Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 18 Sep 2012

Written Answers Nos. 962-981

Appointments to State Boards

Ceisteanna (962)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

962. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the total number of board appointees he has made since he came to office; the names, salaries and expenses of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37353/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that since taking office on 9th March 2011 I have made 35 appointments to the boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department and the Minister of State, Deputy O’ Dowd, T.D., has made 10 appointments. Details of the 45 appointments are set out below together with details of the remuneration which may be paid in respect of such appointments.

The Deputy will be aware that the One Person One Salary policy introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform provides that serving public sector employees are not eligible to receive remuneration in relation to their membership of boards of State bodies. The Deputy will also be aware that non-public sector board members may choose to voluntarily waive their fees as a matter of personal choice in recognition of the current difficult economic circumstances. Both of these policy initiatives of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have been brought to the attention of the bodies under the aegis of my Department. Consequently, the remuneration details in the table below refer to fees that may be payable and are not indicative of fees actually being received by board members. The payment of board members’ expenses is an operational matter for each State body.

In addition since these appointments were made one of the members of the board of SEAI, Michael Conlon, has resigned.

TABLE

Body

Appointee

Fee Band

An Post

Mr Donal Connell

Mr James Wrynn

Mr Paul Henry

Category 1

Chair: €31,500

Director: €15,750

Bord na Móna

Ms Denise Cronin

Mr. John Horgan

Ms Elaine Treacy

Category 2

Chair: €21,600

Director: €12,600

EirGrid

Dr Gary Healy

Ms Regina Moran

Mr Liam O’Halloran

Ms Bride Rosney

Ms Doireann Barry*

Category 2

Chair: €21,600

Director: €12,600

ESB

Ms Noreen Wright

Mr Seamus Mallon

Category 1

Chair: €31,500

Director: €15,750

Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC)

Mr Sean Fitzgerald

Mr Vincent Caffrey

Ms Aoife MacEvilly

Mr Aidan Donnelly

Category 2

Chair: €21,600

Director: €12,600

National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA)

Ms Aoife MacEvilly

Category 4

Chair: €8,978

Director: €5,985

TG4

Mr. Micheál Seoighe

Ms. Mairéad Ní Cheoinín

Mr. Joe Connolly

Mr. Des Geraghty

Ms. Andra Ní alaithe

Ms Mairead Nic Suibhne

Ms. Michelle Ní Chróinín

Siún Ní Raghallaigh

Category 2

Chair: €21,600

Director: €12,600

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)

Ms Julie O’Neill

Mr. Edgar Morgenroth

Mr. Michael Conlon

Ms. Anne Farrell

Mr. Declan Waugh

Ms. Michelle Green

Mr. Brian Carroll

Category 3

Chair: €11,970

Director: €7,695

Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA)

Mr. Paul Holden

Mr. Seamus Ratigan

Category 3

Chair: €11,970

Director: €7,695

Ordnance Survey Ireland OSI

Mr. Ronan O’Reilly

Ms. Anne Butler

Mr. Robin Simpson

Dr. Enda Howley

Dr. Denis Keliher

Ms. Marion Coy

Mr. Justin Gleeson

Ms Sandra Ryan

Mr. Padraic Jordan

Mr. Oliver Hickey

Category 3

Chair: €11,970

Director: €7,695

*No fee applicable

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (963)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

963. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37369/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. The booking of photographers is managed by the Department’s Press Office in each case.

Photography Costs: Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, February 2011 - August 2012 inclusive.

Company

Event Date

Occasions

Cost €

Maxwell Photography

13/06/2011

Government convenes Next Generation Broadband Taskforce

340.92

Maxwell Photography

27/07/2011

Age Action Silver Surfer Launch (pre shoot)

274.97

Maxwell Photography

23/09/2011

Minister Rabbitte stock photos available for widespread media use

409.58

Maxwell Photography

24/10/2011

Minister Rabbitte welcomes EU Commission Telecoms specialists to Dublin

552.67

-

(1) 16/11/11

Launch of Irish Anti Botnet Website (anti cyber crime initiative)

Maxwell Photography

(2) 27/11/11

Publication of the Government’s Affordable Energy Strategy

1,052.70

Fennell Photography

09/12/2011

Cunningham Awards, Geological Survey of Ireland, University Geology Project Competition Awards

