Other Questions.
6 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself with the level of uptake of DSL broadband connections in the past six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19303/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra72 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to introduce broadband into all schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19287/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra259 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the full extent of requirements in respect of infrastructural investment in telecommunications; the extent to which this requirement is being met at present or is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19569/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 72 and 259 together.
The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market under the regulation of ComReg. In its report, Ireland's Broadband Future, published in December 2003, the Information Society Commission concluded that the market has failed to respond to the demand for broadband connectivity and that there is a proven need for Government intervention to accelerate the provision of infrastructure and the driving of demand.
In December last I announced my Department's broadband action plan, to which I referred earlier. It will result in broadband connectivity being rolled out to 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and over, using community broadband exchanges and strategic fibre. A spend of €35 million each year from now until 2007 has been committed to the broadband action plan.
I also referred to the group broadband scheme which I launched last March and which will allow smaller communities to pool their requirements and obtain broadband connectivity from a range of service providers.
The regional connectivity agreements my Department negotiated with Esat BT and the ESB at prices as low as one eighth of what they had been, mean all areas of the country will benefit from a low-cost backhaul.
The broadband for schools programme will bring connectivity to all 4,100 primary, second level and special needs schools. I am also aware of recent initiatives in the private sector in this respect. As a result of the £77 million investment by the Government in 1999 with Global Crossing, Ireland now heads the OECD league in international connectivity to more than 50 cities in Europe, America and the Far East. The significant reduction in voice and data communications costs to and from Ireland and the allied construction of world class data centres have been instrumental in attracting a number of major companies in the information and communications technology sector to locate their European operations in Ireland.
Internet penetration rates in Ireland are increasing more quickly than in any other European country. In the past 12 months the number of DSL customers has risen from 1,000 to 45,000, with a further 60,000 customers using flat rate Internet access and more than 1,000 using high speed corporate lines. These figures continue to increase dramatically, with upwards of 1,000 new customers being added each week, particularly as a result of the free offers for the summer period by the main service providers. The recent free trial introductory offers announced by Eircom and Esat BT and the entry of NTL into the broadband market are a welcome indication of the increasing interest in broadband as a result of lower prices and greater consumer choice.
Full details of my Department's broadband programmes can be found on the websites, www.dcmnr.gov.ie and www.gbs.ie. My Department will continue to promote the broadband agenda with the aim of providing world class broadband infrastructure in all areas of the country. The continuing aim of the Government is to place Ireland in the top 10% of OECD countries for broadband connectivity within three years.
Is the Minister concerned that Ireland is losing its position at the leading edge of information communication technologies compared with ten or 12 years ago? Will the investment proposed by the Minister return Ireland to the leading edge?
Other European countries have experienced a dramatic uptake in broadband over a relatively short period of two to three years, and that is also being experienced in Ireland. I am convinced that, as a result of the Government's investment in strategic initiatives aimed at introducing broadband in schools, major towns and villages and peripheral areas through the group broadband scheme, Ireland will have a complete, open access, technology neutral infrastructure which will avail of various technologies to ensure broadband penetration into areas that could not be accessed previously.
In addition, the Government reached agreement with the ESB to spend €60 million on backhaul. The ESB wrapped fibre around high tension electricity cables, which has allowed independent operators to piggyback the infrastructure at keen prices — one eighth of what they had been — as a result of an agreement between the Department, the ESB and Esat BT. There was a problem within Ireland, which was not related to connectivity from the island to other countries, as a result of the Global Crossing investment. Earlier I signed a formal contract with E-Net, which will manage all the metropolitan networks. I assure the Deputy that this will ensure Ireland will be at the leading edge of broadband technology.
With regard to supplementary questions, the questioner has one minute and the Minister has one minute to reply.
Will the Minister expand on his interesting announcement regarding the E-Net contract? What are its terms and conditions? How will it operate in the coming years?
The Minister stated a number of months ago that the aim was that broadband connectivity would meet the average EU standard by mid-2005. How many homes and businesses will be connected by then? What is his target for mid-2005?
We want to be in the top 10% of OECD countries within three years. As for the announcement today, the management services entity will manage and operate the completed MANs — the existing MANs — and any new MANs that will be added on. It is basically a services concession contract where the appointee will be expected to offer a service concession fee to the State in the form of a fixed payment and revenue sharing arrangements. It will, in effect, offer very keen rates, dark fibre which will give us the highest of high speeds. Many of the definitions of broadband one sees in documents from the OECD and the EU Commission are not broadband at all but are DSL, which is an introductory broadband facility. What we are putting into the ground in most areas is dark fibre, which will give these areas incredible Internet speed.
Who are eNET?
If the Deputy has other queries he should put down a separate question and I can give him the information.
The Minister mentioned group broadband schemes. Will those be like the group water schemes? Will we be back here in years to come talking about the group broadband schemes that are to go across the country?
Question No. 259 refers to the availability of broadband in schools across the country. I asked the Minister a similar question a year ago and he was unable to answer. What percentage of schools have broadband, either through the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources or the Department of Education and Science?
