Written Answers Nos. 42 - 70
42. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of the tyre industry regarding the monopoly on collection and recycling and the issue of excessive costs. [13887/17]
View answerI am introducing a new compliance scheme that will effectively manage waste tyres in the Irish market and will reduce the stockpiles of waste tyres, which could have a detrimental effect on the environment and human health.
I am very aware of the concerns of the tyre industry regarding these new structures. I have met with the tyre representative bodies. I listened to their concerns and I have done my best to address as many of them as possible.
The scheme will be operated by Repak End of Life Tyres (ELT), with a registration and reporting role for the Producer Register Limited. It will carry out all regulatory functions on behalf of its members. It will be funded by a visible Environmental Management Charge (vEMC). 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.
There is nothing unusual about the designation of a single compliance scheme for a particular waste stream. A comprehensive review of compliance schemes in Ireland in 2014 examined this aspect and recommended that the tyre market in Ireland is such that only one Producer Organisation would be viable. This single compliance model already works in other waste streams for example, farm plastics (IFFPG) and packaging (Repak).
The vEMC will be set at a level to enable the scheme operate on a not for profit basis while ensuring they manage the regulatory obligations of their members. Should it become apparent to me that the charge is insufficient to cover or is exceeding the cost of managing tyres in an environmentally sound manner, I will amend the charge accordingly.
43. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to tackle broadband deficits in black spots such as Legan and Ardagh, County Longford, in the period while the national broadband plan is out to tender and before it is implemented, in view of the damage this deficit is causing to local businesses on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13184/17]
View answer68. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is engaging with the private sector adequately to ensure accessibility to broadband coverage in south County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13696/17]
View answer72. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the implementation of the Dáil Éireann approved Private Members' business motion on rural broadband of July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13883/17]
View answer79. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the implementation of the national broadband plan in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13936/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 68, 72 and 79 together.
The 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.
A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, 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.
There has been significant progress in relation to broadband roll-out so that today, approximately 1.4m or 61% of premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector, which is continuing to expand this footprint.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the current 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 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
There are circa 88,000 premises in County Kildare, approximately 20,000 (23%) of which are located in the Amber area on the Map, and will benefit from the NBP’s State Intervention. The remaining c.68,000 (77%) premises are located in the commercial blue area and will be served by commercial operators.
My Department is actively monitoring commercial deployment plans in the BLUE areas to ensure that all households and businesses can get access to the services. My Department is also actively monitoring developments of commercial operators that might impact the Intervention Area. This is being done in accordance with procedures set out by my Department in December 2015.
I should add, however, that the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter for the service providers concerned who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I do not have a statutory authority to require commercial companies to roll out services to particular locations.
The map indicates that the townlands of Legan and Ardagh Demesne County Longford are within the AMBER area and will, therefore, be included in the State Intervention procurement process under the NBP.
Individuals can check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
A formal procurement process is in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. My Department will shortly update the High Speed Broadband map to finalise the Intervention Area for the Procurement process, taking into account industry investments that have not materialised in Blue areas, together with new industry investments within the proposed State Intervention Area, along with concrete and credible commitments by industry for further new investments within the Intervention Area.
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 timeframe for 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. During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to roll out a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the roll-out of the network once a contract is awarded.
The Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best roll-out strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand and a prioritisation programme will be put in place in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
Two Regional Action Groups have been established to work with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate broadband roll-out in rural Ireland.
The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has moved to the Implementation phase. The Implementation Programme on Mobile Phone and Broadband Access identifies 19 of the 40 Taskforce actions as areas where immediate and direct action by Government Departments and State Agencies can ensure accelerated benefits to consumers. Each of the actions and Implementation Programme has its own timeframe for delivery, see Report: http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
I have signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with the allocation of spectrum in the 3.6GHz band. This will 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.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
I am satisfied that the combination of initiatives, and the procurement process to deliver a new high speed broadband network under the NBP, will put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity, and ensure that high speed broadband services are universally available.
