Trevor Sargent
Ceist:1 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the reason the CSO no longer publishes figures for electricity generating station output; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30927/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraElectricity Generation.
Ceisteanna (1)
Freagraí ó Béal (13 píosaí cainte)
Traditionally, the CSO has compiled a monthly series on the output of electricity generating stations based on information provided by the ESB. This is a long-standing series dating back to 1931.
The introduction of competition in the supply of electricity has made the measurement of total output in the sector more complex than before. The latest figures available are from July 2003. The CSO is currently in active discussions with the relevant data providers and hopes to be able to resume publication of monthly figures on electricity generation before the end of 2004. This will include a full monthly series from July 2003 onwards and the figures will be published on the CSO website.
I thank the Minister of State for his response which indicated the real reason the information is not provided in the form it used to be, namely, because of competition. Does he regret this information is no longer available in this form? The information should be available on a station by station output basis not only for economic reasons but for sound environmental reasons. We generate electricity in different ways. We use coal, gas, peat and, in a small but, hopefully, increasing way, we use renewable sources, such as wind. If we are to measure the cost of producing electricity, we need——
A question please.
The competition element is not a satisfactory——
We are dealing with a question with a very narrow content. It is purely a statistical question. The Deputy should confine himself to that and ask questions——
My question has two parts. I am trying to get the Minister of State's opinion on the fact the statistics have been available on a station by station output basis, but we have no statistics on the environmental impact and cost of electricity generation per station and, with the onset of competition, per company. What measures does the Minister of State intend to put in place to ensure such information is available in the future?
Following the introduction of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the Commission for Energy Regulation issued more than 40 electricity generation licences. This has made the measurement of electricity generation more complex but, as I said, it is being resolved. We are trying to establish the total amount going onto the network.
As part of its overall strategy to develop greater use of statistics in policy making, the CSO is preparing a report on data needs in the areas of economic and environmental statistics. This follows on similar work it did on social statistics. The CSO report on this project will identify data needs in regard to a wide range of topics, including energy and electricity, and will also examine the potential of administrative data sources to meet some of the information needs. The report should be available from the CSO earlier next year.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Is he aware there is an inexplicable situation in respect of CSO figures in that since July 2003, information on generating station output has not been available? My colleague, Deputy Boyle, quite rightly asked that such information be more detailed, not stopped altogether, given the importance of knowing how we are managing in terms of efficiency, future fuel security and our obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. That relates to price as well. Is the Minister of State aware there is approximately 70% efficiency in a number of ESB generating stations?
The Deputy is going outside the content of the question.
Is the Minister of State concerned that for some inexplicable reason, the CSO ceased to publish figures on electricity generating station output in July 2003 and that we are now in a vacuum? Policy cannot be properly planned in a vacuum. What is the Minister of State going to do to ensure the figures are not only produced but are diversified so we have an idea of the output of each generating station, including wind and other sources?
Liberalisation and the fact there are 40 electricity generating licences has made this complex. As I said, the ESB is addressing this, so let us see what it produces. I agree we need the maximum amount of information. In the monthly and annual industrial statistics, the CSO compiles other statistics, for example, value of output, turnover and employment on the overall electricity, gas and water sector. The statistics include the monthly index numbers on production and turnover and annual figures on output and costs on industrial production. The CSO is aware of the issues and problems raised by the Deputies which are being dealt with. Let us see what it produces. This has come about because of changes in the electricity market.
I asked a question specifically about the CSO, not the ESB. I asked why the CSO no longer publishes figures for electricity generating station output. The Minister of State replied that the ESB is addressing this matter. Is the CSO going to publish the figures? If it cannot get figures from the ESB for reasons best known to that company, there should be a heading stating "no figures forthcoming". Currently we do not even have such a heading. We have ceased to produce figures on electricity generating station output since July 2003. That seems to be a decision of the CSO. As the Minister of State responsible for the CSO, will it redress that omission?