On DSL broadband, when one is switching over from analog to DSL, the waiting time is up to three months in certain areas. I have a friend in Monkstown and DSL broadband is not available in that area.
I doubt that very much. If they are not able to get it through the wires in the ground they could get it through satellite or wireless, which is as keenly priced as the fixed wire system. ComReg has issued a substantial number of wireless licences which cover the entire country and I do not doubt that a place like Monkstown is facilitated. I invite the Deputy to look up our "vote for broadband" website, which I referred to earlier. People can log on and say they want broadband in their area and we then provide the service providers, who have licences or infrastructure in those areas, with a list of those people. It is a trigger mechanism which has worked very successfully abroad.
The Deputy's other question related to schools. I do not know the proportion but broadband is available to many schools if they require it and many schools in urban areas are DSL-enabled if required. What we are doing with broadband for schools is providing a high-speed broadband Internet access in all schools through a number of technologies at no cost. This is due to the deal we arranged with the industry, where it pays 80% of the cost.
Why has the Minister ignored the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources investigation into broadband — that we should have a co-operative approach, where the MANs are built using a combination of existing fibre from telcos and also, possibly, fibre provided by the Department? In such circumstances, is the Minister worried that without that co-operative approach there may be a falling back from investment by the private telco operators, given the extensive development of MANs which is not using their existing fibre?
Given 45,000 DSL broadband connections have been made so far and 1,000 more are being made per week, that means approximately 70,000 connections by the end of the year whereas the projection from the companies at the start of this year was a target of 100,000 by the end of the year. Is that not a failure in terms of what we were looking for?
I refer to gaps in digital literacy in the State and the effect it can have. If one looks at the figures, one will see that 51% of people from a professional background have access to computers and the Internet while the figure is 9% among labourers. This gap is costing people not only jobs——
A brief question please.
How many applications for funding has the Department received from small communities for self-enabling development of broadband projects where commercial providers are not available?
I do not have the figures on that but the Deputy can log on to my Department's website or to the link for the group broadband scheme which will show what is available. I launched this scheme quite recently and there has been significant interest but I suggest to Deputies here and elsewhere that they should encourage their constituents to use this scheme because grants of up to 55% are available in the Border, midland and west region and a lower figure in the south and east to provide broadband in the peripheral regions.
Will Deputy Eamon Ryan remind me of the point he made?
The Minister is not following the recommendation of the Oireachtas committee——
It is possible for all the companies on a completely open access basis to get into the fibre the State is putting in the ground. No one is excluded from it.
Why are we duplicating?
The Deputy should allow the Minister to speak.
We are not duplicating. That is the song of the private operators which did not want the State providing high speed broadband to the regions——
Can the Minister tell me there is no duplication?
I ask Deputy Eamon Ryan to allow the Minister to speak without interruption.
Deputy Eamon Ryan is only parroting what they are saying. It was only after the State put fibre, which is far faster than the existing network, into the 19 towns that the private companies followed providing DSL. They went into 17 of the areas we chose. The only two areas they did not choose were Manorhamilton and Gweedore. I rest my case.
They also had fibre in the ground.
7 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he intends to introduce measures to provide for the more effective control of jet skis in view of the clear danger these can pose to other water users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19219/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Deputies are aware, my Department has an ongoing safety programme involving a combination of statutory regulation, enforcement and safety awareness promotion with the aim of achieving the highest level of safety at sea and on inland waters.
Two sets of regulations which contain national provisions governing the safe use of jet skis and similar craft are already in force. The Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Craft) (Lifejackets and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2004 contain provisions relating to age restrictions, the carrying, wearing and use of lifejackets and restrictions on the use of alcohol and drugs. These provisions also apply to ski boarding, water skiing, paragliding and other towed rides.
The second set of regulations, the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000 (Prescribed Classes of Vessels) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 285 of 2001) prescribe personal watercraft —— jet skis — and fast power craft for the purposes of careless and dangerous navigation or operation provisions in the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000.
In addition, I am delighted to announce that on 22 June 2004, the Government approved the publication of the Maritime Safety Bill 2004, the purpose of which is to strengthen the law further against the improper use of certain fast powered craft such as jet skis. That Bill will be taken in the Seanad tomorrow. My objective is to have this legislation enacted as soon as possible.
The Bill will provide powers for local authorities to regulate and control the use and operation of jet skis and other mechanically propelled sport and leisure craft in their areas. It also provides for increases in penalties, including a provision for on-the-spot fines and for the seizure and detention of craft suspected to be involved in serious offences. This further strengthening of the law against the improper operation of fast powered watercraft will significantly enhance public safety and amenity and protect natural and other heritage areas.
I join my colleague in Fine Gael in commending the Minister on bringing forward the legislation at long last. As a water sports enthusiast, he has brought forward some other important measures to deal with water safety. On behalf of the Labour Party, I sympathise with the families of the two young men who drowned on Sunday.