44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which his plans have progressed to develop the alternative energy sector in view of international trends and the extent to which dependency on imported fuels is likely to increase in the absence of a robust non-fossil fuel sector; the degree to which reliance on foreign imports and costs associated therewith can be reduced significantly in the next ten years by way of the development of all viable alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13925/17]
View answerThe overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced electricity to all consumers. The Energy White Paper, 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 target also being legally binding. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) 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. Overall, SEAI analysis shows that 9.1% of Ireland’s energy requirements in 2015 were met from renewable sources and that this avoided €286 million of fossil fuel imports. Provisional data for 2016 from SEAI shows that 27.3% of electricity demand was 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 (RHI) Scheme, designed to assist in meeting our RES-E and RES-H targets. 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 took effect from 1 January 2017 when the rate increased to 8% by volume.
The 2014 National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, which is underpinned by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, provides the high-level policy direction for the State to move to a low-carbon economy by 2050. The development of sectoral mitigation measures for the electricity generation, the built environment, transport and agriculture sectors to be set out in a National Mitigation Plan (NMP) is well advanced. The primary objective of the first NMP will be to monitor measures already underway and identify potential additional measures that, in the medium to longer term, will reduce GHG emissions. This will assist Ireland to achieve our national transition objective to become a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by the end of 2050. Following a public consultation launched last week, the NMP will be submitted to Government for approval in June.
45. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for further funding in 2017 to develop and enhance infrastructure associated with angling (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13689/17]
View answerMy Department provided €500,000 in funding support for the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) in 2016 and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) reviewed applications in respect of a first call for projects based on this funding. I announced approval for the first €500,000 of investment for 50 community-based projects nationwide in December last.
I have also secured an additional €1.5 million for NSAD investment for this year and further tranches of project funding will be announced in 2017.
In addition, IFI secured funding of €536,000 from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs under the Action Plan for Rural Development, with which the NSAD is aligned.
The NSAD is the first comprehensive national framework for the development of Ireland’s angling resource. The NSAD has the potential to deliver considerable benefits in terms of employment, tourism and health and well-being, particularly in rural areas. Effective and sustainable implementation of the NSAD, delivered together with local and national stakeholders, will ensure stability of existing jobs and businesses reliant on angling, and the creation of new jobs as the economic impact of angling grows. The NSAD aims to develop our angling resource sustainably through balancing the economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects of any development in line with Inland Fisheries Ireland’s responsibilities for the protection, management, conservation and development of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
46. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Brendan Griffin den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil an mbeidh maoiniú breise ar fáil faoin gciste caipitil Oibreacha um Fhorbairt na Slatiascaireachta cosúil leis an maoiniú a leithdháil a Roinn i gcomhar le hIascach Intíre Éireann an Nollaig seo caite; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [13944/17]
View answerCuireann an earnáil slatiascaireachta €836 milliún le geilleagar na hÉireann gach bliain agus tacaíonn sí le 11,000 post Éireannach. Is minic gur i bpobail tuaithe agus imeallacha a bhíonn na poist seo, áit a mbíonn níos lú deiseanna fostaíochta ar fáil.
Tá sé mar aidhm ag an Straitéis Náisiúnta um Fhorbairt Slatiascaireachta (SNFS) an méid a chuireann an tslatiascaireacht leis an ngeilleagar a mhéadú go €932 milliún in aghaidh na bliana agus 1,800 post breise a chur ar fáil. Tá Iascach Intíre Éireann ag fiosrú na bhfoinsí maoiniúcháin ar fad a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ann.
Chuir mo Roinn €500,000 de thacaíocht mhaoiniúcháin ar fáil don SNFS in 2016 agus mheas Iascach Intíre Éireann iarratais le haghaidh tionscadail. D'fhógair mé i mí na Nollag seo caite go raibh an chéad €500,000 d’infheistíocht le haghaidh 50 tionscadal pobalbhunaithe ar fud na tíre ceadaithe.
Chomh maith leis sin, tá €1.5 milliún breise faighte agam le haghaidh infheistíocht ag an SNFS i mbliana agus fógrófar tuilleadh sciartha de mhaoiniú le haghaidh tionscadal in 2017.
Ina theannta sin, tá maoiniú €536,000 faighte ag Iascach Intíre Éireann ón Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta faoin bPlean Gníomhaíochta um Fhorbairt Tuaithe, a bhfuil an SNFS ina chuid de.
47. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the discussions he has had with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government on new planning guidelines for wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13895/17]
View answerThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set legally binding renewable energy targets for member states and Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020. As the most cost effective of the technologies available to Ireland and in keeping with the overarching objective of the Government’s energy policy, to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers, wind energy will make the largest contribution to our renewable energy target.
