Written Answers Nos. 38-55
38. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects the report from the fora on international security policy to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41694/23]
View answerWith a growing focus on security and defence issues across Europe and at national level, I recently convened a national Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. This was the first time the State has ever embarked on a national conversation on security and defence issues in this manner.
The aim of the Forum was to provide an opportunity for a discussion about the current international security environment and the policy options available to the State in that context. The Forum was a broad discussion, looking in particular at Ireland’s work to protect the rules-based international order, new and emerging threats, our current and future engagement in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), as well as our relationship with NATO through the Partnership for Peace.
The Forum took place over four days in Cork, Galway and Dublin, and saw over 80 panellists moderating or speaking and approximately 1,000 attendees. All discussions were live-streamed with over 10,000 online viewers. In addition, over 850 submissions were received.
The Chair of the Consultative Forum, Louise Richardson DBE, is responsible for the production of a report, which I expect to receive, bring to Government and publish in the coming weeks. Her report will be an important contribution to this national conversation and I look forward to receiving it.
39. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the complaint submitted by an organisation (details supplied) about the ESB’s relationship with the Cerrejón mine in northern Colombia, which is linked to human rights abuses, including the forced displacement of indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities and widespread, persistent and extreme pollution of air and water; if he agrees with the steps set out in the organisation's complaints; if he will ensure that this abuse of human rights is addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41713/23]
View answerAs part of our relationship and engagement with Colombia, Ireland actively supports human rights defenders, indigenous communities and the protection of civil society space, including in the context of our long-standing support to peacebuilding in the country. Addressing social, land-related and environmental issues is an essential component of Colombia’s Peace Process, and we remain firmly committed to supporting the comprehensive implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement, as well as further peace dialogues taking place under the current Colombian government's “Total Peace” policy.
In that context, I am aware of the human rights issues that have been raised around the Cerréjon mine. My Department has been following the issues closely and is in regular contact with all stakeholders. Representatives of the Embassy of Ireland in Bogotá have visited the region where the mine is located, as well as the mine itself, on a number of occasions. Embassy and Departmental officials accompanied a delegation from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to Cerréjon in November of 2022, in the context of a broader fact-finding mission to Colombia. During this visit, as on previous occasions, meetings were held with all parties to the issues, including local communities, local authorities, and the management of the mine, in order to gain a greater understanding of the issues at play.
The assessment of my Department has been that the situation on the ground is complex and multifaceted. Through the Embassy of Ireland in Bogotá, along with our EU partners, we will continue to encourage all stakeholders to engage in inclusive dialogue in order to resolve the issues.
As the Deputy is aware, responsibility with regard to the importation of coal comes under the remit of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and the ESB. As Ireland's OECD National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment has published its initial assessment on the complaints that you reference, and I understand that it continues to engage with the parties involved in line with its rules of procedure. The NCP function in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is an independent office. In that context, you will appreciate that I have no direct role in the operation and functioning of the NCP.
40. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the timeline for the formal recognition by Ireland of the state of Palestine; the details of any analysis underway by his Department in preparation for this step; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41736/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”.
As I have stated repeatedly in this House, I would, in the absence of progress towards a two-State solution, be prepared to recommend to the Government recognition by Ireland of a State of Palestine, if and when it might be helpful. The timing and context of any such decision would affect whether the resulting loss of influence would be matched by a commensurate benefit for the Palestinian people and a positive impact on the peace process and a two-State solution. My judgement at present is that this is not the case.
Efforts towards a two-State solution and the integrity of Palestinian territory are the subject of continuing reporting and analysis by my Department, taking account of developments on the ground as well as engagement with relevant counterparts at both political and official level. At political level, this has included, most recently, my visit to the Middle East as well as my engagement on this issue at UN High Level Week during the month of September.
41. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to resolve a fisheries issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41846/23]
View answerIreland manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis, taking account of the minimum number of adult fish required to maintain a healthy and sustainable population in the individual river. If no surplus is available, no commercial quota is established.
I have been advised by IFI that Conservation Limits for the river Feale has not been achieved to facilitate responsible harvest, either recreationally or commercially, in 2023. Consequently, in adherence to scientific and management advice, this river is open for Catch and Release Angling only in 2023.
Harvest of rivers below their conservation limit is not permitted as this would increase pressures on already vulnerable stocks and potentially severely damage their longer term viability and the biodiversity in their aquatic habitat. In that context, facilitating harvest in these circumstances would be irresponsible and run counter to the conservation imperative and the EU Habitats Directive.
42. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on progress to develop carbon capture storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41672/23]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan recognises the importance of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as a developing means of mitigating emissions from hard to abate activities. Several Irish assessment studies on the issue have been conducted in recent years - SEAI, 2008: "Assessment of the Potential for Geological Storage of CO2 for the Island of Ireland"; EPA, 2010: "An Assessment of the Potential for Geological Storage of CO2 in the Vicinity of Moneypoint, Co. Clare"; the GSI 2014: “Irish Sea Carbon Capture and Storage Project”; and the SEAI 2022 'Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)' report as part of the National Heat Study series.
Within the current Climate Action Plan there are actions to be progressed in 2024 to advance the policy position on CCS depending on feasibility assessments.
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) has features designed to incentivise CCS deployment. In accordance with the Directive underpinning the ETS, CO2 that is captured and safely stored is considered as “not emitted”. While incorporating removals into an emissions trading system poses significant policy and regulatory challenges, the revised EU ETS Directive, published in May 2023, introduces the possibility of paying for carbon removals in future. Article 30 is amended to include a Commission report, and where appropriate, a legislative proposal and impact assessment, to assess how negative emissions resulting from greenhouse gases that are removed from the atmosphere and safely and permanently stored could be accounted for, and how those negative emissions could be covered by emissions trading.
43. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he would consider extending the free energy upgrades provided under the warmer homes scheme to automatically encompass applicants who are over 66 years of age (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41701/23]
View answerEligibility for the Warmer Homes Scheme (Fully Funded Energy Upgrade Scheme) is linked to a number of Department of Social Protection (DSP) payments. Priority is then given to those living in the worst performing homes, with Building Energy Ratings of E, F or G. These criteria are in place with the aim of targeting the support to those on most in need and living in the least efficient homes, so that the resources available to the scheme can have the greatest impact. The eligibility criteria are kept under ongoing review by my Department, together with the DSP, to ensure they are consistent with, and complementary to, the other income support schemes offered by that Department.
Homeowners should contact the DSP to determine whether they are eligible for any of the Warmer Homes eligible payments, such as the Fuel Allowance. My Department has no function in relation to DSP schemes, means testing or payments.
For those that do not meet the qualifying criteria for free upgrades, the Government also provides other grant supports to homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Included in these supports are grants for attic and cavity wall insulation which were tripled in value last year. Details are available on SEAI’s website at www.seai.ie/grants
There are also other Government grants and schemes available that could be of assistance where there is an urgent need for home repairs. These include the Department of Social Protection Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices, and the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme which is administered by the Local Authorities.
44. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to clarify how the revenues raised from the temporary solidarity contribution in the energy sector will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41737/23]
View answerThe proceeds from the temporary solidarity contribution will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners and remitted to the exchequer. A Government decision will be made on the distribution of the temporary solidarity contribution in the context of Budget 2024.
Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 requires the proceeds from the temporary solidarity contribution to be distributed in line with the measures outlined in Article 17.
45. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected yield respectively in 2022 and 2023 from the temporary solidarity contribution on fossil fuel production and oil refining sectors; if he will outline the formula applied for determining the amount; what the projected estimates provided to him by officials in his Department for the amount to be raised were; when the last estimate was made; what the additional revenue would be if extended to end of 2023 and 2024 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41837/23]
View answerOn 17 July 2023, the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Act 2023 passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas and was signed into law by the President. In accordance with Council Regulation 2022/1854, the Act introduces a temporary solidarity contribution to fossil fuel companies on earned unexpected surplus profits (“windfall gains”) for the years 2022 and 2023.
Estimates on expected revenues from the temporary solidarity contribution for both years were made in Q4 2022 and ranged from €200m to €450m. However, due to the high level of volatility in gas prices due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, these estimates are subject to a large degree of uncertainty. The financial model applies low, baseline, and high price estimates, which are then adjusted for hedging assumptions on market prices. It also includes cost assumptions from industry as well as assumptions on potential gas production volumes in Ireland.
In accordance with Article 18 of Council Regulation 2022/1854, the temporary solidarity contribution is a temporary measure and is to apply only to fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Therefore, there is no legal basis for it to be continued in Ireland to 2024.
46. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected yield respectively in 2022 and 2023 from the price cap on non-gas electricity generators; if he will outline the formula applied for determining the amount; what the projected estimates provided to him by officials in his Department for the amount to be raised were; when the last estimate was made; what the additional revenue would be if extended to end of 2023, and 2024 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41838/23]
View answerScenario analysis of the potential revenue from the application of the cap on market revenues was carried out in Q1 2023 and estimated a range of between €80 and €150 million could be raised from the measure. It is important to note however that these estimates reflected the range of uncertainty in the energy markets at that time.