510.75

Jason Clarke Photography

10/01/2012

Launch of Community Outreach Campaign - Digital TV Switchover

492.00

Jason Clarke Photography

13/01/2012

Launch of SMS 112 Emergency Service

492.00

Jason Clarke Photography

06/02/2012

Nationwide rollout of high speed broadband to second level schools

492.00

Jason Clarke Photography

01/03/2012

Minister Rabbitte launches Digital Outreach programme

492.00

Maxwell Photography

02/05/2012

Next Generation Broadband Taskforce Launch

485.85

Jason Clarke Photography

28/05/2012

Launch of Renewable Energy Strategy Report

492.00

Jason Clarke Photography

22/08/2012

Conjugate Margins Conference (Petroleum)

492.00

Jason Clarke Photography

30/08/2012

Launch of National Broadband Plan

492.00

-

-

Total

€7,071.44

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (964)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

964. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail in tabular form the total cost of providing entertainment for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which entertainment was provided; the entertainers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion; if there is a policy regarding the booking of entertainers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37441/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

No entertainment has been provided for my Department since I came into office. There is no specific policy regarding the booking of entertainers but it is not intended to incur any expenditure under this heading unless the Deputy has worthwhile proposals from experience that he would like me to consider.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (965)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

965. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the amount spent on food and drink by his Department; if he will provide a breakdown of what this involved; the occasions on which food and drink was provided; those present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37457/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department’s spending on official entertainment adheres to the policy set out in circular 25/2000; the strictest economy is observed and the expenditure on Irish public officials is incidental to that of other persons that the Department is required to host during the ordinary conduct of its business. Similarly in relation to meetings and conference costs, refreshments are generally only provided where delegations or external stakeholders are being hosted.

In 2011 expenditure on official entertainment was €5,364. The majority of this amount, €4,398, was related to the visit of a foreign delegation of 12 from the International Energy Agency involved in conducting a review of Ireland’s energy policy. The sum was spent on the provision of meeting facilities, incidentals, tea, coffee and meals for 5 full days and an official dinner. In addition to the official entertainment costs, approximately €13,800 from the Department’s budget for meetings and conferences was spent on refreshments (water, tea, coffee etc).

So far in 2012 my Department has spent €836 on official entertainment. Costs associated with providing refreshments at meetings and conferences have totalled approximately €6,494 to date. Given the large volume of meetings, conference and events and the public nature of some of these it is not possible to give a detailed breakdown of what was involved or who was present.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (966)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

966. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the amount spent on hair and make-up by his Department since he came to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37473/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department incurred no expenditure on hair and make-up over the period in question.

Ministerial Adviser Appointments

Ceisteanna (967)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

967. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number and names of all special advisers, special press advisers, or any other type of Ministerial adviser in his Department; the name of the Minister / Minister of State to whom he reports; the salary of each advisor now; the salary of each advisor at the time they were appointed; if any salary increase was asked for; if this was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37489/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are two Special Advisers, Mr Finbarr O’Malley and Mr Simon Nugent, employed in my Department. Both were appointed by the Government, on my behalf, with effect from 28 March 2011 and 11 April 2011 respectively. My Department requested sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to appoint my Special Advisers at salary rates commensurate with their previous remuneration. Sanction was granted to appoint Mr O’Malley at a salary rate of €83,337 per annum and Mr Nugent at a salary rate of €97,200 per annum. Mr O’Malley was awarded an increment on the Principal Officer Standard pay scale with effect from 28 March 2012, following one year’s satisfactory performance in the post, bringing his current salary to €86,604. This is line with the terms of his appointment. Mr Nugent’s salary has not increased as it is not linked to a pay scale and the awarding of increments does not apply in his case.

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Ceisteanna (968, 970, 971)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

968. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide detail in tabular form of the names of all external public relations and consultancy persons and organisations used by his Department for the years 2011 and 2010; the amount paid to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37505/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

970. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail in tabular form the amount paid on external public relations and communications consultants since February 2011; the reason for the payment; the name of each organisation used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37538/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

971. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail in tabular form the amount paid to consultants since February 2011; the name of each organisation used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37554/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 968, 970 and 971 together.

The total amount of expenditure by my Department from its consultancy services and value for money and policy reviews budget in the years 2010 and 2011 and for the first eight months of 2012 is set out in table 1.

My Department administers a very diverse and complex brief, and procurement of specialist consultancy advice is necessary to enable the Department to discharge its responsibility in this regard. This includes major projects such as an intensive and nationwide campaign on Digital Switchover, strategic review of oil refining capability, complex telecommunications contracts such as the MANs and the National Broadband Scheme, and oversight of compliance with the Corrib consent conditions (the cost of which is recouped from the developer). In procuring these specialised services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary. In this regard, the Deputy might note that expenditure from my Department’s consultancy services and value for money and policy reviews budget has reduced from €2.249m in 2008 to €1.372m in 2011.