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, in consultation with my Department is conducting a targeted review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines (WEDGs) in relation to noise, shadow flicker and proximity. In accordance with the Programme for Government commitment the finalised Guidelines will have to offer a better balance between the concerns of local communities and the need to invest in indigenous energy projects. The new planning guidelines will also be informed by best international practice. Minister Coveney and I updated Government on the matter in December 2016.
Furthermore, the issues of community benefit and participation are being considered and developed as part of this process. The proposed new Guidelines will be subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment and associated public consultation before they are finalised by Government.
Intensive engagement between the two Departments is ongoing in order to bring to completion the revision of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines as soon as possible.
48. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action which has been taken to address the concerns regarding the low level of prosecutions of big business polluters raised in the formal review of the EPA conducted by a person (details supplied) and the lack of accountability of the EPA resulting from its immunity from prosecution. [13932/17]
View answerI presume the report to which the Deputy is referring is "A Review of the Environmental Protection Agency" presented to then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government by the Environmental Protection Agency Review Group in May 2011.
Rigorous implementation of environmental policy and legislation, underpinned by the principle of proportionality, is the appropriate approach to adopt in protecting our environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the independent statutory body responsible for protecting the environment in Ireland. The EPA performs a wide range of statutory functions in fulfilment of its mandate.
For example, the EPA has a key role in licensing facilities with the potential for significant environmental pollution, to ensure that their emissions do not endanger human health or harm the environment. The EPA is responsible for issuing Industrial Emission Directive Licences; Integrated Pollution and Control (IPC) Licences; Waste Licences; Waste Water Discharge Authorisations; Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Authorisations; and Radiological Protection Licences.
The EPA also encourages participation in its regulatory activities, through providing input to its decision making processes and reporting any negative environmental impacts from facilities that it licenses such as odours, noise or water pollution.
While overall compliance with EPA Licences is good, the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement introduced a new methodology in 2015 for risk-ranking National Priority Sites which takes account of enforcement performance, giving a timely, dynamic and accurate picture of where regulatory responses should be directed.
Targeting actions in the right places is also of critical importance to the EPA in addressing the problems in both an effective and efficient manner, and they are placing a particular focus on any licensed industrial, waste and waste water facilities creating nuisance for adjacent communities.
EPA prosecutions are particularly focussed on priority sites and issues. In 2016, the EPA conducted over 1,500 site visits at licensed facilities and 17 prosecutions were pursued.
The EPA operates in a transparent and open manner, publishing comprehensive details about its activities. Further information is available to the public on www.epa.ie.
Although the EPA, like many other State Bodies, has immunity from liability for civil damages, it is important to clarify that it is not immune from prosecution, as it is answerable and accountable before the Irish Courts.
49. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the draft bio-energy plan; when he anticipates publishing this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13894/17]
View answerThe Draft Bioenergy Plan sets out the policy areas that must be coordinated to support the development of biomass sector in Ireland. It also identifies 19 measures to support the sustainable development of the sector. There are a wide range of Government departments, agencies and state bodies that are critical enablers for bioenergy development by virtue of their responsibility for areas such as forestry, agriculture, waste, research funding and business development.
My Department is still in the process of finalising the draft Environmental report and associated Natura Impact Statement in respect of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment for the Bioenergy Plan.
I expect that these documents and a revised draft bioenergy plan to go for public consultation in quarter two this year. This consultation will be advertised on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie.
50. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way the mobile phone and broadband task force plans to deal with the impact that Brexit will have on coverage and roaming charges for persons in Border communities. [13886/17]
View answerI am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, including in border communities, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Recognising this frustration I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force. In July 2016, I established this Task Force together with Minister Humphreys to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits in this jurisdiction. To that end the recommendations of the Taskforce that were published in December, irrespective of Brexit, will assist in improving the quality of service and coverage that all customers, including those in border communities, will receive.
In order to maintain momentum, I, together with my colleague Minister Humphreys, have established an Implementation Group, which met for the first time on 8 March. This group will drive and monitor the implementation of the actions in the Task Force report, bringing together all key stakeholders identified in the Task Force report with responsibility for delivery of actions. This group will formally report every 90 days on progress made on all actions to both myself and Minister Humphreys. I am expecting the first such quarterly report in April, following the end of this quarter.