The CSO is addressing this omission and will publish the figures shortly.
Tourist Numbers.
Ceisteanna (2, 3)
Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:2 Mr. Deenihan asked the Taoiseach the number of tourists travelling here from the United Kingdom for 2004 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31477/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraJimmy Deenihan
Ceist:3 Mr. Deenihan asked the Taoiseach the number of tourists travelling here from the USA for 2004 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31476/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí ó Béal (40 píosaí cainte)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
The latest relevant statistics from the CSO, with a breakdown of visitors by area of residence, relate to the period 1 January to 30 September 2004. Information on visitors from the USA is combined with the numbers from Canada. There were 781,000 overseas visits to Ireland by residents of the USA and Canada in the first nine months of this year compared with a figure of 719,000 in the same period last year. This represents an increase of 8.6%. There were 2.841 million overseas visits to Ireland by residents of Great Britain in the first nine months of 2004 compared with 2.878 million in the same period of 2003. This represents a fall of 1.3% in travel from Great Britain.
Overall, there were 5.147 million overseas visits to Ireland between January and September this year. This compares with 5.009 million overseas visits in the first nine months of 2003, an increase of 138,000 or 2.8% in the number of inbound visitors.
I realise this is a statistical question but, nevertheless, surely the Minister of State must be concerned about the drop in the number of visitors from the UK in September which was down 6.2% on September 2003 and down 2.8% for the third quarter.
The Chair is reluctant to intervene but this is purely a statistical question to the Minister of State. Questions on the tourism industry are for the line Minister, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.
I realise that. I was just making an observation. In regard to the method of collecting data, surely the Minister of State agrees that the interval between the collection of data and their publication is too long. This information is critical to the tourism industry as it is a barometer for it at a particular time. I am sure the Minister of State will agree the publication of this material takes far too long to enable the industry and the agencies, both Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, to respond. Will the Minister of State give the House an assurance that he will examine the interval between the collection and publication of such material? Will he also indicate what is the current interval? If I asked the Minister of State about the regional spread of visitors coming here, he would not be able to provide the statistics because there is no regional breakdown on the numbers of people coming into Ireland. There is no way in which we can compare regional performance without those figures. In certain parts of the country people may say they did not see a tourist this year but there is no way to confirm or deny whether that is so. In providing future statistics, will the Minister of State also be able to include regional spread? From the point of view of spatial planning and regionalisation generally, surely it is important for the Government to know where tourists are going. It is obvious that they are staying in Dublin and the eastern region generally but, from the point of view of spatial strategy, it is important to know why tourists are going to certain areas and not others. If certain destinations are doing well, we should have the relevant statistics and the reasons why.
I agree with the Deputy that the more up-to-date information we have the better. I am furnishing the House with figures from 1 January to 30 September 2004. We went through these figures recently in the House and, from memory, the most recent figures became available on the same day. I will convey the Deputy's views to the Central Statistics Office on the need for updated information. On the last occasion, we had an extensive debate on this matter in the House and discussed the issue of regional considerations. I think we covered them quite adequately at the time.
Surveys are carried out at the main ports and airports. The CSO is examining the issue of regional focus and is considering looking at regional airports, including Kerry Airport. Following the last debate, I spoke to representatives of the CSO and they are aware of the comments that have been made in the House. They will do their best to follow up on the points that have been raised.
As regards the tourism balance of payments, does the Minister of State have statistics to show what Irish people going out of the country spent, as opposed to what was spent by those coming into the country? In September, for example, Irish people leaving the country spent €97 million more in foreign destinations than tourists coming into the country spent here. Therefore, there is a deficit in the tourism balance of payments, which should surely give rise to concern. I would like the Minister of State to provide statistics for the year to date on outward expenditure versus spending here in Ireland.
