safe. The Commission for Energy Regulation will be monitoring this to ensure full compliance.
Regarding right of refusal, I have been informed by the Commission for Energy Regulation that a customer that does not want an upgraded meter will be able to decline to have this new meter installed. However, the intention is that the default for newly constructed dwellings or other premises, or where meters are due for replacement at the end of their life, will be the installation of a smart meter. Over time, every mechanical meter is likely to be replaced with this new generation technology.
708. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department, or the agencies that report to his Department, entered into non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements with an organisation due to court action or a threatened court action; and if so, the persons or groups with which these agreements exist. [37624/16]
View answerFollowing legal advice, it is considered that the provision of the information requested would undermine and possibly breach any agreement that may have been entered into by my Department.
The information regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
709. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has considered using his powers under section 13 of the Communication Regulation Act 2002 to ensure proper and effective use of the 3.6GHz spectrum to promote competition in the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37740/16]
View answerThe regulation of telecommunications operators is the statutory responsibility of ComReg in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations transposing the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services.
In October, I signed Regulations which will allow ComReg to auction spectrum in the 3.6GHz band (Wireless telegraphy (3.6GHz Band Licences) Regulations, 2016 (S.I. 532 of 2016)). This will allow ComReg to proceed to auction the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, and will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. The liberalisation of this band is in accordance with EU rules, and will allow the band to be used for a combination of mobile and wireless services, providing better quality voice and data services to customers across Ireland.
The proposals by ComReg to allocate spectrum in this band have been the subject of considerable consultation by ComReg over a long period and the process to allocate that spectrum has already commenced.
710. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grant aid available to a company wishing to install a biomass burner instead of oil and gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37759/16]
View answerThe introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a commitment in the Programme for Government and will be the primary support mechanism in the heating sector designed to meet Ireland’s renewable energy obligations. The aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in the renewable heating sector and to help reach Ireland’s 12% target by 2020. In 2015, 6.6% of heat was derived from renewable sources in Ireland.
The proposed RHI scheme is aimed at supporting larger industrial and commercial installations outside of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to change to heating solutions that produce heat from renewable sources. While no decision has been taken on the precise technologies to be supported, the use of biomass is one of the renewable heat technologies under consideration as part of the new scheme.
Before a final decision is taken on the renewable heat technologies to be supported, there will be an additional public consultation phase on the design of the new support scheme. The next consultation will be published before the end of 2016 and details will be posted to the Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.
Before the RHI scheme is opened for applications, the overall costs and technologies to be supported will be subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission. I hope to be in a position to announce the introduction of the new scheme in the latter half of 2017.
711. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the appointment of additional special advisers by him and Ministers of State in his Department. [37885/16]
View answerSpecial Advisers are appointed by Government under the terms and conditions set out in the ‘Instructions to Personnel Officers – Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil’ which includes the Guidelines for Staffing of Ministerial Offices. I have appointed two special advisers to my Department in accordance with the Guidelines. No advisers have been appointed by Minister of State Kyne to my Department.
712. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a learner driver arriving at the test centre to take the driving test is unaccompanied by a qualified driver will be permitted to take the test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37658/16]
View answerLearner drivers must, whenever they drive, be accompanied by a qualified driver. If they are not, then they are not covered by the terms of the leaner permit, which entitles them to drive only if accompanied. As such, unaccompanied learner drivers are in fact driving unlicensed.
The driver testing service, which is operated by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), is responsible for running the driving test, and does not have any power to enforce the law. This remains the role of An Garda Síochána.
713. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland plans to carry out upgrade works on the N69 Kilcornan village as escalated by Limerick City and County Council in view of the fact conditions are extremely dangerous in the area. [36858/16]
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 implementation of individual road projects (including works on the N69 Kilcornan village) 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.
714. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for making the taxi services more environmentally friendly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36870/16]
View answer715. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are proposals for making the taxi industry more environmentally friendly; the stage of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36871/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 714 and 715 together.
A key element of securing more environmentally friendly taxi services is the anticipated transition of the national taxi fleet to more sustainable alternative fuels over time.
As the Deputy may know, my Department is in the process of developing the transport sector's contribution to the National Mitigation Plan. This will include proposals for a range of measures aimed at supporting a transition to low carbon technologies. In addition, I recently held a public consultation on a draft national policy framework on alternative fuels infrastructure for transport. The primary aim of this framework is to remove any barriers that exist towards greater uptake of low emissions vehicles or LEVs.
The framework reflects the Programme for Partnership Government 's commitment to establishing a dedicated LEV taskforce. It is certainly recognised that greater penetration of LEVs in the Irish market would assist Ireland in meeting emissions reduction, energy efficiency and air quality targets as well as achieving 10% renewable energy in the transport sector by 2020.
As policy in relation to electric vehicles rests with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, his Department is working closely with mine to establish the taskforce in the coming weeks. It will work to present a range of potential measures and incentive options to Government for the purpose of accelerating the deployment of LEVs, including taxis. Proposals to support the uptake of lower emitting public service passenger cars will be considered within its work programme.
716. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding available from his Department for 2017 for the development of walking and cycling tourism; the way this money will be disbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36889/16]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism sectors such as walking or cycling, which are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply you directly in regard to its investment in and development of these sectors, including any funding available. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply in ten working days.
With regard to my Department's responsibility in respect of sustainable transport, under the Capital Plan, €100 million is committed to smarter travel and carbon reduction measures which includes funding for the further development of greenways. The Programme for Government also commits to providing additional capital funding for various tourism projects, including greenways. I will be seeking to deliver this additional funding in the context of the mid-term review of the Capital Plan next year.
My Department is currently developing a new strategy to set out a cohesive and forward looking approach to the development, funding and promotion of greenways and intends to consult with all stakeholders in the coming months. The outcome of this consultation and the resulting strategy will inform my Department's approach in relation to the allocation of available greenway funding in 2017 and beyond.
