Tuesday, 5 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos 590-611

Inland Waterways Maintenance

Ceisteanna (590, 591)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

590. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 16 October 2013, the extent of railway track that needs to be closed by Irish Rail in order for a vessel on the Royal Canal, Dublin, to be given access between the First and Sea Levels of the Royal Canal; if there has been an assessment of whether the extent of track closure could be reduced to facilitate greater ease of navigation on the Royal canal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45986/13]

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

591. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 16 October 2013, if the option of introducing a drop lock to replace the need of the lifting bridge has been considered since the establishment of Waterways Ireland or if that assessment was made by Waterways Ireland’s predecessors; the level of use of the sea level assumed in the assessment; if the impact of the Spencer Dock greenway was taken into account and vice versa, was account taken of the impact on the greenway were the sea level to be made accessible to navigation by replacing the lifting bridge; if the assessment includes analysis of whether the effective reopening of the sea level of the Royal Canal to meaningful levels of year round traffic would be consistent with the EU's commitment to the protection and preservation of cultural heritage, in view of the fact that Dublin's waterway's heritage is part of the cultural infrastructure of Europe, contributing to economic attractiveness, job opportunities and quality of life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45987/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 590 and 591 together.

I am advised that the option of constructing a drop lock to replace the need for the lifting bridge at the location in question has been considered by Waterways Ireland but it was not deemed viable due to the estimated costs involved, given that the minimum cost for a drop lock to replace the bridge would be of the order of €5m. Work to install a drop lock at this location would also involve considerable temporary works, the extent of which would be unknown until ground conditions were assessed in detail.

I am also advised that there have been no assessments or analyses undertaken by Waterways Ireland in respect of the level of use or impact on the Spencer Dock Greenway.

I can inform the Deputy that the length of railway track disconnected from the rest of the loop line from the station when the bridge is in the 'up' position is approximately 16 metres. However, as the control and operation of the railway line in the vicinity of the lifting bridge lies entirely with Irish Rail, only it can indicate the extent of the permanent rail line that needs to be closed when the bridge is opened.

Ministerial Staff

Ceisteanna (592)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

592. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the name, qualifications and current salary of each political staff member appointed by him. [46081/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

In accordance with the Guidelines on the Staffing of Ministers' Offices, both of my advisors, James Kenny and Damien Garvey, were placed on the first point of the Principal Officer standard scale upon their appointment. Copies of both their contracts of employment and qualifications statements were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and are available for inspection in the Dáil Library, again in accordance with the above Guidelines. For convenience, details in respect of date of appointment, educational qualifications and current salary are set out below.

Name	Date of Appointment	Qualification	Current Salary
James Kenny	7 June 2011	BA in Economics, Irish and Archaeology	€42,941 (3rd Point of Principal Officer standard scale – after abatement)
Damien Garvey	2 April 2012	BA in Music	€78,670 (2nd Point of Principal Officer standard scale)

As Mr. Kenny is in receipt of a public service pension of €38,735, the salary applicable to a person on the 3rd point of the Principal Officer standard scale post implementation of the Haddington Road Agreement (€81,676) has been abated to €42,941 per annum in his case.

Commemorative Events

Ceisteanna (593)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

593. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to commemorate the landing of weapons to the Irish Volunteers from the Asgard in August 1914; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46180/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The founding of the Irish Volunteers will be commemorated on 24 November next with military ceremonies at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin. The Pillar Room of the Rotunda Hospital will be opened to the public from Monday 25 November to Friday 29 November 2013, where an archival exhibition with artefacts from the period can be viewed. Since August 2012, a permanent exhibition of the conserved yacht Asgard at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, profiles the historical background and the roles of the principals, and includes a narrative account of the landing of arms. Specimens of the imported weapons are included in the exhibition.

An official commemorative initiative is being prepared to mark the centenary of the landing of arms at Howth and the subsequent shooting of civilians in Dublin. I am also aware that a community programme is being prepared in Kilcoole, Co Wicklow, to commemorate the landing of arms there.

Adding credibility to the threats of armed resistance during the Home Rule crisis, the import of weapons by the Volunteer movements in 1914 was a transformative development and directly enabled the Easter Rising to take place in 1916. As we reflect on the progress of the historic events in the centenary programme, it is appropriate that the significance of the landing of arms and the consequences would be acknowledged.