In relation to roaming, the EU Roaming Regulations aim to abolish retail roaming charges within the EU on 15 June 2017, subject to Fair Use Policy. At that point in time, the UK will still be a member of the EU and will thus be required to abide by EU law in place at that time.
It is not yet possible to say what impact Brexit will have on cross border roaming charges. This will be largely dependent on the future relationship between the EU and UK. The UK Government White Paper on Brexit sets out that the UK wishes to ensure that the UK telecoms companies can continue to trade as freely and competitively as possible with the EU. I can assure the Deputy however that my Department will continue to engage with the key stakeholders on this matter both domestically and at EU level.
51. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has had any contact or discussions with his US counterpart on the issue of climate change and targets contained in the Paris Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13930/17]
View answerThe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held its 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris in 2015. The major outcome of COP 21 was the agreement by over 180 countries to restrict the impact of emissions on global warming and to limit temperature rises to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an ambition of limiting this increase to 1.5°C. The entry into force of the Paris Agreement required that 55% of Parties, representing 55% of global emissions, complete their ratification processes. The Agreement has now been ratified by 134 Parties, including Ireland, the EU, and the United States with its entry into force triggered at the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) which took place in Marrakesh in November 2016.
The Paris Agreement will achieve its goals through a range of climate action plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to be carried out by all Parties, which aim to address 95% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement will depend on ambitious action through NDCs by governments, business, civil society, and individuals if it is to succeed in its goals. Ireland will contribute to the Paris Agreement through the EU’s NDC.
I have had very positive engagements with the then United States Special Envoy on Climate Change under the previous Administration, both at the OECD in Paris and subsequently at COP22 in Marrakesh. While I have not had any direct contact to date with my counterparts in the new US Administration, I am looking forward to continued positive collaboration, both directly and through the European Union, with all international partners as we work to advance the goals of the Paris Agreement.
52. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the current projected commencement date and completion date for the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13042/17]
View answer54. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan; his views on the latest ComReg report which highlights that only 7,623 households and businesses have a fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13935/17]
View answer55. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures being taken to ensure efficient roll-out of the national broadband scheme to rural areas in particular; if he envisages that current timelines will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13937/17]
View answer61. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which the planned expansion and extension of broadband services has progressed in the past 12 months; the extra areas now in receipt of service; the priorities planned for the near future in this regard; when it is expected that all service black spots might be eliminated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13926/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 54, 55 and 61 together.
The 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.
A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP, including over the last 12 months has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, 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.
There has been significant progress in relation to broadband roll-out so that today, approximately 1.4m or 61% of premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector, which is continuing to expand this footprint.
The latest ComReg quarterly report highlights that over 65% of all broadband customers now avail of high speed broadband services ( > 30 Megabits per second). It also indicates that uptake over the past quarter includes an increase in customers availing of Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) of over 20.2%. While this represents only 7,623 premises, this is a large increase over a short period and is a very encouraging indicator of the popularity of FTTP products.
The High Speed Broadband Map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie:
- 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 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
My Department is actively monitoring the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE areas to ensure that all households and businesses can get access to the services. My Department is also actively monitoring developments of commercial operators that might impact the Intervention Area. This is being done in accordance with procedures set out by my Department in December 2015.
A formal procurement process is in train to select a company or companies who will roll out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. My Department will shortly update the High Speed Broadband map to finalise the Intervention Area for the Procurement process, taking into account industry investments that have not materialised in Blue areas, together with new industry investments within the proposed State Intervention Area, along with concrete and credible commitments by industry for further new investments within the Intervention Area.
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. Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. This provides for a future proofed solution for the 25 years of the contract and beyond. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second.
The timeframe for 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. During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to roll out a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP.
In the short-term I am working to ensure measures are put in place to assist in the roll-out of the NBP State Intervention network once a contract is awarded and to improve mobile phone and broadband access in Ireland.
In this regard, I and Minister Humphreys established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce in July 2016. The findings of this Taskforce recommends practical actions that can be taken to remove barriers and improve mobile phone and broadband access in Ireland. The Taskforce report is available at the following link:http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
Minister Humphreys has established two Regional Action Groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to unlock barriers to investment in mobile and broadband services. Since July, there has been significant progress made in discussions with the key stakeholders including local authority management representation, Government Departments and State agencies, as well as interaction with ComReg and telecoms operators.
I signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with the allocation of spectrum in the 3.6GHz band in 2017. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8 million for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
My Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
I am satisfied that the combination of initiatives, and the procurement process to deliver a new high speed broadband network under the NBP, will put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity, and ensure that high speed broadband services are universally available.
56. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions he is taking to ensure, in the event of a nuclear accident relating to the generation and storage of nuclear power in the UK, the safety of the public in view of the proposed exit of the UK from the EURATOM Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13943/17]
View answerIreland has a detailed National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents (NEPNA), the central purpose of which is to minimise the impact on Ireland and its people in the event of a major nuclear accident abroad, including in the UK. The Plan, which is currently under revision, can be viewed at https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/radiation/RPII_NEPNA_Doc_05.pdf.
Naturally, Ireland takes a particular interest in nuclear matters in the UK, as our nearest neighbouring nuclear State. In 2012, a report in the form of a Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA), on the risks to Ireland from the site at Sellafield, was completed. The PRA was a very comprehensive and detailed scientific exercise which established that there was no threat to the health of people in Ireland arising from activity at the Sellafield site. A summary of the PRA conclusions is available at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Environment/EnvironmentalRadiation/FileDownLoad%2C31607%2Cen.pdf.
Following the PRA on Sellafield, in May 2013, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), which has since merged with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), published an assessment of the potential radiological impacts on Ireland from the proposed programme of new nuclear power plants in the UK. This assessment considered both routine operations and a range of postulated accident scenarios at the plants. The report concluded that the routine operation of the proposed nuclear power plants will have no measurable radiological impact on Ireland or the Irish marine environment. This report is available at:
https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/radiation/RPII_Proposed_Nuc_Power_Plants_UK_13.pdf.
The decision of the UK Government to withdraw from the Euratom Treaty was confirmed on 26 January, 2017 on the publication of the Bill seeking Parliamentary approval to issue notification of the UK’s intention to withdraw from the EU.
Ireland has a close working relationship with the UK on radiological issues and will engage, as appropriate, with the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation, through the UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters. A regular bi-annual meeting of this group is scheduled for late April, where the matter will be discussed and further meetings will be arranged as appropriate. Information on UK emergencies will continue to be available to Ireland after the UK withdraw from the Euratom Treaty through bilateral arrangements. The UK is currently part of the EU's early notification and information exchange system ECURIE, which also includes, on a voluntary basis, a number of EU neighbouring States. While it is possible that the UK could withdraw from this system, a parallel system is operated by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), of which the UK is also a member.
There are currently no foreseen safety or security concerns for Ireland arising from the UK withdrawal from the Euratom Treaty. In the first instance, the UK remains a member of Euratom, and the UK nuclear industry remains subject to oversight by the EU institutions, until such time as their withdrawal from the EU is finalised, a process expected to take at least two years following notification. As such the UK will transpose Euratom's revised Nuclear Safety Directive this year. The amended Directive requires EU countries to give the highest priority to nuclear safety at all stages of the lifecycle of a nuclear power plant. It aims to improve the existing regulatory framework for the safety of nuclear installations following lessons learned from the Fukishima accident in Japan. In addition, the UK is a signatory of the IAEA's International Convention on Nuclear Safety and applies the strict international standards on safety and security set down in the Convention. This should continue to be the case after the UK withdraw from the Euratom Treaty.
57. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the additional measures he has taken to increase the proportion of electric vehicles here; and the measures taken to expedite the roll-out of on street charging infrastructure. [13939/17]
View answer58. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to promote the uptake of electric vehicles here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13933/17]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 57 and 58 together.
The Electric Vehicles Grant Scheme provides grant aid of up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new Electric Vehicle (EV) and is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. These grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000 that also apply to EVs. Budget 2017 extended VRT reliefs on Battery Electric Vehicles to 2021 and on Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles to end 2018. The grants scheme also remains in place.
Apart from general macroeconomic considerations, technology advancement, affordability and consumer choice are the most important levers in triggering consumers to move to electric vehicles. Notwithstanding the substantial exchequer support available for new electric vehicles, the reality of a halving of the price of oil and the pace of technology improvement has very significantly impacted electric vehicle market penetration.
