Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Feb 2023

Vol. 1034 No. 3

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Local Authorities

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

61. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of any analysis carried out by his Department with regard to carrying out a pilot project for local authority decarbonisation zones, in advance of the national roll-out of local authority decarbonisations zones, so that the results of the pilot project could feed into the national roll-out; if he will provide details of any engagement he or his Department has had with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9835/23]

Deputy Catherine Connolly

The rules do not allow me but I should have taken the two questions together to develop this a bit more. In utter frustration then, the second question is put down because of the decarbonisation plans sitting in the Department. I asked whether it is possible to have a pilot project to learn, to roll them out and let the local authorities do their jobs, and learn from it. In my six seconds, has the Department issued the direction that it is legally obliged to issue to the local authorities, to prepare the local action plans?

Deputy Ossian Smyth

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 strengthens the role of local authorities in climate action. The Act sets out a statutory requirement for each local authority to prepare a local authority climate action plan within 12 months from when the Minister issues a request to the sector to begin the preparation of such plans. The Minister issued this request last Friday.

Each plan will include a decarbonisation zone which is selected by the local authority. A separate technical annex has been developed as part of the guidelines to assist local authorities with this. Decarbonisation zones are intended to be the focus for a range of climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity measures in each local authority administrative area and will help to identify projects which will contribute to the delivery of the national climate objective. Action 165 of the national Climate Action Plan 2019 sets out that each local authority should identify and develop plans for one decarbonising zone within its respective administrative area.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage issued a circular in February 2021 to all local authorities setting out guidance around developing the zones. Action 80 of Climate Action Plan 2021 required each local authority to integrate the development of its decarbonisation zone into its local authority climate action plan. Technical Annex D of the guidelines provides specific guidance on the decarbonisation zones.

The development of the decarbonisation zone concept in Ireland has been informed by good practice in other jurisdictions and in Ireland, including the Dundalk Sustainable Energy Community, SEC, Project 2020, the Portlaoise Low Carbon town and the Dingle Hub under the Dingle SEC. These projects and experiences can be considered to be pilot projects. They have influenced the roll-out of decarbonisation zones nationally.

As test-beds and demonstrator areas, the decarbonisation zones are themselves pilot projects. The intention is that trialling decarbonising measures in smaller areas will lead to learning and the development of good practice that will then be shared nationally. The local authority climate action plan guidelines were published last Friday. This will begin the formal process to commence the development of the local climate plans and local authorities have 12 months to complete these.

Deputy Catherine Connolly

We have clarification. The guidelines were issued last Friday. They will be made public within a month. We may have to wait another month to suit the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, presumably. A direction has also been issued to all the local authorities to prepare an action plan. Is that what the Minister of State said? I do not have the reply in front of me. Let us be very clear now because I have four pages of background here and the levels of frustration are quite high. The Minister of State still has not answered me. What was the delay for two years? Have the 31 local authorities now submitted their decarbonisation plans? Also a very quick history lesson, as the Minister of State read out, Climate Action Plan 2019 was about each local authority identifying a decarbonisation zone. That was to be for the end of 2019. The 2020 election intervened. I will resume on my second minute.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

I thank the Deputy. She has a specific question about whether a legal direction has yet been issued. I have to check that. I know that the guidelines were circulated last Friday but I do not know whether they constitute a legal direction. I believe she asked for some history of how these decarbonisation zones were developed. She wants to know why we are issuing these guidelines.

Deputy Catherine Connolly

I am asking why it has taken up until now to get the guidelines, while welcoming them. I will not interrupt.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage issued Circular LGSM/01/2021 in February 2021 to chief executives and directors of planning which provided instructions around developing zones for local authorities. Action 80 of the national Climate Action Plan 2021 required each local authority to integrate the development of its decarbonisation zone into its local authority climate action plan. Accordingly, each local authority will take forward its decarbonisation zone as a component of its local authority climate action plan. At this point, responsibility for the decarbonisation zone process was transferred from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

Deputy Catherine Connolly

I am going to try again. Has the Minister issued the direction to the local authorities to prepare their climate action plans? The Department is under a legal obligation to do that within 18 months. That 18 months is up next Tuesday, 7 March. Has that happened? If it has not happened, will it happen before 7 March?

