Written Answers Nos. 583-606
583. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if contractors (details supplied) will be reimbursed for refitting their machinery if a pay-by-weight waste collection system is not made law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39718/16]
View answerMy Department is currently reviewing, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives, the introduction of an incentivised pricing system, such as pay by weight, for household waste collection. The review is due to be completed by July 2017. Incentivised pricing aims to encourage householders to prevent, reduce and segregate their waste and also facilitates the industry in providing householders with a range of options to manage their waste costs.
Under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2015 household kerbside waste must be weighed by appropriate weighing systems and this weight reported to the householder at a frequency of at least once a month and that only vehicles fitted with approved weighing mechanisms are authorised to collect such waste.
Regardless of the form of incentivised pricing structure which is ultimately introduced, the weighing and reporting of weights are vital elements of waste management policy and legislation which will drive the prevention and segregation of waste. Such data will also greatly assist and inform current and future developers of policy and legislation and help ensure that we deliver on the State's waste statistics and reporting obligations.
584. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will confirm that both Bord na Móna briquette factories in Littleton, County Tipperary and Derrinlough, County Offaly will remain in operation in the coming years and continue to supply peat briquettes here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39797/16]
View answerBord na Móna is a commercial State company operating under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998. The matters raised by the Deputy are operational in nature and not ones in which I, as Minister, have any function.
585. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding progress on a biomass briquette; the impact it will have on the briquette factories (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39798/16]
View answerBord na Móna is a commercial State Company operating under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998. The matters raised by the Deputy are operational in nature and not ones in which I as Minister, have any function.
586. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has plans to extend broadband to cover an area (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39800/16]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE on the High Speed Broadband Map represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention, which are the subject of the current procurement process.
Monkstown Co. Cork, in its entirety, falls within a BLUE area and is therefore expected to be covered by commercial operators. Individuals can check whether their premise is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
While I cannot compel any operator to provide services to particular premises, the National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that all premises can access high speed broadband. My Department is therefore closely monitoring the rollout of services in the BLUE area, including Monkstown. I would encourage consumers in Monkstown who cannot access high speed broadband services to contact my Department directly at broadband@dccae.gov.ie, quoting their address and Eircode, and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services. This information will assist the Department in keeping track of progress in those areas and following up if necessary.
My Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area including approximately 86,000 premises in Co. Cork, covering 100,000km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
In a further positive initiative, last July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. I expect the Taskforce to report shortly by end 2016.
I recently signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 auction of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, to provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country, including County Cork.
587. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the commencement date for the introduction of the renewable heat incentives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39858/16]
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.
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.
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.
588. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has been involved in any court proceedings that involved non-disclosure agreements in the past five years; and if so, if the specific court ruling prevented knowledge of the court proceeding being known and knowledge of the participants to the court proceeding from being made known for each of these agreements. [39863/16]
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.
589. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the new regulations he expects to have in place early in 2017 pertaining to producer responsibilities for environmentally sound management of waste tyres; the details of his proposed mandatory compliance scheme to ensure that the vEMC levy is actually used for the measures intended by the scheme, that is, for waste management of end of life tyres; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a section of the industry that continues to impede the producer responsibility model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39880/16]
View answerIt is my intention to introduce new regulations early in 2017 to address Ireland's chronic waste tyres problem.
These regulations will enable me to put in place a full compliance scheme for tyre operators, which will be financed by a visible Environmental Management Charge (vEMC).
The Compliance Scheme will be operated by Repak End of Life Tyres (ELT) with a registration and reporting role for the Producer Register Limited. The scheme will carry out all regulatory functions on behalf of its members. All operators will be obliged to provide data on the numbers of tyres coming on and off the market. This will be the first time that there will be clarity in this regard. It will be mandatory for anyone placing tyres on the market in Ireland to join the compliance scheme.
The visible Environmental Management Charge (vEMC) will formalise the current charge which consumers pay to retailers when purchasing new tyres. Currently the fee paid by consumers only covers the cost of the collection of waste tyres. The new vEMC will cover the following:-
- Collection fee,
- Transport fee,
- recycling/recovery fee,
- Scheme management costs,
- Auditing,
- Retail handling fee,
- Marketing costs,
- educations/awareness costs (information for public and the industry), and
- Contingency Reserve.
