Written Answers Nos. 273-285
273. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the current status of the renewable heat incentive and other relevant measures to support the sector; if purchases of a biomass boiler from January 2017 onwards will be included in the renewable heat incentive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38153/16]
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, 6.5% of heat was derived from renewable sources in Ireland.
Over the last few months, my Department has undertaken a detailed economic assessment on the design and cost of the RHI and this work is now almost complete. This assessment included a range of renewable energy technologies - including biomass - and focused on the approximately 3,000 large commercial and industrial heat users in the non-Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in Ireland.
The focus on the larger heat users was underpinned by analysis completed in 2014 which indicated that it would not be cost effective, at this stage, to include the domestic heating sector in the RHI. This is due to a number of factors including the much higher support tariff per kilowatt hour of energy that would be required to incentivise households to change heating systems, as well as the significantly greater costs associated with administering the scheme for a large number of households in what is an unregulated sector.
In order to support on-going investment in renewable heat installations, the Department will seek clearance from the European Commission that RHI support can apply to RHI applicants, who meet the criteria of the scheme, and were completed and first commissioned between the Government announcement on the RHI in 2014 and the start date of the RHI. A final decision on whether this will be facilitated is a matter for the European Commission to decide and will be formally announced at the time the scheme is cleared by the European Commission.
There will be an additional public consultation phase on the design of the new scheme before the end of the year. Details will be posted on the Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie. Before the RHI is introduced, the overall costs and technologies to be supported will be subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission. It is expected that a new scheme will become available in the latter half of 2017.
274. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the latest progress in meeting the overall renewable targets by 2020 under Directive 2009/28/EC on renewable energy, including the progress on meeting the targets for the contribution of renewables and biofuels to gross electricity consumption, transport energy and heat since the Government came to office; and his plans to ensure that Ireland meets its 2020 and 2030 target. [38178/16]
View answerThe Energy White Paper 'Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030', published in December 2015, sets out a high-level framework for Ireland's energy transition to a low carbon economy and society and identifies a range of measures and actions to support this aim.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy, with the latter transport target also being legally binding. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has calculated that 25.3% of electricity, 6.5% of heat and 5.7% of transport energy requirements were met from renewable sources at end 2015. The SEAI analysis also shows that 9.1% of Ireland’s overall energy requirements in 2015 were met from renewable sources.
The Government has a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy and although good progress towards the target has been made to date, meeting the 16% target remains challenging. My Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and a new Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. The introduction of any new scheme - including the overall costs and technologies to be supported - will be subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission.
In the transport sector, Ireland aims to meet its renewable target mainly through the increased use of sustainable biofuels, with electric vehicles also making a small contribution. Further increases to the obligation rate in the Biofuels Obligation Scheme will take effect from 1 January 2017 when the biofuels obligation rate will increase to 8% by volume. Concerning the post 2020 period, on Wednesday of this week the European Commission published a proposal for a new Renewables Directive that envisages a binding European Union target of at least 27% in 2030. Over the coming period, the details of this proposal will be scrutinised by my Department.
As regards 2030 targets for the non-ETS sector, the specific details of the contribution to be made by each Member State in respect of this sector were the subject of a European Commission proposal published on 20 July 2016. The full implications of this proposal from a domestic perspective are currently being examined.
275. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the potential implications that the upcoming auction of the 3.6 GHz spectrum may have for the provision of fixed wire broadband services across the country, particularly in areas in which this is the only available broadband; the steps he will take to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38180/16]
View answerThe management of the radio spectrum (including the allocation of radio spectrum, the award of spectrum licences and the associated application of terms and conditions and obligations) is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. ComReg is independent in the exercise of this spectrum management function.
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.
I have no role or function in the delivery of the auction process, which is a matter for ComReg. Having regard to the independence of ComReg in the matter it would not be appropriate for me to make any comment on this matter at this time.
276. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will contact the director general of RTE to obtain the play log for all RTE stations for the previous three months to ascertain the amount of Irish music they have played. [38253/16]
View answerThis is an operational matter for RTÉ and I have asked the company to respond directly to the Deputy.
277. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the outstanding issues and requirements regarding the payment of a 2015 sports capital grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38089/16]
View answerThe club referred to by the Deputy has been allocated a total of €258,000 under various rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. The most recent grant of €58,000 was allocated in 2015 and is fully outstanding. As is the norm for grants of this value, a Deed of Covenant and Charge must be executed to secure the State's interest. I understand the Chief State Solicitor's Office and the solicitor acting on behalf of the club continue to engage in this regard. Once these legal issues are completed, formal approval will issue and the grant may be drawn down subject to the standard payment procedures.
278. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the rail network here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38117/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is currently running a public consultation on rail in Ireland. It was launched over two weeks ago with the publication of the Rail Review 2016 - which the NTA undertook in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann - together with an NTA consultation document "The Role of Rail in Ireland and Funding its Delivery". Both documents are available on the NTA's website.
The public consultation process will give the public and all interested parties the opportunity to give their views and contribute to the debate on the future of heavy rail in Ireland. The public consultation process will run until 18 January 2017 and the NTA will then prepare a report based on the findings; thereafter I intend to bring this report to Government. No decisions will be made about the heavy rail network before the public consultation process has concluded and been evaluated.
279. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding roadworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38118/16]
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 road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
As regards the position in relation to the condition of the road at the Minish railway track, the Deputy's previous PQ of 27274/16 in relation to the same matter was referred to TII and I understand that TII has replied to the Deputy setting out the current position.
In relation to the Deputy's query in relation to lighting on the N22 at the junction with the R569, I am forwarding your question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
280. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the construction of the Cork to Limerick motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38120/16]
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 national road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 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 TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
The Capital Plan published in September 2015 outlined proposed transport investment priorities to 2022. The transport element of the Capital Plan did provide for some targeted investment in a number of new projects in the Munster region including the N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange and the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom schemes. In addition, a number of other schemes targeted at removing bottlenecks and upgrading port access, will commence subject to necessary consents. It was not possible to include the M20 in the Capital Plan as the scale of investment to deliver it was not affordable.
While I have agreed that TII can proceed with some early activities related to restarting planning for the proposed M20 scheme, additional funding would need to be made available to my Department if the project is to be progressed. It is, therefore, premature to consider whether the project, if it were to go ahead, could be procured by way of a Public Private Partnership (PPP). In this context I would note that in the case of road PPPs significant State investment is required up front. It is also the case that, as part of the Capital Plan, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform introduced an Investment Policy Framework for PPPs which limits expenditure on PPPs to a percentage of annual capital spending.
281. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding is available for a culvert at a rail crossing (details supplied) in County Sligo; if he will identify possible sources of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38124/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not responsible for, or involved in, the day-to-day operations of Iarnród Éireann.
Issues relating to Railway Crossings are a matter for Iarnród Éireann. In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my Office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
282. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps his Department has taken to regulate the operation of automated cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38168/16]
View answerIn terms of regulating the use of automated vehicles, my department is not aware of any demand for the use or indeed the operational testing of such vehicles in Ireland. I understand that given the stage of development that this technology is at such activities are largely confined to countries with a domestic vehicle manufacturing industry.
Nonetheless, in terms of road safety and developing the relevant legal framework within which these vehicles may operate, 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 EU Transport Ministers 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 will also identify solutions for critical areas of concern in relation to such vehicles.
283. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's position on the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38169/16]
View answerThe Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which dates from 1968, is the most recent in a series of international road traffic conventions. Ireland, along with a number of other OECD countries, is not a signatory.
Ireland is a signatory to the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic of 1949, which preceded the Vienna Convention. For the purposes of international road traffic, the 1949 Convention remains in force between any countries which signed it and have not both signed the Vienna Convention. For instance, the fact that Irish drivers may drive abroad on a visitor basis for up to a year on their Irish licences, and that visitors in Ireland may drive for up to a year on their national licences, is derived from the 1949 Convention.
My Department has limited resources to address a wide array of road traffic matters. The constantly evolving nature of road traffic legislation is reflected in the regular introduction of road traffic bills and regulations. In this context, examination of the Vienna Convention with a view to possible signature is not currently a priority.
284. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps his Department has taken to address learner drivers who have repeatedly failed their practical driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38170/16]
View answerThe driver learning process is an essential component in road safety. It is vital that learners acquire the skills necessary to drive safely on our roads, for their own sakes and for the sake of other road users.
Ireland has over the past number of years introduced a number of elements which together form part of a Graduate Driver Licensing (GDL) system for Ireland. This is a stepped approach to driver learning which focuses on the acquisition of skills and experience, rather than solely on passing the driving test. Among elements of GDL are the requirement to undergo 12 Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons. Evidence from test results show that learners who entered the system after EDT was introduced, and were therefore required to complete the lessons, have a higher chance of passing the test than those who were in the system before and have not done the lessons.
I appreciate that some people may have repeated difficulties in passing the test. However, we also have to remember that driving is not a right. It is a privilege and a responsibility, and it has to be earned by meeting certain standards, which in turn exist in the interest of public safety.
285. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the 2014 Road Safety Authority review of the driver test; the steps that have been taken to implement same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38171/16]
View answerThis is a matter for 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 is not received within 10 days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