In regard to a history lesson on the decarbonisation zones, let me put on the record that I am praising Galway City Council. In April 2021, Galway City Council submitted its application, expecting to get approval and make an implementation plan by the end of 2021. As of February 2022, one year ago, 29 of the 31 local authorities, and this is my third time to say this, had submitted applications for decarbonisation zones. Two years later, no decarbonisation zone has been implemented despite the urgency and the emergency declared, because they had to wait for the statutory guidelines that were published last Friday. We still do not know whether the legal directions have issued, as they are legally required to do.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

I am not sure what the idea is of asking a question and when I give a direct answer the Deputy asks the same question again. She has asked me whether a legal direction has been issued. What I told her is that I know the guidelines were circulated last Friday but I do not know whether they constitute a legal direction. I will find out and come back to her. That is really all I can say on that.

In regard to decarbonisation zones, there is a five-stage process on this: to identify and define the decarbonisation zones, set out a vision and objectives, baseline and scope to establish the emission inventory policy context on alignment; to identify and map the stakeholders; to register opportunities; to compile a portfolio of actions, projects, technologies and interventions; and then to set out the actions to be achieved and devise a strategy for implementation. This will be a distinct component of the local authority climate action plan. As a delineated area with specifically targeted interventions it will have a clear-cut focus. It will be presented in a separate chapter and section in each local authority climate action plan. That is what the guidelines sent around last Friday include.

EU Meetings

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

62. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the agenda highlights of the Environment Council, to be held in Brussels on 16 March 2023. [9857/23]

Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Niamh Smyth. Will the Minister provide an update on the agenda highlights of the Environment Council to be held in Brussels on 16 March 2023?

Deputy Ossian Smyth

The draft agenda for the upcoming Environment Council indicates that the meeting will address the following matters: a general approach on the directive amending directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions; general approach on the Council directive on the landfill of waste; policy debates on the regulation on packaging and packaging waste, amending regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and directive (EU) 2019/904 and repealing directive 94/62/EC; and the regulation establishing a Union certification framework for carbon removals and the directive concerning urban wastewater treatment which has been recast. In non-legislative matters there will also be an exchange of views on greening the European semester. Other items may be added to the agenda as the date of the meeting approaches. The agenda changes frequently and is available on the website.

Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

I thank the Minister of State. In December EU environment ministers held a policy debate on a proposal for the nature restoration regulation to help recover European habitats, 80% of which are in poor condition. This was a major issue. The proposal will set specific legally binding targets and obligations for nature restoration in each of the listed ecosystems.

I want to speak to the Minister of State about a project in Carlow, the Drummin Bog project. It is a voluntary not-for-profit community education project to restore the only raised bog in County Carlow. It is situated close to the River Barrow and the historic site of St. Mullin's. It is a fabulous place. The Drummin Bog project was formed in 2016 and has to apply for a variety of grants and rely on donors for support. Will the Minister of State give us an update on funding? This is a very good project. If he does not have the information today, he might send it to me.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

I thank the Deputy. She has described a project in Carlow which involves the restoration of a raised bog near the River Barrow and the historic site of St. Mullin's and has asked for an update on that. I do not have information to hand immediately, but I will be very happy to give her an update. I would also be happy to meet her, as I am happy to meet any Deputy, and give her a briefing on the status of the project.

Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

I thank the Minister of State. We need to ensure there is money for projects like this. Communication is important. This is a good community project. Perhaps the Minister of State would come back to me with the relevant information. He spoke about a meeting in March, which will include a discussion on a wastewater treatment plant. Perhaps he could come back to me on that. There are major issues in local authorities. There are always delays in funding. Will the Minister of State highlight that all local authorities will be given enough money for these projects?

Deputy Ossian Smyth

These projects can provide a local amenity and attraction for tourism. They preserve biodiversity and give people a sense of pride in their area. They can be part of a just transition if jobs have been lost in Bord na Móna or other organisations. Regarding wastewater treatment, I will listen to the Deputy. If she feels any projects are not getting funding, I am happy to talk to her about that. If she briefs me on that, I will come back to her.

Community Development Projects

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

63. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work of the community climate action programme and engagement with local authorities to ensure uptake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9946/23]

Deputy Alan Farrell

My question relates to the local authority community climate action programme, which was launched last year. I understand there is a new iteration of or funding stream for it. What is the status of that and has there been uptake?

Deputy Ossian Smyth

I thank the Deputy. The community climate action programme will see more than €60 million from the climate action fund invested in supporting communities to run direct climate action projects and initiatives under strand 1 as well as capacity building under strand 2 of the programme. The 18 projects selected for funding under strand 2 of the programme are currently moving to implementation. This was an open call run by Pobal, worth €5 million, for education, capacity building and learning by doing projects.