I met with some tyre industry representatives recently. I listened to their concerns and I have done my best to address as many of them as possible. I have also received a lot of support during the extensive consultation that has taken place with the industry for the introduction of the scheme from other operators in the tyre market
By introducing these new structures, I am implementing the recommendations of the Review of Producer Responsibility Initiatives in Ireland which was published by my Department in 2014. I am convinced that the new structures will address the lack of regulation in this market to date and address the occurrences of stockpiles of waste tyres that could have a detrimental effect on the environment and human health.
590. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband will be available in Monagea, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39918/16]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention, which are the subject of the current procurement process. It is intended that premises within this area will have access to services of at least 30Mbps when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The area referred to by the Deputy falls within the AMBER area and will therefore be included in the State intervention procurement process. Over 750,000 premises are currently within the State intervention area.
My Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area including approximately 34,000 premises in Co Limerick, covering 100,000km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland.
Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. Householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 megabits per second but potentially up to 1000 megabits per second with businesses potentially availing of symmetrical upload and download speeds.
Earlier this year, before I came into office, the Department announced that it would be June 2017 before contract(s) were awarded under the NBP. The bidders in the process have recently indicated that they may need more time to conclude the procurement process. The timing of each stage of the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders, during the procurement process. Bidders need adequate time to prepare detailed proposals and their final formal bids. In addition, bidders need adequate time to get the relevant shareholder and funding approvals at key stages of the process. It is also important to ensure that risks in this multi-million euro procurement are carefully managed. I do not propose to comment any further on timelines at this juncture, given that discussions are on-going in the procurement process. I can assure the Deputy, however, that the procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. The Government considers the NBP to be one of the most significant investments in rural Ireland for decades, and one which will transform society, akin to rural electrification in the last century.
During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
In a further positive initiative, last July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. I expect the Taskforce to report shortly.
I recently signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 auction of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, to provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country, including County Limerick.
591. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the use of 1850 numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39953/16]
View answerThe Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) manages and administers the National Numbering Scheme which lists all numbers and codes that are available for use on public telecommunications networks. ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions, has established a variety of access code types, in accordance with international norms, including:
- geographic numbering where charges are incurred by the caller at a local or national rate;
- 1850 numbers which share the costs between the caller and the service provider at a fixed rate when called from a fixed line number, and
- 1890 numbers which share the costs between the caller and the service provider having regard to the duration of the call when called from a fixed line number.
While I cannot compel public bodies to use or display any particular telephone access codes in preference to alternative codes available, I would draw the Deputy's attention to arrangements in my Department which operates an 1890 lo-call option for users contacting my Department from fixed line numbers and a standard 01-6782000 access code which allows mobile phone users to contact my Department at the standard rate charged by their service provider or within their bundled minutes package.
I understand that ComReg is currently reviewing the use of the 1850 number together with four other classes of non-geographic-numbers in Ireland: ‘1800’, ‘1890’, ‘0818’ and ‘076’. The purpose of the review is to gather and analyse information that will allow it to substantiate, or otherwise, concerns regarding the use of non-geographic numbers at the retail level. The review will also take into account the requirement to ensure that these classes of numbers are used in a manner which promotes competition and protects consumers.
I understand that ComReg intends to publish a Consultation document in Q1 2017, which will set out the findings from the review and, where regulatory issues have been identified, may include a range of regulatory options designed to improve the functioning of non-geographic numbers for consumers.
592. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he last met formally with the CEO and chairperson of An Post; the issues discussed; when he will next meet the CEO and chairperson; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39966/16]
View answerMy most recent formal meeting with the Chairman and Chief Executive of An Post took place on 24 November 2016. We had a wide ranging discussion on the postal sector and, in particular, the challenges facing An Post in light of the acceleration of the trend in mail volume decline and the impact of the recent pay increase on the company financials.
In light of the challenges facing An Post, I have secured Government approval to bring forward legislation to provide for the repeal of section 30 of the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act 2011 in order to give An Post greater pricing freedom for mail products.
Last week An Post announced that it was undertaking a major strategic review which will consider the scale, scope and structure of the company for the long term, taking into account major technology and market shifts. An Post expects this review will be completed by May 2017.
Both I and my Department will continue to maintain ongoing communication with An Post and further meetings with the Chairperson and Chief Executive will be arranged as required.
593. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the introduction of a renewable heat incentive for the production of solar electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40032/16]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects for electricity production in Ireland. This builds on the Energy White Paper published in December 2015 and recognises that solar PV also has the potential to provide a community dividend, thereby also enhancing citizen participation in Ireland's energy future. With this in mind, solar PV is one of the technologies being considered in the context of a new support scheme for renewable electricity generation, which is under development by my Department.
The new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) will be subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission, and pending those decisions is expected to become available in late 2017.
A Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) support scheme is also under development by my Department. This 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, including solar thermal heating solutions.
Before a final decision is taken on the renewable heat technologies to be supported under the RHI, 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 this year and details will be posted to the Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie. The RHI is expected to be open for applications in the latter half of 2017.
The Deputy might also be interested to know that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland currently provides supports for the use of solar thermal heating technology to both large industry and SMEs. Households can also avail of grant support for investment in renewable energy installations, including solar thermal, under the Better Energy Homes Scheme.
594. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if grant aid is availiable to businesses or farmers to connect a three phase electricity supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40081/16]
View answerMy Department does not administer grant aid for such a scheme.
The Farm Electrification Grant Scheme (FEGS) was administered and funded through the former Department of Community Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCEGA) and then by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government from January 2005 to 31 December 2011. The scheme is no longer in operation. In that time, however, some €511,000 was paid to farmers under the scheme to subsidise the installation of electricity supply to farms located in disadvantaged areas which were without supply or where supply was inadequate to facilitate their development and modernisation. The maximum grant payable was €508 for single-phase supply and €1,016 for 3-phase supply.
Currently, the levying of connection charges is an operational matter for ESB Networks. ESB Networks operates the distribution network on the electricity grid. This is the medium and low voltage electricity network used to deliver electricity to connection points such as houses, offices, shops, business premises, and street lights. ESB Networks is responsible for building, maintaining and operating the distribution level network infrastructure including all overhead electricity lines, poles and underground cables used to bring power to Ireland's customers.
Tariffs and charges levied by ESB Networks are regulated by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), a statutorily independent body. In order to ensure that only equitable levels costs are collected through these tariffs, the CER carries out annual reviews of ESB Networks’ costs incurred in developing, maintaining and operating the distribution system.
Further information on the levying of charges on electricity customers and complaints in relation to connection the electricity network should be addressed to the CER who may be contacted at 01 4000800, 1890 404 404, energycustomers@cer.ie or Commission for Energy Regulation, The Exchange, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
595. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the name and number of Bills in preparation in his Department and published by his Department since May 2016; the Stage each Bill is at in the Houses of the Oireachtas; the number of Bills from his Department signed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40131/16]
View answerThe Energy Act 2016 (No. 12 of 2016) was signed into law on 30 July 2016.
The Minerals Development Bill, which aims to modernise and consolidate mineral development legislation, was published on 9 July 2015. The Bill passed the Report Stage in the Seanad on 14 October 2015. The Drafting of the Committee Stage amendments, including certain complex legal provisions, are currently being progressed with the Parliamentary Council before progressing to second stage in the Dail.
I expect, subject to Government approval, to be in a position to publish the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2016 next week. This Bill will repeal section 30 of the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act 2011 in order to remove the price cap mechanism currently applying in respect of certain postal services.
There are a number of other Bills currently in preparation in my Department which are listed in the following table:
Communications Climate Action and Environment
|
Bill |
Purpose |
Stage of each Bill |
|
Amendment to the radiological protection act 1991 |
Primary Legislation to deal with the Mulcreevy issues in the Radiological Protection Act 1991 and to give effect to the transfer of the functions therein from the Minister for Housing to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment |
Consideration of the best legislative solution to address this matter is ongoing. |
|
Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill |
To amend the Broadcasting Act 2009 to implement the Government Decision of July 2013 on the BAI 5 year review of public funding. |
The General Scheme of a Bill is currently being prepared. |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) (Dissolution) Bill |
To dissolve the DHDA, repeal the DHDA Act 2003, and to give effect to the merger between the DHDA and Dublin City Council |
It is anticipated that the General Scheme of Bill will be submitted to Government in Quarter 1 2017. |
|
Geothermal Energy Development Bill |
To provide a legislative framework for the vesting, licensing and regulation of the development of geothermal energy |
The drafting of the Bill is currently underway. Many of the provisions proposed are based on aspects of the Minerals Development Bill, which updates a range of Acts dating from 1940. It was decided therefore to proceed with the Minerals Development Bill first. |
|
Foyle Fisheries (Amendment) Bill |
To modernise the Foyle Fisheries Act 1952. All amendments are required to be mirrored in the Irish Statute Book and in the legislation of Northern Ireland.