The model’s methodology was based on using estimated output data for generators in Ireland while applying a revenue cap to the respective generator based on their fuel source (wind, coal etc.). Results were then adjusted for hedging assumptions and optimism bias. The model was also subjected to external peer review from the IGEES Network.
The legal basis for the legislation, Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854, only provides for a cap on market revenues from 1 Dec 2022 until 30 June 2023. The Council Regulation does not provide the basis to extend the cap after this period. Therefore, government decided not to extend the measure beyond June 2023. In addition, a recent review by the European Commission (attached) concluded that a prolongation of the market cap measures is neither indicated nor desirable.
47. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of generators purchased to provide dispatchable power to the grid when other sources are not supplying sufficient quantities; to set out the fuel type they use; and the cost of purchasing them. [41849/23]
View answerThe Commission of Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take such measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in its role by EirGrid, the electricity transmission system operator, and my Department.
The CRU currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. Regular updates on this programme, which includes a range of demand and supply side measures are published on the CRU website.
Electricity supply margins are expected to remain tight throughout this year. The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks over winter and lower peak demand during this period.
One of the primary measures in the programme is the delivery of approximately 650MW of Temporary Emergency Generation (TEG) capacity at four sites around the country - two sites will be gas fuelled and two will run on Distillate. The TEG units are constrained by both run-hours and operational procedures which will only permit utilisation of the units at times of system stress.
The first of these TEG sites is expected to be operational at the end of October to provide backup capacity during times of system stress. The combination of TEG capacity and new capacity market projects, such as batteries and flexible generation units, are expected to provide an additional 314MW of new generation capacity by the end of December with a further 256MW forecasted to be in place by the end of March.
48. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport when a driving licence will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41677/23]
View answerMy Department does not have access to individual driving licence applications and may not intervene in the licence application process.
All enquiries relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under Section 4 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (No.14 of 2006).
The National Driver License Service (NDLS) may be able to provide data on the processing time of license verification and when that process is due to be completed. The NDLS can be contacted by phone at 0818 700 800 / +353 21 462 4810 or online at www.ndls.ie/contact-form.html.
49. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport how many Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus services have failed to arrive over the past year; if he will detail the top-ten worst Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus routes for dropped routes; and how many runs were dropped in percentage terms on each of these routes. [41690/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The question raised by the deputy in relation to how many Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus services have failed to arrive over the past year; if he will detail the top-ten worst Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus routes for dropped routes; and how many runs were dropped in percentage terms on each of these routes, is an operational matter for Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
50. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport to detail how long it takes to get driving tests for bus drivers in each region in the country. [41691/23]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply on the specific issue raised. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
51. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport how many drivers are needed to reach a full complement in both Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus; and how many mechanics are needed to reach a full complement in both Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus. [41692/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The question raised by the deputy in relation to how many drivers are needed to reach a full complement in both Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus; and how many mechanics are needed to reach a full complement in both Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus is an operational matter for Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
52. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the total value of fines that have been issued to bus service providers in the past five years was; and to detail to whom these fines were applied. [41695/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and monitoring of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
53. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if a driving test can be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41700/23]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Consequently, neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases.
The driver testing service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which has increased by 28% compared with 2021 figures. In response to these pressures, the Authority reviewed the capacity of the driver testing service and, following a request for additional resources, my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to just over 200.
This recruitment is underway and being managed by the Authority. I have been advised that the first tranche of new recruits have been deployed this month. The additional driver testers are being allocated across the driver testing service with a focus on the geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.
It is expected that once the full complement of additional driver testers are trained and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will begin to decline by the end of October and agreed service levels resuming by mid 2024.
54. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the reason the most industrious bus routes in Cork city are under-resourced and unable to fulfil their obligations at peak times; the reason school children are waiting up to two hours to get on a bus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41725/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issues raised by the deputy in relation to the reason the most industrious bus routes in Cork city are under-resourced and unable to fulfil their obligations at peak times and the reason school children are waiting up to two hours to get on a bus is an operational matter for Bus Éireann.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
55. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 20 September 2023, to provide the name of each attendee at the ten Ministerial Committee on Road meetings referenced in the reply – the names of officials and Ministers that were present. [41815/23]
View answerThe Ministerial Road Safety Committee oversees and monitors implementation of the actions under the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021 - 2030.
The Committee meets quarterly and is chaired by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport. It is attended by the Minister of Justice, with senior officials from both Departments, along with CEO-level or equivalent senior representatives from the Road Safety Authority, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, An Garda Siochana, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Transport Authority, the Courts Services, the Health and Safety Authority and the Local Government Management Agency. If relevant leads from these organisations are unavailable, suitably senior alternates may attend from time to time.
Officials in my Department will write to the Deputy to provide further information in regards of the meetings of the Committee.