Strand 1 was launched on 2 February this year, under which €27 million is being provided to all local authorities to support building low carbon communities in a considered and structured way. Of that €27 million, €24 million is being provided from the climate action fund for strand 1, which supports community and voluntary groups who want to partner with their local authority to implement climate action projects within their local area. A further €3 million is being provided by the shared island fund, which will fund similar types of projects on a cross-Border or whole-island basis, involving community groups and local authorities, in partnership with community groups and local authorities in Northern Ireland.

To encourage participation, part of the strand 1 climate action fund allocation has been ring-fenced to enable each local authority to hire a designated member of staff to implement the programme. Once in place, community climate action officers will engage with community groups on potential projects, assist them in their applications and recommend particular projects for partnership between the local authorities and community groups.

The majority of local authorities have indicated they will have a community climate action officer in place by the end of the second quarter of 2023. I look forward to seeing this important programme progressing, supported by the recruitment of community climate action officers by local authorities and by ongoing engagement with and support from my Department.

Deputy Alan Farrell

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am encouraged. There is no shortage of funding for projects like this. The sum of €60 million is a great deal of money for 80 projects. It is incumbent on the House, the Minister of State and the Minister to follow the local authorities closely in the hiring process because we know they have had history in the past, in particular with biodiversity officers, which have been an issue in some local authorities. It is important for local authorities to show leadership in the advice they can give to communities. That is why such a fund is so important.

The cross-Border funding allocation stream 1A relates to expenditure, 50% of which, I believe, is allocated to Northern Ireland. The Minister of State might outline whether he has a flavour of any the projects under consideration. Biodiversity improvements and food waste, in particular, are areas where local authorities should play a significant leadership role.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

As the Deputy said, there is a challenge with staffing. Things cannot happen without staffing. On the community climate action officers, the four Dublin local authorities are recruiting their officers on a regional basis. They expect to have staff in place by late April. The post is currently advertised on the Fingal County Council website, on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities, and the closing date for applications is 10 March. I encourage anybody who wants to work in the community climate action sector to apply for the role.

When local authorities have their community climate action officers in place in advance of the launch and have a query about salary costs, they should engage with my Department. There have been questions about this. The Deputy asked whether projects in the food sector and biodiversity are involved. Of course they are. I have worked with organisations like FoodCloud. There is a national food waste prevention programme which aims to reduce our food waste by 50% by 2030. All of those areas are key for us.

Deputy Alan Farrell

I thank the Minister of State. I welcome the information he has provided to the House. I focused on food waste because it is an area where we as a State need to make significant improvements. As I have said, I believe local authorities will play a key role in delivering on our collective climate ambitions.

The Minister of State might mention nature recovery and sustainable farming which, I believe, are part of strand 1A of the fund and will see 50% of the fund allocated to Northern Ireland. I would like to hear whether local authorities in the Border region have initiated such applications and if the Minister of State thinks those projects will be up and running by the end of the year.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

I thank the Deputy. Strand 1A is open to community, voluntary and non-profit groups that want to take part. They have to partner with a local authority. As the Deputy said, there are cross-Border projects and there have been successful connections. While the senior levels of the political system in Northern Ireland may be stuck, at local authority level we are making progress. At official level we try to establish every contact we can make so that we can continue to work with Northern organisations.

Much of this is related to agriculture. There is a great deal of fruit and vegetable farming in the Deputy's constituency of Fingal. There will be many opportunities in those areas for sustainable and organic farming, reducing food waste and a circular economy, which involves taking things that were waste products that had to be paid for and ensuring they become useful inputs for businesses.

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

64. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to improve legislation to allow for the use of CCTV for enforcement against breaches of waste and litter legislation. [9925/23]

Deputy Paul McAuliffe

Will the Minister of State outline the plans of the Government has to implement the provisions of the circular economy Bill to assist local authorities in the use of CCTV to tackle illegal dumping? We know it is not the silver bullet it is often presented as, but it is an important tool for local authorities to tackle the scourge of illegal dumping in many of our communities.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

I thank the Deputy for asking this question, which is close to my heart and which I have been following closely since we legislated for it. The policy document, A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, contains a commitment to data-proof all waste enforcement legislation to ensure all available and emerging audiovisual recording equipment, including CCTV, can be used in a manner that is compliant with the general data protection regulation, GDPR.

