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Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019

Written Answers Nos. 513-532

Climate Action Plan

Questions (513)

Paul Murphy

Question:

513. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the projected cost to rapidly transition Ireland to 100% wind, solar, wave and hydro energy by 2030. [47201/19]

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Written answers

The Climate Action Plan sets out the comprehensive actions that will ensure we meet our 2030 climate commitments putting us on a trajectory to be net zero by 2050. A central commitment under the Plan is Ireland’s ambitious target of 70% of electricity demand by 2030 along with a suite of actions to deliver this at least cost. The new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is critical to delivering on the 70% RES-E target and is being designed to achieve its targets within a competitive framework which will put downward pressure on the costs to end consumers. The RESS auctions will ultimately determine the precise mix and cost of renewable projects and technology diversity, including solar and offshore wind, that will occur naturally as the scheme matures.

Private sector funding through corporate contracting will also be essential for meeting higher levels of ambition to increase renewable energy supply. The Climate Plan commits to a 15% target for the renewable industry to develop projects through subsidy free corporate power purchase agreements by 2030.

Long term decarbonisation of the electricity sector will require significant investment in Ireland’s potential in offshore renewables including harnessing the potential to export power generated offshore to other EU Member States. Further reinforcement of the grid (including greater interconnection to allow electricity to flow between Ireland and other countries), and putting systems in place to manage intermittent sources of power through developing a range of storage technologies will be essential.

While significant investment will be required to meet long term targets in decarbonisation of electricity, rapidly falling costs of renewable energy technologies will reduce the costs to energy consumers. It is intended that the Department will keep under review the costs of electricity from renewable energy sources and that RESS auctions will be informed by up-to-date Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) analysis.

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Questions (514)

Paul Murphy

Question:

514. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of persons employed in fossil fuel extraction and energy production. [47202/19]

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Written answers

According to Ireland's Ocean Economy Report published in June 2019, direct employment in the Irish oil and gas exploration and production sector in 2018 was 154 full time equivalent employees. The report states that the sector is concentrated in the coastal regions of Donegal, Mayo, Cork, Kerry, Galway and the South East.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Questions (515)

Paul Murphy

Question:

515. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the top 100 companies with the highest emissions. [47203/19]

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Written answers

The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is a cornerstone of the European Union's policy to combat climate change and its key tool for reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively. It is the biggest international system for trading greenhouse gas emission allowances and covers more than 11,000 power stations and industrial plants in 31 countries, as well as airlines. The system covers emissions of carbon dioxide from power and heat generation and a wide range of energy-intensive industry sectors including oil refineries, steel works, and production of iron, aluminium, metals, cement, lime, glass, ceramics, pulp, paper, cardboard, acids and bulk organic chemicals. Nitrous oxide emissions from the production of certain acids and emissions of perfluorocarbons from aluminium production are also included.

An installation is a single stationary technical unit where one or more activities listed under the ETS Directive are carried out. A company/operator may have a number of installations included in the ETS. In Ireland, 75 stationary operators and 13 aircraft operators are included under the scheme. These operate a 104 total installations.

The European Union Transaction Log is the public register of ETS licensees which provides verified emissions figures by Permit ID/Installation. The total verified emissions for each operator is displayed in the following table.

Stationary Operators - Total Verified Emissions (2018) by Account holder

Accountholder/Operator

TOTAL (TONNES CO2)