It will not be possible to get this legislation through the Oireachtas in the next two weeks. It would have been good to have had it on the Statute Book for the summer season. In regard to the passage of by-laws, I believe the previous legislation referred to had some strong points but varying attitudes were taken by local authorities. Does the legislation mean there will be a uniform approach to the use of jet skis and other such vehicles which will be strictly implemented by the Minister's Department?
I thank the Deputy for his remarks. Up to now, nine local authorities and three port companies have brought in by-laws and regulations for the use of jet skis. I would have liked it to have been more by now. That is one of the reasons we are bringing forward the legislation, namely, to have a uniform approach throughout the country. When we examined the different types of regulations brought in, we saw there were inconsistencies and different treatment between local authorities. I regret that we cannot get the legislation passed sooner as it would increase the fines and strengthen the existing regime. However, I would not like it thought that we do not have a legislative regime in this respect because we do. There is a responsibility on local authorities to bring forward these regulations as soon as possible.
In my county of Wexford there is a major problem with the use of jet skis in Courtown where the beach is very populated during the summer. Parents and users of the beach are concerned about the use of jet skis at sea which could be the cause of accidents. The use of jet skis on rivers is also a problem in the county, of which the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, will be aware.
Fishermen are complaining about jet skis being used on the River Slaney where there is fishing activity and where nets have been laid down. Will the Minister introduce legislation or otherwise so that jet skis can only be used on certain parts of the river? Is it up to the local authorities to police this?
The legislation will take care of the type of situations to which the Deputy referred. I have come across gardaí who have intervened where jet skis have been used dangerously in my area. I compliment the Garda Síochána on intervening in this regard. As the Deputy said, some people are concerned about the use of jet skis. I exhort anyone who has a jet ski to use it in such a way that it does not put themselves or others in danger.
8 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps being taken to protect consumers, particularly children, being targeted by pornographers when third generation mobile phones come on stream; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19206/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the Deputy's concern in regard to this matter. However, legislation already exists to tackle this problem and will apply to 3G services. It is an offence under the section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act 1951 as amended by the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 to send by phone any message or other matter which is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character. It is also an offence under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 to harass a person by use of a telephone. Anyone who has information regarding these matters should bring it immediately to the attention of the Garda Síochána for criminal investigation. Such offences are not the responsibility of ComReg. My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is responsible for policy on the protection of children from the transmission of pornographic images by telephones and other media.
I recently launched an industry code of practice and a parental guide developed by the Irish Cellular Industry Association. The code of practice establishes the standards that mobile operators will adhere to on the issues of parental controls for minors' access to mobile services; malicious or offensive person-to-person communications; unsolicited commercial communications, such as spam; Internet access; and premium-rate services.
The parental guide advises parents on gaining dual control of their child's mobile, recommends action that may be taken to prevent or best protect their child from abuse of available services, and details existing legislative protection.
I fully support any such voluntary measures by the industry that seek to protect consumers, particularly the young and vulnerable. I have offered the co-operation of my staff in the development of further safeguards. The industry has assured me that the protection of young and vulnerable users is a mutual priority.
Officials in my Department have already held discussions with the Irish Cellular Industry Association, licensed operators and ComReg, on the feasibility of introducing a registration system for pre-paid 3G mobile services. The principal aim of any such approach would be to enhance the traceability of origin of inappropriate content transmitted to vulnerable users. Consideration of the legal and technical issues surrounding this proposal will continue in consultation with all interested parties, including the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Data Protection Commissioner.
The Minister made a number of recent statements about concerns that have been raised in this House and in the media concerning the transmission of pornography on 3G telephones, particularly to children. Is the Minister now saying definitively that there will be a full registration system for all 3G handsets as the network gets under way later in the year? The Minister has had discussions with the Irish Cellular Industry Association and has launched an industry code of practice but is he saying definitively that we will have registration? Such registration is critically necessary, given the view expressed by the Minister some months ago concerning the general situation with mobile telephones.
What action does the Minister intend to take about video pornography or graphic spamming on mobile telephones? I understand that in other countries where 3G systems have begun, such material has been used intensively as a marketing tool. Given recent international meetings between apparently respectable mobile telephone companies and elements of the pornography industry, will the Minister act decisively in this area?
None of the mobile operators in Ireland offers adult content services and they have already stated clearly that it is not their intention to ever target particularly vulnerable people in this respect. The advent of 3G telephones which will come on the market towards the end of this year or more likely in the new year, will lead to much greater possibilities for the transmission of unwanted material across telecommunications technology. As we have seen with the Internet, it is an extremely difficult matter to police. We have been having discussions with all the various players about the issue of registration of 3G telephones and those discussions are ongoing. It is my preference, and my Department is of the view also, that there should be a registration system but I am open to other suggestions as to what can be done in this respect.
As I have already stated, if any further legislation is required I will bring it forward. All of this has yet to be finally decided upon but we are holding discussions about it with the Irish Cellular Industry Association, the licence operators and ComReg.