My Department has engaged with the County and City Management Association, CCMA, the Department of Justice and the Data Protection Commissioner, DPC, to draft suitable legislation to give effect to this commitment. This legislation, amending both the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act, is contained in the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act.

Sections 22 and 33 of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act require that the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, prepares and submits draft codes of practice to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for approval for the purposes of setting standards for the operation of CCTV and other mobile recording devices to deter environmental pollution and to facilitate the prevention, detection and prosecution of both littering and illegal dumping offences. The LGMA is currently working on the preparation of these codes of practice. Once approved, local authorities will then be in a position to initiate litter and waste enforcement measures involving the GDPR-compliant use of technologies such as CCTV.

I have been in contact with that committee as it develops its code of practice. It has been working with the DPC to ensure it is compliant with the GDPR rules and I am waiting for the committee to come back to the Department for ministerial approval of its guidelines. It is keen to have this and to have something effective. CCTV can be used for littering offences. For dumping offences, our legislation allows for body cameras and for drones to be used to catch people who are involved in more industrial and profit-motivated fly-tipping, illegal dumps and that type of activity. Therefore, the types of interventions are proportionate to the size of a crime. You do not need a drone to follow somebody who is dropping litter.

Deputy Paul McAuliffe

I welcome the update from the Minister of State. He referred to earlier that many of us in this House have served time on local authorities. The issue of illegal dumping was one we were all extremely frustrated with. When it was possible in Dublin City Council, sometimes when it was done at night-time or at obscure angles or when the face was covered, it did not provide the evidence that was needed. There were occasions when strong investigative tools were used by local authorities to try to find the people who carried out illegal dumping.

Across all our constituencies there are Tidy Towns groups that go out and give up their free time. In my own constituency I think of the Tidy Towns groups in Finglas, Ballymun, Meakstown and Santry, as well as the hundreds of environmental groups that operate underneath them. They need these guidelines to be issued as soon as possible. They need for local authorities to have the ability to use this technology. I encourage the Minister of State to ensure the LGMA presents this code as soon as possible.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

Many Deputies are aware that there were problems in the past with obtaining evidence to get prosecutions because of challenges under privacy legislation. That is why we have to be so careful that we are ensured privacy-wise that we are compliant with GDPR law in order that we do not get challenged or, if we are challenged, that we can win those challenges. The Deputy is right that Tidy Towns groups around the country are sick of having to clean up after people who are either negligent or who are criminally making money from dumping. I spent some time in the north-east inner city with Dublin City Council's cleaning crew, so I have experienced the problems first-hand. They are going around seven days a week at 6 a.m., picking up rubbish and clearing streets. The work they do is incredible but the problems are intense. The volume of material that is being dumped is horrific. I am forming a forum of all the stakeholders, including the Department of Social Protection, the Residential Tenancies Board, the Revenue Commissioners and local activists to try to find a way to eliminate this problem.

Deputy Paul McAuliffe

I welcome the Minister of State's visit to the north inner city. He is welcome to come and visit my own constituency. He is right; it does go in scale. It can be a matter of a bag in a bin or it can be a matter of a washing machine and a half a tonne of a truck in a laneway. We need proportionate responses and we also need swift action in this regard. I urge the LGMA and the CCMA to present the code. Once that is done and local authorities are in a position to use CCTV legally within the frameworks of privacy legislation and so on, it will be up to us in this House to put pressure on those organisations to help us to implement the law that we facilitated.

Dublin City Council spends nearly €1 million per year. That could be spent on preventative measures and it could also be spent on many other positive projects in our community. Senator Malcolm Byrne referred to the figure of nearly €90 million being spent across the country. I thank the Minister of State for the work he has done on this project and I urge him to continue.

Deputy Alan Farrell

I thank the Minister of State for the significant body of work he and his Department have done, particularly on the passage of that Act. Deputy Leddin, who is the Chair of the committee, is present. We put in the hours too, so to speak. I wanted to take this discussion about the protocols to Fingal and to address the issue of where local authorities decline to collect dumped materials. That often happens in rural parts of north Dublin in laneways where the boundaries between ditches etc. are not well defined. There is clear evidence of materials being dumped, often including tyres, I am afraid to say, among other things. This area is on the fringe between Dublin city and Fingal, where landowners often have to spend an enormous amount of money removing such materials that clearly have been dumped from the public road. It is often difficult for farmers to justify the expenditure when it happens repeatedly. I am very pleased to see this legislation in place and I hope the LGMA comes through with the protocols in order that local authorities can get this up and running in a legal manner.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

Deputy McAuliffe is right that we need to have positive measures. This is not just about enforcement, catching people and criminality. We have a number of different schemes to promote reduction in litter. There is an anti-dumping initiative, which provides €3 million to local authorities for clean-up operations for removing illegal waste when it has been dumped, for household bulky waste initiatives such as a so-called mattress amnesty and for getting rid of sofas, as well as awareness campaigns, preventative measures and so on.

