Written Answers Nos. 40-49
40. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the rollout of the 4G network across the country will begin and the percentage of the population that will be provided with the service by the end of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4765/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 as amended. In November 2012 ComReg announced the results of its successful Multi-Band Spectrum Award (MBSA) process which resulted in a transfer of €450 million, in respect of upfront fees accrued, to the Exchequer on 14 December 2012. The remainder of the total licence yield of some €855 million will be paid on an annual basis over the duration of the terms of the licences.
As part of this process ComReg awarded spectrum rights of use across three critical bands – the 800Mhz, 900Mhz and 1800Mhz bands – for the period 2013 to 2030. These spectrum bands are highly suitable for advanced mobile services due to their excellent propagation properties, which allow for wide area coverage and improved in-building reception. Liberalised spectrum rights of use were won by the four existing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), namely: Hutchison 3G Ireland Ltd.; Meteor Mobile Communications Ltd.; Telefonica Ireland Ltd; and Vodafone Ireland Ltd. It is a condition of a Liberalised Use Licence that a minimum 70% population coverage obligation is to be achieved by a licensee within 3 years of its licence commencement date.
ComReg set out the process it has adopted for the award of rights of use for radio frequencies in the 800Mhz, 900Mhz and 1800Mhz bands in its information memorandum and associated documents (ComReg document 12/52). These documents also set out the reasons, analysis and other material relied upon by ComReg in support of its substantive decisions regarding the minimum coverage and rollout requirements for the rights of use to be granted in the award process. Amongst other things, ComReg considered that actual coverage levels are expected to exceed a minimum 70% population obligation given the competitive nature of the market and the limited risk of roll-back of coverage from the current levels.
In this context, the Deputy may wish to note that the four existing mobile operators have achieved coverage levels exceeding those set out in their respective licences. For example, for 3G services, Vodafone’s coverage covers 90% of the population, 5% more than its obligation. Hutchison 3G, better known as “3”, covers 96% of the population, 11% more than its obligation. O2 also covers 90.5% of the population, which is also more than its obligation.
ComReg has also advised me that coverage continues to be an important differentiator in the mobile telecommunications market such that any material deterioration in coverage by any one network would undermine that network’s attractiveness to its existing and potential customers. It is also important to emphasise that the coverage proposals were designed to facilitate the possible entry of new operators in a manner that would ensure that ‘cherry picking’ of high density urban areas would not occur. While the four Liberalised Use Licences of the Mobile Network Operators are due to commence on 1 February 2013, the timing and extent of each of ‘4G’ (Long Term Evolution (LTE)) network rollout is, with the exception of the above coverage obligation, a matter for the operators themselves.
41. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are regulations regarding the height of wind turbines here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4676/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for developing planning policy and legislation. His Department’s primary role is to provide the essential legislative framework and policy guidance, while seeking to minimise the regulatory burden and cost of the system. That Department produces a range of guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Acts (as amended), designed to help planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála, developers and the general public. The Department of Environment issued Guidelines on Wind Energy Development in 2006. In carrying out their forward planning and development management functions, planning authorities are required to have regard to guidelines issued by the Department. The Guidelines on Wind Energy Development available on the Department of Environment’s website (www.environ.ie) consider aspects of turbine height.
42. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the evaluation his Department have carried out regarding the risk that the former gasworks site in Limerick City could have on the river Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4689/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to advise the Deputy that this is a day to day operational matter for the company and not one for which I have a statutory function. However, I have requested that Bord Gáis Éireann respond directly to the Deputy on the issue.
44. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of incidents involving carbon monoxide in homes that were reported in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4685/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless poisonous gas and is a common, yet preventable, cause of death from poisoning worldwide. Approximately half of the deaths from unintentional carbon monoxide poisonings result from the inhalation of smoke from fires. Other significant causes are vehicle exhausts and deaths in industrial / commercial settings. In recent years between two and six people died each year in Ireland from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in the home, in incidents related to domestic heating or other fossil fuel installations in the home.
Carbon monoxide is not just an issue for those using gas as their fuel source. The incomplete combustion of organic fossil fuels such as oil, coal or wood, as well as gas, is a common cause of carbon monoxide formation, and is responsible for many cases of non-fatal unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. In normal conditions, the combustion process will result in carbon in the fossil fuel combining with oxygen in the air to produce carbon dioxide, the same substance we exhale when we breathe. However, if there is a lack of air for the combustion process or the heating appliance is faulty, carbon monoxide can be produced.
Approximately six incidents involving, or potentially involving, carbon monoxide gas have been reported in Ireland in the past 12 months. The exact number will be known when the report for quarter four 2012 issues from the Commissioner for Energy Regulation (CER) next month. As investigations into some of the incidents reported last year have not been concluded; it may not possible to determine by next month that they did indeed involve carbon monoxide. Given the clear need to act to prevent accidents and mitigate risks, I launched the first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week on the 24 September 2012. This involved a week which saw a sustained, multi-media publicity campaign to alert people to the dangers and give them advice as to what they should do to be safe. The issue was widely reported on television, on national and local radio and in both national and local press.
Additionally my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, has recently revised the Building Regulations so that it will become compulsory to fit approved carbon monoxide alarms to certain types of new building. A lot of work has been done on the relevant standards that apply to these alarms, both at national and at European level. The Gas Technical Standards Committee of the National Standards Authority of Ireland is currently working on guidance documentation to assist with proper installation of such alarms. They also issued a special standard to fill the gap until the relevant European Standard can be enhanced.