Wildlife Protection

Ceisteanna (594)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

594. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of prosecutions for breaches of the Wildlife Acts that were taken for each year over the past five years in each of the National Parks and Wildlife Service districts under his control; the number of those prosecutions that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46310/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

There were 156 prosecution cases taken by my Department in the period 2009 to date under various provisions of the Wildlife Acts and the Habitats Regulations. Of this number, prosecutions were recorded in some 114 cases with further cases pending. The Table below shows the number of prosecutions per year broken down between the three regional divisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department.

PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE WILDLIFE ACTS 2009 – 2013 (TO DATE)

Divisions		Mid West/Mid South		East/North East		North/West
Year	Number of prosecution cases taken	Prosecutions recorded	Number of prosecution cases taken	Prosecutions recorded	Number of prosecution cases taken	Prosecutions recorded
2009	8	3	18	17	Nil	Nil
2010	14	11	11	8	4	3
2011	8	5	50	43	1	1
2012	5	4	25 (5 cases still pending)	16	2	2
2013* (to date)	1		7	1	2
Total	36	23	111	85	9	6

Civil Service Code of Conduct

Ceisteanna (595)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

595. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the numbers of employees in his Department who were involved in commercial hunting during each of the past five years; the number of employees who are currently involved in commercial hunting; his views on whether that involvement in commercial hunting by his employees constitutes a serious conflict of interest in view of their statutory policing role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46311/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy will be aware, all civil servants are subject to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour, which was introduced under section 10(3) of the Standards in Public Office Act 2011. Under Paragraph 14 of that code, civil servants may not at any time engage in, or be connected with, any outside business or activity which would in any way conflict with the interests of their Departments/Offices or be inconsistent with their official positions, or tend to impair their ability to carry out their duties as civil servants. For this reason, civil servants intending to be engaged in or connected with any outside business or employment are required to inform their Department of such an intention.

Since my Department was established in June 2011, it has not been informed by any member of its staff of a potential conflict of interest with regard to commercial hunting. If the Deputy is aware of any such case or activity and is in a position to pass on the relevant details to me, my Department can investigate the matter further.

Special Areas of Conservation Appeals

Ceisteanna (596)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

596. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 348 of 30 April 2013, when the special area of conservation appeal will take place; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46468/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I understand that one objection is still being processed through Stage 1 of the appeals process and, in that regard, my Department is currently awaiting a response to a query put to the appellant concerned this summer. As soon as this matter is finalised, the Designated Area Appeals Advisory Board will be in a position to commence the formal appeals process for all Stage 2 appeals in relation to this site.

Inland Waterways Maintenance

Ceisteanna (597)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

597. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will indicate the current stage of the proposed restoration of the Ulster Canal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46485/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy will be aware, in July 2007 the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) agreed to proceed with the restoration of the section of the Ulster Canal between Clones and Upper Lough Erne. The then Government agreed to cover the full capital costs of the project, which were estimated at that time to be of the order of €35m.

It was always the intention that the Ulster Canal project would be funded from the Waterways Ireland annual allocations, as agreed through the annual estimates processes in this jurisdiction, as well as the deliberations of NSMC in relation to annual budgets. It was a key consideration throughout the process that the Ulster Canal project would be supported by a significant level of projected income from the commercialisation of certain Waterways Ireland assets. However, the economic downturn has had a negative impact on those plans.

In the meantime, the Ulster Canal project is progressing on an incremental basis. Planning approvals have now been secured for the project in both jurisdictions. I welcome these developments, which, I am sure the Deputy will agree, are a significant milestone for the project.

I am continuing to explore all possible options to advance this project within the current fiscal constraints. In this regard, an Inter-Agency Group on the Ulster Canal has been established to explore and examine ways to advance the project and to examine possible funding options for it, including existing funding streams and the leveraging of funding from other sources, including EU funding options.

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (598)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

598. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on the sale of a bog (details dupplied) in County Galway: the reason for the delay in responding to correspondence on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46502/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question.

The qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme are that:

- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right;

- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;

- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;

- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and

- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.

