Written Answers Nos. 1-47
23. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the roll-out of the national broadband plan with specific reference to County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15976/20]
View answerThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas in County Wexford which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode.
- Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with NBI. 22,175 premises in Wexford fall into this category.
- The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. 60,317 premises in Wexford fall into this category.
- The LIGHT BLUE area represents eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises, including in Wexford as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017. 417 premises in Wexford fall into this category.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) network will offer premises within the AMBER State Intervention area, 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. 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.
Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 17 counties and steady progress is being made with over 40,000 premises surveyed to date. I am advised that contractors have been on the ground in Wexford surveying townlands in Oylegate, Castlebridge, Taghmon, Ballykelly, and Barntown. Over 3,500 premises have been surveyed to date in the county, including other areas such as Castle Ellis, Kilbride, Ballyhuskard, Bridgetown and Whitechurch. Further information on deployment activities associated with the rollout can be found on the NBI website http://www.nbi.ie.
My Department is currently engaging with National Broadband Ireland to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the NBP rollout to bring forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. These discussions are ongoing and a preliminary position will be arrived at by the end of the summer.
24. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to maintain the reduction in Ireland's emissions seen during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16046/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out our ambition to more than halve our carbon emissions over the course of the decade. The action we take in the coming years will be critical in order to address the climate crisis, which threatens our safe future on this planet.
As Minister for Climate Action, I will lead on delivering our shared commitment to achieve an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The 2050 target will be set in law by the Climate Action Bill, which I will introduce in the Dáil within the first 100 days of government.
With the pandemic ongoing, we still have not seen and do not know the full extent of its impact. While the drop-off in economic activity and travel will lead to reductions in both greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, the true emissions impact, including by sector, will only be visible when the EPA publishes Ireland’s 2020 Provisional Inventory figures in October 2021.
In the meantime, work on projection scenarios is under way to better understand the potential impacts. The EPA is working closely with its regular data providers to gather and examine indicator data that could provide some insights into the impact of the pandemic on Ireland’s emissions. Furthermore, the ESRI’s research, funded by my Department, on The Environmental and Economic Impacts of the COVID-19 Crisis on the Irish Economy, was published on 3 July 2020. This analysis shows a decline of economy wide CO2 emissions by 9.5% in 2020, but an increase thereafter as the economy recovers.
This highlights both the importance and challenge of ensuring that we do not follow emissions trends of the past as we emerge from this crisis. Our economic recovery plan must be fully consistent with the decarbonising economic transformation required over the coming decade. With the increased scale and depth of our climate ambition, new strategies will be needed to sustain a reduction trajectory that will increase over time. I will work with colleagues across government to develop a new Climate Action Plan before year end, with additional initiatives in every sector to bring about the significant change needed to transform our society.
While this will be challenging, requiring fundamental changes in how we live our lives, we will improve the health, welfare and security of our society, as well as realising significant economic benefits. The Government is committed to ensuring that the economic recovery is a green recovery.
26. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he expects to move legislation to ban oil and gas exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15995/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government - Our Shared Future - contains a commitment to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of gas on the same basis as the decision taken in 2019 by the previous Government in relation to oil exploration and extraction.
I have made this commitment effective immediately: my Department is no longer accepting new applications for exploration licences for natural gas or oil, nor will there be any future licensing rounds in Closed areas.
While there is no requirement for legislative underpinning, I and my Department will evaluate whether any further actions would be useful in terms of providing maximum clarity.
27. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to expedite the roll-out of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16043/20]
View answerThe 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. 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. Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 17 counties and steady progress is being made with over 40,000 premises surveyed to date. The survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and laying fibre should start shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December this year.
The Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. Recognising this, the Programme for Government commits to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. The Programme for Government also recognises that the NBP will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working and remote service delivery.
My Department is currently engaging with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the NBP rollout to bring forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the deployment plan to an earlier date. These discussions are ongoing and a preliminary position will be arrived at by the end of the summer.