The Department also necessarily incurs some expenditure on outsourced services as part of programme expenditure, an element of which is consultancy in nature. The overall spend for this consultancy element is set out in table 2.

My Department will continue to keep spending on all consultancies to a minimum consistent with ensuring the necessary expertise is available to discharge the Department’s wide and complex brief.

Details of expenditure on consultancy is set out in the tables.

Table 1.

Period

2010

2011

Jan – 12 Sep 2012

Amount

€1.257m

€1.372m

€0.539m

Table2

Period

2010

2011

Jan – 12 Sep 2012

Amount

€0.675m

€1.338m

€0.975m

Administrative Consultancy Expenditure in 2010:

Consultant

Purpose

Amount

Communications

-

-

Norcontel (Ireland) Ltd

Supervision of testing of new ECAS system

95,541.60

PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS

Liberalisation of Irish Postal Services Market

15,125.00

Economic and Social Research Institute

ESRI Programme of Research in Communications

75,000.00

 

 

185,666.60

Broadcasting

-

-

Indecon

Review of designated events of public importance

73,386.49

Energy

-

-

Steelhenge Crisis and Risk consulting

Energy Emergency Arrangements (Avogadro)

5,545.91

Eric van Rongen

Report on Health Issues re HVDC Cable Technology

3,630.75

A & L Goodbody Solicitors

Legal Advice

65,037.50

IBI Corporate Finance

Financial Advice

98,800.00

Fergus B Cahill

Independent Chairman of Elec Trans Assets Analysis

6,464.64

Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment NI

Energy Emergency Arrangements (Refund)

-1,476.27

 

 

176,002.53

Natural Resources

-

-

Keane Offshore Integrity Ltd

Corrib Verification Process

74,421.97

Committee Members

Consent Conditions Monitoring Committee

9,512.02

David Fox Associates

Petroleum Engineering Support

210,421.98

Clare Morgan

Geophysicist Consultancy

65,342.90

AEA TECHNOLOGY plc

Assessing of EIS according to Section40 Apps

5,155.35

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure UK Ltd (Entec)

145,204.99

Environ uk ltd

Assessment of Corrib Gas Pipeline

91,799.18

Mr. Ben Dhonau

Provision of Specialist Geoscience Advice

35,723.13

 

 

637,581.52

Corporate Support

-

-

KPMG

Financial Advisor to DCENR

157,300.00

Murray Consultants Ltd.

Media Services

12,206.42

Ernst & Young

Financial Advice

12,402.50

Committee Members

DCENR Audit Committee

2,736.00

 

 

184,644.92

 -

 -

1,257,282.06

Programme Consultancy Expenditure in 2010:

Consultant

Purpose

Amount

Subhead B1 – ICT Programmes

-

-

Mason Communications

NBS Consultancy

95,538.96

Magnum Opus

Interim MSE

144,741.60

MANs Phase 2 Project Management

132,297.48

Magnum Opus

MSE Process Management

80,150.40

   452,728.44

Subhead C5 – Grants to DTT

-

-

Behaviour & Attitudes Limited

DTT

49,912.50

Subhead E1 – Petroleum Services

-

-

Xodus Group

Strategic Environmental Assessments

150,631.89

Subhead E2 – Mining Services

-

-

(AEGIS MEDIA IRL) Brindley Advertising Ltd.

Avoca Mine Public Meeting

1,575.37

CDM (Camp Dresser & Mc Kee Irl Ltd)

Avoca Mine Public Meeting - Support

12,705.00

Cantab Consulting

Advice in relation to closure of Galmoy Mine

7,893.38

22,173.75

-

-

675,446.58

Administrative Consultancy Expenditure in 2011:

Consultancy

Purpose

Amount €

Communications

-

-

Deloitte & Touche

Communications Policy Consultancy

45,919.50

Economic and Social Research Institute

ESRI Programme of Research in Communications

75,000.00

PA Consulting Group

National Digital Research Centre

29,040.00

 

 