9 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the implications for energy policy of the recent suggestion from the chairman of the ESB that the company would require a double-digit increase in electricity prices in 2005; the amount of the dividend to be paid by the ESB to the Government in 2004; if the Government has considered forfeiting any of this dividend in order to reduce the financial pressure on the company and avert the need for an increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19193/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that the chairman of the ESB, when recently announcing the 2003 financial results of the company, intimated that higher electricity prices could be a possibility in the short term given the increase in oil, gas and coal prices over the past six years. However, I do not have a function concerning the pricing of electricity. The Commission for Energy Regulation was given responsibility for regulating ESB tariffs to its franchise customers under the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000. Previously, the ESB would, by custom and practice, have sought Government approval before increasing its tariffs.
The CER set about a process of rebalancing tariffs ahead of full market opening in 2005, which is required to ensure that all tariffs fully reflect the cost of supplying different categories of customers and to prevent the under-recovery of generation costs. I am advised that the CER has commenced its review of the tariffs to apply from 1 January 2005 and it intends to announce the outcome of this review in September next.
The operations of State companies such as the ESB are increasingly taking place in the context of liberalised competitive markets and they are also increasingly engaged in activities outside their core business. In these circumstances, it is appropriate that they pay dividends to their shareholders out of their profits.
The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act 2001, while providing for the establishment of an employee share ownership plan, ESOP, also repealed the company's break-even mandate which had existed since 1927. This, in essence, means that the ESB may declare and pay dividends in a manner akin to a commercial public limited company.
An agreement was reached between the ESB, the Department of Finance and my own Department on the question of ESB dividends. The agreement provided for a payment of 25% of profits for 2002, growing to 33% by 2005. It should, however, be pointed out that decisions on annual dividend payments to shareholders are ultimately a matter for the board of the ESB.
As regards the 2003 results, the board declared a total dividend of €67.1 million for the year. Some 95% of that amount, €63.7 million, is appropriate to the Exchequer and the remaining €3.4 million, representing 5%, is appropriate to the ESB ESOP.
The CER allows reasonable returns in the regulated segment of the ESB's business. There is no direct link between the CER's decision on prices and the ability of the company to pay dividends. In the circumstances, the question of forfeiture by the State of its portion of the 2003 dividend payment is not on the agenda.
Deputies were disappointed that the Minister was not present in the Chamber for the recent debate on Second Stage of the ESB Bill. His presence would have given us an opportunity to discuss with him in detail the future shape of the electricity market. Is it not true that the €67 million dividend operates as another stealth tax on consumers? The Minister needs to examine this in the context of future pricing, given that during his time in office we have seen a massive 29% increase in electricity prices, which amounts to a price explosion. There is a threat of more price increases to come, particularly concerning the Kyoto accords.
Last weekend was a bad time to be the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, given the bad news about the interconnector to the UK. The Commission for Energy Regulation has asked the Minister to scrap one of the two interconnectors. In the near future we could be threatened not just with amber alerts but also with blackouts because the workforce might withdraw its labour due to major industrial relations concerns. The crux of these concerns is the fact that workers, business, industry and consumers do not know what the Minister intends to do about the electricity market because he will not tell us.
The Deputy is widening the scope of his question.
The likelihood is that when next we meet we will have another Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
The Deputy has exceeded the one-minute limit allowed for his supplementary question.
We will never know what Deputy Dermot Ahern felt about the most important part of his portfolio.
The Deputy has taken nearly two minutes.
As usual, the Deputy is talking through his hat. The fact is that the taxpayer owns 95% of the ESB. Is the Deputy saying that the taxpayer should forgo a dividend in circumstances where that dividend can be used in general taxation to fund schools, roads and hospitals? This company is making a reasonable profit and we should be encouraging companies to do so. It is a pity more semi-State companies are not performing as well as this one.
Others are too.
The Labour Party appears to want it every way. The party should spell out how else we would get this money if not by means of the dividend.
The interconnector project has not been abandoned. That was a totally erroneous headline. I made it clear at the outset that the CER should investigate the possibilities of a merchant or revenue generating operation. There has been huge interest in the building of the interconnector or interconnectors. Although some companies will state we should only proceed with one at this time, it is Government policy that we proceed with two.
Will the Minister tell the CER?
I will listen to the experts in regard to whether we should build one at this time, with a view to building a second.
We must proceed to the next question.
Nonetheless, this is a significant development and I would not wish it to go out that the Government is not behind the building of an interconnector, because it is.
We have exceeded the time allotted for this question.
May I ask just one question?
A short question, very briefly.
The information from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is that gas prices will increase significantly in the short term no matter what happens on the world market because the long-term contracts into which Ireland entered are unfortunately coming to an end. Given that fact, what will the energy companies do to keep prices down if we do not raise prices? The Minister stated that the ESB is engaged in outside core business activities. Will he outline what those activities are?
If we could get the Corrib gas on stream it would help.
Preferably safely.
In that context, perhaps the Deputy will get some of his cohorts to withdraw their unreasonable objections to it.