Following an inspection by officials of my Department of the plot of bog in respect of which the applicant has applied for compensation, it appears that no turf has been cut on this site for many years.

The applicant claims to have ceased cutting turf on this plot when he joined the rural environmental protection scheme administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I am advised that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has indicated to my Department that a turf plot must have been inactive for 5 years before an applicant could have included the plot within the land which he/she declared for the rural environmental protection scheme

My Department is considering the position of those who have applied for compensation but do not appear to fulfil the qualifying criteria of the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for a variety of reasons and will be writing to all such applicants in relation to their position in due course.

A reply has been issued to the Deputy in response to his representation to me on this matter.

Scéimeanna Teanga

Ceisteanna (599, 600)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

599. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aige líon na scoláireachtaí do ghasúir chun freastal ar scoileanna dara leibhéal ar an hoileáin a mhéadú ó 30 go 60 don scoilbhliain 2014-15 ag cur san áireamh tábhacht na scéime seo d'inmharthanacht na n-oileán Gaeltachta, do na scoileanna dara leibhéal ar na hoileáin agus don Ghaeilge ar na hoileáin chomh maith leis an éileamh atá ar an scéim; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [46510/13]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

600. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén fáth ar laghdaíodh an deontas a íoctar le teaghlaigh a choinníonn scoláirí faoin scéim scoláireachtaí do scoileanna dara leibhéal ar na hoileáin; an bhfuil sé i gceist an deontas a mhéadú arís ag cur san áireamh an costas ard maireachtála ar na hoileáin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [46511/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 599 agus 600 le chéile.

Faoin mbeartas speisialta atá i gceist ag an Teachta, íoctar deontas in aghaidh an lae faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge le teaghlaigh cáilithe ar oileáin i leith daltaí lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht, a bhíonn ar iostas leo fad a bhíonn siad ag freastal ar an meánscoil ar bhonn lánaimseartha ar na hoileáin sin. Cuireadh an socrú seo i bhfeidhm chun cabhrú le hinmharthanacht na meánscoileanna ar oileáin Ghaeltachta agus ar mhaithe le hinmharthanacht na n-oileán go ginearálta.

Íoctar an deontas faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, cé go mbíonn na daltaí ag freastal ar mheánscoil in áit choláiste samhraidh agus cé go gcaitheann siad tréimhse níos faide sa Ghaeltacht. Tá teorainn de thríocha (30) curtha leis an líon daltaí gur féidir a aithint sna meánscoileanna seo le go mbeidh cóimheas folláin agus torthúil idir na daltaí ón taobh amuigh agus daltaí ón oileán. Faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, íocann mo Roinnse €9.50 in aghaidh an lae leis na teaghlaigh i gcás na gcoláistí samhraidh i gcoitinne agus íoctar €27 in aghaidh an lae leis na teaghlaigh faoin socrú speisialta seo. Tá mé sásta gur leor an deontas seo ag cur na cúinsí uile san áireamh.

Question No. 601 answered with Question No. 587.

Grazing Rights

Ceisteanna (602)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

602. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the legal basis on which he is refusing to pay compensation to farmers in the Nephin Beag range and the Maumturks-Twelve Bens range where they can prove there are continuing residual losses over the next five years, due to the destocking imposed by his Department on them which ceased this autumn, as these farmers can only restock their farms by breeding sheep on the hills, as any purchased sheep would not remain on a strange hill; if he is willing to enter negotiations with the farmers affected or their representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46559/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The grazing restrictions that applied until the beginning of this month in the Twelve Bens/Garraun Complex Special Area of Conservation, the Maumturk Mountains Special Area of Conservation and the Owenduff/Nephin Special Protection Area were required to address the ruling of the European Court of Justice in case C-117/00 concerning overgrazing in the habitats of the red grouse and other species. The grazing restrictions, which although difficult to implement and maintain, were delivered in a spirit of co-operation and compliance and have had a positive effect on vegetation recovery. The case was closed in 2009, subject to continued grazing management, and significant fines were avoided.

To assist the farmers in these areas to become compliant with Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) requirement and the Nature Directives through cross compliance requirements, this Department made significant payments, of circa €5 million,between 2006 and 2013. The restrictions have now concluded and it is now a matter for the farmers in question to manage their stock numbers and to ensure that their land is in GAEC. My Department will therefore not be making further payments.

