Written Answers Nos. 556-577
556. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether the regulations relating to end-of-life vehicles are fit for purpose and achieve best safety standards. [25570/17]
View answerThe End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Regulations are designed specifically to transpose the EU End-of-Life Vehicles Directive 2000/53/EC. The Directive sets out measures to prevent and limit waste from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) and their components and to ensure that, where possible, this is reused, recycled or recovered. It sets clear quantified targets for Member States for reuse, recycling and recovery of ELVs and their components. It also encourages producers to manufacture new vehicles without hazardous substances, thus promoting the reuse, recyclability and recoverability of waste vehicles.
The ELV Regulations are primarily concerned with ensuring that Ireland meets the reuse, recycling and recovery targets laid out in the Directive. They put in place measures to ensure that producers of new or imported vehicles fulfil their obligations in relation to the end-of-life vehicles for which they are responsible and put in place a network of authorised treatment facilities to ensure that these vehicles are treated correctly.
The aims of EU ELV Directive, which are to reduce waste, to encourage reuse, and improve the environmental performance of the vehicle industry, do not address road safety issues, which are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
557. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the problem of television and home Internet companies deliberately preventing or making it difficult for persons to exit from their contracts, despite the contract term having expired; the State agency responsible for dealing with complaints on such matters; the legislation that regulates such contract terminations and consumer rights; and his plans to consider a review and strengthen the current legislation and consumer protection rules regarding same. [25460/17]
View answerTelecommunications products and services are marketed and sold within a fully liberalised market. The marketing and supply of such products and services are subject to the general legislative provisions on consumer protection, including the Sale of Goods and Services Act as amended, the Consumer Protection Act 2007 and related legislative provisions regarding distance selling and unfair terms in consumer contracts.
In addition, there are more detailed consumer protection measures set out in the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Service and Users’ Rights) Regulations (SI 337 /2011) which, among other things, oblige telecommunications service providers, including providers of home internet, to include in customers’ contracts, information regarding the duration of the contract and the conditions for renewal and termination of services and of the contract, including any charges due on termination of the contract and any cost recovery with respect to terminal equipment.
Advice and assistance regarding consumer rights established by these regulations can be obtained from the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions, in accordance with a requirement of the EU legislative package establishing the EU internal telecommunications market. Therefore any customer who cannot resolve a contractual dispute in bilateral dealings with the service provider may submit a dispute to ComReg the independent market regulator to pursue further. Consumers that have queries can contact ComReg’s Consumer Line on (01) 8049668 or e mail consumerline@comreg.ie. I as Minister have no statutory role in the dispute resolution process.
558. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the yearly amount of licence fee receipts; the amount of television licence receipts awarded to the sound and vision scheme; and the amount that was subsequently awarded by the sound and vision scheme since 2011. [25490/17]
View answerThe licence fee is distributed in accordance with Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to both RTÉ and TG4 in order to facilitate the pursuit of their public service objectives, which are also set out in the 2009 Act.
An Post pays the Department all TV licence revenues collected from direct sales of TV licences and the Department of Social Protection currently pays a sum of €53m annually in respect of free TV licences issued under the Household Benefits Scheme. The Department deducts commission payable to An Post for their agency role and 7% of the net receipts goes to the Broadcasting Fund, which is operated by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). TG4 receives €4.245m from the licence fee monies and the remainder is paid to RTÉ.
The total licence fee receipts and the amounts paid to the Broadcasting Fund for the period 2011 to 2015 are set out in the following table. Information for 2016 is not yet publicly available.
|
Year |
Total Receipts - €000 |
Broadcasting Fund - €000 |
|
2011 |
217.8 |
14.9 |
|
2012 |
215 |
14.2 |
|
2013 |
216.4 |
14.3 |
|
2014 |
213.2 |
14.1 |
|
2015 |
214 |
14.6 |
The BAI is responsible for the administration of the Broadcasting Fund which includes the Sound and Vision Scheme and Part 10 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out the mechanism by which the BAI shall provide funding for programmes. The schemes established under this Fund provide funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, programmes to improve adult literacy, and archiving of programme material. Revenue from this fund can be applied for by independent producers and broadcasters for specific projects of a public service nature. The Minister has no role in the day to day operation of the Sound & Vision funding scheme.