The objections are totally reasonable.
In such circumstances, we might as a nation become self-sufficient in gas, which would reduce gas prices, particularly if we can discover more and more indigenous gas.
Will the Minister answer the question?
The ESB is involved in wind and other renewable energy projects and is investing in generation in other countries, thereby increasing its portfolio. Thankfully, all the company's decisions have been profitable for taxpayers and have lead to the company's increased profits.
10 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the proposed renovations to Moneypoint power station will allow for any amount of wood biomass material to be included in the fuel mix for the plant; and if so the type and amount of wood material that can be used. [19313/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter of the type of fuel that can be used in Moneypoint electricity generating station is a technical matter for the ESB and not one in which I have a function. However, it is my understanding that the Moneypoint plant operates as a 915 MW coal-fired generating station, with a capacity to switch to heavy fuel-oil in exceptional circumstances such as when coal supplies are not available.
The company formally submitted to my Department on Friday, 25 June 2004 its proposals in regard to the future operation of the plant in light of obligations imposed under the EU large combustion plant and the national emission ceiling directives. The obligations under these directives must be met by 2008 and 2010, respectively.
The company's proposals entail the installation of additional specialised equipment to reduce significantly the existing levels of sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions in line with the obligations under the directives already referred to. The proposals also include an element of renewal and upgrading of existing parts of the station to ensure the plant's continued operation for an extended period beyond its current projected lifetime until around the year 2020.
As far as I am aware, the proposed works to be carried out on Moneypoint will not change the plant from being a primarily coal-fired generating station, as is currently the case. The question of whether the renovations will allow for the burning of fuels or materials other than coal or heavy fuel-oil is a technical matter for the company and not one in which I have a function.
Given that the Minister has a role in reducing our CO2 emissions and that the plant upgrade will not do so, since we will not benefit from the 3.5 million tonne reduction in CO2 predicted for Moneypoint in the national climate change strategy, will he not instruct the company to make it a condition of any future operation of the plant that it includes a percentage of wood material which is CO2 neutral? When will the Department take a technical view on this matter?
The ESB's proposals came to the Department last Friday and are being examined. The proposals will be brought before the Cabinet to make a decision in regard to approval. It is not for the Government to decide what can or cannot be used, it is a matter entirely for the ESB.
Is the Minister concerned about the pension deficit of €510 million published in the ESB's recent annual report which, according to accountants, the FRS17 provision may increase to €900 million? Does he have concerns about this level of pension liability in a semi-State company?
That is a separate question.
It is an additional question to the Minister.
The Deputy will have to table a separate question on that subject.
The Minister wants to answer it.
The Deputy could have asked the question in the context of the previous question.
11 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the long-standing campaign by organisations representing citizens with a hearing disability for 100% subtitling of television programmes by 2010; the steps he intends to take to ensure equality of viewing rights for all citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19195/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra254 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his policy on the development of subtitled television broadcasts to allow persons with poor hearing to enjoy the full benefit of television programmes; and if he envisages introducing legal obligations on broadcasters to fulfil targets in this regard. [19465/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 254 together.
Section 19(11) of the Broadcasting Act 2001 provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland shall make rules requiring each broadcaster to take specified steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment by persons who are deaf or hard of hearing on programmes transmitted by each broadcaster.
As the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland is a statutorily independent body, I have no day-to-day role in the making of those rules. However, my Department has requested the commission to give priority to this work. I understand the commission's work is now well advanced. The commission held a number of forum style meetings involving the various interested parties in the final quarter of last year.
The format of the consultative process was decided on by the commission having consulted with interested organisations representing people who are deaf or hard of hearing. I understand that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland is now nearing the end of its work which is now focused on finalising access rules. While I do not have a role in drawing up the rules that would apply to both broadcasters licensed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and to RTE, I am in agreement with the principle established in the Broadcasting Act 2001 that people who are deaf or hard of hearing should have improved access to broadcast services and that this access should be formally provided for by the broadcast regulator, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.
I also welcome the commitment by RTE to increase the subtitling of home-produced programming at peak time on RTE 1 and Network 2. As part of a four-year plan RTE has committed to continuing to increase the number of hours of home-produced programming with subtitling at peak time from 620 hours in 2002 to 1,116 by 2006. This represents an increase of 80% over the period.
I recently met members of the Irish Hard of Hearing Association on behalf of the Labour Party. I was a little shocked and taken aback by their presentation, particularly in regard to the performance of some Irish broadcasters such as TV3, on which subtitling is practically non-existent. The association gave credit to RTE, particularly RTE One, for achieving an 80% standard, but pointed out that we should emulate the BBC and other British commercial stations on which there is a major take-up of facilities for people who are hard of hearing or deaf.
Does the Minister agree this is a fundamental equality issue? Does he further agree it is time, rather than throwing the issue to another quango or to the BCI as regulator, for him to take a political decision and state that we will have 100% subtitling on all our TV stations by 2009 or 2010? We want that standard because it is an equality issue. It should be done.