I have some of the data here but I will forward to the Deputy any material I do not have to hand. My file contains a table showing the number of overseas visitors to Ireland and their expenditure here. The figures relate to the first nine months of 2002, 2003 and 2004, classified by areas of residence. It contains a breakdown on Great Britain, other Europe, USA and others. The total from January to September 2002 is 4,779,000, while for the same period in 2003 it was 5,009,000.
Is that the expenditure?
Yes, that is the total expenditure by overseas visitors.
Those are the visitor numbers.
My apologies, that is the number of visits. I am reading from the wrong chart. The totals are €2.43 billion, €2.5 billion and €2.55 billion. I will be glad to convey those figures to the Deputy in writing. The information is there, however.
Do the USA figures include the illegal transportation of American troops through Shannon for the criminal war in Iraq? Will the Minister of State tell us what the total would be if these troop numbers were included? If they are not included, will he tell us what is the omitted figure?
My first answer will nullify the other answers. These people are not included.
What about people being brought to Guantanamo Bay?
What would the figure be if they were included?
I do not know. The Deputy will have to direct his question elsewhere. I do not have the answer.
These people arrive here, they land on Irish soil——
They drink Irish coffee.
——they drink Irish coffee and partake of our hospitality in various ways.
It is great for the economy.
They are tourists, in some sense, so why would they not be included in the figures? Will the Minister of State seek to include them in the figures in order to give a truer picture of the reality of transport through Shannon?
It would boost the Minister of State's figures.
I answered this question on the last occasion. They are not included as far as the CSO is concerned.
They do not exist.
If they are included by any other Department, however, I will be glad to seek them for the Deputy.
What about the prisoners being brought to Guantanamo Bay?
They do not get the Irish coffee.
What sort of detail is compiled on visitors coming into the country? Does it include their reasons for coming here, rather than any other destination? Do visitors believe that this country provides value for money? We should have these statistics. The opinions of tourists leaving the country should be polled so we can design and develop information campaigns targeting visitors. We should know why visitors come to a particular location here. Is it because of the type of advertising that is run abroad? Is that type of information currently being collated and, if not, does the CSO have any plans to collate it?
The categories under which these questions are posed include business, visits to friends or relatives, holidays, leisure and recreation. There is another category for "other reasons". We had a lengthy discussion the last time this matter was raised and the CSO is examining some of the suggestions that were made then.
The Minister of State referred to the amount of money being spent by tourists travelling from the USA and the UK. Can he say whether the figure is more or less than the amount being spent by Irish people abroad? According to one newspaper report, some 16% of disposable income is being spent abroad. In that context, is a balance being struck or are tourists here spending more than Irish people on foreign holidays?
That matter is not included in the two questions under discussion.
The Minister of State raised it in terms of money being spent.
That matter is not included as regards this particular question but I recall informing the House on the last occasion that the figures for people travelling abroad have increased dramatically. I will be glad to obtain figures for the Deputy on the numbers travelling abroad. We touched on that matter on the last occasion we debated the issue.
Are Irish people living abroad who return to visit their families or to attend weddings or funerals, as well as students coming to study here, included in the figures provided by the Minister of State?
People omitted from these figures include those going on business trips to London or Brussels, for example, or those travelling to football matches in the UK or other places. People coming here from abroad to visit relatives and so on will be included. I will check the position regarding students and return to the Deputy.
My point is that we are not getting many visitors from the UK. Some 50% or more consist of Irish people coming back to visit.
The Deputy is moving onto another issue.
It is an important point.
I wish to ask a version of the question posed earlier by Deputy Deenihan regarding the availability of statistics for visitors to different regions of Ireland. Are there corresponding statistics to indicate from which regions in different countries, such as the US and UK, visitors come? The majority of US citizens do not hold a passport so visitors from that country are obviously concentrated in particular areas. In addition, there are variations in wealth in different regions of the UK. Information in this regard would be helpful in terms of marketing the country abroad and of identifying the type of tourist we attract. Does the CSO collaborate with other statistical organisations in the US and the UK to look for that type of detailed information? Do we correlate our information with that available from these other organisations?
