Written Answers Nos. 174-193
174. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will extend the annual returns filing deadline to the Companies Registration Authority until at least 31 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56962/21]
View answerWhile my Department is in ongoing communication with the Registrar of Companies, it is important to acknowledge that the Registrar is a statutory role and that the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of her statutory functions.
The Registrar has shown considerable flexibility throughout the COVID-19 period in relation to the arrangements for filing annual returns, in recognition of the additional challenges facing companies as well as their professional advisers in meeting filing obligations. These include extending the filing deadlines in respect of annual returns due during 2020 and also earlier this year at the end of February and May, and suspending prosecutions and involuntary strike-offs for failure to file annual returns.
Notably, the exceptional arrangements that were put in place by the Registrar previously were in light of the circumstances prevailing at points in time where many companies were obliged to pause activity. It is the case that the level of business activity has substantially increased since then. The necessity of having a transparent and up-to-date companies register continues, notwithstanding the challenges being experienced by a small number of accountancy firms. There are over 250,000 companies on the register of which approximately 25% have an annual return filing deadline of the 25th of November. The filing of annual returns by this cohort is continuing, reaching some 1,900 per day as of last week. The CRO has implemented a queueing system on its IT system to manage the expected heavy volumes of filing between now and the deadline.
In light of the continuing COVID-19 situation, I understand the Registrar has been requested to approach the filing on a case-by-case basis taking into account the particular circumstances of the accountancy firm. There is limited discretion however, as the Registrar cannot apply flexibility on a case-by-case basis, so when an extension to a deadline is put in place, it applies broadly.
The Registrar is mindful of the particular problems being raised by some small accountancy firms, as well as the limitations placed on her by the Companies Act in taking a case by case approach. The Registrar has consulted with stakeholders to canvass their views on the matter, and they were broadly supportive of the need for a short extension to the filing deadline. I am informed that the Registrar has made the decision to extend Thursday’s filing deadline for a period of two weeks in order to facilitate those firms who have found themselves in serious difficulties. I am also advised that this short extension to the filing deadline will not unduly impact on the proposed update of the CRO’s IT system which will introduce enhancements.
175. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to a campaign in relation to a company (details supplied); and his views on the call by the campaign for the company to address issues in relation to pay and workers’ rights. [57143/21]
View answerIreland’s comprehensive suite of employment rights legislation protects all persons legally employed in Ireland on an employer-employee basis and provides robust safeguards for employees.
If workers have concerns or complaints regarding their employment rights, the mechanism for them to use is the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The WRC is the organisation which is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. The Customer Service section of the WRC operates a telephone helpline at 1890 808090. They can provide further information in relation to employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations, and how to obtain redress where appropriate.
176. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the monopolies created by big technology companies; his further views on the European Commission Digital Markets Act which seeks to address the anti-competitive issues which arise as a result of these monopolies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57144/21]
View answerSome large technology companies have market positions which allow them to act as gateways between businesses and consumers.
In the digital sector these companies are generally referred to as ‘Gatekeepers’. This is the approach being taken in the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) proposal where some technology companies will be designated as having ‘Gatekeeper’ status.
The DMA sets out harmonised rules that define and prohibit certain unfair practices by these ‘Gatekeeper’ platforms which the European Commission will enforce with support coming from Member States.
The objectives of the DMA are to ensure extra contestability in digital markets and to deliver a regulatory regime that is flexible, proportionate, future proofed and provides optimal legal certainty for all relevant stakeholders.
Ireland has supported these objectives since the DMA proposal was published and it will continue to do so throughout the rest of the negotiations on the file.
EU Ministers will consider the Council’s general approach to the DMA at the EU Competitiveness Council meeting on 25 November 2021.
177. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the meetings and engagements he or the Ministers of State in his Department have had with organisations or companies in which minutes of the meetings were not recorded; if this is common practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57145/21]
View answerIt is policy that any meeting that I or the Ministers of State in my Department attend is also attended by Department officials and a note of the meeting is taken.
178. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider requesting the Companies Registration Office to relax administrative deadlines for submission of filings and documents to the arrangements previously introduced during earlier stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in view of the revised public health guidelines regarding working from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57368/21]
View answerWhile my Department is in ongoing communication with the Registrar of Companies, it is important to acknowledge that the Registrar is a statutory role and that the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of her statutory functions.