However, awareness campaigns and these types of positive measures do not work on criminals who are making a living out of this. It does not matter how many times you show them an advertisement that tells them they should not dump; they will do it unless they are caught. There is room as well for evidence gathering and criminal sanction. People who give up their free time to clean up their local area and who go out and pick things up find it galling to then go out and see a sofa being dumped in a field.

Deputy Paul McAuliffe

Hear, hear.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

That is why we need the two things. We need the positive things that help people do the right thing. We also need criminal sanction and evidence against people who are criminals and who are destroying our beautiful environment.

Inland Fisheries

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

65. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will carry out a full review of the role and governance of Inland Fisheries Ireland, in light of recent revelations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9982/23]

Deputy Darren O'Rourke

I want to ask the Minister of State if he will carry out a full review of the role and governance of Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, in light of recent revelations and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

On 14 February the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, appointed Mr. Tom Barry and Mr. Seamus Neely under section 18(5) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 to perform the functions of the IFI pending the appointment of a new, full board through the statutory appointments process, with the support of the Public Appointments Service, PAS. This ensures that the IFI is in a position to continue to perform its functions effectively. In addition to carrying out the core functions of the IFI, set out under section 7 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, the Minister has also instructed Mr. Barry and Mr. Neely to oversee the preparation of a governance review of the IFI, to be delivered within a period of three to six months.

Deputy Darren O'Rourke

To be clear, are Mr. Barry and Mr. Neely conducting the governance review or are they preparing a plan for a governance review? Could the Minister of State clarify that? What is the expected timeline for the new board to be appointed? Does the Minister of State have an indication of when we might expect to see that? What is the process by which that will be conducted?

The most important aspect is the wider investigation into activities. Much has been said and reported about this. Will the Minister of State update the House on any such investigations?

Deputy Ossian Smyth

The role of Mr. Barry and Mr. Neely is to oversee the preparation of a governance review of the IFI and it is their job to complete that within three to six months. The timeline for the appointment of new members to the board will be based on the availability of the Public Appointments Service to carry out that function. I cannot comment on how long that will take without asking that body, but if the Deputy reverts to me, I will give him an answer on that.

As for the broader question of the current position on the protected disclosures that have been made relating to matters relating to the IFI, all the protected disclosures are being investigated, as is appropriate, and these investigations are being carried out in accordance with the provisions of protected disclosure legislation and the established protected disclosure policies in the Department and the IFI. It would not be appropriate to comment on issues identified in the protected disclosures while those processes are under way, but any follow-up actions required on foot of them will be taken.

Deputy Darren O'Rourke

In regard to the sequencing, I am not entirely clear. The two gentlemen have responsibility for overseeing the preparation of a review, but will they conduct the review in that three- to six-month period? Will the Department wait for the conclusion of that protected disclosure process? Will it inform the future functioning of the IFI? Are the Minister and the Department in a position to outline or indicate that they will consider all the information and evidence that comes before those two processes, namely, the governance review and the process of investigations into those protected disclosures? As we might expect, they are very relevant to each other.

Deputy Alan Dillon

This has been an ongoing issue within my part of the country. The importance of the IFI within its remit of protecting rivers and lakes is enormous, so it is vital we get a resolution to the ongoing challenges relating to governance and accountability within the IFI. There is a significant issue relating to the withdrawal of services within the board of the IFI, but the Minister of State's response to the issues Deputy O'Rourke put to the House was very unsatisfactory. The previous board of the IFI failed to get satisfactory assurance on issues over several months and notified the Comptroller and Auditor General via the annual statements of internal control. To date, accounts have not yet been signed off for 2021. This has been raised at meetings of the Committee of Public Accounts on numerous occasions. At the moment, there is an interim measure, with two former county managers having been appointed. That is very concerning, yet the Minister of State is not giving us confidence that this is being fully addressed. Is an internal or independent investigation going on within the IFI to bring to a head the issues relating to financial and other irregularities within the agency?