149,959.50

Energy

-

-

Purvin & Gertz  Inc

Strategic Case for Oil Refining Requirements

154,688.65

Fergus B Cahill

Independent Chairman of Elec Trans Assets Analysis

1,446.36

IBI Corporate Finance

Financial Advice on Elec Transmission Asset Review

18,150.00

OHH Energy

Independent Commission Meath Tyrone Power Lines

36,109.29

2B Energy

Independent Commission Meath Tyrone Power Lines

32,284.71

Elimark AB

Independent Commission Meath Tyrone Power Lines

34,134.85

 

 

276,813.86

Natural Resources

-

-

SLR Consulting ( Ireland Ltd

Core Library Holdings Review

39,688.00

Jenny Deakin

GWPS

1,750.00

Arthur Cox Solicitor

Legal Advice on the Corrib Gas Pipeline

161,297.04

Arthur Cox Solicitor

PAD - Legal Advice in Relation to Seven Heads Gas Field

2,420.00

David Fox Associates

Petroleum Engineering Support

181,254.74

Clare Morgan

Geophysicist Consultancy

64,904.40

Keane Offshore Integrity Ltd

Corrib Verification Process

141,733.26

Committee Members

Consent Conditions Monitoring Committee

538.05

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure UK Ltd (Entec)

Assessment of Corrib Gas Pipeline

22,918.94

Environ uk ltd

Assessment of Corrib Gas Pipeline

14,928.81

Environ uk ltd

Monitoring of Corrib Gas Consent Conditions

99,352.95

 

 

730,786.19

Corporate Support

-

-

Murray Consultants Ltd

Media Services

8,349.00

KPMG Fees Account

Financial Advisor to DCENR (KPMG Secondment)

133,100.00

Iron Mountain

P&T Pension Consultancy

30,430.19

Ernst & Young

Financial Advice

12,402.50

Dept of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Irish Commitment to Reducing Admin Budget by 25%

14,000.00

Committee Members

Consultancy to Audit Committee

4,446.00

Ronan Tierney (Tierney & Associates )

Temporary Head of IAU

11,560.34

 

 

214,288.03

 -

 -

1,371,847.58

Programme Consultancy Expenditure in 2011:

Consultant

Purpose

Amount

Subhead B1 – ICT Programmes

-

-

PA Consulting

Implementation of National Post Codes System

339,942.24

Magnum Opus Ltd

MSE for Contract Management

66,792.00

Magnum Opus Ltd

Interim MSE Costs

50,062.00

Analysys Mason Ltd.

NBS Consultancy

207,826.97

664,623.21

Subhead C5 – Grants to DTT

-

-

Latinollo Ltd (Trading as McConnell’s)

National Digital Switchover Campaign

574,897.18

Subhead E1 – Petroleum Services

-

-

Xodus Group

76,353.86

Fugro Survey Ltd

IOSEA 4 (Irish Offshore)

805.67

77,159.53

Subhead E2 – Mining Services

-

-

Dr. Michael Johnson

Silvermines Vegetation Study

1,210.00

Dr. Michael Johnson

Silvermines Vegetation Management Review

5,848.68

CDM (Camp Dresser & Mc Kee Irl Ltd)

Sampling of Gortmore and Silvermines Vegetation

13,890.80

20,949.48

 -

 -

1,337,629.40

Administrative Consultancy Expenditure in 2012:

Consultancy

Purpose

Amount €

Communications

-

-

Deloitte & Touche

Procurement Advice on Sensitive Comms Issue

12,054.00

Indecon

National Broadband Plan

28,167.00

Analysys Mason Ltd.

National Broadband Plan

30,522.45

 

 

70,743.45

Energy

-

-

Purvin & Gertz  Inc

Strategic Case for Oil Refining Requirements

39,311.55

Kylemore Services

Security of Ireland’s Access to Commercial Oil Supplies

367.50

Reidy Brophy Limited

Security of Ireland’s Access to Commercial Oil Supplies

7,100.00

OHH Energy

Independent Commission Meath Tyrone Power Lines

5,012.57

Elimark AB

Independent Commission Meath Tyrone Power Lines

4,653.36

 

 

56,444.98

Natural Resources

-

-

Petroleum Infratructure Programme Fund

Petroleum Engineering Support

3,780.00

David Fox Associates

Petroleum Engineering Support

95,851.23

Clare Morgan

Petroleum Engineering Support

6,918.75

Clare Morgan

Geophysicist Consultancy

41,272.65

Keane Offshore Integrity Ltd

Corrib Verification Process

42,604.00

Committee Members

Consent Conditions Monitoring Committee

2,174.19

Environ uk ltd

Monitoring of Corrib Gas Consent Conditions

117,828.48

 

 

310,429.30

Corporate Support

-

-

KPMG Fees Account

Financial Advisor to DCENR

12,129.17

Pricewaterhouse Coopers

Financial Advisor to DCENR

49,200.00

Cloda Ryan

Pension Advisor Services

3,439.47

Committee Members

Consultancy to Audit Committee

1,368.00

Tierney & Associates

Temporary Head of IAU

35,738.88

 

 

101,875.52

 -

 -

539,493.25

Programme Consultancy Expenditure in 2012:

Consultant

Purpose

Amount

Subhead A3 – ICT Programmes

-

-

Analysys Mason Ltd.

