Written Answers Nos. 702-706
702. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which freshwater fishing rivers and lakes nationwide continue to be restocked on an annual basis; the species most often used in restocking; the degree to which the programme can be extended in 2020 in anticipation of greater demand in the aftermath of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8194/20]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the agency responsible for the conservation, protection, development and improvement of our inland fisheries and sea angling resources. While fish stocking is primarily a matter for fishery owners, IFI has developed and published policy guidelines to which persons undertaking this activity are expected to comply. A copy of these policy guidelines is available on the IFI website: www.fisheriesireland.ie.
These guidelines are designed to ensure compatibility with obligations of EU and National legislation and the principles of International Fishing Organisations to which Ireland is a party. In addition stocking policy is designed, where required, to preserve genetic integrity and to guard against the potential transfer of pathogens. I have provided a direct link to this document below for the Deputy’s information.
IFI does manage fish farm operations to support some elements of the angling sector with brown trout and rainbow trout for stocking into a relatively small number of fisheries. In 2019, IFI provided 37,000 brown trout and 71,400 rainbow trout for stocking into some recreational angling fisheries.
Provision and sale of fish to customers, which may involve significant movement and travel, ceased on the 24 March in-line with NPHET advice associated with the Covid-19 issues. Following the government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, IFI is considering the timing for operations in relation to the supply of fish in current circumstances. I am advised that IFI has sought guidance, via my Department, in relation to the potential impact on the National Covid-19 management efforts, in line with NPHET advice.
Stocking Guidelines:
www.fisheriesireland.ie/documents/620-ifi-fish-stocking-guidance-document.html.
www.fisheriesireland.ie.
703. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 is not being enforced at the Bohernabreena reservoir, despite representations on the matter from various fishing organisations; and the details of the difficulties being experienced in enforcement of the Act. [8264/20]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) makes every effort to enforce fisheries legislation at all times at all locations and to respond to reported breaches of this legislation. This includes Bohernabreena Reservoir, which is a drinking water reservoir and fishery controlled by Dublin City Council.
I am advised that this venue is subject to routine IFI fisheries protection patrols and recent enforcement actions have included the issuing of warnings and Fixed Charge Penalty Notices in relation to fisheries offences at the reservoir. It has been the case at times that patrols at this location were deemed unsafe under IFI’s Patrol Risk Assessment, however, in the majority of circumstances patrols have proceeded with all relevant risk minimisation measures in place.
As the Deputy will appreciate IFI’s enforcement remit is confined to the Fisheries Acts. However, IFI also regularly receives complaints from angling and other stakeholders relating to possible illegal angling activity, often in combination with anti-social and other illegal behaviour in which it has no enforcement vires. IFI also receives calls relating solely to potential public order offences at Bohernabreena Reservoir, all of which are passed on to an Garda Síochána.
IFI has also developed an excellent proactive working relationship with Gardaí, based locally at Tallaght Garda Station, in respect of coordinated enforcement at this location and has received assistance on a number of occasions when mobilising a response to reported illegal activity.
IFI staff intend to meet shortly with Garda members in Tallaght to further develop our collaborative approach to addressing the various issues reported from Bohernabreena Reservoir.
704. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider enacting airplay legislation to ensure a requirement that between 30% and 40% of music played would be music produced here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8269/20]
View answerWhile I am supportive of the promotion of Irish music on our broadcasting services, I am conscious that a number of factors must be taken into account when considering the feasibility of introducing airplay quotas. The potential benefit to music production in Ireland must be balanced with the rights of broadcasters, subject to their contractual or regulatory obligations, to determine the type of content they wish to broadcast and to maximise their commercial revenue particularly in the context of the current media climate. Importantly, the introduction of airplay quotas would need to be consistent with EU law.
An example of airplay quotas in the EU can be seen in France. In 1994, France introduced a mandatory quota for 40% airplay of French language music on French radio stations, this quota was reduced to 35% in 2016. Any quota for airplay would be considered to restrict free movement of services by placing music meeting certain criteria in a more advantaged position. However, a quota for airplay of music in a particular language, as is the case in France, can be justified under EU case law, as the preservation and promotion of an official language of a Member State constitutes a general interest objective. Unlike music in a particular language, a quota system for music produced in a particular place, as suggested in this question, does not appear to have grounds for exemption from the general requirements of EU law. Therefore, without a similar justification on the grounds of promoting cultural diversity, a quota for music produced in a particular Member State would be considered to restrict free movement of services by placing music produced in other Member States at a disadvantage.
The government is not currently considering airplay quotas based on production location.
705. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband will be available in an area (details supplied). [7089/20]
View answerThe government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland.
The Question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass in the region of 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. Further details are available at the NBI website www.nbi.ie
While I note that there is fibre installation close to the premises mentioned in the Question, eir’s rural deployment of high speed broadband is a commercial undertaking and not part of the planned State Intervention network. Decisions regarding what areas and premises were served was made a commercial basis by eir and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that process.
To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) were identified by Local Authorities to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment. The planned BCP locations, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie. The BCP delivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing which will facilitate detailed design and installation. BCP locations are subject to change and a number of the premises initially identified are in the process of being replaced with alternative locations. The remaining BCPs remain on track for delivery by the end of 2020.
The BCPs in identified public places will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
706. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the possibility of improving poor broadband connectivity in Tinoran, County Wicklow will be investigated (details supplied). [7210/20]
View answerThe Question refers to premises that are in the townlands of Tinoran, Co.Wicklow and Moone, Co. Kildare.
A number of these premises are within the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. Within the BLUE area, commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have stated their intention to provide high speed broadband in future. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. Commercial activities of operators delivering high speed broadband are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that process.
There may be a choice of operators offering this service in the area referred to and further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
The remaining premises are located within the AMBER area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention which will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset.
The contract for this work was signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) last November and by the end of next year, NBI plans to pass in the region of 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. All counties will see premises passed in the next 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. Further information on deployment activities is available on NBI’s website (www.nbi.ie).
To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) were identified by Local Authorities to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment. The planned BCP locations, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie. The BCP delivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing which will facilitate detailed design and installation. BCP locations are subject to change and a number of the premises initially identified are in the process of being replaced with alternative locations. The remaining BCPs remain on track for delivery by the end of 2020.
The BCPs in identified public places will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