Nevertheless we have seen increasing numbers of EVs registered in Ireland since the introduction of the EV Grant Scheme in 2011. To date, the purchase of 1,903 new electric vehicles has been supported under the scheme, most of which were grant aided since 2015. So far in 2017, 175 new EVs have been grant aided.
In accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are co-chairing a Low Emission Vehicles (LEV) Task Force involving relevant Government Departments and agencies. The work of the task force has been divided into two phases with the first phase focusing solely on EVs. The Task Force expects to report on an interim basis to Government on the first phase by June 2017, with associated recommendations. These recommendations will suggest a range of options for facilitating greater uptake of EVs in the coming years.
The ESB, through its ecars programme, has been rolling out both publicly accessible charging infrastructure and domestic charge points for electric vehicles. I am advised that almost 900 public charge-points have now been installed nationally including 79 DC fast chargers, most of which have been installed mainly on the inter-urban routes. The location of these charge-points is available on the ‘ecars’ section of the ESB’s website at www.esb.ie. In addition, I understand that ESB ecars has installed over 2000 charge-points in domestic and commercial premises.
59. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of proposals to establish a gas pipeline in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13185/17]
View answer1114. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of plans to run a gas pipeline through Longford; if he has been in contact with Gas Networks Ireland recently regarding the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12926/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 1114 together.
The development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. I have no statutory function, under the regulatory framework, in relation to the connection of towns to the gas network.
In 2006, the CER approved a new network connections policy, which created the opportunity to reassess the feasibility of connecting certain towns to the gas network. The CER policy stipulates that in order for any town to be connected to the gas network, certain economic criteria need to be met as a prerequisite. The policy framework provides that, over a certain period, the costs of connecting the town to the network are recouped through the actual consumption of gas and the associated tariffs. This is designed by CER to obviate against uneconomic projects which would increase costs for all gas consumers. The key factor which would qualify a town, or group of towns, in any future review would be a significant increase in demand for natural gas, usually resulting from the addition of a new large industrial or commercial facility.
As regards the connection of Longford to the gas network, I am aware that the most recent assessment under CER’s economic criteria was undertaken by GNI in 2016 and it was found that connecting Longford to the gas network remains unviable at this time in the absence of a significant new demand for gas.
The question of whether network extensions should, where economically feasible and in line with our energy policy goals in the White Paper, provide for the possibility of future connections in order to contribute to regional and rural development needs to be addressed, in my view. At the launch of the Action Plan for Rural Development I set out my view that there are communities partly or sometimes wholly excluded from basic criteria of modern convenience and comfort, in terms of communications, energy efficiency and fuel poverty. My long-standing position on the gas network is that it should be developed generally in rural Ireland to provide natural gas to as many areas as possible. Accordingly, and against the backdrop of the energy policy White Paper, my Department is preparing to commission research and to have a report by year-end into the potential role that natural gas could play in supporting rural centres.
In the meantime, I am interested in whether ways can be identified to facilitate additional connections to the network contributing to rural development, without additional costs for all gas consumers.
I have, over recent months, had discussions with GNI, including a meeting in December 2016, on its economic and financial analysis relating to proposals to establish a gas pipeline in County Longford.
60. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress he is making with the waste industry to ensure when proposed pay-by-weight charges for refuse collection are introduced later in 2017 they will not result in price rises for households, which occurred in July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13693/17]
View answerThe charges applied by waste management companies are matters for those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation. Any concerns relating to contract and consumer legislation should be directed to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
My Department is currently undertaking a review of pricing structures for household waste collection. Incentivised pricing for domestic waste aims to encourage people to prevent, reduce and segregate their waste, in order to reduce our impact on the environment and our reliance on landfill waste disposal. Encouraging people to reduce and recycle waste will be an important initiative in terms of helping to avoid a repeat of the landfill capacity emergencies which occurred in 2016 as well as meeting our targets and obligations under current and future EU legislation. The review is considering more than one form of incentivised pricing structure so as to allow flexibility for waste collectors to develop different offers to households and enable householders to engage with and get the most from their waste management service, but which will still encourage the prevention and segregation of waste.
A public information campaign developed by 3 Regional Waste Management Planning Offices (RWMPOs) has already begun to encourage households to (i) prevent food waste and (ii) manage their food waste more effectively. The RWMPOs will roll out further elements of a national education and awareness campaign as the year progresses which will focus on encouraging people to manage their waste correctly, including preventing and reducing waste as much as possible and recycling effectively.
62. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the policy on supporting stakeholders in the creation and maintenance of geoparks, such as the Burren and Cliffs of Moher geopark, in view of the environmental and economic benefits of this UN designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13694/17]
View answerThe Department has a clear policy that supports the development and maintenance of Geoparks in Ireland through targeted activities of the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI). GSI through its Irish Geoheritage Programme provides support including co-funding of geologists based in existing Geoparks, such as Copper Coast in Waterford, Burren and Cliffs of Moher in Clare and Marble Arch Caves which straddles the Cavan Fermanagh Border. In addition GSI has supported a geologist working in the developing Geopark area of Joyce's Country in County Galway. The GSI along with their equivalent organisation GSNI, host an annual Geopark Forum on an all island basis, with key stakeholders particularly from the tourism, heritage and local authority areas. The Department is very aware of the economic impact and potential of Geoparks and work closely with the Global Geoparks Network managed by UNESCO to ensure Ireland maximises its opportunities in the area of geotourism and geoheritage, in which it has a great natural advantage due to the diverse nature of its geology.
63. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the effects he anticipates Brexit will have on Ireland's gas supply; and the measures he is taking to deal with this. [13885/17]
View answer78. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to secure Ireland's energy future following the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU. [13892/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 78 together.
Energy is a priority sector for Government in considering the impact of Brexit. The energy systems of Ireland and the United Kingdom are interdependent with a large amount of Ireland’s energy supply being imported from the United Kingdom, and the Single Electricity Market in operation across the island of Ireland.
The four key Brexit energy priorities identified by Government are:
- maintaining trade in secure supplies of energy between the EU and UK;
- maintaining the Single Electricity Market across the island of Ireland;
accommodating Ireland's ability to meet EU obligations; and
- ensuring appropriate energy infrastructure.
There is excellent co-operation between Ireland and the UK on security of energy supplies and all avenues will be pursued within the channels of communication, both at national and EU level, to ensure this remains the case post-Brexit. It must be remembered that Ireland is not the only EU Member State with energy interconnections with the UK. France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are also connected to the UK through electricity interconnectors or gas pipelines.
The EU has made the decision not to negotiate on any issues relating to Brexit until after Article 50 has been invoked. However, while attending meetings, such as the recent Energy Council, I seek out discussions with Ministers from other Member States. Through these meetings I raise awareness of how Ireland may be impacted by Brexit and what our key concerns and priorities are.
In addition, officials from my Department have discussed the potential impacts of Brexit on the Irish energy sector with their EU and UK counterparts. This includes meetings with the European Commission task force for Brexit, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy and officials from the UK's Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
This work will continue at political, diplomatic and official level to ensure Ireland’s energy needs are understood and prioritised in the forthcoming negotiation process.
65. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he first announced plans to introduce the awaited national broadband plan; the dates on which various Ministers held press conferences to publicise it; the expected commencement and completion dates given at each of these press conferences; the current projected commencement date and completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13041/17]
View answerThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) was published in August 2012. I provided a comprehensive update on the progress of the plan to the Deputy in my response to Question No. 72 on 6 December 2016. Progress continues to be made in delivering on this Government’s commitment to ensure every household and business in Ireland has access to high speed broadband, regardless of where they are located.
Through the NBP the Government has committed to intervening to ensure high speed broadband is available in parts of the country where commercial providers acting alone will not provide this essential service. This commitment to intervene will ensure that no part of Ireland, no household, no school, no business is left behind.
This unequivocal commitment by Government to deliver the National Broadband Plan has also served as a catalyst for industry in bringing forward investment in new infrastructure in towns, villages and rural areas of Ireland.
As of today, approximately 1.4m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband from commercial service providers and investment by the telecoms sector is continuing to expand this footprint.
For those areas that will not be covered by commercial operators the State has committed to intervene and subsidise a network build. The procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll out a new high speed broadband network in the State Intervention area 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.
My Department will shortly update the High Speed Broadband map to finalise the Intervention Area for this procurement, taking into account industry investments that have not fully materialised in the Blue area, along with concrete and credible commitments by industry for further new investments within the State Intervention area.