Ryanair Designated Activity Company

9,879,100

Electricity Supply Board

4,593,362

CRH plc

1,810,780

Norwegian Air International Limited

1,494,039

Limerick Alumina Refining Limited

1,244,116

Synergen Power Limited Power Plant

1,111,570

SSE Generation Ireland Limited

849,704

Aer Lingus Limited

848,646

Quinn Cement Limited

806,637

Bord Gais Energy Limited

678,359

Edenderry Power Limited

565,097

Viridian Power Limited

545,825

Tynagh Energy Limited

510,382

Huntstown Power Company Limited

497,590

Breedon Cement Ireland Limited

424,139

Irving Oil Whitegate Refinery Limited

321,932

Premier Periclase Limited

174,831

Glanbia Ireland Designated Activity Company

131,487

Kerry Ingredients (Ireland) Limited

123,041

Stobart Air Unlimited Company

116,524

Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Limited

93,266

Dairygold Co-Operative Society Limited

91,105

Bord na Mona Fuels Limited

77,281

Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals

59,644

Diageo Ireland

51,514

Intel Ireland Limited

43,367

ASL Airlines (Ireland) Limited

42,838

Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Limited

42,538

Carbery Food Ingredients Limited

42,484

Irish Distillers Limited

41,520

Nutricia Infant Nutrition Limited

38,338

Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland Limited

36,221

PSE Kinsale Energy Limited

36,215

CityJet Limited

35,928

Anglo Beef Processors Ireland Unlimited Company

33,674

Saint-Gobain Construction Products (Ireland) Limited

31,460

FMC Manufacturing Limited

30,987

College Proteins Unlimited Company

25,111

Abbott Ireland

23,098

Aurivo Dairy Ingredients Limited

22,806

Baxter Healthcare SA

20,916

Eli Lilly Kinsale Limited

20,404

Arrabawn Cooperative Society Limited

20,058

BASF Ireland Limited

18,220

Tipperary Co Operative Creamery Limited

15,924

Gas Networks Ireland

14,893

EdgeConneX Ireland Limited

14,413

MSD International GmbH t/a MSD Ireland (Brinny)

12,983

Dublin Products Limited

11,864

Pelagia Feed (Ireland) Limited

11,339

Minch Malt Limited

11,325

Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland

9,926

DAA Public Limited Company

9,827

Regeneron Ireland Unlimited Company

9,485

MSD International GmbH (trading as MSD Ireland (Ballydine))

9,083

Medite Europe Designated Activity Company

9,048

C&D Foods Unlimited Company

8,825

K2 Critical Facilities Management (Ireland) Limited

8,118

Guerbet Ireland Unlimited Company

8,105

St. James's Hospital Board

6,820

Mondelez Ireland Production Limited

5,916

Health Service Executive West

5,900

Genzyme Ireland Limited

5,124

Lagan Brick Limited

4,979

Alexion Pharma International Operations Unlimited Company

4,715

Hovione Limited

4,343

Janssen Sciences Ireland UC

4,093

Novartis Ringaskiddy Limited

4,069

Amazon Data Services Ireland Limited

3,992

Upjohn Manufacturing Ireland Limited

2,955

Smartply Europe Designated Activity Company

2,557

Masonite Ireland Unlimited Company

1,995

Wexford Proteins Limited

1,618

Cushaling Power Limited

939

Runways Information Services Limited

539

Blue City Holdings

417

Prime Aviation JSC

268

Centurion Aviation Services Inc

250

Waspar Limited

193

Google Ireland Limited

164

Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited

140

Johnson & Johnson Aviation

132

Friedkin Aviation Inc

132

Flightstar Corporation

79

Equinix (Ireland) Limited

55

Equinix (Ireland) Enterprises Limited

49

Warner Chilcott

33

Vodafone Group Services Ireland Limited

3

In relation to air travel, while reported by the EPA as a 'memo' item, emissions associated with international aviation emissions are not included in Ireland’s national emissions reported to the UNFCCC, or under Ireland's non-ETS targets under the EU Effort Sharing Decision. Domestic aviation emissions are included in Ireland’s national total for UNFCCC purposes.

Within the EU, CO2 emissions from aviation have been included in the EU ETS since 2013. The legislation applies to emissions from flights from, to and within the European Economic Area (EEA), EU Member States, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. In light of the adoption of a Resolution by the 2016 ICAO Assembly to implement a Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) from 2020, the EU has decided that the geographic scope of the EU ETS be limited to intra-EEA flights from 2017 onwards.

