Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
156. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline all the occasions on which a direction was given under section 40M subsection 2 of the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Act 2010 subsection 3; and to outline the manner in which he directed them. [29192/23]
View answerIn September 2010, the Carbon Revenue Levy Account was established by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), as provided for under the Electricity Regulation (Amendment)(Carbon Levy) Act 2010.
The Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Act 2010, Section 40M, subsection (3), states:
"(3) The Minister [for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources] may give a direction that such sums as the Minister may specify, with the prior consent of the Minister for [Public Expenditure and Reform], standing to the credit of the account referred to in subsection (1) shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minster may direct following consultation with the Minister of [Public Expenditure and Reform]."
In December 2013 direction was sent to the CRU to disperse €250,000 into an account established by the OPW for the Public Service Energy Campaign.
In March 2014 direction from the then Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the final balance on account was dispersed on 28 March 2014 as follows; €35 million to the newly established Energy Efficiency National Fund with the remaining funds returned directly to the Exchequer.
As at 31 March 2014, the only remaining balances on account related to the cash left available for the payment of €15,465 of audit fees to the C&AG. The Carbon Revenue Levy Account therefore had net assets of zero within the accounts, as at 31 March 2014.
Further details on the above are available in the Carbon Levy Revenue Report and Accounts for 2012 and the Cessation Accounts for the period 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2014 incorporating the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Report and Accounts which were laid before the Oireachtas on 3 July 2015.