It is not for me to make a political decision in this respect.
The Minister is a politician.
The Deputy was a Member when the Broadcasting Act 2001, supported by the Labour Party, was passed.
We tried to amend it and we failed.
Section 19(11) requires the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland to make rules regarding subtitling requiring each broadcaster to take specific steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment by persons who are hard of hearing of programmes transmitted. The Deputy cannot have it every way.
We tried to amend it but the Minister would not let us.
As usual the Labour Party wants to have it every way. The Deputy is giving out about quangos. It was set up by the Labour Party. The Oireachtas gave it the power to makes these rules independently of the political process. I fully accept RTE. The beauty of a public service broadcaster is that it responds much better than the private sector to issues such as this. One of the reasons I brought forward RTE's charter was to include the guiding principles for which the taxpayer will get a return for the investment being made in the licence fee. It was a pity the Labour Party did not make a submission to the consultation process when the charter was going through. The Deputy could have made all those points in the submission.
The Minister said this is a priority issue for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. When will it be implemented? Is the Minister aware the hard of hearing and the deaf are interested in politics and that many have difficulty following "Oireachtas Report"? What is the priority? Is there a lack of will or is it a matter of cost?
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland undertook significant consultation in this respect. It had a number of fora chaired by Kieran Mulvey on 7 and 25 November 2003, 11 December 2003 and 14 January 2004. These fora were attended by representatives of the indigenous broadcasters, ComReg, cable operators, the Irish Deaf Society, the Irish Hard of Hearing Association, the National Association of Deaf People and the National Council for the Blind. A series of bilateral and technical sub-committee meetings were also held. These are being evaluated. The work is well advanced.
When?
The consultation document is being prepared for issue to the public in July 2004. Under the legislation, the commission is required, by statute, to make available to the public a copy of any of the draft rules for inspection. It is proposed, in addition to a public notice on radio regarding the consultation, the draft rules should be circulated to a wide range of organisations, groups and individuals and, thereafter, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland will make a decision. The timeframe for the consultation is July to mid-September with consideration of responses by the commission in October 2004. It hopes to have the access rules come into effect before December 2004.
12 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the meetings he has had in the past year regarding the development of the Corrib gas field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19292/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have organised no meetings regarding the proposed development of the Corrib gas field in the past year.
The Deputy will be aware from previous replies that the Corrib gas field project has been the subject of lengthy planning processes over the past two years. These processes are not complete and An Bord Pleanála is currently considering a number of objections lodged following the granting of planning permission by Mayo County Council in respect of the proposed gas terminal at Bellanaboy. No representations have been made to me by the developers over the past year seeking meetings with me in respect of any aspects of the Corrib development.
A meeting took place on 19 September 2003 at which the Taoiseach and a number of Ministers were present. This meeting was requested by Shell. The Shell representatives took the opportunity to brief the Taoiseach and Ministers on the then state of the project and the concerns of the company regarding the planning and appeal process regarding the Bellanaboy site. No other meetings between the company and myself have occurred in the period referred to in the question. In the past year my Department has had a total of six meetings with Shell regarding the Corrib development.
What assurances has the Minister of State given to the developers, Shell, prior to the matter going to An Bord Pleanála? Has he met objectors and environmental groups in Mayo during the past two years? I understand the Minister of State said he had no meetings with the developers but has he met any of the environmental groups in Mayo and, if so, did he give them any undertakings? When is it expected the matter will come back from An Bord Pleanála? If the outcome of the planning issues is positive for developers what will be the next step for the Department?
I did not make any commitments to Shell nor did I meet any of the environmental groups from Mayo. As the Deputy is aware, Shell submitted a planning application to Mayo County Council on 17 December 2003. Planning permission was granted by Mayo County Council on 30 April 2004 for a gas terminal with 75 conditions. The decision by Mayo County Council was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by 14 parties. Shell also lodged an appeal regarding some of the conditions. The matter is now with An Bord Pleanála and I have no intention of getting involved with that body. We await its decision.
Did any other public representatives from the county involved attend the meeting in December 2003?
At the meeting with the Taoiseach and the chief executive of Shell on 19 September 2003 were the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen.
There was no public representative from the county involved at that meeting.
13 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans his Department has for the site owned by his Department in Ferrybank, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19293/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe site at Ferrybank consists of reclaimed foreshore. This reclamation took place as part of the works connected with the Wexford main drainage scheme and involved the deposition at Ferrybank of material that had been dredged or excavated elsewhere in the harbour.
The lease that was granted under the Foreshore Acts to authorise the deposition of the dredge spoil and other material at Ferrybank has expired. In those circumstances and as the area concerned now consists of reclaimed foreshore, the land in question is State property within the meaning of the State Property Act 1954. The Foreshore Acts do not apply to it.