Climate Action Fund

Questions (516)

Robert Troy

Question:

516. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he engaged with the credit union movement with a view to establishing a green fund in conjunction with his Department. [47252/19]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has already established a Climate Action Fund with the objective of funding initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland's climate and energy targets in a cost effective manner, or offer the potential for innovative interventions in these sectors. Following the first call for applications, I announced the seven successful projects which will receive up to €77 million in support, leveraging a total investment of €300 million in round one of the scheme. The Climate Action Plan sets out that the next call under the Climate Action Fund should commence by the end of this year. The Climate Action Plan also identifies a range of finance measures that will support the transition to a low carbon economy, particularly in the built environment sector. A Taskforce has been established to create a new retrofit delivery vehicle and commenced its work in September. As part of its work, the taskforce is developing novel financing schemes to fill the funding gap and to ensure affordable loan schemes and easy payback options are in place for householders.

My Department funds the SEAI’s Better Energy Financing scheme. The scheme supports innovative financing projects for residential retrofits on a small scale. The Credit Union Development Association has received support from SEAI to run their Pro-energy scheme – which offers a one stop shop to Credit Union members to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes. The Department is working with the SEAI to identify how a scaling up of this approach and similar approaches could be supported further in 2020.

My Department will continue to explore further opportunities for engaging with finance providers and ensuring that the necessary funding is in place to enable us to meet our climate and energy targets.

Question No. 517 answered with Question No. 508.

Climate Action Plan

Questions (518)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

518. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress towards achieving the interim offshore wind energy targets set out in the Climate Action Plan for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47299/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Climate Action Plan includes, inter alia, a suite of actions to decarbonise the electricity sector and boost the quantity of renewable generation in order to meet our target of 70% of demand from renewable sources by 2030; the Plan commits to connecting at least 3.5GW of Offshore Wind by 2030. In order to achieve this my Department is working closely with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on the development of a new, streamlined consenting regime for offshore renewable energy which will modernise and streamline the marine development management and enforcements systems. This new regime will replace existing State and development consent regimes and streamline arrangements on the basis of a single consent principle.

My Department have also established a working group on the Framework for Offshore Electricity Grid. This group will assess the options available for a suitable offshore grid model for Ireland allowing us to develop an offshore grid model informed by and aligned to Government Policy such as the forthcoming National Marine Planning Framework.

To support the delivery of the national ambition to further decrease our dependence on foreign fossil fuels my Department is also developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030 by providing supports to a range of technologies including offshore wind projects.

Postal Codes

Questions (519)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

519. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the provision of an Eircode for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47366/19]

View answer

Written answers

Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement. Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licensed businesses for their use.

Eircode have advised my officials that the individual in question's address (details supplied) has been assigned an Eircode and is now published on the Eircode Finder website. Also, a notification letter has been issued to the individual in question containing the Eircode of the address and a member of Eircode’s customer service team will make contact with the individual directly to confirm the Eircode and answer any subsequent questions.

Eircode have informed my Department that 95,300 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.

Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff Scheme Applications

Questions (520)

Robert Troy

Question:

520. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a decision on an application by a company (details supplied) will be made to enable a project to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47379/19]

View answer

Written answers

Officials from my Department have been in contact with the representative of the company in question a number of times regarding the REFIT3 application to which the Deputy refers. Once a full response has been received from the company to the most recent query, consideration can given to the application and then a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Broadcasting Sector

Questions (521)

Jack Chambers

Question:

521. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the number of hours of original Irish content that has been produced by Irish independent production companies over the past 11 years for RTÉ has halved; the impact this has had on the sustainability and growth of the independent production sector; the actions he has taken to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47409/19]

View answer

Written answers

Public Service Broadcasters spend millions of euro each year on independently produced programming. This is vital in supporting a vibrant independent sector, including in the regions. Section 116 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out the minimum threshold of €40m which RTE must make available each year for the commissioning of television and radio programmes from the independent production sector. In 2018, RTE spent €40.1 million, broken down as follows: €38.9 million (Television) and €1.2 million (Radio). A further €0.2m was incurred by RTÉ on non-statutory, independent produced television programmes, resulting in a total spend of €40.3m incurred on commissioned programmes (2017: €40.2 m).

