Peadar Tóibín
Question:101. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine the plight of two children trapped in Gaza. (details supplied). [51103/23]
View answerMiddle East
Questions (101)
Written answers
I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I can confirm that the citizens in question were part of the group of Irish citizens and dependants that exited from Gaza via the Rafah crossing last week.
They were met by staff from the Irish Embassy in Cairo and provided with consular assistance and support. I can confirm that the two children are now in Ireland with their father.
Middle East
Questions (102)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:102. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when he or his Department learnt first of the potential release date of Irish citizens from Gaza; and who informed he and his Department. [51165/23]
View answerWritten answers
Since the beginning of the crisis, thousands of foreign and dual nationals have been seeking to leave Gaza. The Rafah border crossing first opened for the exit of foreign and dual nationals on 1 November, though it has subsequently been closed or disrupted on several occasions. Since then, a daily list of individuals cleared to cross is published by the relevant authorities. The evacuation of foreign and dual national and their accompanying dependants has been managed by the relevant authorities, country by country, on a phased basis.
The Department of Foreign Affairs was made aware on Tuesday, 14 November about the possibility of clearance being given for the exit of Irish citizens and dependants from Gaza on subsequent days. This information came via contacts with the Israeli and Egyptian authorities through our Embassies in Tel Aviv and Cairo. Late on 14 November, the first Irish citizens and dependants names appeared on the list of those cleared to exit Gaza through the Rafah Border Crossing on the following day.
To date, 51 Irish citizens and dependants have exited Gaza through the Rafah Border Crossing. They were met by staff from the Irish Embassy in Cairo, who have provided consular assistance and support, including with onward travel to Ireland. The majority of these citizens and dependants arrived in Ireland over the weekend, many of them to be reunited with family.
A small number of Irish citizens remain in Gaza. We will continue to work consistently with the relevant authorities on additional cases where these arise and to assist in instances where other Irish citizens and dependants wish to exit Gaza.
Budget 2024
Questions (103)
Róisín Shortall
Question:103. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the figure provided by his Department to maintain existing levels of service in 2024, under his respective remits ahead of Budget 2024; the figure granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51179/23]
View answerWritten answers
In the pre-budget submission made by my Department to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, a total of €5 million was sought to maintain existing levels of service (ELS) at the Passport Service. In addition, the Department sought to retain an allocation of €10 million from the COVID Contingency Fund, which has been used to support staffing of the Passport Service. Other increases were sought for new services and schemes and the expansion of existing services and schemes.
In Budget 2024, the Department was granted €3 million for ELS costs, in particular to cover increases in the Department's pay bill. In addition, the Department was permitted to retain the allocation of €10 million from the COVID Contingency Fund.
Environmental Policy
Questions (104)
Ivana Bacik
Question:104. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to improve repair and recycle services, respectively, in local authorities. [50776/23]
View answerWritten answers
Local authorities play a key role in Ireland's transition to a circular economy. The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices are currently finalising a new National Waste Management Plan (NWMP), informed by, inter alia, the National Planning Framework. The Plan will set out the required actions at local and regional levels to deliver on the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE) and support Ireland's circular economy transition.
The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 strengthened provisions in relation to waste management plans by requiring waste management plans to include indicators and targets relating to the use of products and materials that have been re-used, re-manufactured or repaired. The new NWMP will contain targets for reuse, repair, resource consumption and recycling, and address measures such as the enhanced use of civic amenity sites as circular economy hubs.
My Department understands that the public consultation phase on the draft National Waste Management Plan closed on July 5. Over 380 submissions were received from a range of stakeholders and members of the public. A recommendation from the National Oversight Group to the City and County Managers' Association (CCMA) Executive on making the Final Plan was approved at the CCMA meeting on 3 November and it is expected that the plan will be launched in February 2024.
Illegal Dumping
Questions (105)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:105. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of his Department’s work regarding the new codes and guidelines for monitoring illegal dumping drafted by the Local Government Management Agency; when the new codes and guidelines will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50597/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is continuing to work on the finalisation of draft Codes of Practice and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), which are fundamental to the future operation of CCTV schemes aimed at assisting waste enforcement and anti-litter efforts, including the monitoring of illegal dumping and dog fouling. The LGMA circulated draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister for Justice and the Data Protection Commission as part of the required consultation process and I understand all bodies have now responded to the LGMA with their views.
Separate codes of practice are required for the operation of CCTV schemes under both the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act, while a further Code of Practice is required for the use of "mobile recording devices" (e.g. body cams etc) under the Waste Management Act. DPIAs must also be carried out as part of this process.
I understand this LGMA process is now at an advanced stage so I hope to be in a position to give final approval to these Codes of Practice once they are submitted to my office by the LGMA.