Deputy Ossian Smyth

Mr. Barry and Mr. Neely have been charged with carrying out this governance review, which amounts to an external review of the governance within the IFI. To give some information on the sequencing for Deputy O'Rourke, it includes an examination of the respective roles of the IFI board and executive. It will be completed within three to six months and include an implementation plan, and the delivery of the plan will be overseen by the new board. The responsibility for the implementation of the findings of the review will be given to the incoming board, in consultation with the Department.

To respond to Deputy Dillon, I regret I cannot say more. I understand the frustration, given this is a serious situation, but, as he will appreciate, protected disclosures have been made and due process has to be followed. Having been delegated power from the Minister, I cannot come to the House and comment on what is happening in a live protected disclosure process. I cannot interfere in that process. It has to be done by the book. The entire process will be followed exactly as laid down in law.

Environmental Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

66. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the proposed charge on single-use coffee cups; the matters causing the delay to its introduction; the anticipated timeline for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9912/23]

Deputy Brian Leddin

I am taking this question on behalf of my party colleague Deputy Ó Cathasaigh. What is the status of the proposed charge on single-use coffee cups? What is causing the delay to its introduction and what is the anticipated timeline for its introduction?

Deputy Ossian Smyth

Following the enactment of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, draft regulations to introduce an environmental levy on single-use disposable cups were published last October for public consultation, together with a comprehensive regulatory impact assessment. The consultation ran for a period of six weeks, providing an important opportunity for all stakeholders to make their views known. The Department received a significant volume of responses to the consultation. In total, 2,371 submissions were received for the three strands, comprising people who drink coffee, people who sell coffee and everyone else in the cup or coffee business, registering a wide range of views on the application of the levy.

A summary consultation report was published online by the Department in December and a full report, including copies of all the submissions received, will be published shortly. The submissions received are also being used to inform an SME test recommended by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which will be published along with the results of the consultation, to show the effect of the regulatory change on businesses.

Once I have fully assessed the output from the consultation process, the regulations will be finalised, submitted to the Government for approval and signed. In recognition of the need to prepare for introducing the levy, I have committed to giving retailers at least three months from when the regulations are signed before they are applied. I will use that time to raise awareness about the levy among the public and retailers to ensure a smooth and successful introduction of the levy for retailers and consumers alike.

Deputy Brian Leddin

I thank the Minister of State. As he will be well aware, 200 million coffee cups go to landfill in this country every year. It is about time we did something about that and I congratulate him on all the efforts he has made to date in that regard. I am a regular customer at the Abbey River Coffee café, located in the historic Potato Market next to Mathew Bridge in Limerick. It is a family-owned and locally run business that has been at the forefront of running a sustainable business since it opened a few years ago. It already runs a deposit-and-return scheme as part of its operations and has been offering a reduction in price on drinks when the customer brings his or her own cup. The owner has implored me a number of times to ask the Minister of State when the levy is going to be introduced. This proactive business, which wants to see progress in the area, is very keen to get on with it and to bring in a system whereby those 200 million paper cups will not go to landfill every year.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

The regulatory impact assessment projected 200 million cups as an absolute minimum and estimates that the real figure could be far higher than that. I expect, as a result of the public consultation, to recommend some changes to what was in the draft regulations. I spoke to many café owners throughout the country to get their direct feedback. As well as waiting for people to come to me, I went to people to ask them what they thought. I believe a number of alternatives to single-use cups will emerge whereby customers who arrive in a café will be offered something else, whether that is a sharing scheme, a cup for purchase with a number of free coffees or a deposit-and-return scheme. People will not be left short. They will be offered something else if they have forgotten their cup that day. I expect the change will be similar to what happened with the plastic bag levy in that people will get used to it.

As for when it will happen, one thing that emerged from the public consultation was that cafés were asking for the longest possible implementation time, of one year or more, while the public was asking for the shortest possible implementation time and wondering why it could not be put in place the following day. The compromise will be somewhere between those two requests.