While RTE continues to meet the statutory minimum, it has in the past spent in excess of this amount as resources permitted. In addition to RTE funding, producers of newly commissioned RTÉ programmes also attracted funding from other sources. Several dramas, animation and various other programme genres received a total of €3.228m in Section 481 funding (tax credit created to incentivise investment in film and TV production). BAI Sound & Vision, which is financed from licence fee monies, provided €4.731m to RTÉ commissioned programmes. RTÉ also entered into a number of co-productions including with the BBC, BBC NI and ARTE (a French-German free-to-air television network that promotes cultural programming).

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (522)

Jack Chambers

Question:

522. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the process by which he approved the appointment of a person (details supplied) to the board of EirGrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47413/19]

View answer

Written answers

The appointment to the Board of EirGrid referred to in the Question was made in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards and the relevant provisions of the legislation underpinning such appointments, namely the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 445 of 2000).

Prospecting Licences

Questions (523)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

523. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a licence (details supplied) which covers western areas of Connemara has been re-advertised in a recent licence competition for prospecting licences for mining in view of the status of the much of the area as Natura 2000 sites, the outstanding and unique scenic nature of the area in the county development plan and the local opposition to mining in the area; the consultations he has had with the Ministers for Housing Planning and Local Government and Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on the proposal to re-advertise the area in the recent licence competition; the discussions he has had with local public representatives including Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and local authority before making the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47510/19]

View answer

Written answers

The licence in question relates to Prospecting Licensing area PL 930. This particular licence has been included in a Prospecting Licensing competition, recently advertised on my Department’s website, which covers all areas that have become available for application since the last competition was held. Only “available” ground may be released through competition. Certain ground is deemed unavailable for competition, such as areas in National Parks and these are areas which are generally not available for application. There is currently no application for a Prospecting Licence received by my Department for this area.

Furthermore, any new application received would be subject to screening for Appropriate Assessment by my Department in compliance with the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011(SI 477 of 2011). Should a licensee propose to undertake prospecting activities within or near a designated Natura 2000 site, it is a requirement that an Appropriate Assessment Screening Report, which would include an ecological assessment, would be carried out and submitted as part of any application for approval to undertake such works. My Department also consults with the National Parks and Wildlife Service before any such proposed works would be approved. A new public consultation process would be undertaken providing details of the new application.

Any application for a Mining Licence involves a completely separate process which requires consultation under the Planning and Development legislation and Environmental Impact Assessment legislation.

Energy Schemes

Questions (524)

Jack Chambers

Question:

524. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of approval letters issued to those households whose applications for the SEAI pilot deep retrofit scheme were received before the deadline but did not go through the process for consideration; the number that have now been approved following his decision to consider these applications; the number that have not been approved; the reason applications were approved or refused, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47535/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme was launched in 2017 as a time bound pilot to investigate the challenges and opportunities of deep retrofit in Ireland. The scheme closed for applications on 19th July 2019 in line with the published Application Guidelines. Applications were only accepted from Service Providers for projects including at least 5 homes. As Minister, I have no function in relation to the approval of applications. However, I have been informed by SEAI that, to date:

- 23 letters of offer have issued to successful applicants (138 homes)

- 7 letters of offer pending issue (35 homes);

- 14 under evaluation (63 homes),

The SEAI continue to engage with a number of Service Providers in relation to necessary clarifications on the remaining 10 applications.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Questions (525)

David Cullinane

Question:

525. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount in tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions of air travel in each of the years 2008 to 2017 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47611/19]

View answer

Written answers

The EPA compiles Ireland's national greenhouse gas emissions inventory on an annual basis. The table below details CO2 emissions data from aviation for 2008 to 2017, based on data supplied by the EPA. All figures are in kilotonnes of CO2 and are based on fuel sales in the State. While reported by the EPA as a 'memo' item, emissions associated with international aviation emissions are not included in Ireland’s national emissions reported to the UNFCCC, or under Ireland's non-ETS targets under the EU Effort Sharing Decision. Domestic aviation emissions are included in Ireland’s national total for UNFCCC purposes.

