Tuesday, 15 Jun 2021

Written Answers Nos. 200-220

Departmental Websites

Questions (200)

Holly Cairns

Question:

200. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting the requirement to subject to Regulation 6, public sector bodies shall, in accordance with Regulation 3, take necessary measures to make their websites and mobile applications more accessible by making them perceivable, operable, understandable and robust under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31300/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department’s digital content migrated to a central platform, gov.ie, in September 2020. As users, the Department does not have a remit in the platform's overall compliance. The Department ensures, however, that relevant staff are trained properly according to the standard set out by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) who have responsibility for the platform. OGCIO have confirmed the following with regard to the accessibility of gov.ie:- Gov.ie partially complies with the double-A Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 standards and the 4 principles of accessibility in that it is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. This is similar to most other government sites across the European Union.- One way that accessibility is being improved is by improving the level of plain English used for services on the site. This allows users of all levels to be able to find and understand information as quickly as possible.- The gov.ie team have performed multiple accessibility reviews since the website has gone live. The gov.ie team has engaged with an accessibility expert to outline all accessibility requirements. This is an ongoing process.- Following the last accessibility audit, 65 issues were fixed and OGCIO have since released updates to the core code of the site to improve accessibility.My Department's digital content manager ensures all content uploaded by the team meets all accessibility requirements set out by OGCIO in relation to this directive including plain language, text formatting, image descriptions/alt text. Our agencies have been made aware of their obligations under this directive and compliance is a matter for each individual organisation.

Waste Management

Questions (201)

Holly Cairns

Question:

201. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 12 May 2021, the way his Department will support persons with long-term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31323/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

My Department has engaged with relevant stakeholders, including representative organisations such as Family Carer’s Ireland, Age Action, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland and public bodies such as the National Disability Authority, the HSE, the Department of Health and the Department of Social Protection, in an effort to see how best to support persons with long-term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear. Since mid-2017, a range of charging options have operated, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste. This provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging was not introduced. A Price Monitoring Group (PMG) was established in mid-2017 to monitor the on-going cost of residential waste collection to homeowners across Ireland as the ‘flat-rate structure’ was being phased out. While fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend has been relative price stability. Results from the PMG are available on my Department's website.

In September 2020, Minister Ryan launched a new national waste policy for the period 2020-2025, A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. This plan contains a range of measures to empower households through enhanced consumer protection requirements. It also envisages an enhanced monitoring of the market to ensure continued relative price stability.

Question No. 202 answered with Question No. 192.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (203)

Holly Cairns

Question:

203. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in Cork city and county; the number of premises in Cork city and county that are now connected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31325/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.  There are 274,505 premises in County Cork of which 194,836 (71%) are in the commercial area and 79,669 (29%) premises are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 10 June 2021, over 225,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Cork, premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick, Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh.  Main works are ongoing in Carrigaline, Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. Pre-build works are ongoing in Midleton.

The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected in Cavan and in Carrigaline, County Cork. I am advised by NBI that, as of 10 June nearly 4,400 homes are passed and available for connection in both Counties Cork and Cavan. In County Cork, 871 premises have now been passed by the NBI high speed broadband network in Carriagline. NBI anticipates that the remaining premises in the Carrigaline Deployment Area will be able to access connection to the network in July of this year. A further 15,000 premises can also pre-order via retail service providers (RSPs) in Counties Cork, Cavan, Galway and Limerick and get a connection in the coming months.

Further details are available on specific areas within Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans.

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 10 June, 325 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible locations and the Department of Education for schools. BCPs installed with high speed publicly accessible broadband include Ballydaly Community Hall, Aubane Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Mealagh Valley Community Centre, Laharn Heritage Centre, Clogagh Community Hall, T.O. Park Labbamollaga, Ballindangan Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre, Bere Island Heritage Centre, Sherkin Island Community Hall, Coláiste Phobal Cléire, Glash Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre and Castletownkenneigh Community Centre.

Clogagh and Ballycroneen National Schools are installed as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at www.nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.