To support remote working and rural connectivity, locations for up to 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) have been identified by Local Authorities. The BCP delivery project is well underway and connectivity is being provided to each of the sites by National Broadband Ireland (NBI). Subsequent to this, the sites, other than schools, are being Wi-Fi enabled by Vodafone under a contract with the Department of Rural and Community Development. This work also involves the local authorities and site owners determining the services that will be provided for end-users at each site. For the 75 schools that are also part of this project, enabling these schools with Wi-Fi is being led by the Department of Education following NBI providing the connectivity to the schools.
28. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when details of the roll-out under the national broadband plan will be published in order that householders will have an indication based on eircode as to when it is likely the roll-out of broadband will reach them; if it is a condition of the contract that this information be given by a specific date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15666/20]
View answerUnder the NBP Contract, NBI is required to provide a pre-registration facility for members of the public on its website www.nbi.ie to enable them to register their interest in obtaining high speed broadband services so that they can automatically receive updates as and when the new high speed broadband network and associated products becomes available for specified premises.
Given the scale of the NBP it is not possible to publish scheduling details of the roll out over a 7 year period. Inevitably this will be subject to change as the project evolves. In recognition of this and to ensure the most up to date information is available, NBI provide details at individual premises level, utilising a dedicated search function. searchable by eircode, through it’s website. This provides updates to interested parties regarding what stage they are at in the process and offers an option to be kept updated on developments. The most up to date information can then be provided through updates as premises move through the various stages of deployment.
The contract to deliver the NBP State led intervention was signed in November last with NBI. The NBP network will offer those premises a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 17 counties with over 40,000 premises surveyed to date. 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 first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
The Government has committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the NBP. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout to bring forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. The commitment to seek to accelerate delivery of NBP is reflected in the new Programme for Government, which recognises the NBP as key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working and service delivery.
29. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the carbon emissions reductions he expects will be achieved annually in this term of Government. [16042/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out our ambition to more than halve our carbon emissions over the course of the decade. The action we take in the coming years will be critical in order to address the climate crisis, which threatens our safe future on this planet.
As Minister for Climate Action, I will lead on delivering our shared commitment to achieve an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The 2050 target will be set in law in the Climate Action Bill, which I will introduce in the Dáil within the first 100 days of government.
With the increased scale and depth of this ambition, new strategies will be needed to sustain a reduction trajectory that will increase over time. I will work with colleagues across government to develop a new Climate Action Plan before year end, with additional initiatives in every sector to bring about the significant change needed to transform our society.
While this will be challenging, requiring fundamental changes in how we live our lives, we will improve the health, welfare and security of our society, as well as realising significant economic benefits. To this end, the Government is committed to ensuring that the economic recovery is a green recovery.
30. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made to date in developing a policy statement on the transition away from the importation of fracked gas and the development of LNG terminals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16064/20]
View answer39. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans with regard to the LNG terminal in Shannon, County Clare, and the importation of fracked gas in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16085/20]
View answer40. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when legislation will be moved to deal with the building of LNG terminals here; if this will cover each LNG proposal or just the importation of fracked gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15996/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 39 and 40 together.
The Programme for Government states that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and undertakes to develop a policy statement to establish this approach. My Department is working to develop a proposal to meet this objective which I will bring to Government for approval. The work that is underway includes consideration of what, if any, legislation will be required.
The Programme for Government also states that, as Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, it does not make sense to allow liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals which import fracked gas and that accordingly the Shannon LNG terminal should not be included in the 2021 list of EU Projects of Common Interest. If this project were to apply for inclusion in the list, the requirement for Ireland’s Member State approval, which would not be forthcoming, would arise in the second half of 2021.
31. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications made to the Just Transition Fund to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16073/20]
View answerThe Just Transition Fund is a key pillar of the Government's just transition plan for the midlands. Up to €11 million will be available in 2020 for projects focusing on retraining workers, proposals to generate sustainable employment in green enterprise in the region, and supporting communities to transition to a low carbon economy. This is financed through an Exchequer allocation of €6m from carbon tax revenues and an additional €5 million committed by ESB.