National Broadband Scheme

41,737.80

Analysys Mason Ltd.

Kelvin Project

6,157.66

Mason Hayes & Curran

Post Codes

25,719.30

PA Consulting

Post Codes

140,367.60

213,982.36

Subhead A5 – Information Society and eInclusion

-

-

VBF Technology

Cyber Security

26,773.60

UCD CCI

Cyber Security

41,010.98

67,784.58

Subhead B7– Grants For Digital Terrestrial Television

-

Latinollo Ltd. (Trading as McConnell’s)

Digital Switchover Campaign

681,328.40

Subhead D3 – Petroleum Services

Xodus Group Ltd.

Scientific and Environmental Assessment of the Irish and Celtic Seas

12,151.32

 -

 -

975,246.66

Ministerial Expenditure

Ceisteanna (969)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

969. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the gross annual salary costs for his private and constituency offices at present; the same figures for this time last year; the same figures for any Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37522/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The total gross annual salary costs of the private offices and constituency offices of Ministers and Ministers of State are outlined in the tables.

-

Minister’s Private Office

-

Annual Salary Cost

September 2011

€406,562

September 2012

€436,900

-

Minister’s Constituency Office

-

Annual Salary Cost

September 2011

€161,269

September 2012

€190,499

-

Minister of State’s Private Office

-

Annual Salary Cost

September 2011

€129,729*

September 2012

€70,930*

-

Minister of State’s Constituency Office

-

Annual Salary Cost

September 2011

€109,434

September 2012

€103,154

The staffing complement in all cases is within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines.

* A new Private Secretary to the Minister of State was appointed in July 2012. As the new Private Secretary is an employee of Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, to which Department the Minister of State is also assigned, the salary costs borne for by that Department.

Questions Nos. 970 and 971 answered with Question No. 968.

Ministerial Adviser Appointments

Ceisteanna (972)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

972. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the political activities of each special adviser, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; if any of them were members of a political party; if so the parties to which they belonged; if any of them are or have been elected local authority members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37570/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The restrictions under the terms of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour on civil servants engaging in political activity do not apply to Special Advisers and they can engage in political activity or join political parties if they wish. These are not matters for which my Special Advisers are accountable to me under their contracts of employment.

Ministerial Transport

Ceisteanna (973)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

973. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the amount spent by his Department on drivers and ministerial transport since February 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37586/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Since the formation of the new government in March 2011 and the revised transport arrangements for Ministers introduced in May 2011, the total cost incurred in the provision of transport to the Minister and Minister of State at my Department amounts to €260,076.25 to date. This amount consists of salary costs of €221,709.25 (including employer’s PRSI) for four civilian drivers and €38,367 mileage expenses for official travel undertaken by the Minister and Minister of State. As stated by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the decision to discontinue the provision of State cars for Cabinet Ministers (with the exception of An Taoiseach, An Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice) has reduced the cost to the Exchequer on average by 65%.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (974)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

974. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department, including payments from ministerial allowances, details of the consultants employed and costs of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37618/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that the total expenditure from February 2011 to date on external reports commissioned by my Department is €575,042 and details of the consultants responsible for these external reports are set out in tabular form. The complex and diverse nature of my Department’s brief requires use of outside consultants. The bulk of these studies referred to below are technical and specialist in nature and were necessary to enable the Department to discharge its responsibilities in the areas concerned. I have set out in a separate reply extensive details of expenditure on consultancy services by my Department and the context in which these arise. The reports listed below formed subsidiary elements of those services in a number of instances.

Payments from Ministerial allowances are not a charge on my Department’s Vote and are not a matter for my Department.

