Written Answers Nos. 259-272
259. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the subsidies and timeframe for implementation to incentivise solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2564/18]
View answerMy Department is developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal. This appraisal compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies, including Solar Photovoltaics (Solar PV) at various scales including micro-generation, to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply. The assessment included analysis of the optimum financial support mechanisms for renewable technologies, in line with the 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines.
The 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines set the framework and extent of financial support options for national renewable electricity (RES-E) support schemes. In general and except for small scale and demonstration projects, RES-E support levels must be set through competitive bidding processes (renewable electricity auctions) and all new RES-E schemes should provide support in the form of a premium in addition to the market price. This support mechanism is very different to current schemes in place in Ireland where all renewable electricity generators within specific sectors get a fixed price for the electricity they export to the national grid. In designing the new RESS, the cost implications for people and businesses have been a high priority and I will ensure that the new scheme is designed in a cost efficient manner.
A public consultation on the emerging principles of the proposed RESS closed on 10 November. Over 1,250 submissions were received, which are being reviewed and will inform the final design of the RESS. Following on from this, a final proposal will be brought to Government for approval in early 2018, including the overall costs and technologies to be supported. Subsequent to a Government decision, a formal application for State Aid clearance from the European Commission will commence.
At this point no final decisions have been made as regards which technologies will be supported under the new RESS. I welcome and have noted with interest the falling costs of some renewable technologies over the past year, most notably Solar PV and offshore wind. Increasing renewable technology diversity is one of several policy objectives the new RESS is trying to deliver and falling technology costs may lead to increased diversity of the renewable portfolio over the medium term.
260. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will introduce a hardship fund for eel fishermen that have had their livelihoods destroyed since the implementation of the EU directive to cease eel fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2565/18]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question Nos. 1275 and 1276 of 16 January 2018. The position is unchanged, however discussions within my Department are ongoing.
261. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be installed in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2593/18]
View answerThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020.
In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie . This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April.
According to the High Speed Broadband Map there are 2 AMBER premises in the townland of Gortahoosh which lie in the NBP State led Intervention area, 1 LIGHT BLUE premises which will receive a connection as part of eir’s planned rural deployment and 45 BLUE premises which have already been passed as part of said deployment.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention or AMBER area.
For those in the LIGHT BLUE area, information on eir's planned rural deployment, including rollout timelines, is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/.
Those BLUE premises which have been passed by eir as part of their ongoing rural deployment can visit http://fibrerollout.ie/rollout-map/where-to-buy/ to see a list of the providers which are utilising the new rural deployment to deliver connectivity to high speed broadband.
262. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on correspondence (details supplied). [2668/18]
View answer264. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the legislation governing licences for commercial fishing for salmon; and his views on issuing heritage licences for rural coastal and island communities to fish for salmon. [2747/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 264 together.
The relevant legislation for commercial salmon fishing is the Inland Fisheries Acts 1959 To 2017 and a suite of secondary legislation enacted each year following annual review. Management of salmon stocks is informed by scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and Ireland’s Standing Scientific Committee.
Ireland manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis. This management is carried out by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the State Agency with statutory responsibility for inland fisheries. This is based on the fact that each of Ireland’s 147 salmon rivers, river sections, estuaries, etc., has its own genetically unique stock of salmon which migrates to sea as juveniles and returns to the same river in adulthood to spawn and create the next generation of fish exclusive to that river.
The Atlantic salmon is a protected species under the EU Habitats Directive with which Ireland’s current salmon management regime complies. In order to align fully with the Directive and the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) principles, the Irish Government closed mixed stock fisheries in 2007, including coastal and offshore fishing for salmon, and introduced a Hardship Scheme under which, fishermen active in the commercial salmon fishery could opt to voluntarily cease fishing and undertake not to seek a licence in the future. In excess of €25 million was allocated to the scheme to facilitate payments to fishermen, with a further €5 million provided for community development projects. The scheme closed for applications on 31 December 2007 and ceased in 2008. It is considered that river stocks in Ireland would be in a far more perilous state if the closure of mixed stock fisheries had not been implemented.
Harvest fisheries are now only allowed on individual river stocks which are shown to have a surplus of fish over the conservation limit. Fisheries in estuaries may also be permitted where the stocks from individual rivers entering the estuaries are each meeting their individual conservation limits.
During migration from rivers to marine feeding grounds, salmon from both rivers in Ireland and rivers in other countries travel through Ireland’s coastal waters. These "mixed stocks" pose particular difficulties for management as they contain individual fish often from a wide range of rivers some of which are below sustainable reproductive capacity. Any deviation from current policy would be contrary to the international independent scientific advice and would lead to indiscriminate exploitation as the “home river” of off-shore salmon cannot be identified and it is not possible to disaggregate the individuals or stock groups at sea.
Such a move could potentially lead to conflict with EU and international obligations on grounds of not protecting vulnerable Irish and international salmon stocks. The conservation imperative demands that current salmon stocks are not further eroded by mismanagement or inappropriate exploitation, whether via angling, commercial fisheries in rivers inland or through the operation of mixed stock fisheries at sea or in estuaries.
Fisheries management does not provide for the concept of a heritage fishery and essentially the basis for all exploitation must responsibly concentrate on the availability of a surplus resource as the paramount criterion for licensing activity. Consideration of heritage matters is more appropriate to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. However, the context of any discussion as regards salmon fishing must be set against the background of the State's obligations under, and adherence to, the EU Habitats Directive, other environmental legislation and international agreements.