Sound and Vision II was introduced in 2010 and provided funding to 1,446 projects of €70.28m. Sound and Vision III came into effect in 2015 and will operate until 2019. To date 586 projects have received funding of €26.9m under this scheme.
Full details of all projects funded to date and timelines for remaining rounds of Sound and Vision are available on the BAI website http://www.bai.ie/en/
559. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the pay-by-weight system is due to be introduced; when charges will issue under the new system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25539/17]
View answer570. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the review of pricing structures for household waste collection being undertaken by his Department; when this review will be complete and published; if it can be ensured that a move to a pay-by-weight only scheme will not result in price increases similar to those being proposed by the industry this time 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25776/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 570 together.
The charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
My Department is currently reviewing, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives, the introduction of an incentivised system which encourages people to prevent, reduce and segregate their waste. This approach is in line with Government waste policy to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill for waste disposal and will also facilitate the provision of a range of options for people to manage their waste costs.
I have already indicated quite clearly that any such system will encompass more than just the previously proposed pay-by-weight per-kilogramme model. It is important to acknowledge that many people are already on plans that encourage waste prevention and segregation, including some which contain an element of weight-based charging.
As previously pointed out, I do not have a role in setting the level of charges for waste collection. I would, however, like to see a system in operation whereby the prevention and segregation of waste from households is encouraged so that we reduce our reliance on landfills around the country, and enable people to manage their waste costs by preventing waste where possible and reducing and segregating the remaining waste properly.
560. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the interaction he has had with household waste disposal companies on reported changes in their charging structures, which are linked to the weight of waste being lifted; his plans to address the issue directly with the companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25592/17]
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.
My Department is currently reviewing, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives, the introduction of an incentivised system which encourages people to prevent, reduce and segregate their waste. This approach is in line with Government waste policy to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill for waste disposal and will also facilitate the provision of a range of options for people to manage their waste costs.
I have already indicated quite clearly that any such system will encompass more than just the previously proposed pay-by-weight per-kilogramme model. It is important to acknowledge that many people are already on plans that encourage waste prevention and segregation, including some which contain an element of weight-based charging.
I understand that certain companies have introduced excess charges on bins over a certain weight, where heavy weights of waste were being presented by a householder. As previously pointed out, I do not have a role in setting the level of charges for waste collection. I would, however, like to see a system in operation whereby the prevention and segregation of waste from households was encouraged so that we reduce our reliance on landfills around the country, and enable people to manage their waste costs.
561. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the specific actions he has undertaken under the the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 to contribute to the national mitigation plan. [25690/17]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 72, 81 and 584 of 9 May 2017 which address the development of the National Mitigation Plan.
The objective of Ireland’s first National Mitigation Plan is to set out what Ireland is doing, and is planning to do, to further the national transition objective set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015.
Following a statutory public consultation in March and April, work on the development of the first Plan is nearing completion and I intend to submit it to Government for approval in early June. The draft Plan has been prepared having regard to the provisions set out in the 2015 Act in close collaboration with all relevant Government Departments and, in particular, with the Ministers responsible for Transport, and Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use. The Electricity Generation and Built Environment sectors are dealt with in my own Department. Work on the Plan has been overseen by an inter-Departmental National Mitigation Plan Steering Group, as well as by both the Senior Officials Group, and the Cabinet Committee, on Infrastructure, Climate Action and the Environment. Technical support has been provided to all the sectors by the Technical Research and Modelling Group which operates under my Department.
In addition, I invited the Climate Change Advisory Council, following my publication of the draft National Mitigation Plan, to engage directly with me and with other relevant Government Ministers with a view to providing its recommendations to feed into the preparation of the final Plan. All input received from the Advisory Council has being considered in finalising the National Mitigation Plan.
As well as mechanisms to ensure inter-Departmental cooperation, I also recognise the need to engage wider society more generally with the climate challenge, motivate changes in behaviour, and create structures at local, regional and national levels to support the generation of ideas and their translation into appropriate cost-effective actions. To progress this, I recently announced a National Dialogue on Climate Action to provide for an inclusive process of engagement and consensus building across society towards enabling the transformation to a low carbon and climate-resilient future.