Consultancy Name

Purpose of Consultancy

Cost €

 Dr Michael Johnson

Silvermines Vegetation Study

5,848

Camp Dresser McKee CDM

Sampling of Gortmore and Silvermines Vegetation

13,890

Purvin & Gertz

Strategic Case for Oil Refining requirements

193,997

PA Consulting Group

National Digital Research Centre

29,040

OHH Energy Ltd                        

Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line

41,120

Elimark

Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line

38,786

2B Energy

Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line

32,284

Indecon Economic Consultants

Economic/Socio-Economic Analysis of options for rollout of next generation broadband

28,167

SLR Consulting

Core Library Holdings Review

39,688

Jenny Deakin

Preparation for the Graigue Group Water Scheme Report

1,750

Xodus Group Ltd

Scientific environmental assessment of the Irish and Celtic Seas (SEA)

88,463

Environ UK Ltd

Review of the 2010 Corrib Gas Pipeline EIS Submission

31,487

Analysys Mason

Analysis of options for potential State intervention in the rollout of next generation broadband

30,522

Broadband Services Provision

Ceisteanna (975)

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

975. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the broadband options available to persons (details supplied) in County Mayo; when will the broadband be made available through the rural broadband service; if is it possible to connect to the Atlantic fibre optic cable; and if so, the cost of doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37702/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland’s telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999 and since then has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available on a county-by-county basis can be found on the Commission for Communications Regulation’s (ComReg) website at www.callcosts.ie.

The Government has undertaken a number of initiatives to bring broadband to those parts of the country where commercial operators have been unable to offer services on a commercial basis. In the case of one such intervention, namely the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), services are available to 1,028 Electoral Divisions (ED) including 112 EDs in County Mayo, which are listed in Appendix I. The Rural Broadband Scheme (RBS) was launched last year in recognition of the fact that despite the widespread availability of broadband throughout Ireland, there still remained individual premises that were unable to receive broadband provision. This Scheme is aimed at making a basic broadband service available to un-served premises in rural non-NBS areas.

My Department received 49 eligible applications from County Mayo. The details of applicants have been passed to the commercial operators participating in the Scheme. The names of these companies and the area where they operate can be found on the following link:

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/Communications+Development/Rural+Broadband+Scheme/Participating+Internet+Service+Providers.htm.

The companies involved have now sought to provide services to applicants over the period from April to the end of July 2012 and are in the process of providing data to the Department on connections. Where a commercial service is offered the State cannot intervene. I await the outcome of this phase of the scheme.

The question of obtaining a connection directly to an undersea fibre optic cable is not a matter in which I have any function. It would be a commercial matter to be pursued with the owners and operators of the cables in question and any telecommunications operator who wishes to interconnect with the cable separately. I can confirm that my Department has sought EU State Aids clearance, to provide new fibre optic cables in ducts owned by the State from Galway to Mayo. It is expected that this infrastructure will enhance broadband services in the region generally.

While basic broadband services are available throughout Ireland, the challenge now is to accelerate the roll out of high speed services. This Government’s recently published National Broadband Plan entitled “Delivering a Connected Society – A National Broadband Plan for Ireland” aims to facilitate the provision of high speed broadband to every home and business in the State over the lifetime of the Government.

The plan has the following headline targets:

70Mbps - 100Mbps to more than half of the population by 2015;

At least 40Mbps, and in many cases much faster speeds, to at least a further 20% of the population and potentially as much as 35% around smaller towns and villages; and

A minimum of 30Mbps for every remaining home and business in the country – no matter how rural or remote.

As a first step in this plan, my Department will engage with the commercial service providers to identify those parts of the country which the commercial market will serve. This task will be essential to avoid displacing investments already made and being planned by the commercial service providers. The exercise is also required in order to meet EU Commission State Aid requirements.

Thereafter a public procurement will be announced to provide minimum levels of high speed broadband services across the country.