I am informed by the secretariat to the Midlands Regional Transition Team (MRTT) that 155 projects were received via Stage 1 - the MRTT - START engagement process. This stage closed on Friday, 12 June. Projects that have registered at the first stage may now proceed to submit an application for funding to my Department, subject to meeting eligibility requirements and terms and conditions for funding published by my Department on Friday, 19 June. Projects have until this Friday, 17 July to submit proposals for funding. Evaluation of submitted proposals will commence shortly afterwards and initial disbursement of funding to successful projects will take place following the conclusion of this process.
32. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he plans to incorporate biodiversity and nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation within his climate action portfolio; the efforts he will take to bridge the policy gap between climate action and biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16065/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out our ambition to more than halve our carbon emissions over the course of the decade. The action we take in the coming years will be critical in order to address the climate crisis, which threatens our safe future on this planet.
As Minister for Climate Action, I will lead on delivering our shared commitment to achieve an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. With the increased scale and depth of this ambition, new strategies will be needed to sustain a reduction trajectory that will increase over time. I will work with colleagues across government to develop a new Climate Action Plan before year end, with additional initiatives in every sector, including biodiversity and nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation.
The Programme for Government recognises climate action and biodiversity need to fully cohere. This is particularly the case in the agriculture sector, where the Programme for Government contains a dedicated section covering both climate action and biodiversity. It is important that reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy reward farmers for sequestering carbon, restoring biodiversity, improving water and air quality, producing clean energy, and developing schemes that support results-based outcomes. Protecting and enhancing the incomes and livelihoods of family farms is a key objective of the Government, as the agriculture sector embraces the mission of delivering on climate mitigation and biodiversity objectives, while building on its achievements as a world-class producer of quality food. Our agricultural sector will need an increased emphasis on education in the areas of sustainability, agroecology, climate action and biodiversity, underpinning nature-based solutions in land use, soil health and agriculture.
The Programme for Government also commits to expanding the Environment Fund, through the introduction of new levies, and then ring-fencing this money for investment in biodiversity and climate initiatives, including a parks fund to support the development of new parks and wildlife areas.
I will work closely with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister for Agriculture and Marine, and each of their ministerial colleagues, the Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform and the Minister of State with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity, to maximise the clear synergies between climate and biodiversity policy.
33. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will introduce legislation in line with the provisions in the Microgeneration Support Scheme Bill 2017 that would empower persons and local communities to produce renewable energy that they can then use and sell the excess of back to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16069/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to prioritising the development of micro-generation, letting people sell excess power back to the grid by June 2021. The measures set out below will assist in delivering this commitment.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a Roadmap for the Clean Energy Package’s Electricity and Renewables Directives in March this year, which provides for a public consultation on the regulatory framework for prosumer development later this year. The document is available on the CRU website www.cru.ie.
A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is examining an enabling framework for micro- generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. The proposed support mechanism will be outlined in a public consultation in Q3 2020.
A a suitable support payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will, therefore, be available to all micro-generators in accordance with the timeline set out in the Programme for Government.
34. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he will implement to ensure a necessary upgrade in the telecommunications infrastructure in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16059/20]
View answer35. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he will implement to ensure that all areas of counties Cavan and Monaghan will have access to high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16060/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.
Providing telecommunication services, including mobile phone and broadband services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout services and make specific investments in particular locations.
Since 2016, the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has been a driving force for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide. It has completed over 70 targeted actions to alleviate connectivity barriers, and continues to tackle issues impeding the rollout of essential infrastructure in rural areas, including in counties Cavan and Monaghan. The Taskforce will continue its work in the context of its inclusion in the Programme for Government, in ensuring access to high quality telecommunications connectivity across Ireland to support social and economic development.
In addition, the High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas in Counties Cavan and Monaghan which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode.
- Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). 16,200 premises in Cavan and 15,125 premises in Monaghan fall into this category.