Deputy Brian Leddin

I welcome the Minister of State's reply. I would say there is overwhelming support among the general public for this measure. I would argue that many businesses are not pulling in the other direction. The business I spoke about in Limerick certainly wants to see progress in the area. It is just one example of thousands across the country that want to do the right thing and that are taking proactive measures. I look forward to reading the report the Minister of State mentioned. I would like to think that the vast majority of people recognise that this is the right thing to do. That 200 million coffee cups a year boils down to approximately 530,000 a day. As the Minister of State said, that is the lower end of the estimate. We need to get on top of this and move as quickly as we can.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

Yes, there is great appetite on the part of the public. Surveys are showing that people want this. However, at the same time I need to ensure that it is a successfully introduced scheme and that it takes account of all the concerns that are raised by cafés which have made their submissions so I am taking time over that. There will be some changes to the draft regulations as a result of what I read. There are cafés, such as Bread 41 on Pearse Street, that have done without disposable cups for some years and that have been very successful as a result. Some cafés have led on this and have saved themselves money, not just in the cost of a cup and lid, which can be 20c or more, but also with regard to the cost of storage and waste disposal. This measure will ultimately benefit both café owners and business, as well as consumers and the natural environment, by reducing litter. Irish Business Against Litter has very clearly said that coffee cups constitute a large portion of the waste it sees when it carries out its surveys.

National Broadband Plan

James O'Connor

Ceist:

67. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department’s plans on how to connect new builds to the National Broadband Ireland, NBI, roll-out, especially if they are in the ready to connect green area; how long this process should take if a new build is in the green area on the NBI's website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9977/23]

Deputy James O'Connor

It is great to see the level of progress in the roll-out of broadband. However, in ready to connect areas, and, thankfully, some parts of my constituency have that status, there is a lack of clarity with regard to people who are in new builds who want to get high-speed broadband connections under the national broadband plan, NBP. In particular, I refer to those in areas that are ready to connect. What is the process for a person with a new build in a ready to connect area who wants to get a broadband connection? What is the Department doing to help them? Will the Minister of State give a statement on the issue?

Deputy Ossian Smyth

I thank the Deputy for acknowledging that the NBP is progressing. More than 120,000 families in rural areas across Ireland can now have access to fibre broadband. One member of the public in Wexford wrote to me to say that she can now use her mobile home because she is connected to the network via fibre.

The Deputy's question is very specific, and it is a good one. All new-build premises in the state intervention area are covered under the NBP project agreement. NBI identifies new premises via Geodirectory updates that are added to the NBP intervention area on a quarterly basis. NBI then undertakes an assessment of the new premises and determines what is required in order for them to be connected to the NBI network in the relevant area. Depending on the outcome of that assessment process, a premises may be part of a future planned build programme or there may be additional work required to connect it if the network build has already begun. The assessment will determine the date for final connection. As an example, following an NBI assessment, approximately 500 new premises, built since the project started, will be able to place orders by 28 February. Further details are available through the NBI website, which provides a facility for the owner of 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 from NBI regarding progress on delivering the network and specific updates relating to their own premises as works commence. I expect that by the end of the year every premises that has been built since the project started will be able to connect to fibre. Our contract does not provide for a short timeline on this. The contract just says that within the seven years of the project deployment you have to connect. That is clearly not good enough if you are in a blue area that seems to have been completed yet you have to wait until the end. I am in talks with NBI about getting better time lines on that but in practice they are being delivered in a short period.

Deputy James O'Connor

I thank the Minister of State for the information provided. I acknowledge that those in areas that have had high-speed broadband roll-out through the NBP have had a very positive experience. There are many households, including my own, where people are working from home and also travelling to and from work. This dual model whereby people might be part of the time in their work premises and part of the time at home is going to be part of the future of working and of remote working. I do not think that full-time remote working is an option for productive work spaces in some cases. However, in some areas it works really well and allows a more family friendly dynamic. That shows why this is important for a couple with a new-build house. I am speaking in general terms but people know what I mean. For a young couple who have just built a house or a young person who has just built their own home, getting connected to broadband in rural Ireland is super-important in the context of their work. Such people might not have the option of accessing remote working hubs.

I thank the Minister of State for some clarification on the matter. It is good news, and something I can go back to my constituents with.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

The Deputy is absolutely right. The NBP is revitalising rural Ireland. It is allowing people to spend time in their home village or at their home farm, with their family, looking after somebody and they can spend time and spend money in their local area. It might not be every day of the week, but just the being able to go back to where they are from and spend time there is breathing new life into areas. You can see it with the new businesses that are springing up in villages around the country. Our contract with NBI states that it does not get paid until it connects people. It gets paid for each premises it connects, so it has a clear incentive. After it connects a premises, there is then a subscription revenue. That is the incentive for it to do the work, and it avoids the problem whereby somebody has not been connected and yet we are still paying. I am very grateful for that.