I presume such collaboration is in place but will verify that for Deputy Boyle. It is important that such information be obtained by the CSO. The latter carries out professional work on a daily basis, undertaken in various ports and airports. It is practical to ask a visitor from the US, for example, in which region of that country he or she resides. I will convey the Deputy's suggestions to the CSO and pass on any relevant information to him.
Information Technology and Communications.
Ceisteanna (4)
Enda Kenny
Ceist:4 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the costs which have accrued to his Department in respect of the Information Society Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32025/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí ó Béal (35 píosaí cainte)
Since 1997, the Government has established two Information Society Commissions, each of which was created to act as an independent advisory body to Government on matters relating to the information society. The current commission was set up in November 2001 and is due to end its term of office on 31 December 2004. A sum of €347,961 has been spent in respect of the Information Society Commission so far this year. The figures for the previous years are as follows: 2003, €600,456; 2002, €514,954; 2001, €305,638; 2000, €635,726; 1999, €661,645; 1998, €647,832; and 1997, €195,122.
During its term of office, the commission has published a number of influential reports on a range of topics and conducted a number of policy seminars. As it comes to the end of its remit, I take this opportunity to thank the members for their hard work, commitment and freely-given expertise over the last three years.
Will the Government appoint another commission? If so, when will the appointment take place? Does the Government believe that the work of the commission has represented good value for money? How many reports has the Government received and has it acted on those reports?
The commission will report to me shortly. We have not made a decision as to what the follow-up to the commission should be. Such a decision would be premature because I wish to hear what the commission members have to say. The commission, which included representatives from the social partners, experts and so on, has done tremendous work on a voluntary basis. I reiterate my previous assertion that my plan for the next two years is to consider new connections, examine the commission report and consider the best approach.
Technology is a fast-moving and agile area and there is a number of aspects to consider. One is the need to promote innovation. We have spoken about creating an island of ingenuity and our objective must be to develop a unique competitive advantage for Ireland. We have already shown our excellence as a knowledge society and must continue to create an environment for innovation. Our job in the Department of the Taoiseach is to plan and develop strategy in this area.
Another objective is to concentrate on usage rather than just technology. A stronger focus should be given to meaningful use and content. We must also ensure that our policies are inclusive. In this context, I highlight the needs of elderly people whose independence can be preserved through access to technology. In addition, I have had the privilege of working with organisations for persons with disabilities since my appointment, including Enable Ireland and the National Disability Authority. Much good work is ongoing in this regard. Another element of our policy is to encourage community involvement. As Deputy Stanton is aware, the Mo Bhaile project is progressing well. Our aim is to facilitate local authorities in involving communities in e-Government.
Another area worthy of examination by the Oireachtas is the issue of e-democracy. The websites of the Scottish and British Parliaments indicate the good work done in those jurisdictions in establishing a connection between public administration and citizens through information technology. We can do much work in this area. Improved access to information is the lifeblood of democracy. This is an issue I will explore in conjunction with the Whips. Enough reports have been produced to allow us to move forward with a good agenda.
The Minister of State says that competitiveness is important. How can he expect a higher usage of broadband services when Ireland has the highest charges in Europe? The Information Society Commission recently published a report, 21st Century Infrastructure, which stated that Ireland was "seriously lagging behind our competitors in Europe in relation to penetration". Broadband penetration is one fifth of the average penetration in other European countries. If penetration were on a par, we would have 300,000 more users. I ask the Minister of State, who has direct responsibility for information technology, what steps his Department is taking to implement the recommendations in the commission's report.
It might be more appropriate for Deputy Allen to address his question to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
The Minister of State has direct responsibility in the area of broadband uptake.