Within the EU, CO2 emissions from aviation have been included in the EU ETS since 2013. The legislation applies to emissions from flights from, to and within the European Economic Area (EEA), EU Member States, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. In light of the adoption of a Resolution by the 2016 ICAO Assembly to implement a Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) from 2020, the EU has decided that the geographic scope of the EU ETS be limited to intra-EEA flights from 2017 onwards.

The EU will further review the operation of CORSIA early in the next decade to consider the implementation of the CORSIA scheme in light of the objectives of the EU ETS.

Year

Domestic aviation

International Aviation

2008

79.83

2825.10

2009

65.05

2230.10

2010

49.08

2306.51

2011

24.44

2068.83

2012

14.86

1738.08

2013

15.24

2005.42

2014

14.56

2223.80

2015

15.42

2517.25

2016

16.64

2581.59

2017

17.30

3037.56

Electricity Generation

Questions (526)

Michael Harty

Question:

526. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the ESB has provided him with the list of options for the future of Moneypoint when the electricity generating plan must cease burning coal by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47648/19]

View answer

Written answers

The ESB has confirmed that, in line with Government policy, coal-fired electricity generation will cease at Moneypoint no later than 2025. The ESB has informed me of a range of potential technologies it is examining including biomass, combined cycle gas, gas peaking plants, offshore wind, electricity storage or a combination of these.

ESB operates commercially in the wholesale electricity market on the island, the Single Electricity Market. The development of replacement generation for Moneypoint is contingent on a commercially viable project, noting that revenues would include those from the wholesale market, capacity auctions and ancillary services.

Recycling Data

Questions (527, 528)

John Curran

Question:

527. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the percentage of plastic waste recycled here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47704/19]

View answer

John Curran

Question:

528. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the proportion of plastic waste here that has never been recycled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47705/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 528 together.

The EPA is the competent authority for the collation of national waste statistics and reports annually on Ireland’s performance against the recycling and recovery targets set out in the EU Packaging and Waste Packaging Directive. In 2017 Ireland surpassed the material specific target of 22.5% for plastics and achieved a recycling rate of 34%.

While I do not have a percentage figure for plastic waste recycled in Ireland I understand from Repak, the national packaging compliance scheme, that in respect of their membership, approximately 15% of the plastic packaging collected in Ireland is recycled here while the remainder is exported to the UK and Europe.

We are determined to increase recycling of plastics from 34% to 55% in the coming years and, along with other EU member states, to phase out non-recyclable plastics entirely. The Government is committed to leading the way in reducing the excessive use of plastics, particularly single use plastics and to this end has:

- Obtained agreement that Government departments and bodies will no longer purchase single-use plastic cups, cutlery and straws

- Strongly supported new EU legislation on Single-use Plastic

- Commenced a clean oceans initiative to collect, reduce and reuse marine litter and clean up our marine environment (by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

- Commissioned a review to establish the best way to reach a 90% collection target for beverage containers, after which the Minister will announce the necessary actions

- Introduced a new law to ban microbeads (by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government)

Further consideration of measures to tackle plastics will be undertaken in the context of developing a new national waste policy which will be published in 2020.