The Registrar has shown considerable flexibility throughout the COVID-19 period in relation to the arrangements for filing annual returns, in recognition of the additional challenges facing companies as well as their professional advisers in meeting filing obligations. These include extending the filing deadlines in respect of annual returns due during 2020 and also earlier this year at the end of February and May, and suspending prosecutions and involuntary strike-offs for failure to file annual returns.
Notably, the exceptional arrangements that were put in place by the Registrar previously were in light of the circumstances prevailing at points in time where many companies were obliged to pause activity. It is the case that the level of business activity has substantially increased since then. The necessity of having a transparent and up-to-date companies register continues, notwithstanding the challenges being experienced by a small number of accountancy firms. There are over 250,000 companies on the register of which approximately 25% have an annual return filing deadline of the 25th of November. The filing of annual returns by this cohort is continuing, reaching some 1,900 per day as of last week. The CRO has implemented a queueing system on its IT system to manage the expected heavy volumes of filing between now and the deadline.
In light of the continuing COVID-19 situation, I understand the Registrar has been requested to approach the filing on a case-by-case basis taking into account the particular circumstances of the accountancy firm. There is limited discretion however, as the Registrar cannot apply flexibility on a case-by-case basis, so when an extension to a deadline is put in place, it applies broadly.
The Registrar is mindful of the particular problems being raised by some small accountancy firms, as well as the limitations placed on her by the Companies Act in taking a case by case approach. The Registrar has consulted with stakeholders to canvass their views on the matter, and they were broadly supportive of the need for a short extension to the filing deadline. I am informed that the Registrar has made the decision to extend Thursday’s filing deadline for a period of two weeks in order to facilitate those firms who have found themselves in serious difficulties. I am also advised that this short extension to the filing deadline will not unduly impact on the proposed update of the CRO’s IT system which will introduce enhancements.
179. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of public holidays employees are entitled to in 2021 under the Holidays (Employees) Act 1961 (details supplied). [57615/21]
View answerThe Holidays Act 1961 was repealed in 1997. The legislation which provides for public holidays is the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 (OWTA). This Act provides that certain days may be prescribed as public holidays. At present, there are nine public holidays which are listed under section 2 of the second schedule of the OWTA. These are:
a. Christmas Day,
b. St. Stephen's Day,
c. St. Patrick's Day,
d. Easter Monday, the first Monday in May, the first Monday in June and the first Monday in August,
e. the last Monday in October,
f. the 1st day of January.
180. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created in County Westmeath by IDA supported companies 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [57627/21]
View answer181. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created in County Longford by IDA supported companies in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [57628/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
The IDA Ireland Midlands Region is made up of Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly. 2021 figures to date show that there are 44 IDA client companies this region, employing 6,308 people. The FDI performance has been consistent over the past five years, and the region has an impressive range of companies, with particular strengths in Life Sciences, Technology, Global Business Services, International Financial Services, and Engineering & Industrial Technologies.
The existing FDI base of client companies in the region continues to perform well in terms of their operational sustainability, job retention and ongoing transformation. 2021 (Q3) figures show there are 6 IDA client companies in Longford employing 1,160 people, while Westmeath is home to 22 companies employing 3,776 people.
Details requested, by the Deputy for the period 2018 - 2020 are shown below.
|
Longford |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
No. of Companies |
7 |
6 |
6 |
|
Total Jobs |
939 |
1,211 |
1,160 |
|
Westmeath |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
No. of Companies |
22 |
22 |
22 |
|
Total Jobs |
3,451 |
3,671 |
3,776 |
182. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a campaign in relation to a company (details supplied); and his views on the call by the campaign for the company to address issues in relation to climate justice. [57143/21]
View answerIreland’s comprehensive suite of employment rights legislation protects all persons legally employed in Ireland on an employer-employee basis and provides robust safeguards for employees.
If workers have concerns or complaints regarding their employment rights, the mechanism for them to use is the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The WRC is the organisation which is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. The Customer Service section of the WRC operates a telephone helpline at 1890 808090. They can provide further information in relation to employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations, and how to obtain redress where appropriate.
183. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a location (details supplied) will be connected by National Broadband Ireland; the changes to the anticipated connection date for the premises due to the acceleration of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56968/21]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available 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. I appreciate people's frustration when they 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 is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 12 November, over 277,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed or have surveys underway and over 125,000 premises have build currently underway. NBI has also advised that the first premises are connected in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan and over 30,000 premises are available to order and pre-order across 12 counties. I understand that in County Louth surveying is complete in the Deployment Area of Riverstown and main build works are under way in the Deployment Areas of Drogheda and Dundalk with some 2,300 premises now available for order or pre order in the Dundalk area.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Louth 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 as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. NBI has recently published details of its full deployment schedule on its website which enables all premises within the intervention area to have an anticipated service activation date range. Given the scale and complexity of delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the NBP, I am advised that any dates provided by NBI on its website are based on the best available information at the time and may be subject to change.
In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond. This has resulted in some changes to timeframes for connection for end users.
My Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the NBP rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. However, the primary focus must be on addressing the delays which have arisen and ensuring that the National Broadband Ireland build programme gets back on track and is building momentum month on month.
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 12 November, 389 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s are installed at Killanny GAA Club, Port Beach, Templetown Beach, Annaghminnan Rovers GAA Club, Stephenstown Pond Nature Park (6.9km from premises referred to), Clogherhead, and Mattock Rangers GAA Club. Further details can be found at www.nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Walshestown National School and Saint Enda's National School have been installed by NBI for educational access. 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 was announced in December which 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/.
184. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the grant aid available for schools to improve their energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56972/21]
View answerAs set out in the recently published Climate Action Plan, the public sector has been set ambitious 2030 targets of 50% energy efficiency improvement (increased from 33% by 2020) and 51% emissions reduction. To support the achievement of these targets, my Department provides a range of supports via the SEAI which includes: - the SEAI Energy Academy which provides online training that is free to access;
- the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Programme which provides support and engagement to guide public sector bodies and schools in delivering energy efficiency improvements, reducing energy costs and achieving their energy targets;
- the Public Sector Pathfinder Programme which, in partnership with the Department of Education, provides capital supports to improve the energy efficiency and decarbonisation of school buildings;
- the Communities Energy Grant which provides grant funding to community-based partnerships for a range of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures; and
- the Project Assistance Grants which help fund feasibility studies and business cases for energy performance improvements.
Further information is available on the SEAI website at the following link: www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/ and at the following link which is dedicated to schools: www.seai.ie/community-energy/schools/save-energy-at-school/ .
185. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the persons and companies he held a meeting with at the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57048/21]
View answerI was pleased to lead Ireland’s National Delegation at the 26th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change during the second week of the high-level negotiations. In addition to participating as part of the European Union team in negotiations on matters linked to climate finance and the enhanced transparency framework, I had the opportunity to represent Ireland at the launch of several key international climate initiatives and meet with a broad range of delegates from civil society, youth groups and business.
Details of my COP26 schedule are provided in the tables attached:
Monday 8 November 2021
|
Time |
Event |
|
12:15 - 13:00 |
High Ambition Coalition (HAC) launch: attendees included Minister Bruce Bilimon (Marshall Islands), Minister Andrea Meza (Costa Rica), Special Envoy John Kerry (United States) and Ministers of UNFCCC Parties who signed up to the HAC |
|
13:15– 14:45 |
Adaptation Fund Pledging Conference: attended by Parties to the UNFCCC who wished to announce new pledges
|
|
15:00 – 16:15 |
UNCCD ‘Great Green Wall’ initiative event: event open to all delegates
|
|
16:30 – 17:00 |
Meeting with Minister of State for Agriculture with responsibility for land use and biodiversity P.Hackett and New Zealand’s Minister for Climate Change J.Shaw |
|
19:00 - 21:00 |
Climate Action Solution Centre-Reception on Electric Vehicles
|
Tuesday 9 November 2021
|
Time |
Event |
|
08:30 – 10:00 |
EU Ministerial Coordination |
|
10:00 – 12:00 |
Lead IT Summit: attended by Ministers of UNFCCC Parties who signed up to the Lead IT initiative |
|
12:00 – 13:00 |
Meeting with Senator O’Reilly, The Elders - Mrs Mary Robinson, and Ireland youth activists attending COP26
|
|
15:00 – 17:00
|
Informal Transport Ministers and international transport stakeholder’s roundtable discussion hosted by UK Presidency |
|
18:00 – 20:00 |
Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC): attended by Ministers of UNFCCC Parties who are members of the CCAC |
|
20:00 – 21:30 |
DECC and Eirgrid side event- Delivering a Cleaner Energy Future: Government, energy sector and civil society working together to accelerate decarbonisation- open to all delegates |
Wednesday 10 November 2021
|
Time |
Event |
|
|
07:30 – 08 |
Green Family Breakfast: attended by members of European Greens Group, Climate Action Network Europe |
|
|
08:30 – 10:00 |
EU Ministerial Coordination |
|
|
10:15 - 11:15 |
High Ambition Coalition Ministerial meeting |
|
|
13:15 - 13:30 |
Climate Action Solution Centre (CASC) Digital Workshop- joined virtually |
|
|
13:45 - 14:30 |
Meeting with Irish civil society to debrief on negotiations |
|
|
14:30 - 15:15 |
Meeting with Irish civil society to debrief on negotiations |
|
|
15:30 – 16:00 |
Bilateral with United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby |
|
|
17:00 – 17:30 |
Meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and The Elders -Mrs Mary Robinson, Mr Alistair Fernie, and Ms Kiri Hanks |
|
|
18.30 – 19.30 |
Virtual launch of Climate Conversations Report, National Dialogue on Climate Action structure and community funding stream under the Climate Action Fund |
Thursday 11 November 2021
|
Time |
Event |
|
08:30 – 10:00 |
EU Ministerial Coordination |
|
12:45 - 13:15 |
Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) launch, hosted by Denmark and Costa Rica |
|
14.00 – 14.30 |
Bilateral with Mr Nick Mabey, co-founding Director and Chief Executive of consultancy firm E3G |
|
14.30 – 15.00 |
Bilateral with Italian Minister for Ecological Transition, R. Cingolani
|
|
15.00 – 15.30 |
Bilateral with EU Climate Finance lead negotiator |
|
15.30 – 16.00
|
Bilateral with French officials |
|
16:00 – 16.30 |
Bilateral with Mr George Marshall, founding Director of Climate Outreach |
Friday 12 November 2021
|
Time |
Event |
|
08:30 – 10:00 |
EU Ministerial Coordination |
|
10.00 – 11.00 |
High Ambition Coalition Ministerial meeting |
|
13:00 |
COP26 informal stocktaking plenary |
|
16.30 – 17.15 |
Meeting with Irish civil society to debrief on negotiations |
Saturday 13 November 2021
|
Time |
Event |
|
15:00 |
COP26 stocktaking plenary |
|
18:00 |
COP26 formal closing plenary |
186. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to support the provision of segregated bins in public places which have high usage. [57060/21]
View answerWhile waste management planning, including with regard to infrastructure provision such as on-street public bins, is the responsibility of local authorities under Part II of the Waste Management Act, 1996 (as amended), the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy contains a commitment to examine how segregated waste and recycling bins using uniform labelling could be provided on street, at public events and festivals. In this regard, a Dublin City Council led pilot campaign, #CircleCity, was launched in October 2020 with the aim of building a culture of on-the-go recycling, with 25 recycling bins being installed on Grafton Street and Henry Street during the first phase of the campaign. Initial audits carried out on the performance of this first phase have so far reported positive results. The most recent audit found that 83% of plastic bottles and cans in the areas covered by the recycling initiative are now ending up in the recycling bins, as opposed to the general waste. The overall quantity of plastic bottles and cans being recycled through the new bins has more than doubled since launch and it is expected that 48,180 plastic bottles and 38,870 cans which would otherwise end up in landfill will be recycled each year.
The second phase of the Dublin City Council #CircleCity campaign has recently been launched which will double the number of recycling bins installed along busy streets in Dublin city centre and allow expansion into other areas including St. Andrew’s Street.
When completed, the results of this pilot campaign will provide valuable insights and help inform the ongoing engagement between my Department and the local authority sector on how best to deliver on this commitment nationally.
187. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of inshore drift and draft net fishing licences that were relinquished in the 2005 decommissioning scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57063/21]
View answer188. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of inshore drift and draft net fishing licences that are still retained by licence holders as of the October 2021 scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57064/21]
View answer189. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a follow-up stock study has been carried out to ascertain if fish stocks for drift and draft net fishing licences have reached levels to allow fishing to resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57065/21]
View answer190. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will reintroduce the buy-out scheme in view of the fact that many continuing drift and draft net fishing licence holders are approaching retirement age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57066/21]
View answer191. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the 16 years of inactivity will be included for pension purposes in view of the fact that those who retained their drift and draft net fishing licence have not been subsequently allowed to restart their fishing activities and earn their living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57067/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 to 191, inclusive, together.