If the Deputy wants any details on the roll-out in Cork or in any other county, I can provide specific details if it is of use.

Deputy David Stanton

On the same topic, it could even be the same people in the same constituency. I have a young family that built a house recently. Fibre had already passed the house before they could get connected. They have been informed that it could be months before they can be connected. The house has to be surveyed by NBI before it can be connected. The houses on each side are already connected. This man wants to work from home and cannot do so. He is frustrated as to why NBI cannot survey his house in a shorter time. He is being told that NBI cannot do it. This is causing fierce frustration when it has already passed the house and when the houses on either side are connected. Can the Minister of State give us any indication as to how this might be changed?

Deputy Ossian Smyth

In this situation, the road has been connected but their house was built since the line was put in. A survey has to be carried out before the house can be connected. The constituent is frustrated by the length of time that it is taking. That is why I am going to work with NBI to agree on a procedure. At the moment, that person is not guaranteed to get broadband within months. Under the contract, they are guaranteed to get it in years. I want to ensure they are not left until the end. This is a seven-year project. A significant number of people will be getting this in 2025 and 2026, and the Deputy can imagine how frustrated they are. I will work with NBI and see how we can agree a reasonable, fair and practical way to give people an indication of how long it takes to get connected if they have built new homes in the intervention area.

Questions Nos 68 to 90, inclusive, taken with Written Answers.

Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan

David Stanton

Ceist:

91. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the ways his Department is supporting the development of fixed-bottom offshore wind infrastructure for power generation; his further ambitions and development timescales for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9953/23]

Deputy David Stanton

Will the Minister comment on reports at the weekend that floating wind generation may be placed on the long finger? Many companies are worried about this. This question is about fixed-bottom offshore wind infrastructure for power generation, and the ambitions and development timescale for same.

The Minister might also address the really topical matter of the floating offshore wind turbines. There is genuine concern they are being put into a so-called phase 3, with a very long timescale. It is crucial this be addressed and clarified.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

The question is on the roll-out of offshore wind turbines. Seven projects have been granted licences and are being fast-tracked under the old system. A new renewable option will be run for the next phase of projects. The projects will be will be plan led rather than developer led and concentrated in certain areas. The point of this is to speed up the development of offshore wind energy projects, which is a priority in response to the war in Ukraine. It is in line with the REPowerEU strategy, which asks member states to designate certain areas in the marine area as go-to areas where planning permission is granted more quickly with the aim of getting consents issued within 12 months. Shortly, I expect that the Minister, Deputy Ryan, will bring proposals to the Cabinet to approve this approach and we will see our first phase projects being addressed.

Deputy David Stanton

I thank the Minister of State for his response. There is alarm because the Department has done a U-turn on phase 2 projects. Phase 2 involves the next tranche of projects to help deliver on the climate targets for 2030. The industry was assured it would include floating offshore wind projects off the south and west coasts. These have been primed by credible developers who have committed to invest considerable resources in preparing for the opportunity. Will the Minister of State confirm the current situation? Is the Government still committed to allowing the floating offshore wind developments to go ahead, as committed to by the Minister, Deputy Ryan, or has there been a change in policy? This is extremely serious for the industry.

The designated marine area plans for the delineation of zones for the projects in question should be treated in the same way as those for bottom-fixed technology. This would ensure the areas achieve go-to area status under REPowerEU enabling instruments. I urge the Minister of State and Government to clarify this urgently because it is causing considerable confusion and a lack of confidence in what the Government is doing.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

Offshore wind energy is a large part of the decarbonisation process and is absolutely critical. There has been no policy change. Floating wind turbines will be pursued off the west coast because the water is too deep to support fixed-base wind farms. Those of the east and south coasts, in shallower waters, will be progressed first but there has been no change. If anything, the pace has been accelerated. We will use the shortest consenting procedure we can legally obtain while being compliant with EU law. Offshore wind energy developments will be rolled out as fast as possible, and we will continue to liaise with the industry. I speak to offshore wind industry leaders at every opportunity when I am invited and will continue to correspond with them. Their concern is misplaced because there has been no policy change.

Deputy David Stanton

The issue concerns floating turbines versus fixed turbines.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

We are supporting both floating and fixed turbines and there has been no policy change.

An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Bernard J. Durkan)

That concludes Question Time. We overran the runway.

Is féidir teacht ar Cheisteanna Scríofa ar www.oireachtas.ie.

Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.