The Department of the Taoiseach is responsible for co-ordinating the continued development of the information society, promoting and implementing the Government action plan on new connections and ensuring that information society issues are appropriately prioritised across all Departments. I represent Ireland at European and other international fora in this area. However, the issues raised by Deputy Allen are primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dempsey, but I say on his behalf that the Government has taken a proactive approach to the roll-out of broadband.
As the commission acknowledged in its statement, there have been significant policy developments in regard to broadband, including the completion of the pathfinder phase of the metropolitan area network, MAN, project, a commitment to extending the provision of open access infrastructure to all population centres in excess of 1,500, the development of a group broadband scheme to promote the aggregation of local broadband, and a series of policy directions from the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to ComReg which focus on the delivery of competitive broadband pricing.
We acknowledge there is much work to be done in this area and I will be working closely with the Minister to achieve our objectives. Deputy Allen is correct that the infrastructure must be in place to allow Ireland to continue to move forward as a competitive knowledge economy.
Does the Minister acknowledge that Ireland has lacked direction completely in the area of e-Government? When his predecessor, Minister Hanafin, left her post, many people in the electronic and information technology industries made clear the need for a more dynamic approach across all sectors of Government. This is the challenge facing the Minister of State. Unlike Britain, for example, we have no e-envoy to directly co-ordinate the delivery of electronic services. What programme of action is the Minister of State prepared to take with regard to that important part of his portfolio? I remind the Minister of State that, initially, we were not even sure he was the e-Minister. The Taoiseach, apparently, forgot he had one.
Has the Minister of State any views on the open source operating systems in Departments? Many jurisdictions in the European Union and elsewhere are moving to open source systems but the Minister of State's predecessor, Deputy Hanafin, appears to have decided that it is Microsoft or nothing.
Good old Bill Gates.
I do not accept that we have not seen progress on e-Government. I recently attended the launch of the Irish e-Government awards. The rate at which people are dealing with Government on-line is truly phenomenal. The figures speak for themselves. A total of 157,000 self-employed people, 53%, made returns on-line to the Revenue Commissioners last month. Up to the end of October, more than 370,000 transactions had taken place on the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government motor tax website, involving the payment of more than €81 million. Since its launch in 2000, Revenue on-line services now handle more than 53% of income tax returns on-line. Customers have access to their own Revenue account using the customer information service. On a single day in November, there were more than 40,000 on-line inquiries. Much progress has been made.
I will consult colleagues with regard to my ideas for e-democracy in the Oireachtas. I hope to do that over the coming weeks. We have begun the process of e-Cabinet, using technology to take much of the paper out of our own procedures within Government.
I will revert to Deputy Broughan on his question on Microsoft and where that matter is at present.
One of the reasons for maintaining and renewing the remit of the Information Society Commission would be to have an independent stand-alone agency to help foster the idea of e-Government. Last week, for example, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government website was down for several days. There are variations between Department as to when they release information, either in printed and electronic form. Yesterday, for example, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government released leaflets but did not put the same leaflets on the Department's website.
Not keeping this control within the Government itself would be a good idea. There is a need for an independent stand-alone outside agency to make sure standards are laid down and maintained. As things stand — this is not a reflection on the Minister of State's office — there are significant variations between Departments.
The Deputy makes a valid point. I will not make a final decision on this matter until I have heard from the commission. I will hear its recommendations shortly. The suggestion that we should have an independent forum overseeing the introduction of e-Government is valid.
I want to be inclusive in every sense in dealing with this agenda over the coming two years. One of the first things I want to do is work with colleagues in the Oireachtas on how we conduct our business and connect with our public as Members of the Oireachtas.
I maintain an open mind as to how we proceed from here. I do not yet have a definitive view on it. Some things obviously need to be done. I think we all agree that the policies in the coming months and years should be inclusive. I mention, in particular, dealing with the elderly and the disabled and trying to ensure that as many people as possible can use technology. Technology should be used for the right reasons and not simply for the sake of using it. We can be practical about this.