The timeframe for 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.
66. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions taken to meet the objective of recognising angling as a key leisure and recreation pursuit, which is one of the key objectives of the national strategy for angling development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13884/17]
View answer76. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions in terms of the national strategy for angling development for improving and developing angling for recreation and leisure in addition to the tourism potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13688/17]
View answer1132. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the funding of €5 million per annum for five years associated with the national angling plan launched over 12 months ago has been put in place; the amount of funding spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13827/17]
View answer1141. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the achievements in the promotion of angling resources in terms of developing its tourism potential, which is one of the core objectives of the national strategy for angling development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13690/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 76, 1132 and 1141 together.
The angling sector contributes €836 million to the Irish economy every year supporting 11,000 Irish jobs, often in rural and peripheral communities where fewer job opportunities are available.
The National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) is the first comprehensive national framework for the development of our angling resource. It aims to increase the economic contribution of angling to €932 million per year and increase employment by over 1,800 jobs. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is already investigating the full array of potential funding sources.
My Department provided €500,000 for funding support for the NSAD in 2016 and IFI reviewed project applications based on this funding. I announced approval for the first €500,000 of investment for 50 community-based projects nationwide in December last.
I have also secured an additional €1.5 million for NSAD investment for this year and further tranches of project funding will be announced in 2017.
In addition, IFI has secured funding of €536,000 from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs under the Action Plan for Rural Development, with which the NSAD is aligned.
The NSAD identifies 3 high level strategic objectives;
- Making angling accessible and attractive through information, infrastructure and support.
- Tourism development through promotion of our angling resource.
- Recognition of angling as a key leisure and recreation pursuit.
The Strategy aims to develop our angling resource sustainably through balancing the economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects of any development in line with IFI’s responsibilities for the protection, management, conservation and development of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
The strategy is intended to deliver a wide-ranging set of investments, innovations and promotions over the coming years to deliver considerable benefits in terms of employment, tourism and health and well-being, particularly in rural areas. Effective and sustainable implementation of the NSAD, delivered together with local and national stakeholders, will ensure stability of existing jobs and businesses reliant on angling; and the creation of new jobs as the economic impact of angling grows.
This will ensure that Ireland’s fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced for both their economic value and their recreational benefit to the communities and visitors they serve across Ireland.
67. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the implementation of the mobile phone coverage audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13040/17]
View answerI am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect. As the Deputy is aware, I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force. In July 2016, I established this Task Force together with Minister Humphreys to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention. The report of the Task Force was published in December and is available on both Departments' websites.
Action 29 of this Report, to which the Deputy is referring, concerns the delivery of a composite national coverage map by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), in quarter 4 2018. Work to deliver this, and any other audit of mobile coverage, is a matter for ComReg in its capacity as the independent regulator of the telecommunications sector.
I am very keen to see progress on all the actions recommended by the Task Force. In order to maintain momentum, I, together with Minister Humphreys, have established an Implementation Group, which met for the first time on 8 March. This group will drive and monitor the implementation of the actions in the Task Force report, bringing together all key stakeholders identified in the Task Force report with responsibility for delivery of actions. This includes ComReg who attends both as an action owner and in an observer capacity in recognition of its statutory independence as Regulator.
The Implementation Group will formally report every 90 days on progress made on all actions to both myself and Minister Humphreys. I am expecting the first such quarterly report in April, following the end of this quarter.
I am very pleased with the level of cooperation of all action owners in this process, and look forward to seeing progress in the delivery of the actions set out in the Taskforce report.
69. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will fast track the legislation to introduce a permanent ban on the dangerous practice of hydraulic fracturing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13880/17]
View answerThere is a Private Members' Bill to introduce a prohibition on the exploration and extraction of onshore petroleum being considered by the Oireachtas. The Bill has passed its second stage reading in Dáil Eireann. While the passing of all legislation is a matter for the Oireachtas, the Government has indicated its support for the objective of the Bill.
There is no proposed alternative Government Bill to introduce a ban on fracking.
70. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way the acquisition of a company (details supplied) by Bord na Móna will provide a sustainable solution for its horticulture business while maintaining employment at its Kilberry plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13695/17]
View answerBord na Móna is a commercial State company operating under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998. The matters raised are operational in nature and not ones in which I, as Minister, have any function.