I should also highlight the commendable work done by the gas industry to raise safety standards and participate in the establishment of a register of approved gas installers. This has been a hugely important development in improving quality control in gas matters, including reducing the risk posed by carbon monoxide in gas installations. This “joined-up” approach to matters relating to carbon monoxide can be well demonstrated by the specific campaign last year to warn the public about gas cookers which could be operated in an unsafe manner, creating a carbon monoxide hazard. Industry, government, regulator, standards authority and the National Consumer Agency all acted together to identify and promote the risks and the solutions to consumers. As a result, very many potentially dangerous appliances were identified and made safe. Finally, I assure the Deputy that I take this matter very seriously, and that I intend to launch this year’s Carbon Monoxide Week after the summer.
45. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the role he can play in cyberbullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4742/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Internet Safety has been established by the Government to take lead responsibility for Internet safety in Ireland, particularly as it relates to children. This Office operates under the aegis of the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Office also aims at building linkages and cohesion between all Departments and Agencies to ensure that the State provides the best possible protection for the community and promotes Internet safety. I also understand the Department of Education and Skills has just recently published an action plan on addressing certain cyber issues, including specific measures on cyber-bullying. I welcome this initiative and hope that this will assist in addressing the challenges associated with cyber bullying.
My Department has developed a website called www.makeITsecure.ie to promote best practice in relation to many issues arising from the use of the Internet. This campaign, which was developed with industry, does provide some information in relation to use of ICT by children. The Department has also engaged in a number of EU initiatives on this subject, including Council Conclusions on the protection of children in the digital world in 2011, and continues to play an important role in discussions in the Council of Europe. While my Department does not lead on the specific issue of cyber bullying, it is available to assist in any initiative taken forward by the other Departments and continues to engage across all Departments in issues relating to the use of the Internet and ICT generally.
46. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he is making energy more affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4748/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no statutory function in the setting of gas or electricity prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated parts of these markets. Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. Since 4 April 2011 prices in the electricity retail market have been fully deregulated and business and domestic customers can as a result avail of competitive offerings from a number of electricity supply companies. Price setting by electricity suppliers is a commercial and operational matter for the companies operating in the retail market.
With regard to the regulation of gas prices the position is that up until 1 October 2011 the CER regulated Bord Gáis Energy tariffs for its residential and smaller business customers but price regulation for the latter group ended at that point. The CER still regulates the Bord Gáis Energy tariffs for its residential customers. The timing for complete deregulation of the residential segment of the gas market, as has taken place in the electricity market, is an issue under active review by the CER. In making its decision on gas tariffs, the CER takes account of the need to protect consumers from unnecessary price increases by ensuring that only reasonable legitimate costs are recovered by BGE. Full deregulation leading to further competition will keep downward pressure on prices for consumers.
The Government is most concerned at the impact of higher energy prices on residential and commercial consumers. It is the case however, that Ireland in the main, is at the mercy of international fossil fuel prices which dictate the retail price of electricity and gas, which is the key factor in the retail price of both electricity and gas. In particular, Ireland is a price taker for gas. My focus is on those elements of energy costs over which policy can exercise some control. The long term policy responses for Ireland to combat vulnerability to high and volatile gas prices continue to be increasing the use of renewables, better energy efficiencies and reducing the reliance on gas in the fuel mix.
Implementation of the measures set out in the Government’s Affordable Energy Strategy is also key to protecting the interests of vulnerable customers. The Affordable Energy Strategy was published in November 2011 and developed by the Inter-Departmental/Agency Group on Affordable Energy (IDGAE) as part of the Department’s commitment in the Programme for Government to help mitigate energy poverty. There are forty-eight actions identified in the strategy to be implemented over the lifetime of the report (3 years). Five priority measures are identified including: a commitment to review the National Fuel Scheme in the context of examining the feasibility of aligning income supports with the energy efficiency and income of the home; the phased introduction of minimal thermal efficiency standards for rental accommodation; ensuring greater access to energy efficiency measures; reforming the eligibility criteria for energy efficiency schemes; and the introduction of an area based approach.
The Affordable Energy Strategy provides a framework for building upon the many measures already in place to protect households at risk from the effects of energy poverty, which include the thermal efficiency based measures delivered through the Better Energy Warmer Homes programme. Exchequer funding of over €101 million has been allocated to the programme since 2000 and has successfully delivered energy efficiency measures to 92,563 homes through a combination of community based organisations, private contractors and via an area-based approach. The Government will continue to support the delivery of energy efficiency measures to vulnerable households in 2013. Better Energy Warmer Homes has been allocated €20 million for this purpose.
There are also a number of avenues open to consumers to try to mitigate rising electricity prices and measures are also in place to assist them. Accordingly, consumers can, and should, shop around to get the best possible price and service deal from suppliers, and switch supplier if necessary, bearing in mind that all suppliers can and do offer competitive prices and products. Consumers can also take steps to improve the efficiency of their electricity usage which delivers demonstrable savings, including availing of Government funded measures as already referred to above. The CER is also working with energy suppliers to ensure that vulnerable customers are protected through, inter alia, the installation of Pay As You Go meters.
47. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the implementation of recommendations in the Report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration here in relation to the licensing and tax terms for oil and gas exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4598/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I indicated previously I welcome the publication by the former Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture of its report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration. This report will contribute to the debate on how best to maximise the benefits to Ireland from the exploration and production of our indigenous oil and gas resources. I have already had the opportunity to discuss the report in the Seanad and I look forward to discussing the report in the Dáil in the coming months.