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (106)
Dara Calleary
Question:106. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the options available to a sports club (details supplied) in County Mayo seeking a fibre broadband connection when civil works have been deemed over budget; if he will intervene in this matter and insist on the works being carried out to facilitate this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50671/23]
View answerWritten answers
In 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 commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
My officials have advised that a representative of Ballina Rugby club should raise a query via the DECC webform at https://secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and we will escalate with open eir to investigate this matter further.
Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 34,200 homes and businesses in Mayo with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c.14,000 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €26m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Mayo, with SIRO recently passing over 5,000 premises for full fibre, and Virgin Media passing over 7,600 premises.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2 of 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 substantially 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.
Climate Change Policy
Questions (107)
Ged Nash
Question:107. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the review of the Climate Adaptation Framework will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50725/23]
View answerWritten answers
Observations show that Ireland’s climate is changing in terms of increases in average temperature, changes in precipitation patterns, and weather extremes. Climate change is expected to have diverse and wide-ranging impacts on Ireland’s environment, society, and economic development, including on the built environment; managed and natural ecosystems; water resources; agriculture and food security; human health; and coastal zones. Ireland will need to adapt to these impacts. My Department leads and coordinates national climate adaptation policy, primarily through the development and implementation of the National Adaptation Framework (NAF).
The current NAF, developed under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (as amended), addresses these risks. The NAF outlines a whole of government and society approach to climate adaptation in Ireland to improve the enabling environment for adaptation through ongoing engagement with key sectors, along with civil society, the private sector, and the research community. The key objectives of the NAF are implemented through activity at sectoral, regional and local levels. Departments and Agencies are responsible for implementing adaptation measures in sectors under their remit.
Following completion of a statutory review by my Department in 2022, I approved the preparation of a new NAF which is currently in development with a first draft expected to be completed by the end of 2023. A public consultation will be held in early 2024 following which the new NAF will be submitted for Government approval.
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (108)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:108. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what provision can be made for a community (details supplied) that does not have access to fibre-optic broadband to each home on the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50744/23]
View answerWritten answers
In 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 commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
My officials have advised that houses in the area in the question are currently capable of receiving speeds of 90-100Mbps. In addition, this area was also recently fibre enabled as part of open eir’s upgrade programme and all 24 homes in Turnapin Green area are on the open eir fibre ordering system (available through any Retail Service Provider of open eir). Should any of the residents contact a Retail Service Provider and are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps and/or fibre to their home, they should raise a query via the DECC webform at https://secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and DECC will escalate with open eir to investigate this matter further.
Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 223,600 homes and businesses in Dublin with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c.358,000 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €216m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Dublin, with SIRO recently passing over 70,400 premises for full fibre, and Virgin Media passing over 488,700 premises.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2 of 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 substantially 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.
Environmental Policy
Questions (109)
Ivana Bacik
Question:109. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the right to repair measures set out in the European Commission Circular Economy Action Plan; if his Department will implement any of the proposals contained therein, regardless of the passage of European Union legislation on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50778/23]
View answerWritten answers
Significantly enhanced reparability and ease of maintenance of consumer goods is an essential component of the Circular Economy. The Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy 2022-2023 recognises this and commits to the development of a circular economy for consumer goods with an enhanced focus on the repair sector in Ireland. This is in line with policy developments at EU level, including the European Green Deal and the New Circular Economy Action Plan, which commit to sustainable consumption and transferring the EU into a circular economy.
Meaningful changes to requirements around issues such as repair, product design, warrantees, consumer information and labelling can most effectively be implemented by way of comprehensive EU legislation, rather than through individual national measures. The Proposal for Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation promotes the reparability of products from the production phase. The Proposal for a Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition enables consumers to be informed about the reparability and durability of goods when purchasing those goods. The Proposal for a Directive on Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods aims to promote sustainable consumption through repair and reuse of goods within and beyond the legal guarantee of conformity. Negotiations on all three proposals are ongoing and agreement is expected early next year.
Taken together, these three initiatives cover the full life cycle of goods and deliver on the right to repair objectives in the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. A coordinated EU response is the most effective way to meet those objectives. Ireland is supportive of the policy approach reflected in these proposals and is adopting an ambitious stance in the EU negotiations to ensure that the final legislation maximises the support to consumers in this regard.
Cybersecurity Policy
Questions (110)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:110. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many staff members in his Department have received training in cyber security in the past three years; what types of cyber security training programmes have been conducted; if he will provide details of these programmes; and of the staff trained in cyber security, how many have obtained accredited cyber security qualifications. [50796/23]
View answerWritten answers
All staff in my Department participate in mandatory cyber security awareness training annually on an ongoing basis through auto-enrolment. Additionally, new joiners are automatically enrolled and targeted to complete their training on joining.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is under the remit of my Department. Staff recruited to the NCSC have specialist technical qualification requirements and are highly skilled across areas such as computer science, software engineering, information technology forensics, and cyber security compliance, as well as general cyber security skills. Recruitment campaigns in 2022 included a qualification of at least level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications Or at least three years’ experience of working in information technology, cyber security and governance.