It must also be recognised that the first Plan is a work in progress, reflecting the reality of where we are in our decarbonisation transition having regard to a number of factors including curtailed public and private investment over the course of recent years. The first Plan cannot provide a complete roadmap to achieve the national transition objective to 2050 but it will begin the process of development of medium- to long-term options to ensure that we are well positioned to take the necessary actions in the next and future decades. This will be an ongoing process aimed at incremental and permanent decarbonisation. The Plan will become a living document accessible on my Department's website, and will be updated on an on-going basis as analysis, dialogue and technological innovation generate further cost-effective sectoral mitigation options. The Plan will also be subject to annual progress reports.
562. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of extending the warmer home scheme to all social welfare recipients, persons earning less than €25,000 a year and persons earning less than €30,000 a year in tabular form. [25736/17]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The scheme provides energy efficiency upgrades free of charge to people who meet the eligibility criteria. Typical measures available under the scheme include attic and cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets and low energy light bulbs. To date the scheme has provided energy efficiency upgrades to 120,000 homes. The average capital cost to upgrade a home was €2,641 in 2016.
Since the scheme is 100% Exchequer funded it is designed to be available only to those in most need of Government assistance. To determine this with complete accuracy SEAI would need to know the condition of a person's home, including its energy efficiency level and heating system, that person's family circumstances and their household income level. However, it would not be practical or efficient for SEAI to perform this assessment for each applicant to the Warmer Homes scheme. Therefore eligibility for the scheme is determined through the use of proxy indicators, principally the National Fuel Allowance. These proxy indicators provide an acceptable approximation that allows SEAI to find and identify people in energy poverty without having to resort to a cumbersome, expensive and intrusive administrative regime.
Eligibility for the National Fuel Allowance is determined by the Department of Social Protection through use of a means tested income assessment. Everyone in receipt of a non-contributory state payment is accepted as satisfying the means test. In addition, if a person is on an employment support scheme or getting a Back to Education Allowance they are entitled to the Fuel Allowance. Any household with a combined weekly income of up to €100 above the maximum State Pension (Contributory) is also eligible for the Fuel Allowance.
In addition to the Fuel Allowance, anyone in receipt of the Family Income Supplement, Job Seekers Allowance for over six months (and with children under 7 years of age) or anyone in receipt of the One Parent Family Payment is also eligible for the Warmer Homes scheme. 378,000 low income households were paid the Fuel Allowance over the 2016-2017 winter season, there are currently 57,000 families with more than 127,000 children receiving family income supplement, circa 40,000 in receipt of the One Parent Family Payment and as of April 2017 there were 195,434 job seekers allowance claimants. However, it is likely that there is a considerable crossover of claimants to these schemes i.e. many of those in receipt of job seekers allowance may be living in a household that is also eligible for the Fuel Allowance.
These additional eligibility criteria were selected as there are health and wellbeing consequences to living in a cold and damp home and children can often be particularly vulnerable to these conditions. In addition, lone parent families suffer from a particularly high deprivation rate in Ireland. In the Government's Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty, I have committed to ensuring that the eligibility criteria for the Warmer Homes scheme remain consistent with the latest findings on deprivation in Ireland. This is consistent with the aim of ensuring that the limited resources available to the scheme are targeted at those in most need.
Regarding a potential expansion of the scheme, statistical information available from the Department of Social Protection suggests that around 1.4 million people are in receipt of a weekly social welfare payment. According to statistics obtained from the Revenue Commissioners on gross income levels in 2014 (the latest period for which statistics are available), there were 1,019,631 persons with a gross income of less than €25,000 in that year. That figure rises to 1,206,851 when the income limit rises to €30,000.
There is no cost to extending the eligibility criteria to the Warmer Homes scheme since the scheme operates within a defined budget each year. However, expanding the eligibility criteria along the lines the Deputy suggests would mean that a much greater number of people would be eligible to apply to the scheme. This would likely lengthen waiting times for the scheme in general and would mean that those most in need could end up waiting much longer to receive a home upgrade than they would under the current arrangements. For this reason I do not propose extending the eligibility criteria so broadly.
563. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of ensuring that every household in the State is provided with 100 Mbps speed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25737/17]
View answer564. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost by county of ensuring that every household in the State is provided with 100 Mbps, in tabular form. [25738/17]
View answer568. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of milestone 2, as set out on page 28 of the commitment between a company (details supplied) and his Department to provide broadband to 300,000 homes on a commercial basis. [25749/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 564 and 568 together.
The Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) outlines Government’s commitment to deliver high speed broadband availability across the country. This is being achieved through commercial investment and through a State Intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated. 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. 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’s Capital Investment Plan published on 29 September 2015, includes an initial provision of €275m for the National Broadband Plan State Intervention, for the period up to 2021. The €275m represents an initial stimulus for the first years of the NBP intervention. It is likely that a higher level of funding will be required over the duration of the proposed 25 year term of the contract. The level of exchequer funding required for the NBP will only be known after the competitive tender process has concluded and bidders provide their estimates of cost and subsidy requirements.
In April, I signed a commitment agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide broadband to an additional 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. Eir has committed to concluding this work over a 90 week period, an average of nearly 500 premises per day. My Department is monitoring this rollout to ensure that eir meets its obligations under the Agreement. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department's website.
Quarterly updates will be published on the Departments website. Milestone 2, the Q1 2017 update, will be published shortly and the eir rollout is in line with the Commitment Agreement. I am advised that in the period from 1 January to end March 2017, 30,064 premises have been passed. This brings to 40,114 the total subset of the 300k premises that eir has passed since they commenced work in late 2016. Of those, over 1,400 premises have been connected.
565. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the percentage of electricity generation created through renewable sources; and the percentage applicable to each different form of renewable energy. [25739/17]
View answerThe 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.
Details in regard to the sources of electricity generation in 2015 are publicly available in the report entitled Energy in Ireland 1990-2015, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in November 2016 and available on the SEAI website at www.seai. The following table summarises those sources (figures are normalised):
|
Electricity Outputs (GWh) |
2015 |
|
Renewables (Normalised) |
25.3% |
|
Of which: |
|
|
Hydro |
2.5% |
|
Wind |
21.1% |
|
Biomass |
1.0% |
|
Landfill gas, |
0.6% |
|
Biogas |
0.1% |
|
Solar PV |
0.01% |
566. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether the fact that the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, has to deal with all matters relating to electricity impacts on the schedule of renewable energy projects and the ability to have renewable energy projects connected in time to ensure they receive the Renewable Electricity Feed-in Tariff, REFIT, 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25742/17]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for electricity exported to the grid. The REFIT 1 and REFIT 2 schemes, which are now closed for new applications, support onshore wind generation. Applications under the schemes are assessed by my Department.
One of the key requirements to avail of support under the REFIT support schemes is that each REFIT applicant must obtain a valid connection agreement from the relevant system operator before a REFIT letter of support can be provided by my Department. However, the technical procedures and process to obtain a grid connection are managed by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the System Operators and I have no function or role in the matter. The CER is an independent statutory body with responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market.
At the end of 2016, I took a decision to extend the REFIT 2 scheme by issuing a Clarification Notice which offered applicants a degree of flexibility until the end of 2017 to obtain all relevant permits (including a grid connection) and meet the Terms and Conditions of the REFIT scheme. However, as the scheme closed to new applications on 31 December 2015, this flexibility was only provided to applicants that met the conditions of the original Clarification Notice and had applied for support before the closing date of 31 December 2015.
The Gate process, including the Gate 3 process, is an administrative grid connection process managed by the CER in accordance with its regulatory functions. The Gate 3 process is designed to cater for the connection of up to 4,000 MW of renewable and conventional generation projects. The terms and conditions for connection to and use of the transmission and distribution system are implemented by Eirgrid and ESB Networks in accordance with directions issued by the CER.
567. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status in law of European guidelines on noise pollution with regard to motorway road projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25746/17]
View answerMotorways fall within the scope of EU Directive 2002/49/EC (the Environmental Noise Directive, or END) relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. This Directive aims to provide “a common framework to avoid, prevent or reduce, on a prioritised basis, the harmful effects of exposure to environmental noise”. The key sources of noise covered under the END are road, rail, aircraft and industrial noise.
The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 transpose the END into Irish law. The Regulations designate noise-mapping bodies and action planning authorities for the production of strategic noise maps and action plans. Primary responsibility for both noise mapping and action planning is assigned to local authorities. A number of other bodies also have noise mapping functions which are carried out on behalf of the local authorities concerned. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly the NRA – National Roads Authority and Railway Procurement Authority – RPA) are a designated noise mapping body under the 2006 regulations.