Environmental Policy

Questions (204)

Martin Browne

Question:

204. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures being taken to improve the traceability of stolen scrap metal with particular reference to catalytic converters; if businesses have alerted his office in relation to being offered such items as catalytic converters for purchase; if there has been an increase in those alerts recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31427/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

While regulation of the scrap metal industry, including second hand car parts, is not a matter within the remit of my Department, the regulation of waste activities is, of course, relevant to the industry. In order to improve traceability of waste received and to counter the trade in stolen metal, an amendment to the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations was introduced in 2014 to require the following at all permitted facilities receiving/purchasing waste: the production of proof of identity and current address for the person supplying the material; records to be kept of the registration number and waste collection permit number of the delivery vehicle; records to be kept describing the materials, time and date of sale, weight and amount paid; and the provision of a signed statement by the person supplying the material indicating that they are the lawful owner.The Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) have issued guidance to all waste facility permit holders, including Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) for end-of-life vehicles, advising them of their responsibilities in this regard and local authorities continue to undertake inspections to ensure compliance with the regulations. Indeed, these inspections have been included in the National Waste Enforcement Priorities for 2021 and the WERLAs are working closely with An Garda Síochána in investigating incidences of catalytic convertor theft. My Department also participates in the National Metal Theft Forum, which was established in 2012 by An Garda Síochána, to bring together stakeholders, including local authorities, the Department of Justice, and industry representatives, in order to improve information sharing and to develop a metal theft prevention and crime reduction plan.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (205)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

205. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will include areas such as Rathmichael, Old Connaught, Bride’s Glen, Ballycorus and Shankill in the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31442/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas 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 2019 with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).  The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. There are 615,682 premises in County Dublin of which 602,253 (98%) are in the commercial area and 13,429 (2%) premises are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised that the areas referred to in the Question contain premises in both Blue and Amber areas. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.

The AMBER areas within the areas referred to are located in the Enniskerry deployment area and NBI has advised that surveying has be completed in the area and the premises will be provided with access to highspeed broadband under the  NBP ensuring that none of the premises will be left behind.

Despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network. NBI has advised that as of the 10 June over 225,000 premises have been surveyed across all counties of which 2,437 premises have been surveyed in County Dublin.

This survey work has enabled detailed designs to be developed for each deployment area including Enniskerry. The detailed designs are then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with Open eir, where Open eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose and the make ready of other required infrastructure. This step also informs decisions on equipment ordering. Survey data is also needed to initiate pre-works which pave the way for the deploying of fibre. Pre-works involve construction of new duct routes, erection of poles, building chambers and tree trimming. On completion of these pre-works, the main construction works can commence.

Further details are available on specific areas within Dublin through the NBI website www.nbi.ie which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, [e-mail], which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

Environmental Policy

Questions (206, 207, 208, 209)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

206. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the value of the levy per tonne paid on farm plastics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31453/21]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

207. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the tonnage the levy paid on farm plastics is paid on from 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31454/21]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

208. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the last tender was agreed for farm plastic collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31455/21]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

209. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the last tender for farm plastic collection was open for competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31456/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 to 209, inclusive, together.  

Ireland is one of the few countries in Europe to have introduced legislation specifically designed to promote farm plastics recycling. This legislation, introduced in 1997, is critical to supporting farm plastics recycling as it places a legal responsibility on producers of farm film products to specifically support recycling.

The options open to producers placing farm film products on the Irish market is to either become directly involved in the recycling of farm plastics waste with their customers or to participate in the Government approved farm plastics recycling scheme operated by Irish Farm Film Plastics Group (IFFPG) and approved by my Department.

IFFPG is a not for profit body and was reapproved for a five year term at the start of this year. While my Department sets the policy and legislative framework for the farm plastics waste stream, it has no role in the operational and day to day matters of the approved compliance scheme. Under the terms of the approval, IFFPG are required to publish an annual operational report and audited accounts and these are publicly available on their website www.farmplastics.ie/publications/. These documents contain details on the levy and the contractor tendering process, which is held every 5 years and is administered by independent auditors. I understand that the most recent contractor tender process took place during the end of 2019 / early 2020.

Cybersecurity Policy

Questions (210)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

210. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Departments represented on the interdepartmental committee which oversees the implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024; and the grade of the officials who represent each Department on the committee in tabular form. [31463/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) on the National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024 was established in 2020 to oversee the implementation of the Strategy. The IDC is chaired by the Assistant Secretary over the Communications area in  the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications. The IDC also includes representatives of the following Departments at Assistant Secretary or Principal Officer Level:

Department of Defence

Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment

Department of Foreign Affairs

Department of Justice

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform - Office of the Chief Government Information Officer

Department of Social Protection

Department of An Taoiseach.

Digital Hubs

Questions (211)

Patrick Costello

Question:

211. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it will be ensured that section 15(6)(c) of the Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003 will be observed and that a representative of the local community be appointed by him with immediate effect to replace the previous representative whose term expired on 2 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31563/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Following a strategic review, which concluded that the Digital Hub is no longer required to sustain the continued growth of Dublin's digital enterprise sector, the Government decided on 27 April that the Digital Hub Development Agency should be dissolved and its land and property assets transferred to the Land Development Agency. It is anticipated that the wind down will be completed by 30 June 2022. I will shortly request the Board of the DHDA to prepare a programme for an orderly wind down, addressing the needs of the staff of the DHDA, client companies and communications with the local communities. I will take all necessary steps to ensure that board vacancies are appropriately filled and that a functioning board is in place to discharge the Agency’s statutory functions during the wind down period.

Since the Government Decision, my Department has met with the LDA and it is also keenly aware of the need and value of community engagement as part of its plans for the regeneration of the area.  My Department will work closely with the DHDA, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the LDA to ensure that the wind down takes account of the needs of the community.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (212)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

212. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the formal review process that is examining a premises (details supplied) in County Galway for reclassification from blue to amber on the high speed broadband map; when this process is due to be completed; the length of time after this process is completed a connection to the network will be available to these residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31565/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The premises referred to in the Question are located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.   However, it has come to my Department’s attention that a number of BLUE premises are having difficulty connecting to a commercial high speed network and may continue to do so in the future. Officials in my Department are examining a number of premises, including the ones referred to in the Question, and will ensure that access to high speed broadband is made available either through commercial means or through the National Broadband Plan intervention. Where appropriate and if compliant with State aid rules, premises may be reclassified as AMBER on the high speed broadband map. Before reclassification can be confirmed, a formal review process must be undertaken to ensure that the State is compliant with State Aid rules and the State aid approval which enabled the contract to be awarded under the National Broadband Plan. My Department is currently formally engaging with commercial operators in relation to a number of premises, including the premises referred to in the Question and the outcome of these deliberations is expected shortly. This will enable a formal reclassification of premises where appropriate.

The NBP High Speed Broadband Map is dynamic. This means that the intervention area can be updated to reflect new commercial plans, or previous plans that have failed to materialise. This flexibility allows for an increase or decrease in the number of premises included in the State Intervention area, if appropriate to do so.

Departmental Staff

Questions (213)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

213. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of employees in his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department who have been in receipt of a higher duty acting allowance for over two years. [31875/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

There are no employees in my Department that have been in receipt of a higher duty acting allowance for over two years.  

The information requested in relation to agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.

Climate Action Plan

Questions (214)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

214. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding currently contained in the Climate Action Fund; the projects that received funding from the fund to date in 2021; the amount of funding each received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31902/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Climate Action Fund was established on a statutory basis in 2020 to provide support for projects, initiatives and research that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets.  The Fund is resourced from proceeds from the levy paid to the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) in respect of relevant disposals of petroleum products, after the funding requirements of NORA have been met. In the region of €500 million is expected to accrue to the Climate Action Fund on a phased basis over the period to 2027. The balance in the Fund as at 15 June 2021 is €49.5 million. Further funds will be transferred from NORA to the Fund over the course of 2021.

While no funding has been provided for projects to date in 2021, the Deputy may wish to note that almost €185 million has been committed for projects approved in 2019 and 2020. Further opportunities to secure support from the Fund will be available during 2021, including  in relation to a community climate action programme currently being finalised by my Department. Development of this programme is being informed by feedback received through the recent climate consultation. Information on the types of projects that may be supported, who may apply for this support, and the application process, will be published on my Department’s website when the programme is launched shortly.

In advance of the finalisation of this programme, Creative Ireland, in collaboration with my Department, launched Creative Climate Action, a competitive fund of up to €2 million supported by the Climate Action Fund and the Creative Ireland Programme.  The fund will support creative and cultural projects that connect people with the profound changes that are happening in our environment, society and economy arising from climate change. Applications for support from this fund are now closed. The 166 applications received are currently being evaluated. Further information is available at www.creativeireland.gov.ie.