Postal Codes

Questions (529)

John Curran

Question:

529. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the reason a premises (details supplied) which applied for an Eircode in 2018 and was issued with a reference number in July 2018 has not yet received an Eircode, will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47734/19]

View answer

Written answers

Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on all new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement. Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licensed businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that 95,300 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015. An Post have informed my officials they are currently updating the individuals address data on their systems and this information should then be issued from An Post GeoDirectory to Eircode. My Department has requested Eircode to contact and liaise directly with the individual in question regarding the assignment of an Eircode for this new property address. In recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes to new builds is desirable, my officials are working with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), An Post GeoDirectory and Capita to improve and expedite the existing process.

Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

Questions (530)

Jack Chambers

Question:

530. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of a review of pricing and access arrangements for metropolitan area networks, MANs, which was referred to the Commission for Communications Regulation in February 2019. [47860/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Analysys Mason Review of Pricing and Access Arrangements for the MANs noted that enet was not in compliance with the agreed Code of Practice in relation to its approach to intercompany transfer pricing. In that regard I referred the report in February to the Commission for Communications Regulation, in view of its acknowledged expertise in the area, to undertake a review to: - Establish whether enet complied with its obligation under the Code of Practice to offer managed services on the MAN's in the context of national end to end services at non-discriminatory prices such that its related company, enet Telecommunications Networks Ltd did not obtain a material unfair advantage.

- Confirm the revised intercompany transfer pricing arrangements in place are in compliance with the Code of Practice.

- Confirm that the Analysys Mason recommendations are being implemented.

- Based on the findings of its review, make recommendations to the Minister.

I understand that the Commission’s work is ongoing and I await the outcome of the review.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Questions (531)

David Cullinane

Question:

531. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reduction in carbon emissions that would result by the percentage increases 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 100% in public transport use in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47186/19]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days.

I would note that continued economic growth and increased employment levels have resulted in demand increases across the public transport network, particularly in the Greater Dublin Area. Accordingly, I am maintaining a strong focus on expanding the carrying capacity of our public transport system over the coming years. That is how we can really help address the largest sustainability challenge in the transport sector – by shifting more journeys from private motoring towards suitable alternatives in public transport and active travel.

To this end, under the National Development Plan (NDP) €8.6 billion has been earmarked for investment in public and sustainable transport over the next 10 years. Proposed projects include MetroLink, BusConnects and the DART Expansion Programme. This substantial investment will transform our future public transport network and enable more people to choose sustainable options as their preferred mode of transport.

In the more immediate term, we are also making significant progress. We are increasing the size of the Public Service Obligation bus fleet and improving service provision. On the Luas network, the first of the extensions to the Luas Green Line fleet has entered service with the remaining 25 extensions entering service on a rolling basis and 8 additional trams have also been ordered as part of the Luas Green Line Capacity Enhancement Project. In relation to rail, there have been improvements to on and off peak-time services, with the Government recently approving the purchase of 41 additional InterCity Railcars. A 10-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric train units is being established which will massively expand the fleet.

Collectively these measures will increase public transport capacity to help meet the increased demand across the network as well as playing an important role in reducing transport emissions by providing viable alternatives to private car travel.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
The following table represents estimated CO2 emission savings per annum which could be achieved by increasing passenger kilometres travelled on public transport and offsetting the equivalent passenger kilometres from private cars under each of the five scenarios requested by the Deputy (5%, 10%, 25%, 50% and 100% increases in passenger kilometres).
The following assumptions were made for all scenarios: a flat increase in public transport passenger kilometres and a countervailing decrease in private car passenger kilometres; overall carbon efficiency remains static; increased public transport usage is matched by increased capacity; carbon emissions per passenger kilometre remains constant. Estimates of passenger kilometres are based on survey data and operator data on the number of journeys and fuel use.