- The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. 25,087 premises in Cavan and 17,983 premises in Monaghan fall into this category
- The LIGHT BLUE area represents eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises, including Cavan and Monaghan as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017. 177 premises in Cavan and 76 premises in Monaghan fall into this category.
The NBP network will offer those premises within the AMBER area, 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. 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.
36. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures that will be introduced over the next year pertaining to a carbon tax. [16053/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to legislating to hypothecate all additional carbon tax revenue into a Climate Action Fund raising an estimated €9.5 billion over the next ten years. This Fund will be utilised over that period to:
1. Ensure that the increases in the carbon tax are progressive by spending €3 billion on targeted social welfare and other initiatives to prevent fuel poverty and ensure a just transition.
2. Provide €5 billion to part fund a socially progressive national retrofitting programme targeting all homes, but with a particular emphasis on the Midlands region and on social and low-income tenancies.
3. Allocate €1.5 billion to a REPS-2 programme to encourage and incentivise farmers to farm in a greener and more sustainable way. This funding will be additional to funding from the Common Agriculture Policy. It will include incentives to plant native forestry and to enhance and support biodiversity.
37. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of all licences issued since 2016 for oil and gas exploration; the number and status of licences under consideration by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15997/20]
View answerSection 57 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 requires that I lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas every six months a report detailing all exploration activities, including petroleum exploration authorisations granted during the period of the report. The last such report laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas was in respect of the six-month period ending 30 June 2020. In addition, a report on the status of all petroleum authorisations is published on a quarterly basis on my Department's website. The most recent such report was published in respect of the three month period ending 30 June 2020.
The number of Licensing Options and Exploration Licences for oil and gas exploration granted since 2016 is outlined in the following table:
|
Year |
Licensing Options and Exploration Licences Issued |
|
2016 |
34 |
|
2017 |
3 |
|
2018 |
12 |
|
2019 |
4 |
|
2020 |
0 |
There are 5 existing applications relating to licensing options and conversions to exploration licences under consideration by my Department.
The Deputy should note that I have given immediate effect to the Programme for Government commitment in relation to ending new licences for exploration and extraction of gas.
38. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the new towns that will be included in the proposed extension of the smoky coal ban as per the commitment in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16047/20]
View answerFrom 1 September 2020, the ban on the sale, marketing, distribution and burning of bituminous coal or “The Smoky Coal Ban”, as it is commonly known, is being extended to include the following towns:
- Ashbourne, County Meath
- Ballina, County Mayo
- Castlebar, County Mayo
- Cavan town, County Cavan
- Cobh, County Cork
- Enniscorthy, County Wexford
- Killarney, County Kerry
- Longford town, County Longford
- Mallow, County Cork
- Midleton, County Cork
- Tramore, County Waterford
- Tullamore, County Offaly
In addition, the existing Cork Specified Area (or “Low Smoke Zone”) is being extended to include Carrigtwohill and certain surrounding townlands.
The geographical boundaries of the new Specified Areas were set following extensive consultation with the relevant Local Authorities. My officials are currently in the final stages of drafting the necessary regulations to give effect to the ban.
In addition, and in accordance with the Programme for Government, I will introduce the necessary measures over the term of Government to move towards the implementation of a full nationwide ban.
41. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the clean air strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16044/20]
View answerMy Department is currently working to finalise Ireland’s first National Clean Air Strategy which is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
Tackling the sources and causes of air pollution is a significant cross-Governmental challenge, as it involves emissions from transport, industry, agriculture, shipping and the use of solid fuels in homes. Given the wide range of pollutant sources, it is important that action is coordinated across various sectors.
The Clean Air Strategy will provide a strategic policy framework which will recognise the positive impact of existing Government plans, but also look to identify and promote additional integrated measures to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air.