|
Due to implications arising from the UK Referendum and other concerns on the Northern side, the drafting of Heads of the Bill has been postponed. |
|
Inland Fisheries (Amendment) Bill |
To confirm that IFI has the power to prosecute under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 and the power to prohibit purchase and possession of certain fish |
It is anticipated that the text of the Bill will be submitted to Government in Quarter 2 2017.
|
|
Inland Fisheries (Modernisation & Consolidation) Bill |
To modernise and consolidate existing provisions of legislation governing the inland fisheries sector |
It is anticipated that the Heads of the Bill will be submitted to Government in the first half of 2017. |
Details of the Government's full Legislation Programme is available on www.taoiseach.gov.ie.
596. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the requirement which his Department is placing on environmental organisations to register as charities will not in any way restrict their abilities to advocate for the policy changes needed to end biodiversity loss, stop climate change and protect human health and the environment. [40183/16]
View answerThe Charities Act 2009, under which the Charities Regulatory Authority was established, falls under the remit of the Minister for Justice and Equality.
It is my understanding that once an organisation promotes charitable purpose(s) only, it is permitted to engage in advocacy, lobbying and/or campaigning work once this work relates directly to furthering these charitable purpose(s). However, I have no function in the decisions relating to the granting of charitable status by the Charities Regulatory Authority.
597. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide all examples of entire units that have been centralised back to Dublin from within his Department; his Department's rationale for such moves; and if Cabinet approval was sought and given in each case. [40474/16]
View answerMy Department has decentralised offices situated in Cavan and Wexford Towns and these offices have responsibility for delivering on a range of the Department's business areas. No business units from this Department have been re-centralised back to Dublin from regional locations.
598. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has considered a possible ban on diesel vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39606/16]
View answerMy Department has not considered introducing a ban on diesel vehicles.
Policy in relation to alternative fuels and air quality falls primarily within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment. Our Departments work together closely on matters of mutual interest.
Ireland has expressed its intention, through a national policy position, to transition to a low carbon economy by 2050. Switching to the use of alternative fuels and technologies will be an integral part of the transport sector's efforts to decarbonise. This will be reflected in Ireland's first National Mitigation Plan, which is due to be published in 2017. It is also reflected in my Department's recent draft policy framework on infrastructure for alternative fuels, on which a public consultation recently closed.
Transitioning away from the use of oil over the coming decades will not only help to meet climate objectives but it will also have co-benefits in terms of air quality. It is expected that the transport sector will move predominantly to electricity for passenger cars, commuter rail and taxis by 2030. Natural gas, along with some electrification, will provide an interim alternative solution for larger road vehicles - freight and buses. It is envisaged that biofuels will continue to play a role over the next ten years or so.
In the future, to fulfill our national ambition for transition to lower emitting vehicles (LEVs), a wide range of measures will be required. The potential benefits of introducing low emissions zones in urban areas will be considered in this context. To date, the introduction of low emissions zones in other countries have been spearheaded by city authorities for air quality purposes. It may also be necessary, in future years, to consider a ban on the sale or import of petrol and diesel fuelled cars, particularly if there is a need to accelerate the low carbon trajectory for transport or if a similar approach to restricting sales of such vehicles is being adopted across the rest of Europe. Such measures can be given consideration over time and as required to underpin the transition to alternative fuels.
599. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the maximum sentence for drink driving from ten years to 14 years in line with the UK laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39722/16]
View answerAt present, the maximum penalty for drink driving offences is six months in prison and a fine of up to €5,000. There is also a consequential disqualification which is based on a scale, depending on the level of alcohol and whether or not it is a first offence. Disqualifications on this scale range from a minimum of 6 months to a minimum of 6 years.
The 10-year sentence to which the Deputy refers is for dangerous driving causing death or serious injury. In this case the maximum penalty is 10 years and/or a fine of up to €20,000. There is also a disqualification of at least 4 years in the case of a first offence and at least 6 years in the case of a second or subsequent offence. I would remind the Deputy that these disqualification periods are the minimum - a lifetime ban is a possibility, at the discretion of the Judge, having regard to the facts of the case.
While there are no plans at present to extend the imprisonment term for drink driving offences, road traffic law is constantly under review.
600. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to ensure implementation of Ireland's commitment within the Fresh Start agreement to improve cross-Border rail services. [39917/16]
View answerThe Northern Rail Line plays an important role in linking communities North and South of the Border. I met with Northern Ireland's Infrastructure Minister, Chris Hazzard, on Monday, 12 December, under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council. This provided an opportunity to further develop co-operation between our respective Departments on strategic transport priorities. The rail link between Belfast and Dublin was among the issues discussed. Iarnród Éireann and Translink have established a joint Enterprise Board chaired by the CEO's of both companies aimed at implementing improvements to the Enterprise cross-Border Dublin/Belfast service.
While the main emphasis of funding for the rail network in the Capital Plan is on the maintenance of the existing network to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose, funding has been allocated for electrification of the Northern Line as far as Balbriggan. Funding has also been allocated for the completion of the City Centre Re-signalling Programme and the construction of a new Central Traffic Control Centre which will enable the DART expansion projects to progress as well as generally improving national rail movements including the Enterprise service.
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) recently launched a public consultation process on the Rail Review report which was jointly prepared by NTA and Iarnród Éireann. The purpose of the consultation exercise is to open up a public discussion on the role of rail in Ireland and the funding of the rail network and services. The public consultation process will run until 18 January and the NTA will then prepare a report about the process which I intend to bring to Government. No decisions will be made on the future of the rail network until the public consultation process has concluded and been evaluated.
601. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all the provisions of the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 have now been signed into law; the rules that now apply in relation to maximum clamp release charges; the provisions for an appeal mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39375/16]
View answerThe Vehicle Clamping Act has not yet been commenced. The Act requires amendment in order to correct an error in how it deals with the consultation process before making required Regulations. This necessary amendment is being introduced within the Road Traffic Bill 2016 which last week completed Dáil Committee Stage and is expected to complete all Oireachtas stages before the Christmas recess, subject to Oireachtas scheduling. Once that Bill is enacted I will then be able to commence the Vehicle Clamping Act.
Upon commencement it will be the function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to regulate clamping activities wherever they take place, including the determination of maximum clamp release fees in private car parking areas, as well as the establishment of a two-tier clamping appeals process and separate complaints procedure to consider complaints from members of the public in relation to clamping.
I look forward to commencing this Act very shortly.
602. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there is no competition licence here for younger shooters who wish to compete at international skeet events on behalf of Ireland unlike in other jurisdictions in which younger shooters can acquire a special licence while under special guidance of a team manager; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39434/16]
View answerNeither I nor Sport Ireland have any responsibility in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy. The Deputy may wish to inquire with the Irish Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (ICPSA), which is the National Governing Body for clay shooting. All National Governing Bodies, including the ICPSA, are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for the competition rules for their sports.
603. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total photography costs for his Department per annum since March 2011 inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance in tabular form; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39478/16]
View answerThe details of photography bookings from 2011 to 2015, including the cost of these incurred by my Department, are published on the Department's website at the following link:http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/photography-costs.
The details and costs for 2016 will be collated and published in early 2017.
It is the policy of the Department that photography costs are kept to a minimum and services are provided in-house by staff. Where services are contracted, best value is sought and a number of quotes are obtained. Services are contracted out on an exceptional basis only.
604. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011 per annum in tabular form; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date. [39494/16]
View answer605. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department per annum since March 2011 in tabular form; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39510/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 604 and 605 together.
Details of external services, including consultancies and public relations firms as requested by the Deputy, are available from my Department's website at the following link http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/publications/english/expenditure-external-services-2016. This document is updated twice yearly, the information for January to June 2016 is currently available and information relating to the second half of 2016 will be available early in 2017.
It is the policy of the Department in the exercise of its functions to use internal resources as far as possible. Consultants are hired occasionally in circumstances where particular expertise is not available internally and/or where it is deemed to add value and independence to the overall work of the Department. Procurement is undertaken in accordance with the Department's procurement policy and procedures manual which provides for the implementation of the national procurement guidelines published at: http://etenders.gov.ie/Media/Default/Page/Public_Procurement_Guidelines_-_Competitive_Process_2010.pdf
606. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has liaised with his colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, in respect of the seemingly serious inconsistencies in District Court decisions on speeding offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39522/16]
View answerI appreciate the Deputy's concerns and share them. Therefore, I intend to engage with my colleague, the Tanaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to assess how best, as legislators, the government may assess the consistency and effectiveness of sentencing regarding road traffic offences.