I am conscious that the land occupies a strategically important location within Wexford Harbour. Accordingly, I view it as essential that an appropriate use is identified for the area that will integrate well with overall plans for the harbour area and Wexford generally. I understand the Office of Public Works is considering the area in question, along with a number of other possible alternatives, as a potential location for the proposed new headquarters of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I am advised also that the Wexford local authorities have given preliminary consideration to the possible use of part of the area for amenity and related purposes.
In view of this interest and given the location of the land in question, I believe there are good prospects for the early identification of an appropriate form of beneficial use for the land in question.
I welcome the fact that this site is being considered as a potential location for the proposed new headquarters of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when it moves to Wexford. This would make an excellent site. However, certain conditions would have to be laid down before any building takes place on the site.
The Minister of State will be well aware it was invaded by wealthy business people, namely, Travellers, on the last bank holiday weekend. Wexford County Council has stated this site will not be used again by Travellers or convoys. The use of the site on the last bank holiday weekend had serious repercussions for the business people and the adjoining River Bank Hotel, which had to close that weekend. Who paid for the clean up operation on the site? Did the Department incur any of the expenditure, through Wexford County Council, because it owns the site or did the council incur the full cost?
When does the Minister of State think we will receive an answer from his Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on a deal with the OPW if the new decentralisation package is to be put in place and the building constructed on the site in question?
I hope the OPW will make a decision quickly on the site in question and allow us to locate the headquarters of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government there. I welcome the fact that Deputy Kehoe is in favour of decentralisation given the comments of his Leader and deputy leader on "Morning Ireland" recently, both of whom appear to be totally opposed to it.
They are trying to have it every way.
The Minister should get off the platform. Fianna Fáil cannot have it every way either. In the budget the party cannot make promises it cannot or does not intend to keep. It is about time the party came clean on that and cut out the nonsense.
Fine Gael Deputies say one thing here and then go home where they say something else. They are hypocrites.
Shortly after the recent site invasion, I attended a meeting in Wexford with representatives of the OPW, Wexford County Council and my departmental officials to see what co-operative measures could be put in place to resolve the difficulty. Wexford County Council is seeking proposals on security measures for the site and we hope decisions will be made shortly. I am sure the council in conjunction with the OPW and my Department will discuss the issue of costs. I read in a newspaper last week that Wexford County Council has paid approximately €50,000 to clean up the site but I am not sure who will ultimately bear the cost.
14 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he intends to bring proposals to Government to establish TG4 as an independent statutory entity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19213/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraTG4 is primarily an Irish language television station. It first broadcast on 31 October 1996 and is currently part of the RTE family of services. While the station is overseen by Comhairle Teilifís na Gaeilge, a body appointed by the RTE authority, the programme for Government featured a commitment to support the development of Irish language broadcasting and establish TG4 as a separate statutory body. TG4 provides a comprehensive range of programmes primarily in the Irish language which reflect the cultural diversity of the whole island. These include programmes which entertain, inform and educate, cover sporting, religious and cultural activities and cater for the expectations of all age groups in the community whose preferred spoken language is Irish or who otherwise have an interest in Irish. TG4 also provides news and current affairs programming primarily in the Irish language and covers proceedings in the Houses of the Oireachtas and the European Parliament. Furthermore, the station facilitates contemporary cultural expression and encourages and promotes innovation and experimentation in broadcasting.
While TG4 is primarily funded from grant-in-aid by my Department, it receives income from advertising. Section 47 of the Broadcasting Act 2001 provides for one hour of programming to be provided by RTE to TG4 each day. Provision of approximately €24 million in grant-in-aid has been made for TG4 in 2004. The Broadcasting Act 2001 provides for the establishment of TG4 as an independent statutory entity and I intend to bring forward proposals shortly to give effect to the commitment in the programme for Government in this regard.
At exactly this time last year, the Minister's progress report on the programme for Government indicated that proposals would shortly be brought forward to establish TG4 as a separate statutory body. "Shortly" has now become 13 months. When does the Minister intend to bring forward the necessary legislation? Is it the case that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Bill must first be introduced to allow the Minister to see the overall shape of public service broadcasting or has the Minister given any thought to this scenario?
In his progress report, the Minister referred in the context of Irish language broadcasting to the 5% fund. Does the Minister have any details and figures on the operation of the fund? How much has been drawn down and how much will be used for Irish language programming?
I suggest the Deputy should put down a separate question on the 5% fund. I understand that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland is bringing forward as part of its duties details of a draft scheme on the disbursement of the fund.
There has been a slow down on the decision to establish TG4 as a separate statutory entity due to the fairly dramatic decisions we have made on foot of the licence fee increase. We have now decided strategically to bring forward a Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Bill whereby RTE will be subject to the same regulation as independent operators. Funding into the future is also an issue for TG4. Additional costs which may be incurred when the station leaves the RTE umbrella organisation must be considered.
The Minister mentioned Comhairle Teilifís na Gaeilge in his reply. Does he intend to establish a separate authority in the independent statutory system or will the broadcasting authority have responsibility for all broadcasting when it takes over from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland? We all agree that TG4 has done an outstanding job on the reporting of the proceedings of the Houses of the Oireachtas and politics generally. Given its past achievements, does the Minister envisage a special role for TG4 in the projected Irish parliament channel about which we have talked on some committees dealing with broadcasting?