Specific training and qualifications of staff working in cyber security will not be disclosed for operational security reasons.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (111)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:111. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expenditure on cyber security consultants and companies within his Department in the past three years; if his Department engaged in cyber security audits with outside firms in the past three years; if so, the expenditure on same; the amount his Department spent on cyber security consultants and companies in the past three years; and for a breakdown of these expenditures by year and type of service provided [50814/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has comprehensive arrangements in place to support ICT security and receives regular advice on these matters from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the National Cyber Security Centre. For operational and security reasons, my Department cannot disclose the details of these arrangements.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (112)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:112. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are any ongoing contracts or commitments with cyber security firms; and if details can be provided [50832/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has comprehensive arrangements in place to support ICT security and receives regular advice on these matters from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the National Cyber Security Centre. For operational and security reasons, my Department cannot disclose the details of these arrangements.
Cybersecurity Policy
Questions (113)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:113. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has a policy and plan in place to address a ransomware attack and restore his Department's IT systems. [50850/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has plans in place to address a ransomware attack and restore my Department's IT systems. For operational and security reasons, my Department cannot disclose the details of these plans.
Renewable Energy Generation
Questions (114)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:114. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of progress on regional renewable electricity strategies; the consideration being made for their development; the date on which they will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50866/23]
View answerWritten answers
Pursuant to Action EL/23/3 of the Climate Action Plan 2023 and in order to deliver on the national renewable electricity targets of 9 GW of onshore wind and 8 GW of solar by 2030, a roadmap is currently being developed jointly by the Regional Assemblies to assist with developing a Regional Renewable Electricity Strategy (RRES) for each region so as to help streamline the process, enabling a consistent approach to be applied across regions.
The regional strategies will enable a unified methodology for national and regional generation targets identifying areas suitable for renewable electricity deployment at regional and county level. It is intended to integrate the strategies with wider planning policies for the region and considering the particular social, economic, and environmental characteristics of the region.
Subject to the enactment of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, the regional renewable electricity strategies are due to be adopted by the end of 2024.
Environmental Policy
Questions (115)
Ivana Bacik
Question:115. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce a deposit return schemes for coffee cups and other beverage containers; and his plans to ban single-use coffee cups. [50957/23]
View answerWritten answers
For now, my plans to introduce a deposit return scheme are focused on plastic beverage bottles and aluminium drinks cans only. The scheme will go-live in February 2024.
In the hot drinks sector, many retailers have already introduced voluntary deposit return schemes for coffee cups. This is an encouraging industry-led response to the creation of this unnecessary waste stream.
I am continuing to progress my plans to introduce a levy on single-use disposable cups which will incentivise people to choose reusables. The levy approach was developed on foot of extensive engagement and consultation, including a Regulatory Impact Assessment published by my department in October 2022.
Our national policy document 'A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020 - 2025' includes a commitment for an eventual ban of disposable beverage cups.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (116)
Paul Murphy
Question:116. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has any current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company; and if so, the value of those contracts. [51043/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department does not currently hold a contract with any Israeli state agency or any Israeli-based company.
As our systems do not hold information on the ownership; part ownership of companies or geographical basis, my Department is not aware of any contract in place in my Department which is with a company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company.
Departmental Data
Questions (117)
Paul Murphy
Question:117. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department or any of its agencies are involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. [51061/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is not involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency or any body with links to Israel as described in the Question.
The information requested, in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department, is an operational matter for each agency. Officials in my Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
Environmental Policy
Questions (118)
David Stanton
Question:118. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline Government policy with respect to the development of anaerobic digesters to produce renewable energy from slurry and other such material; if he has communicated any such policy to the respective local authorities; the supports, if any, that he has put in place to encourage the construction of anaerobic digesters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51120/23]
View answerWritten answers
Anaerobic Digestion and the production of renewable gas will have a key role to play in the decarbonisation of our energy sector and will provide an opportunity for land use diversification and income for farmers. Government has committed to deliver up to 5.7TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030. In order to deliver on this commitment, a dedicated Biomethane Working Group, chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, has been established. This Group, which reports into the Heat and Built Environment Delivery Taskforce, is overseeing an all-of-government approach to developing a National Biomethane Strategy to support the achievement of the 5.7TWh target.
Development of an anaerobic digestion industry is at a nascent stage in Ireland and a primary focus of the Working Group has been the examination of the actions necessary to develop the industry. The group has carried out extensive analysis on the best end use of this biomethane, paying particular focus on production in a sustainable manner. The National Biomethane Strategy is now in its final stage of drafting, and due for publication shortly.
My Department has developed a number of schemes and initiatives designed to increase the energy generated from renewable sources, whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland. These schemes include the grid scale, auction based Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS), for smaller installations, up to 50 kW in size (30kWe for micro-renewable Combined Heat and Power), and the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH).