Written Answers Nos. 156-171
156. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeframe for the roll-out of at least 30mb broadband speeds to a location (details supplied) in County Donegal as part of the national broadband plan; if such areas with poor or no broadband coverage shall be prioritised during the roll-out phase as part of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42624/23]
View answerIn December 2022, my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
- all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028
- all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
- digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023
These targets will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and through the State investment in National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
The premises referred to in the Question is 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.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by National Broadband Ireland as commercial operators are already providing high-speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. Under State aid rules, it is not permitted to intervene in areas where commercial investment exists or is planned, as to do so would be an infringement of these rules. 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.
This premises is part of a new build of 4 homes and first appeared on the Geo-directory in Q1 2022. Our records show that there is currently no HSBB available for open eir. Also please be aware that as a new build, the builder/developer should have liaised with open eir to have infrastructure connectivity but if they didn’t, your constituent should use the following link in order to get this new build connected and indexed to the open eir network open eir New Build Form (google.com) in order to organise a survey of the premises and allow open eir to index this new build to their network. They will provide end user with details on any potential civil works (ducts, cabling etc.) needed to ensure this premises will be connected to high speed broadband. This needs to be done by the developer/home owner and it is not in the remit of my Department.
Furthermore, the premises is part of Open eir’s national fibre rollout, currently underway nationwide. My officials are also seeking further information as to when Open eir plan to deploy fibre to this area, and I will revert to the Deputy once an update is received.
Open eir have already passed over 44,300 homes and businesses in Co. Donegal with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c.26,700 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €40m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Donegal, with SIRO recently passing over 17,700 premises for full fibre.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2 2023 saw a 7.4% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to the first 3 months of the year, and a 33.7% increase when compared to Quarter 2 of 2022. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing massively as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable. The same ComReg data also indicates that c.40% of homes and business throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure.
157. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he would consider the introduction of a postcode capable of being used by An Post in light of recent articles (details supplied) detailing how parcels addressed with Eircode are often returned to the sender as being incompletely addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42691/23]
View answerAs a Minister in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications I have responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post, to ensure the company is fully compliant with the code of practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning An Post.
Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for mail delivery service is a matter for the Board and the management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function. Consequently, the mails delivery service is a matter for An Post.
158. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has a policy on the use of artificial intelligence; and if any Departmental functions are assisted by language model-based chatbots (details supplied). [42814/23]
View answerMy Department requires all applications to be used in line with Departmental policies and procedures.
My Department has restricted access to the application referred to pending a risk assessment of its use and therefore, does not use the application to conduct its business.
My Department also continues to work closely with experts in the NCSC to ensure that we follow best practice and advice on all aspects of cyber security.
159. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average price, per barrel of oil, that the State is paying. [42830/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the National Oil Reserve Agency (NORA) has responsibility for maintaining oil energy security in Ireland. Ireland maintains a 90-day strategic reserve, the vast bulk of which is held at several locations on the island of Ireland. These oil stocks are held to ensure Ireland’s compliance with International Energy Agency (IEA) rules and EU obligations, and are intended to be used in the event of a supply disruption. NORA provides monthly updates to my Department on the amount of stock held to demonstrate that it is meeting the 90 day requirement. This includes the breakdown of these stocks between the different products such as petrol, diesel and kerosene.
NORA's Annual Accounts provide details regarding the value of stocks at end-year and the costs relating to the storage of those stocks. The precise cost of the acquisition of these stocks is not divulged but would reflect the market price at the time of purchase.
Of course there are numerous State Agencies and Departments that are required to purchase oil in the course of their operations. I do not have pricing information in relation to such purchases across the public sector. Oil prices are subject to many factors, including market supply, demand levels and currency movements. The Deputy will be aware, that where possible, I am pursuing numerous policy initiatives that are aiming to reduce the State's consumption of oil and this includes the public sector leading by example where feasible.
160. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current establishment figure of the Naval Service and that proposed under Level of Ambition 2 of the Report on the Commission of the Defence Forces; the current strength of the Naval Service; the current strength of the naval fleet and if he will report on the fleet replacement programme. [42851/23]
View answerThe establishment of the Naval Service is 1,094 personnel and the strength, as at 31 August 2023, was 755 personnel.
Government has approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Permanent Defence Force capability equivalent to Level of Ambition 2, as set out in the report of the Commission of the Defence Forces Report, with an overall establishment figure of 11,500. The distribution of these additional personnel has yet to be finalised. The current establishment of the Defence Forces was recently increased to 9,589 in order to expedite implementation of the report through the creation of 89 additional promotional opportunities.
I have previously acknowledged the current staffing difficulties in the Naval Service and, to counter these, there are a number of recruitment and retention measures currently underway.
The Naval Service has recently adopted a three ship operational posture with two ships operational and one on standby, in order to streamline operations, bolster existing capabilities, and ensure optimal resource allocation in the Naval Service. The Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime surveillance operations.
My immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel, and to facilitate capacity for further increases. This will enable us to align ultimately with the level of ambition recommended in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, and agreed by Government.
161. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of data breaches experienced by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [42361/23]
View answerMy Department can provide the following information in relation to data breaches. When the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on 25 May 2018, my Department was required under Article 33(5) to document information relating to personal data breaches.
The number of data breaches in my Department in each of the past seven years and to date in 2023 are outlined in the table below:-
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
1/Jan/2023 to 26/Sept/2023 |
|
Nil |
Nil |
5 |
9 |
11 |
13 |
18 |
12 |
The majority of data breach incidents that have occurred relate to mis-addressed correspondence by email and post. In most instances, data breaches have involved no risk or low risk to the data subject. In cases where there was a low risk to the rights and freedoms of a data subject, the Data Protection Commission was notified. A singular case arising in the above similar circumstances, but deemed to be a high risk to the rights and freedoms of an individual data subject, was notified to the data subject and the Data Protection Commission, in line with GDPR requirements.
My Department takes its data protection responsibilities very seriously and makes every effort to ensure that personal data is safeguarded at all times. Technical and organisational measures, as required under GDPR, are implemented to ensure the security of personal data being processed. Data security and data privacy are central topics of all data protection awareness campaigns rolled out to staff on a regular basis. Also, my Department has a data breach protocol in place for the management of data breach incidents.
162. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the promised legislation to establish the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42556/23]
View answer163. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the work of the non-statutory External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces; if he has received any reports from the body to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42557/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together.
The report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces was published following Government approval on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations in the Report and this included the immediate establishment, on a non-statutory basis initially, of the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces. This Body, chaired by Professor Brían MacCraith, is a critical element to driving the necessary culture change throughout the Defence Forces and to increase transparency and accountability. The Government approved the Terms of Reference for the Body on 11 July last and it is my intention to bring forward legislation to put the Body on a statutory footing as soon as possible. Work in this regard is underway in my Department. It is also expected that the External Oversight Body will submit its first Report to me shortly.
164. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount spent on the commissioning of reports on matters pertaining to the Defence Forces in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [42562/23]
View answerThe table below sets out amounts spent on the commissioning of reports on matters pertaining to the Defence Forces in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023.
|
Year |
Amount inclusive of Vat (as appropriate) |
|
2018 |
€6,000 |
|
2019 |
Nil |
|
2020 |
€116,958.38 |
|
2021 |
€346,894.50 |
|
2022 |
€413,439.97 |
|
2023 |
€96,197.24 |
165. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how the current peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts will continue to be the core of the international reputation of the Defence Forces, especially with climate change becoming an ever-increasing security threat across the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42605/23]
View answerIreland has a proud tradition of participation in UN and UN-authorised peace operations, as the only country with an unbroken record of service in UN peacekeeping missions since 1958. Our peacekeepers are recognised internationally for their expertise and experience.
In conjunction with their participation in peace support missions, the Irish Defence Forces have been involved in humanitarian activities overseas for many years. Irish Aid makes funding available towards the support of micro-project activities that are undertaken with the support of Irish Battalions. For example, in UNIFIL the Defence Forces have provided support to the orphanage at Tibnin, run medical clinics for local people, and have helped support water distribution and water purification projects. Such projects will continue to be at the core of the humanitarian support that Irish Defence Forces personnel provide during overseas peacekeeping operations.
Ireland is currently participating in the Deployable Disaster Relief Capability Package (DM-DR CP) PESCO project. The aim of this project is to enhance military capabilities in humanitarian relief, standardise training across all participating Member States and to provide an exchange of knowledge and expertise in the specialised areas of disaster relief.
In addition, Ireland’s engagement in Partnership for Peace (PfP) enables access to a number of working groups and training opportunities across a number of capabilities including climate change and security. Our engagement in PfP gives the Defence Forces access to best practices, education and lessons learned in relation to climate change and security.
As climate change contributes to increasingly extreme weather events, including storms and droughts, across the world, these will impact on the nature of peacekeeping tasks and the variety of activities peacekeeping missions and operations may be called upon to support, particularly as many current peacekeeping operations are located in climate stressed regions.
I believe that the populations of these affected areas are entitled to the humanitarian assistance and protection offered through international multilateralism including peacekeeping operations. Climate change is not identified as an impediment to assisting those less fortunate than ourselves.
166. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline his investment plans for the adequate funding of the Defence Forces, that is, the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, to meet the State’s defence and security needs in the 21st century and the capacity to provide appropriate intervention and assistance State-wide in situations of extreme weather and disruption caused by global warming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30795/23]
View answerIn July 2022, the Government approved a move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces. As part of that decision the Government committed to increasing the Defence budget from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion by 2028, as part of the annual budgetary process. This level of investment will allow for the required transformation and investment in recruitment, equipment and infrastructure that was identified by the Commission as necessary to meet the State’s defence and security needs.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform are responsible for overall public expenditure policy and strategy. The annual Defence budget allocation is determined within the overarching budgetary framework outlined each year by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform, and approved by Dáil Eireann having regard to the level of resources available and defence policy requirements. It is within this context that the annual Defence budget, for 2024 and subsequent years, will be determined, with the estimates process for 2024 currently underway.
For 2023, the total overall gross allocation provided to the Defence Vote Group, as set out in Budget 2023, is €1.21 billion, comprising of over €915 million on the Defence Vote and over €294 million on the Army Pensions Vote. This significant allocation represents an overall increase of €93 million on 2022 and comprises of an increase of €35 million in the capital allocation and €58 million in the current allocation across the Vote Group. Vote 36 - Defence is managed through a single programme with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. Accordingly, my Department does not allocate funding by domain.
The Defence Forces undertake a broad range of services in accordance with their primary security role. In addition, they also undertake a diverse range of non-security related tasks, provide critical supports to An Garda Síochána and support other Government Departments and Principal Response Agencies in responding to any extreme weather or other emergency events that can arise at any stage.
I am committed to ensuring that the personnel of the Defence Forces are equipped and trained to the highest attainable standards to facilitate an efficient, effective response to any national emergencies that arise and I can confirm that the Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of threats and emergencies under constant review.
The significant funding of €1.21 billion allocated to Defence in Budget 2023 enables the Defence Forces to provide an ongoing, flexible and effective response to a wide range of operational challenges, both at home and overseas and I remain satisfied that the Defence Forces will continue to respond in an effective and timely manner to requests for support from other Government Departments and Principal Response Agencies.
167. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the strategy documents or reports currently governing the approach of his Department; those that are under review; those currently being formulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42645/23]
View answerThe White Paper on Defence Published in 2015 set out the Government's defence policy framework out to 2025, the White paper also put in place a new fixed cycle of defence reviews. Such reviews are common practice internationally and give reassurance that policy remains up to date and relevant to changing future circumstances.
The White Paper set out that every three years there will be a White Paper update that would consider progress made up to that time and consider any revisions required with each alternate three-year review in the cycle being more comprehensive in nature and to be styled a Strategic Defence Review.
The first of these reviews, the White Paper Update was published in 2019. The second of these reviews, the Strategic Defence Review stage, was due to commence in 2021. With the establishment of the independent Commission on the Defence Forces by Government in December 2020, a decision was taken to pause commencing the Strategic Defence Review until the Commission on the Defence Forces had completed their report and Government had been given time to consider the report.
Work on the Strategic Defence Review has now commenced with the preparation of a revised security environment assessment (SEA) which is being conducted by an interdepartmental working group and will address the significant security environment changes since the invasion of Ukraine. A fresh consideration of the implications of this assessment for overall policy requirements, associated tasks, capability development and resourcing will then be completed.
An Organisational Capability Review of the Department of Defence commenced in 2021. The Review was conducted by the Organisational Capability Review team which is based in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and involved engagement with Departmental staff and key stakeholders. The report has been published on the Department’s website and an Action plan has been developed to address the recommendations of the review.
The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government. The report of the Commission was published on 9th February 2022. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.
In July last year Government approved a High-Level Action Plan in response to the Commission report. As part of this, approval was given for a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission, which will entail funding increases to reach a defence budget of c. €1.5 billion (at January 2022 prices) by 2028 through the annual Estimates process.
Implementation structures are in place encompassing an Implementation Oversight Group, a High-Level Steering Board and an Implementation Management Office (IMO) to support the implementation of the overall transformation programme. The High level Action Plan identified 38 early actions for immediate progression and to-date approximately 90% have been achieved. One of the key early actions is the development of a Detailed Implementation Plan, which is also at an advanced stage. This Detailed Implementation Plan will clearly set out the work that is to be progressed in implementing the Commission recommendations in full.
The Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces (the ‘IRG Report’), was published in March 2023 and set out 13 recommendations. This report examined the current policies, systems and procedures for dealing with matters relating to dignity, discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces.
Following the publication of the Independent Review Group Report, I set out my priority to develop one Strategic Framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces, fully understood by everyone, that has the appropriate governance and reporting mechanisms, and is properly resourced.
This Strategic Framework was published on 26th September and clearly sets out the vital work that is underway relating to the transformation of the Defence Forces and outlines the necessary actions to be delivered by the end of 2024. It covers the recommendations made in the Independent Review Group and the Commission on the Defence Forces reports, together with measures to address recruitment and retention challenges, and the legislative changes needed to modernise our Defence Forces.
169. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason that a former Army Private, who retired in February 2012 with 34 years of service, has a 31-year pension, but when they turn 66, their pension falls back to a 21-year pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42708/23]
View answerThe Defence Forces Pension Schemes are ‘fast accrual’ schemes under which maximum retirement benefits accrue after 31 years. The vast majority of public service pension schemes are ‘standard accrual’ pension schemes under which maximum benefits accrue after 40 years’ service.
Under the pre-April 2004 Defence Forces Pension Schemes, in the case of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Privates, 21 years is the minimum service required for an immediate retirement pension and gratuity, regardless of age.
Where a retiring member has qualifying service of more than 21 years the schemes provide for the award of a 21 year pension which is payable for the person’s lifetime. An ‘additional increment’ is also payable at a flat rate of €10 a week at current rates for each year of service in excess of 21 years, up to a maximum of 31 years. This would give a maximum additional increment of €100 weekly for a person with 31 years’ service. However, under the pension scheme rules, this additional increment ceases to be payable when the pensioner reaches the qualifying age for the State Pension (Contributory), that is currently at age 66.
These arrangements are in accordance with the long established principle of integrating occupational pensions with Social Insurance benefits of employees who are in full PRSI class. This includes NCOs and Privates, who are fully insured for the range of social insurance benefits under the Social Welfare Acts such as the State Pension (Contributory).