I agree with Deputy Broughan that TG4 has an exemplary record which is one of the reasons we wish it to be established as a separate entity. I expect the station will operate under a Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Act or pre-existing legislation as a separate commercial entity. TG4 has been reasonably successful in promoting the Parliament and I encourage it to proceed on that basis.
15 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of wind energy sites that have received grant aid from his Department in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19289/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraBuilding of renewable energy based electricity generating plants is supported by my Department under the alternative energy requirement programme, AER VI. According to the underlying principle of this competitive process, prospective generators are invited to make a formal application to build, own and operate newly installed renewable energy based electricity generating plant and to supply electricity to the ESB under a power purchase agreement of up to 15 years. Prospective generators who submit the lowest bids in each category are offered contracts up to the available capacity. Under the most recent competitions, AER V and AER VI, which were launched in 2001 and 2003 respectively, there was no grant-aid associated with the offers of contracts. Although my Department has not provided grant aid to any wind energy site in the past year, there may be project investors who continue to enjoy tax benefits under section 486B of the Finance Act 1997 as inserted in 1998.
Sustainable Energy Ireland administers a renewable energy research, development and demonstration programme which has an overall budget of €16.25 million to 2006. The programme is open to all renewable energy technologies and covers policy studies, field research, feasibility studies and technology research, development and demonstration proposals. The programme aims to stimulate deployment of renewable energy technologies close to market and address information and education needs to raise the awareness and willingness of all relevant players to actively engage in the market. The main focus of the programme is on stimulating increased application and deployment of renewable energy technologies. While Sustainable Energy Ireland has approved two wind energy projects for funding under the programme, neither has received any payment as state-aid clearance must first be obtained from the European Commission.
As a strong supporter of wind energy, I welcome the alternative energy programme. However, smaller operators which have received planning permission and funding are unable to obtain contracts under AER VI. The people who are trying to develop wind energy production must be looked after in some way.
I agree that a strong element of the Government's policy is to increase the number of renewable energy projects and the AER VI contract situation has brought forward a considerable number of those. Matters have slowed somewhat because of the moratorium, but that has been lifted. In conjunction with the various players involved, I recently set up a renewable energy forum, which is meeting as we speak, to bring forward an agreement between all the operators and interests on the way forward, especially in terms of the significant technical issues. I am glad to report that significant progress has been made by the group.
Does the Minister agree that, given the developments of the past year in wind turbine technology which allow turbines to ride through any fault in the grid system and to assist the grid operator in terms of voltage and frequency consistency, the stated level of wind generated electricity we could take, which was stated as 800 MW by the Minister in committee, now looks to be a cautious figure? Given the new technology breakthrough, we could now take 2,000 MW or 3,000 MW on to our system. Has the Minister or the Department taken an official position on that?
At the Select Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources last week the ESB admitted that its innovative and welcome Kish bank development has severe difficulty in getting off the ground and looks like it will not be built within the timeframe specified under the terms of AER VI. If an operator who has been offered an AER VI contract is clearly unable to meet the deadlines, will the Department wait until the end of the timeframe it set out or, where it is clear a project is not being developed sufficiently quickly, will it intervene and reallocate the AER VI funding to a different operator?
We have brought forward a consultation process to decide where we move following the success of the AER VI programme. I would like to think we will move to a new system of awarding contracts or enticing new projects into the system.
I accept that, with new technology and better understanding of the complex technical issues, it is possible to put extra capacity on the grid. While my aspirations are one matter, we must be cautious to ensure that we do not cause blackouts because of the huge amount of wind energy being put on the system. That would cause difficulty in time of need.
I know six jobs will be created from what will possibly be the largest wind farm in the world, Bellacorick. However, given that 300 people will lose their jobs in the area and that three new peat burning plants will open in the midlands, what plans has the Minister for those 300 people in Mayo? An independent report is needed. The peat is available in Mayo, which could ensure Bellacorick would stay open or perhaps a new station could be provided like in the midlands where there are three new stations.
Will the Minister stop the destruction of acid drains to make way for a wind farm which will only employ six people while 300 people are made redundant? Will he allow an independent report to be carried out to prove Bellacorick peat plant could continue or that a new peat plant should be built for the west which is the most socio-economically deprived area in Ireland? Will he ensure the destruction of the drains is stopped so that whatever is in Bellacorick can be preserved to allow a new power station to be developed for the people of the west who need it more than those in the midlands?
Will the Minister indicate to the House when small operators can expect to receive the go-ahead for their wind farms? They have spent money and need to know when they can begin.
These are issues for the national grid, Eirgrid, and for the particular project people. The moratorium has been lifted and I would like to see some progress in the area.
With regard to the issues raised by Dr. Cowley, these are commercial decisions which are made by ESB and I have no involvement in that respect.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