As set out in the Programme for Government, the Clean Air Strategy will include policies and measures such as:
- putting in place regional approach to air quality and noise enforcement
- a multi-agency approach to clamping down on the sale of high-sulphur content fuel imported from the UK, with local authorities and the Revenue Commissioners
- investing in our network of monitoring stations, to provide scientific evidence of air quality across different parts of the country, including real-time and localised air quality information
- extending the Smoky Coal ban to new towns and, over the term of Government, move towards a full nationwide ban
There are a number of national policy frameworks already in place which will also help to reduce pollutant emissions and improve air quality such as the Climate Action Plan, and the National Air Pollution Control Programme. It is important that synergies are maximised between these plans and the Clean Air Strategy, with a view to achieving lasting reductions in the health and environmental impacts of air pollution in the most effective manner.
42. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will expedite the implementation of the recommendations included in the Just Transition Commissioner’s first report published in early 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16070/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to publishing a Just Transition Plan, to frame the work of a permanent Commission for Just Transition. The plan will identify and prepare for the challenges that will arise in a number of sectors and regions, recognising that there will be a variety of different transitions, and that it is clear that there will be no simple one-size fits all approach.
In terms of the Midlands, the first progress report of the Just Transition Commissioner, Mr Kieran Mulvey was published on 22 May. The report reflects a comprehensive engagement with relevant stakeholders in the region, setting out the analysis of the challenges facing the Midlands region, and for Bord na Móna workers and their families and communities, arising from an accelerated exit from peat harvesting. The report contains important recommendations. The Government is already acting on a number of these and is committed to preparing an implementation plan to address the remainder.
A number of actions to implement the recommendations in the Commissioner's report are already underway. This includes €20 million for a new energy efficiency retrofitting scheme in the Midlands, €5 million for peatland rehabilitation outside of the Bord na Móna estate, and €6 million for a dedicated new just transition fund with ESB agreeing to contribute an additional €5 million to this fund.
The call for proposals for the Just Transition Fund is live and will close this Friday 17 July, and will make available up to €11m to support just transition measures in the region.
The Government has also committed to examining measures to support a much higher level of bog restoration on Bord na Móna bogs, which will provide for a continued role for existing Bord na Móna workers on these bogs.
43. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the projection of emissions for the period 2019 to 2040 published on 8 July 2020 by the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16052/20]
View answerI welcome the recent publication of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions projections, 2019-2040 by the Environmental Protection Agency.
For the year 2020, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their value in 2005. The EPA projections indicate our 2020 emissions could be 2-4% below 2005 levels, and it is clear that Ireland will miss its 2020 target, and will need to avail of flexibilities in order to comply. Covid-19 will undoubtedly impact our 2020 emissions, and this is not reflected in these projections. However, the EPA are currently examining scenarios to better understand the impacts of Covid-19, and the associated drop-off in economic activity and travel on Ireland’s 2020 emissions.
This is the first round of emissions projections that take into account more recent policy developments, and shows that if these policies are fully implemented, Ireland will meet its current legally binding EU 2030 emissions target, and put us on the right trajectory to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The Programme for Government sets out our commitment to further increase our ambition, and halve our national carbon emissions over the course of the coming decade. The action we take in the coming years will be critical in order to address the climate crisis, which threatens our safe future on this planet.
As Minister for Climate Action, I will lead on delivering our shared commitment to achieve an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The 2050 target will be set in law in the Climate Action Bill, which I will introduce in the Dáil within the first 100 days of government.
With the increased scale and depth of this ambition, new strategies will be needed to sustain a reduction trajectory that will increase over time. I will work with colleagues across government to develop a new Climate Action Plan before year end, with additional initiatives in every sector to bring about the significant change needed to transform our society.
44. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the number of households in the amber area of national broadband coverage marginally outside the reach of commercial operators, Eir rural roll-out and the existing national broadband plan roll-out (details supplied); the steps being taken to expedite the roll out of the national broadband plan; and if those homes within 500 m of the existing roll-out will be treated as a priority for connection. [16056/20]
View answerThe contract to deliver the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The NBP network will offer those premises, 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. 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. Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 17 counties and steady progress is being made with over 40,000 premises surveyed to date. Further information on deployment activities associated with the rollout can be found on the NBI website www.nbi.ie.