-

Percentage Increase in Public Transport

Percentage Increase in Public Transport

Percentage Increase in Public Transport

Percentage Increase in Public Transport

Percentage Increase in Public Transport

Mode

5%

10%

25%

50%

100%

Luas (tCO2)

577.8

1,155.7

2,889.21

5,778.4

11,556.8

Dublin Bus (tCO2)

2,494.9

4,989.9

12,474.6

24,949.2

49,898.5

Bus Éireann (tCO2)*

833.5

1,667.0

4,167.4

8,334.7

16,669.5

Irish Rail - Intercity (tCO2)

4,352.0

8,703.9

21,759.9

43,519.7

87,039.4

Irish Rail - Commuter (tCO2)

609.9

1,219.8

3,049.6

6,099.2

12,198.4

Irish Rail - DART (tCO2)

684.3

1,368.7

3,421.7

6,843.4

13,686.9

Total (tCO2)

9,552.5

19,105.0

47,762.4

95,524.8

191,049.5

* Bus Éireann emission savings are extrapolated from city town, coach and school services.
Continued growth and increased employment levels have resulted in demand increased across the public transport network, particularly in the Greater Dublin Area. Accordingly, I am maintaining a strong focus on expanding the carrying capacity of our public transport system over the coming years. That is how we can really help address the largest sustainability challenge in the transport sector – by shifting more journeys from private motoring towards suitable alternatives in public transport and active travel.
To this end, under the National Development Plan (NDP) €8.6 billion has been earmarked for investment in public and sustainable transport over the next 10 years. Proposed projects include MetroLink, BusConnects and the DART Expansion Programme. The substantial investment will transform our future public transport network and enable more people to choose sustainable options as their preferred mode of transport.
In the more immediate term, we are also making significant progress. We are increasing the size of the Public Service Obligation bus fleet and improving service provision. On the Luas network, the first of the extensions to the Luas Green Line has entered service with the remaining 25 extensions entering service on a rolling basis and 8 additional trams have also been ordered as part the Luas Green Line Capacity Enhancement Project. In relation to rail, there have been improvements to on and off peak-time services, with the Government recently approving the purchase of 41 additional InterCity Railcars. A 10-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric train units is being established which will massively expand the fleet.
Collectively these measures will increase public transport capacity to help meet the increased demand across the network as well as playing an important role in reducing transport emissions by providing viable alternatives to private car travel.

EU Directives

Questions (532)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Question:

532. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Marine Notice 42 of 2019, Council Directive 2017/159 on the implementation of the social partners on agreement ILO Work in Fishing Convention 2007 may be delayed from implementation on 15 November 2019 due to lack of consultation post joint submissions being sent on 17 December 2018 by the four producer organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47284/19]

View answer

Written answers

Council Directive (EU) 2017/159 on the implementation of the social partners’ agreement on the Work in Fishing Convention aims to enhance the working and living conditions for fishers working on vessels registered in an EU member state. The Directive implements an Agreement between the General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives in the European Union (Cogeca), the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) and the Association of National Organization’s of Fishing Enterprises in the European Union (Europêche). These organisations represent the employer and employee representative organisations in the fishing sector across the European Union. As the agreement is a social partnership agreement, the Directive merely implements the Agreement as agreed between the social partners in 2012, and the Agreement itself was not subject to any changes during the discussions on the Directive in the Social Questions Working Party. My Department is supportive of the objective of the Directive to enhance the working and living conditions for fishers working on vessels registered in an EU Member State.

An important aspect of the transposition of the Directive is the requirement for consultation with stakeholders. On 16 November 2018, my Department published Marine Notice 42 of 2018, which invited stakeholders to contribute their views on Council Directive (EU) 2017/159. The consultation process resulted in the Department receiving seven submissions, which were reviewed and published on the Department’s website

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/1ee9a2-responses-to-the-consultation-on-ilo-work-in-fishing-convention-2007/.

Subsequently, my officials met with representatives of the various fisheries organisations to discuss the transposition of the Directive. The outcome from the Department’s consultations with stakeholders made an important contribution to the drafting of the package of Regulations required to ensure the transposition of the Directive.

This work is at an advanced stage and my officials are currently working closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting of a package of Regulations in order to ensure the transposition of the Directive.

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