Ireland is committed to international agreements entered into at EU level and at NASCO and the prohibition of mixed stock fisheries is a key element of international best practice in salmon conservation and management.
263. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to appoint a digital safety commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2689/18]
View answerThe subject of online safety for all individuals but especially for children is of vital concern and importance to me. My position on the establishment of a Digital Safety Commissioner has been widely reported and I am currently exploring and consulting on the need, feasibility and requirements on creating this Office. On Tuesday 21 November 2017 I convened a meeting with my colleagues, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and their officials. I arranged this meeting to discuss online safety issues, including the various initiatives which are taking place at a national and European level to tackle illegal or harmful content online.
It is a complex area that straddles the responsibilities of many Departments.
Given the cross-cutting nature of the subject and the range of diverse activities being taken by many Government Departments, by the European Commission, by industry and by stakeholders, we agreed at this meeting to progress the matter of digital safety through an Open Policy Debate. The Open Policy Debate will take place on Thursday 8 March in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham (IMMA).
My Department is leading the co-ordination of this open policy debate with the support and participation of the Departments of Justice & Equality; Education & Skills; Business, Enterprise and Innovation; Health, and Children and Youth Affairs. The overall aim of the event is to raise awareness among all participants of the activities which are being undertaken by the Irish Government, by the European Commission and by industry. The concerns and proposals from NGOs and advocacy groups and other players will be addressed at this Open Policy Debate and gaps will be identified where further action is required and areas where further cooperation between stakeholders is possible.
My Department is engaging with the relevant online platforms, ISPCC, parents' groups and other key stakeholders who will be participating in the initiative to ensure the Forum is successful, informative and results driven.
265. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to Busáras; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2396/18]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
266. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the situation whereby a person seeking a duplicate copy of their NCT vehicle inspection report is charged €15.50 will be reviewed; his plans to put the NCT history of all vehicles online similar to the system in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2440/18]
View answerThe fee of €15.50 for a duplicate copy of the NCT vehicle inspection report has been in place since January 2002. This cost covers administration and I have no plans at this time to review this cost.
It is my understanding that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is reviewing the possibility of providing a vehicle's roadworthiness inspection history via an online platform. The project is being conceptualised currently by the RSA and will progress subject to its feasibility.
267. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the names of all persons approached to be appointed to the board of the Road Safety Authority of Ireland; and the persons who declined the offer. [2443/18]
View answer268. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria for appointment to the board of the Road Safety Authority of Ireland. [2445/18]
View answer269. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the names of persons who expressed an interest in being appointed to the board of the Road Safety Authority of Ireland; and the specialist knowledge of each in relation to road safety. [2446/18]
View answer270. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the names of the members of the board of the Road Safety Authority of Ireland; and the specialist knowledge of each in relation to road safety issues. [2447/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 267 to 270, inclusive, together.
As per section 14 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, members of the board of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are appointed by me as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Individual persons are not approached to be appointed. Appointments to state boards, including the RSA, are processed through StateBoards.ie and the Public Appointments Service.
Since 2014, all appointments for State boards are advertised openly on the State Boards portal www.stateboards.ie operated by the PAS. The appointments meet specific and detailed criteria determined by the relevant Minister as necessary for the effective performance of the relevant role, and are processed by way of a transparent assessment system designed and implemented by PAS.
It is not customary to release the details of unsuccessful candidates and I do not consider it appropriate to do so.
Details of the current members of the RSA Board and a short biography of each member are available on the RSA website at www.rsa.ie/en/Utility/About-Us/Meet-the-board.
272. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the €6 million in capital underspend in his Department as outlined in the fiscal monitor for December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2497/18]
View answerThe gross total allocation for my Department in the Revised Estimates 2017 was €1.8bn. This is made up of €680m Current and €1,130m Capital. There was capital carryover from 2016 of €10.96m. We received a Technical Supplementary Estimate of €12.5m and had a carryover to 2018 of €10.95m. Apart from the carryover of €10.95m to 2018 for specific projects, the revised outturn is 99.8% of the budget.
Capital investment was carried out to support many infrastructural projects during the year. Some examples are:
Roads:
- M17/M18 Gort to Tuam –completed and opened to traffic in September 2017
- Work has started on the M7 Naas bypass upgrade and the Sallins Bypass
Public Transport:
- Luas Cross City was completed and commenced passenger services on 9th December 2017.
Sustainable Transport:
- The implementation of “Cycle Right” training commenced in January 2017 and continued throughout 2017 with the Department providing funding to ensure over 12,000 schoolchildren availed of the training during the course of the year.
Sports :
- The development of 1km and 2km exercise and jogging/walking trails within the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus were completed during 2017 and came into use for members of the public and staff of organisations based on the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus.
Tourism:
Tourism projects which were completed in 2017 included:
- Medieval Mile Museum Kilkenny
- Newly Refurbished Historic Rooms, Killarney House Kerry
- Lusitania Memorial Garden, Old Head of Kinsale Cork
- Powerscourt Estate Audio Guides Wicklow
Regional Airports:
- investment in safety and security enhancements in the regional airports
The figure the Deputy is referring to is a provisional outturn for December 2017. Our analysis following the end of 2017 suggests that apart from our capital carryover for use on specific projects in early 2018, our capital expenditure in 2017 was almost entirely used on investing in necessary infrastructure. Although accounts have yet to be audited our analysis shows the underspend is in fact a lot less than €0.5 million on a capital budget of €1,130 million and an overall Budget of €1,800 million.