National Oil Reserves Agency

Questions (215)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

215. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding currently contained in the National Oil Reserves Agency Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31903/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

On 30th April 2021, the financial assets of the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) were, in total, c. €285.8m.    These financial assets were mainly accrued prior to 1 August 2020 and the enactment of the National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Act 2020.  Funds collected prior to this date may be utilised to fund the activities of the agency only. However, the use of these funds for this purpose will allow for the majority of Petroleum Product levy (also know as the NORA levy) receipts, in the upcoming years, to be available for transfer to the Climate Action Fund.

Litter Pollution

Questions (216)

Steven Matthews

Question:

216. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the €5 million fund allocated to litter prevention (details supplied); the way this funding can be drawn down by local authorities; and if he will report on the level of funding that is remaining in this fund. [31958/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

A circular issued to local authorities on 5 May 2021 informing them of an additional €5 million to be provided in support of their anti-litter efforts in the context of the easing of Covid 19 restrictions and the consequent need to provide additional anti-litter facilities in support of a predominantly outdoor summer season. The circular set out the broad range of activities that could be supported under the programme and asked the local authorities to appoint a litter prevention lead in each local authority by 14th May 2021 to act as a contact point with the Department to assist with the development of specific funding proposals.  The Department then circulated a questionnaire to the nominated litter leads for return by 28th May 2021 in order to better understand the precise infrastructure and servicing requirements of the individual local authorities. These questionnaires have now all been received and are being collated by the Department. A further circular relating to the exact nature of the scheme and detailing individual local authority allocations, which have yet to be finalised, will be issued in the coming weeks.

Fishing Industry

Questions (217)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

217. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of fishing licences issued in County Wexford in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [31994/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) administers a range of licence options for angling, commercial fishing and other related activity. I have no function in relation to licensing and queries in relation to licensing, including numbers issued by County, are an operational matter for the IFI who will provide the information sought directly to the Deputy.  IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI's objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is [e-mail].

Litter Pollution

Questions (218)

Steven Matthews

Question:

218. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the €3 million fund allocated to anti-illegal dumping measures (details supplied); the way this funding can be drawn down by local authorities; and if he will report on the level of funding that is remaining in this fund. [32017/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) was introduced by my Department in 2017 to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, communities and other state agencies in tackling the problem of illegal dumping. The ADI focuses on four key areas, prevention, abatement, education and enforcement and project proposals are assessed based on their potential impact in these areas. Since the introduction of the ADI in 2017, my Department has provided over €9m to the local authority sector in support of over 1,000 projects nationwide and over 10,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste have been removed from our landscape.

Under the devolved administration of this Initiative, the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) invite applications for suitable projects from local authorities and these applications are then assessed by the relevant WERLA Regional Steering Group. These Steering Groups are responsible for selecting suitable projects, based on specific project selection and grant funding criteria, which are advised to the local authority sector by way of Departmental Circular and for determining the individual grant allocations in each individual case. On completion of the project, individual local authority claims are then submitted to the relevant WERLA, who collate and verify the information therein, prior to drawing down funding from the Department.

As was the case in 2020, €3m has been allocated to the Anti-Dumping Initiative in 2021 and the WERLA Steering Groups are currently finalizing the consideration of submitted projects.  

Emergency Services

Questions (219)

Paul Murphy

Question:

219. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to continue with the fully civilianised search and rescue services provided by a civilian helicopter operator (details supplied). [30493/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The current helicopter service contract between the then Minister for Transport and CHC Ireland DAC commenced on 1st July 2012 for a period of 10 years. It contains an option to extend for a period(s) up to a further 3 years. The contract has been extended initially for one year to July 2023 to facilitate the procurement of a new service in accordance with Public Spending Code requirements and a seamless transition from one service to another.

The current status of the procurement process for the new service can be referenced in the Published eTenders update on eTenders and our SAR Webpage.

Transport Policy

Questions (220)

Matt Carthy

Question:

220. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to any issue preventing an Irish citizen holding an Irish road transport management CPC and resident in Northern Ireland from being nominated as a transport manager on Irish road transport operator licences in companies within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30530/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 governs admission to the occupation of road transport operator and includes requirements relating to the transport manager. Persons wishing to act as transport manager for a road transport operator established in an EU Member State, including in Ireland, must hold a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence issued in an EU Member State, and they must, as set out in this EU Regulation, be resident in the EU. Residence in the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, does not satisfy this requirement, and while Ireland raised this important matter with the European Commission in advance of Brexit given our unique circumstances, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement does not change this and Ireland does not have discretion to derogate from the legislative provisions as set out in Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009.