Is the Minister going to appoint another commission? What is his intention?
The community application of information technology initiative, CAIT, was successful but was not maintained. The commission has recommended that a successor to that initiative be appointed. Has the Government any plans in that area?
Would the Government consider putting Internet access into rural post offices? There are rural areas where people find it difficult to get access to the Internet.
The commission is about to report to me in the next few days. It would be wrong of me to make a decision or to inform the House as to how we should proceed until I have heard from the commission. I have not made a decision but the Deputy will be hearing from me.
The Minister of State might send him an e-mail.
I have made public statements and have said at various fora that I will be taking the next month, or at most two months, to plan forward. I will be doing that in consultation with my colleagues. Much research has been done, information gathered and reports made. It would not be proper to set up another commission just for the sake of doing so.
I agree with Deputy Stanton that we must involve rural communities in information technology. I am particularly impressed with the Mo Bhaile project involving local authorities reaching out to their local communities. That is being done on a pilot basis and could be extended.
Much good work is being done and I pay tribute to the commission. It would be wrong of me to outline precisely the follow-up to the commission a few days before it reports. I will make an announcement when we are sure of the way forward. This is a fast moving and agile area. We should be flexible in how we proceed.
Information technology is very important and its cost must be considered. We already have much information. For example, we know from the mid-term Indecon review that only 69% investment has been made in roads in the BMW region while there has been 134% investment in roads in the south and east regions. We know that 20 million people use Cork and Dublin airports, which are totally congested and access is at an ass and cart pace. On the other hand, this year's projected passenger numbers for Knock Airport are 400,000. Would it not make more sense to give the €40 million which Knock Airport needs to bring it onto a par with Cork and Dublin airports and allow it to be competitive so we can keep our children locally?
That question would be more appropriately put to the line Minister responsible for that area.
As someone who hails from the west, I am aware of the progress made there and the number of people returning to the west.
Knock Airport needs €40 million.
The Minister of State might go back over Christmas and take a look at it.
Come home, Tom. Come home.
We will light a candle in the window.
I am anxious to see how we can involve as many people as possible in this exciting area, particularly those who are marginalised. Many of us who have moved from the west are conscious of the needs of that region. It should be part of our policy to reach out to every part of Ireland, particularly to the less advantaged regions, and to all age groups and sectors of society.
Having regard to the information available to him, is the Minister of State concerned at the extent to which the advancement of technology in Ireland has lost pace with our competitors throughout the European Union? Has an indication been given of how best the provision of advanced technology could catch up with competitors, having due regard to the competition and its negative impact on the business and domestic sector unless we catch up very quickly?
I have already spoken of the need to invest in broadband and I have outlined what my colleague is doing in that area. We cannot afford to lose pace on this.
We have lost pace.
The Minister of State's colleague is not doing things quickly enough. He has "the slows".
Many Ministers are involved in this project, particularly the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The Minister for Education and Science also has a key role. The Estimates and the Budget Statement demonstrate considerable investment in science and technology. Across a wide range of Departments, the Government is committed to keeping ahead in this area.
When I was Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development we did much useful work in trying to share our expertise in this area with the developing world. It was acknowledged internationally that Ireland has a strong role in this area. The Government is determined to maintain that role and to move forward.
Moving forward is right.
Does the Minister consider that customer service has collapsed in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform? The public and Members of the House who have queries can spend hours trying to access the immigration section of the Department. Does the Department not need some electronic assistance? Claim applications and visa application appeals should be published on a website that could be accessed certainly by Members of this House. Given that confidentiality could be maintained through reference only to a claim number the information could also be accessed by members of the public. Thousands of people are in the system——
Perhaps a question to the line Minister would be more appropriate.
It is relevant to the Minister of State as he was discussing electronic information within the Department.
While I will allow the Minister of State to answer, a detailed question can be submitted to the line Minister.
I would be glad to raise the matter with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and revert to the Deputy.