The Regulations also designate the Environmental Protection Agency as the National Authority for the purposes of the Regulations. The Agency's role includes supervisory, advisory and coordination functions in relation to both noise mapping and action planning, as well as the reporting requirements for the purpose of the Directive.
The Regulations set out a two-stage process for addressing environmental noise.
Firstly, noise must be assessed through the preparation of strategic noise maps every 5 years for areas and infrastructure falling within defined criteria, e.g. large urban areas (referred to as agglomerations), major roads, railways and airports. The first and second rounds of noise maps were prepared and submitted to the European Commission in 2007 and 2012 respectively. The current third round of Noise maps are due to be updated by June 2017 and officials from my department have been actively involved in this process with the EPA and other national bodies.
Secondly, based on the results of the mapping process, the Regulations require the preparation of noise action plans for each area concerned. The fundamental objective of action plans is the prevention and reduction of environmental noise. Action plans are due to be updated by June 2018 and require public consultation.
For national road schemes, potential noise emissions are addressed as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process undertaken by, or on behalf of, the Transport Infrastructure Ireland. TII have published Good Practice Guidance for the Treatment of Noise during the Planning of National Road Schemes which can be accessed at the TII website http://www.tii.ie/technical-services/environment/planning/Good_Practice_Guidance_for_the_Treatment_of_Noise_during_the_Planning_of_National_Road_Schemes.pdf
569. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of progress being made to extend the natural gas pipeline throughout County Longford. [25751/17]
View answerThe 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 in relation to either the routing of gas pipelines or the connection of towns to the gas pipeline network.
The CER network connections policy stipulates that in order for any town to be connected to the gas network certain economic criteria must be met, which provide that over a certain period the costs of connecting the town are recouped through consumption of gas and associated tariffs. 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 have, over recent months, had discussions with GNI relating to proposals to establish a gas pipeline in County Longford. However, I am informed that the most recent assessment under CER’s economic criteria undertaken by GNI in early 2017 found that connecting Longford to the gas network remains unviable at this time in the absence of a significant new demand for gas.
The wider 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, I am arranging to have research undertaken into the potential role that natural gas could play in supporting rural centres, with the aim of having a report by year-end.
571. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of persons that were convicted of fisheries or pollution offences under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 between March 2015 and December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25804/17]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) compile data on an annual basis in relation to cases that have been concluded within the relevant year. I am informed by IFI that the number of concluded cases in 2015 (full year) was 76 and the number in 2016 was 66.
In the time available it is not possible to disaggregate these cases by individual outcome (conviction or otherwise) or other factors such as the nature of the defendant's plea vis-a-vis the individual outcomes. However, I am advised that IFI generally initiate prosecutions in relation to more serious offences or in cases where a fine under a fixed penalty notice remains unpaid. IFI also advise that on average some 60% of cases involve a plea of guilty on the part of defendants giving rise to conviction.
I will ask IFI to examine each of the case files in order to provide information on the number of convictions to the Deputy as soon as possible.
572. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to help the thousands of persons that have been left without a broadband service as a result of the difficulties their provider (details supplied) is having with a satellite provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25853/17]
View answerThe Deputy’s question relates to QSAT, which is a privately owned company operating in a fully liberalised electronic communications market. Regulation of the electronic communications market is a matter for the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) to the extent permitted by law.
ComReg has confirmed that on Wednesday 17 May 2017, it was made aware that Avanti Broadband Limited (“Avanti”) ceased providing wholesale satellite broadband services to its retail partner Alphasat Communications Limited (“QSAT”).
The Regulator understands that to ensure that customers did not immediately lose service on 17 May 2017, Avanti decided to continue providing a satellite broadband service to QSAT customers on a temporary basis until 1 June 2017. However, those QSAT customers are being advised by Avanti, via a service message alert, that in order to continue with their satellite broadband service, without any changes to their terminal equipment, beyond 1 June 2017, that they should contact Bentley Walker, Bentley Walker Limited (“Bentley Walker”) under the brand “Freedomsat”, or another provider, which will take responsibility for customer accounts, if customers wish to enter into a new contract with them. Bentley Walker is also a retail partner of Avanti and provides services similar to those previously provided by QSAT.