Electoral Divisions (ED) Covered by the NBS in County Mayo

ADDERGOOLE 

ED 157002

AGHAGOWER NORTH 

ED 157003

AGHAGOWER SOUTH 

ED 157004

AGHAMORE 

ED 157005

AILLEMORE 

ED 157006

AN GEATA MOR THEAS 

ED 157007

AN GEATA MOR THUAIDH 

ED 157008

ARDNAREE NORTH 

ED 157010

ATTYMASS EAST 

ED 157012

ATTYMASS WEST 

ED 157013

BALLINCHALLA 

ED 157019

BALLYCASTLE 

ED 157022

BALLYCROY NORTH 

ED 157023

BALLYCROY SOUTH 

ED 157024

BALLYNAGORAHER 

ED 157028

BALLYOVEY 

ED 157029

BALLYSAKEERY 

ED 157030

BANGOR 

ED 157031

BARROOSKY 

ED 157032

BEKAN 

ED 157033

BELDERGMORE 

ED 157034

BELMULLET

ED 157036

BOHOLA 

ED 157037

BRACKLOON 

ED 157038

BUNAVEELA 

ED 157040

BUNDORRAGHA 

ED 157041

BURRISCARRA 

ED 157043

CALLOW 

ED 157044

CAPPAGHDUFF 

ED 157045

CARAUN 

ED 157046

CARROWMORE 

ED 157047

CLARE ISLAND 

ED 157050

CLOGHER 

ED 157052

CLOGHER 

ED 157053

CLOGHERMORE 

ED 157054

CLOONMORE 

ED 157056

COOLNAHA 

ED 157058

COONARD 

ED 157059

CORRAUN ACHILL 

ED 157060

COURSE 

ED 157061

CROAGHMOYLE 

ED 157062

CROAGHPATRICK 

ED 157063

CROSSMOLINA SOUTH 

ED 157066

CUILDOO

ED 157067

CULNACLEHA 

ED 157068

DALGAN 

ED 157069

DEEL 

ED 157070

DERRY 

ED 157071

DERRYLOUGHAN 

ED 157072

DOOCASTLE 

ED 157073

DOOEGA 

ED 157074

DRUMMIN 

ED 157075

ERRIFF 

ED 157077

FORTLAND 

ED 157078

GARRYMORE 

ED 157079

GLENAMOY 

ED 157080

GLENCASTLE 

ED 157081

GLENCO 

ED 157082

GLENHEST 

ED 157083

GOOLAMORE 

ED 157084

HOLLYMOUNT 

ED 157085

HOUNDSWOOD 

ED 157086

ISLANDEADY 

ED 157087

KILBEAGH 

ED 157088

KILCOMMON 

ED 157090

KILFIAN EAST 

ED 157091

KILFIAN SOUTH 

ED 157092

KILFIAN WEST 

ED 157093

KILGARVAN 

ED 157094

KILGEEVER 

ED 157095

KILKELLY 

ED 157096

KILLALA 

ED 157097

KILLAVALLY 

ED 157098

KILLEDAN 

ED 157099

KILMACLASSER 

ED 157100

KILMAINE 

ED 157101

KILMEENA 

ED 157102

KILSALLAGH 

ED 157104

KILVINE 

ED 157106

KNAPPAGH 

ED 157107

KNOCK SOUTH 

ED 157109

KNOCKADAFF 

ED 157110

KNOCKNALOWER 

ED 157111

LACKAN NORTH 

ED 157112

LACKAN SOUTH 

ED 157113

LETTERBRICK 

ED 157114

MAYO 

ED 157118

MEELICK 

ED 157119

MOUNT FALCON 

ED 157120

MUINGNABO 

ED 157121

MUINGS 

ED 157122

MURNEEN 

ED 157123

NEALE 

ED 157124

NEWBROOK 

ED 157125

NEWPORT EAST 

ED 157126

NEWPORT WEST 

ED 157127

OWENBRIN 

ED 157128

OWENNADORNAUN 

ED 157129

PORTROYAL 

ED 157131

RATHHILL 

ED 157132

RATHOMA 

ED 157133

ROSLEE 

ED 157134

SALLYMOUNT 

ED 157135

SHESKIN 

ED 157136

SHRULE 

ED 157137

SLIEVEMAHANAGH 

ED 157138

SONNAGH 

ED 157140

SRAHMORE 

ED 157142

TAGHEEN 

ED 157145

TAWNYNAGRY 

ED 157146

TOOCANANAGH 

ED 157147

TUMGESH 

ED 157149

Labour Court Recommendations

Ceisteanna (976)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

976. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will supply a list of all Labour Court recommendations that have been issued in respect of his Department and organisations under his aegis that have not been complied with in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37749/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department, since its formation in June 2007, has had no involvement with the Labour Court. Information in respect of bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those organisations and my Department does not have the information sought by the Deputy. I will, however, request the relevant Agencies and bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to the Deputy in the matter.

Departmental Agencies Issues

Ceisteanna (977)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

977. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding setting up a new agency called smartgrid which will incorporate EirGrid and ESB Networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37821/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In July 2011, the Government decided that, in the context of the EU Third Energy Package, the ownership of the electricity transmission network is to remain with ESB while the operation and development of the transmission network will continue to be the responsibility of EirGrid. Ownership and operation of the electricity distribution network will remain with ESB. ESB Networks owns the transmission and distribution networks.