I am aware that there are many premises in the Amber area that are close to premises that are passed by eir’s fibre network.
Eir’s 300k network is primarily focussed on rural towns and villages and the premises on their outskirts. Where this commercial operator's network ends is where the subsidised network being rolled by NBI in effect commences, to ensure that nobody is left behind. I appreciate the frustration of those individuals who are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this commenced earlier this year.
The Government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland and my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout to bring forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the deployment plan to an earlier date.
To support remote working and rural connectivity, locations for up to 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) have been identified by Local Authorities. The BCP delivery project is well underway and connectivity is being provided to each of the sites by National Broadband Ireland (NBI). Subsequent to this, the sites, other than schools, are being Wi-Fi enabled by Vodafone under a contract with the Department of Rural and Community Development. This work also involves the local authorities and site owners determining the services that will be provided for end-users at each site. For the 75 schools that are also part of this project, enabling these schools with Wi-Fi is being led by the Department of Education following NBI providing the connectivity to the schools.
45. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made in the past three years in reducing emissions here; the next steps he plans to take to achieve an accelerated reduction of emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15667/20]
View answerAccording to the Environmental Protection Agency ’s (EPA’s) National Inventory Report 2020, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions reduced by about 1% between 2016 and 2018. The EPA projections, 2019-2040, published earlier this month indicate our 2020 emissions could be 2-4% below 2005 levels, and it is clear that Ireland will miss its 2020 target, and will need to avail of flexibilities in order to comply. Covid-19 will undoubtedly impact our 2020 emissions, and this is not reflected in these projections.
However, this is the first round of emissions projections that take into account more recent policy developments, and shows that if these policies are fully implemented, Ireland will meet its current legally binding EU 2030 emissions target, and put us on the right trajectory to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The Programme for Government sets out our commitment to further increase our ambition, and halve our national carbon emissions over the course of the coming decade. The action we take in the coming years will be critical in order to address the climate crisis, which threatens our safe future on this planet. As Minister for Climate Action, I will lead on delivering our shared commitment to achieve an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The 2050 target will be set in law in the Climate Action Bill, which I will introduce in the Dáil within the first 100 days of government.
With the increased scale and depth of this ambition, new strategies will be needed to sustain a reduction trajectory that will increase over time. I will work with colleagues across government to develop a new Climate Action Plan before year end, with additional initiatives in every sector to bring about the significant change needed to transform our society.
46. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the process by which he plans to select members of the climate action council, which is due to be newly established within 100 days according to the adopted programme for Government; if the new council will devise the carbon budgets for the 2021-2025 and 2026-2030 periods before the end of 2020; the extent to which the council will incorporate scientific expertise; the level of independence of same; if it will include a gender balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16062/20]
View answerAs set out under the Programme for Government, the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill 2019 is being drafted as a priority, and will be published within the first 100 days of this Government.
The amending legislation will establish the Climate Action Council (CAC) as a successor to the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC). The new CAC will have a strengthened role in advising on appropriate carbon budgets, and continue to be independent in the performance of its functions. As set out in the 2019 Climate Action Plan, the system of carbon budgeting can commence on an administrative basis in advance of the new amendment Bill becoming law later this year.
The CCAC was established by Ministerial Order (S.I. No 25 of 2016) on 18 January 2016 pursuant to section 8 of the Climate Change and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. On the passing of the Amendment Act later this year, any member of the Council with less than 5 years’ service will continue as a member of the newly constituted CAC until he/she has served the period of appointment as was determined by the Minister. It is also envisaged that the Director of the Irish Meteorological Service, Met Éireann will become a fifth ex-officio member of the Council, providing additional scientific expertise.
As Minister for Climate Action, I will nominate future members of the Council for appointment by the Government. In doing so, I will have regard to the range of qualifications, expertise and experience necessary for the effective performance of the expanded functions of the Council, as well as ensuring insofar as is practicable that there is an equitable gender balance.