The Regulator has stated that in the telecommunications regulations governing this area, service providers are obliged to inform ComReg in the event of a prospective cessation of service.
Customers may also choose to move to another type of access technology if available. ComReg advises consumers that they may also be able to obtain an alternative broadband service by satellite or other technical means and to check out its comparison tool accessible on the ComReg website, at https:// www.comreg.ie/price-comparison/
Where a service is terminated, ComReg ensures that customers are informed on what will happen and to assist customers in receiving service. The Regulator may engage with the relevant operators to assist customers receive service. ComReg has also made clear that where customers are no longer receiving the service from Avanti, that they should inform ComReg directly. Contact details for lodging complaints are available on the ComReg website. ComReg has confirmed that it will continue to monitor this matter and that it will issue further information as appropriate.
573. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging points along the Wild Atlantic Way and other prominent tourist points across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25541/17]
View answer574. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce a grant scheme to companies that want to provide electric vehicle charging points for employees and consumers alike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25542/17]
View answer575. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging points at Government buildings, including Leinster House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25543/17]
View answer576. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to change current Government vehicles from petrol to electric; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25544/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 573 to 576, inclusive, together.
The Government is committed to facilitating the increased up-take of low emitting vehicles (LEVs) and actions to encourage a transformation to LEVs will be included in the National Mitigation Plan and National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure, both due to be published shortly.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, jointly have convened an interdepartmental LEV Task Force to consider the range of measures and options available to Government for the purpose of accelerating the deployment of low carbon technologies, especially electric vehicles (EVs).
EV infrastructure - particularly the provision of electric car charge points - is a key element of policy support to EV usage and this matter is being considered by a specific infrastructure Working Group of the Taskforce; that working group is chaired by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment and its membership also includes the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Under present arrangements, decisions about the location of charging points - including potential new locations - is primarily a matter for the ESB as EV infrastructure in Ireland is installed by E-Cars, operated by the ESB. I understand that there are currently 1,200 charge points available across the island of Ireland, which is among the more comprehensive charge point networks currently in place across Europe.
In relation to supporting the uptake of alternative technologies for Irish businesses, an Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) scheme is intended to stimulate businesses to buy more energy efficient products which include electric vehicles and their associated charging infrastructure. Under this scheme a 100% asset write down is permitted in the year of purchase enabling the full value of the tax relief benefit to be received promptly. SEAI currently administer the eligibility criteria for this scheme which is committed until the end of 2017.
The Task force will also consider current public procurement policy in the context of Government and public body leadership initiatives and opportunities, as means of further demonstrating support for LEV uptake. An opportunity will be provided for stakeholders and interested members of the public to contribute their perspectives to the deliberations of the Task Force, details of which will be made available on my Department's website.
Finally, the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy has been approved by Government and its implementation is now underway. The delivery of this strategy is a shared, whole of Government, effort where all Departments, and the bodies under their aegis, play their part in embedding structured energy management as part of their business delivery. As part of this strategy, the development of Workplace Travel Plans which promote sustainable forms of transport are strongly encouraged. My Department has already installed an on-site electric vehicle charger. Any further installation of chargers would, of course, be subject to demand within individual Departments.
577. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the detail of his meetings and the venues for meetings with airport representatives since his appointment to Cabinet in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25302/17]
View answerThe details of meetings as requested by the Deputy are as follows:
|
Date |
Airport |
Venue |
Purpose |
|
22/5/17 |
City of Derry Airport |
Department, Leeson Lane |
Dublin / Derry Flights |
|
19/4/17 |
Kerry Airport |
Farranfore |
Part of County Visit |
|
5/4/17 |
Dublin Airport Authority |
Leinster House |
General Discussion of Airport Matters |
|
13/2/17 |
Waterford Airport |
Waterford Airport |
Funding |
|
21/11/16 |
Dublin Airport Authority |
Department, Leeson Lane |
General Discussion of Airport Matters |
|
21/7/16 |
Waterford Airport |
Leinster House |
General Discussion of Airport Matters |
|
30/6/16 |
Dublin Airport Authority |
Department, Leeson Lane |
Overview of Company - Initial meeting with CEO & Chair |