Integration means that a person’s entitlement to social insurance benefits is taken into account when calculating the rate of occupational pension payable. In an integrated pension scheme the State Pension or similar contributory social welfare benefit is regarded as part of the overall pension package payable to the individual. The integration principle applies right across the public service and, indeed, in many areas of the private sector as well as in other countries.
It should be noted that the maximum personal rate of State Pension payable upon reaching age 66 (€265.30 a week currently if under age 80) is considerably greater than any reduction that will arise under the Defence Forces Pension Schemes by virtue of the loss of the additional increment on qualification for the State Pension (a maximum loss of €100 weekly under current rates).
This method of integration for ‘pre-April 2004’ military pensioners is in fact more favourable than in other areas of the public service where standard integration applies.
In the public service generally, integration begins from the time the retirement pension starts payment, for example from age 60 where ‘standard pension accrual’ applies. However, these NCOs or Privates who serve 31 years having joined the Defence Forces at age 18/20, can qualify for maximum retirement benefits payable immediately from age 49/51. In their case, the integration process only begins when the State Pension becomes payable to them, for example, at age 66.
The general issue of integration of retirement pensions in the public service was examined by the Commission on Public Service Pensions . Its Final Report, published in November 2000, was considered and broadly accepted by Government. The Commission accepted that integration is a fundamental component in the public service pension framework and was strongly of the view that it should be continued. It did not make any recommendations that would affect the current integration arrangements applicable to retired NCOs and Privates covered by the pre-April 2004 Defence Forces Pensions Schemes.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which military capability in respect of air and sea surveillance is sufficiently modernised and updated to meet ever-increasing challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42798/23]
View answer171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are sufficiently equipped in terms of technology, military hardware and any other requirements needed to address the ongoing threats from drug smugglers or others who seek to breach the laws of the State from the sea, air or by land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42799/23]
View answer179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which Irish security forces have all the necessary communications and other technical equipment to liaise and cooperate with defence forces in other jurisdictions, with a view to continuously combatting crime and at the same time ensuring the security of the State against threats from any quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42807/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 171 and 179 together.
A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.
Capability priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered as part of the capability development planning processes which include both a five-year Equipment Development Plan and a Built Infrastructure Programme.
The Equipment Development Plan recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. This is an ongoing process and specific examples of equipment procured and modernised in the last 18 months include: 30 armoured utility vehicles; 280 non-armoured vehicles; upgrades to 80 Amoured Personnel Carriers; purchase from New Zealand of two Inshore Patrol Vessels; completion of the mid-life refit of LÉ Róisín and commencement of similar works on LÉ Niamh (to be completed shortly); and the arrival last June of the first new Airbus C-295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, with a second due shortly. As capability development is an ongoing iterative process, there are a number of further defensive equipment acquisition and upgrade projects that are currently ongoing, at different stages, and due to be completed this year and planned for completion over the coming years.
Specifically in relation to air and sea surveillance, the programme for the supply of the two new C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft will provide the Air Corps with larger more capable aircraft to replace the two CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. This will enhance the Defence Forces' air and sea surveillance capability, as well as providing a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks. In addition, an order has also been placed recently for a C-295 Military Transport Aircraft, and this will be delivered in 2025.
Furthermore, in relation to surveillance, the development of a primary radar capability was one of the key recommendations made in last year's report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. Development of enhanced military radar capabilities, across all domains, is a key priority for me as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence.
The Commission's report included a wide range of further recommendations in relation to capabilities and funding. In response, the Government approved a move to a higher level of ambition, known as ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission. The Commission included a number of members who had senior military experience from both at home and overseas and the need for interoperability, in line with the White Paper on Defence, with partners and like-minded states was a key consideration in its recommendations on capability development in particular. Implementation of the Commission's recommendations will result in significant increased investment in capability development over the coming years and is a demonstration of the Government’s strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security challenges. An important output from the opening phase of the Transformation Programme, as outlined in the Strategic Framework that I published last week, is the development of a detailed implementation plan which is now at an advanced stage and which I expect will be published in the coming weeks.