Commercial salmon fishing licences are public licences which must be taken out annually under the provisions of the Fisheries Acts. Such licences are also entirely permissive in nature, confer no fishing rights on the licensee, are not the property of the holder and cannot be held on a permanent basis. Therefore no licences are retained as they expire at the end of the year of issue including after the introduction of the Hardship Scheme. In addition, licences were not relinquished under the Hardship Scheme but, as part of the conditions of payment, payees undertook not to apply for an annual commercial salmon licence post the scheme. The number of annual public commercial salmon fishing licences issued for 2021 is 79.
The scheme closed in 2008 with all funds expended. There are currently no plans to introduce a similar scheme. I have no function in the matter of pensions.
In order to comply with the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive and the principles of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO), Ireland manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis.
Rivers, where a commercial fishery has existed, are open to commercial harvest in any year only where the individual river is sufficiently exceeding its conservation limit (CL) so that there is a sustainable harvestable surplus available based on the annual reviews . Estuaries are open only where all contributing rivers sufficiently exceed their individual CL to avoid indiscriminate commercial exploitation of the mixed stock within the estuary. Rivers below their CL are closed to all harvest (commercial or rod) in line with the conservation imperative. The latest analysis for 2021 along with that for previous years is available at the following link :Technical Expert Group on Salmon | TEGOS | Inland Fisheries Ireland .
Since 2007, commercial harvest of salmon at sea has been ceased by Government decision. Commercial fishing for salmon at sea targets multiple stocks from rivers in Ireland and other European countries. These stocks cannot be disaggregated at sea and such harvest is indiscriminate in targeting vulnerable or endangered stocks within the mix of stocks and is inconsistent with the EU Habitats Directive. Following the Government decision in 2006, a €25m Hardship Scheme was established which was open to all holders of a commercial salmon licence. The Hardship Scheme predated the establishment of IFI and was administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). I understand that 1,046 fishermen availed of the scheme.
192. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the sector under which emissions from the Defence Forces are accounted for under the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings; and if the Defence Forces emissions are accounted for when reporting emissions to the European Union and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. [57075/21]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for compiling the inventories of greenhouse gas emissions, including public sector bodies, for Ireland and for reporting the data to the EU and UNFCCC. The latest report, published in October 2021, details the provisional estimates of Ireland’s greenhouse gas figures for the years 1990-2020, and can be found online at the following link: www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/air-emissions/irelands-provisional-greenhouse-gas-emissions-1990-2020.php.
For the Defence Forces, the stationary emissions from heating military buildings, are reported under 'Public Services'. The mobile emissions, from vehicles and aircraft are reported under 'Road Transport' and 'Civil Aviation' respectively.
In accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Regulations 2021, the emissions included in carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings under the recently enacted Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 will be based upon those in the EPA inventories.
193. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the percentage share of the average demand from each sector of the electricity market, that is, domestic, non-domestic, medium and large commercial for the 2020-2021 public service obligation levy year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57084/21]
View answerThe PSO levy has been in place since 2001, and is a charge on all electricity customers without exception. The levy funds support schemes designed to facilitate national electricity policy objectives for renewable electricity. The PSO is a vital policy support for the development of renewable electricity and to enable Ireland reach EU renewable energy targets and national energy and climate targets.The legal basis for the PSO levy and its method of calculation are set out in regulations made under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and the Public Service Obligations Order 2002 (S.I. 217 of 2002). Under this legislation, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the independent electricity and gas regulator, is assigned responsibility for the calculation of the levy each year and the calculation of the Levy is strictly a CRU matter.The CRU published its annual decision on the amount of the PSO for 2020/2021 in July and it is available at www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CRU20086-PSO-Decision-Paper-2020-21.pdf. This describes the calculation of the total PSO and customer charge, including the CRU’s use of the ESB Networks’ 2020/21 PSO Cost Allocation Model for the purposes of determining the levy charge attributable to each customer category under the method in the legislation. Under the Electricity Regulation Act, the CRU is directly responsible for the performance of its functions to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas, and not to me as Minister. The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provide a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on matters such as the CRU PSO calculation, directly to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