As part of the State Assets disposal programme, the Government has decided to dispose of some of ESB’s non-strategic power generation capacity. ESB will remain a vertically integrated utility, positioned more competitively in the all island energy market and in due course in the integrated European Market. The Government has reiterated its commitment to retaining the electricity networks in State ownership as national strategic infrastructure, critical for the delivery of secure, sustainable and competitive energy supplies. There are therefore no plans to proceed with setting up a new agency to incorporate EirGrid and ESB Networks.

NewERA Remit

Ceisteanna (978)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

978. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding plans and proposals to merge Bord na Móna and Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37822/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government has established the NewERA shareholder executive as a business unit within the NTMA. Its functions include the corporate governance from a shareholder perspective of a number of commercial State companies including Bord na Móna and Coillte.

The Government is also progressing a programme of State asset disposals, including consideration of the sale of certain Coillte assets (excluding the sale of land), which is likely to include sale of harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests. Work is currently underway, with advice from NewERA, on considering how to structure such a sale transaction, which includes consideration of the implications of such a potential sale for the future role and structure of Coillte.

My Department, along with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is currently finalising a Bioenergy Strategy, which will be published in the coming months. This will set out in detail the actions required to optimise the potential of Ireland’s bioenergy resources and how these resources can contribute to Ireland’s renewable energy targets for 2020.

The Bioenergy Strategy will have implications for clients of these businesses of both Coillte and Bord na Móna. Further development of plans for a merger between Coillte and Bord na Mona will have regard to the outcome of these processes.

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (979)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

979. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding recruiting persons with a disability; the number of persons currently employed in his Department; the number of persons with a disability who have been employed since 1 January 2011 to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37833/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The total number of people currently employed in my Department is 244 full time equivalents of which 5.7% of staff have disclosed a disability. My Department is meeting the statutory 3% target of employment of people with a disability under the Disability Act 2005 and this target is monitored on an annual basis. There has been no recruitment of staff with a disability during the period 1 January 2011 to date in 2012.

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Ceisteanna (980)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

980. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will support a ban on fracking particularly in relation to the dangers of contamination of surface and ground water. [37955/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In October of last year, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct research and advise on the environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing as a means of extracting natural gas from underground reserves. On 11 May 2012, the EPA published its preliminary research into the environmental aspects of shale gas extraction in the form of a small desk based study, which was carried out by the University of Aberdeen.

The study provides an introduction to the environmental aspects of fracking including a review of regulatory approaches used in other countries and areas for further investigation and research such as geological principles of relevance in fracking and shale gas extraction, potential environmental impacts and establishing best environmental practice. While the study is a preliminary study it will inform the development of the terms of reference for a much more detailed research study to be commissioned by the EPA later this year. The terms of reference for this more extensive research are currently being drawn up by a steering group including representatives from the EPA and my Department.

The outcome of the further research to be commissioned by the EPA will assist in a robust scientific based assessment of any future application proposing the use of this technology. I can confirm that until there has been time to consider the second stage of the EPA research, the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration drilling will not be authorised.

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Ceisteanna (981, 994)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

981. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the exploration companies drilling for oil off our coasts, his views on whether it is right and proper that the State should gain financially from a successful oil drilling exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38315/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

994. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will review the deal with the international exploration companies who are seeking oil beneath Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38817/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 981 and 994 together.

My core policy is to maximise the benefits to the State from exploration for and production of our indigenous petroleum resources, while ensuring that activities are conducted safely and with due regard to their impact on the environment and other land/sea users. While there have been some discoveries of oil off our coasts none have been declared commercial to date. The only commercial discoveries of gas are the Kinsale area fields which are currently in production and the Corrib gas field which is still in development.

The principal direct financial benefit to Ireland from successful exploration comes in the form of the tax paid on profits from petroleum production. The relevant tax provisions are set down in the Finance Acts and provide for a tax take of between 25% and 40%. There are no individual financial deals entered into with individual exploration companies. The tax terms, which were last revised in 2007, seek to strike a balance between the desire to maximise the financial return to the people of Ireland from successful exploration and the need to set the terms at a level that will encourage exploration companies to invest in exploration in the Irish offshore, taking account of the fact that such companies can also instead of investing in other countries which have experienced greater relative success in terms of the number of commercial discoveries made.

Barr
Roinn