My Department is working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with the aim of inclusion of measures in the next Rural Development Programme to support appropriate management of Natura 2000 areas.

Grazing Rights

Ceisteanna (603)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

603. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the restrictions that will apply on Natura 2000 commonage sites in 2014 regarding farming practices and stock numbers; the compensation scheme in place to compensate farmers for these restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46567/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

There are no mandatory grazing restrictions currently applying to Natura 2000 commonages, other than the general requirement to maintain the land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). GAEC is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

In addition, in Natura 2000 sites, the consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is required for certain activities known as Notifiable Actions (NAs), which have the potential to damage or interfere with the ecology of a site. The list of NAs notified to landowners when sites were designated continues to apply. Landowners and users should note that there is no general prohibition on the activities listed but there is a requirement to seek and obtain the consent of the Minister where relevant, before works commence. In practice, such consent should be sought initially from the local conservation ranger.

I understand that it is intended through the commonage review process to indicate stocking levels for commonages that ensure that GAEC is maintained, to protect against undergrazing and overgrazing.

My Department is working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to seek appropriate measures in the next Rural Development Plan to support sustainable management of commonages.

Commemorative Events

Ceisteanna (604)

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

604. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is any funding available for groups who are interested in holding events next year to commemorate World War I; if so, the person who is the Department contact for the groups; the amount of funding available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46882/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Advisory Committee on Commemorations, chaired by Dr Maurice Manning, has placed great emphasis on the importance of the commemorative initiatives that are being organised at local and community level. Such events complement the official initiatives and contribute greatly towards the goals of inclusion and education.

While I have not yet dedicated an allocation to support community-based commemorative initiatives relating to the centenary of the independence struggle and the First World War, I can confirm that my Department is very interested to hear from groups in relation to their intentions and aspirations.

Wildlife Protection

Ceisteanna (605)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

605. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action he has taken to protect our heritage and wildlife from minks escaping from mink farms. [47047/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Wild mink are not a protected species under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 and they can be controlled by farmers, landowners and others.

A study commissioned by my Department, and published in 2009, estimated the population of mink living in the wild in the State could reach a total of between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals, and identified ground-nesting birds as the species most vulnerable to mink predation. In this regard, my Department is concentrating its resources on land it owns or manages so as to protect the nesting sites of rare and threatened bird species, including red-throated diver, corncrake, grey partridge, waders and terns, from a range of predators, including mink. €92,000 was spent in 2011 with a further €135,000 spent in 2012 on such predator control programmes. Expenditure in 2013 is likely to be in the region of the 2012 figure. This expenditure covers control of not only mink but other predatory species such as the grey crow, magpie and fox.

I also provided €20,000 to the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) to stimulate increased control of mink by game shooting clubs. I consider that this offers a useful addition to the measures already being taken by my Department.

The licencing of mink farms in this State is regulated by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (606)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

606. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form the partial year and the full year monetary effect of his Department's budget 2014 reductions to expenditure. [47071/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

An indicative comparison of my Department's 2014 Budget allocations at subhead level and the corresponding 2013 provisions is available on my Department's website

via the following link: http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Publications/CorporatePublications/CurrentPublications/

The full year effects of the savings measures will be achieved during 2014.

As the Deputy will be aware, the published allocations will be supplemented in 2014 by a number of measures announced on Budget Day by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. These include:

- €6 million for the Limerick National City of Culture 2014 - Limerick is the inaugural National City of Culture, a new designation which a city will hold for one calendar year;

- €6 million to fund a number of 1916 Commemoration Projects; and

- €5 million for the Traditional Skills and Buildings at Risk Jobs Leverage Scheme 2014 - this will be directed at renovation projects for buildings which are protected.

The final allocation for my Department, incorporating these Budget Day measures, will be set out in the forthcoming Revised Estimates Volume, due to be published before the end of the year. I will make a judgement at that time as to which programmes and projects will be prioritised, having regard to the additional funding announced on Budget Day, as well as the reductions that necessarily have to be made as part of my Department's contribution to the overall fiscal consolidation. Accordingly, it should be noted that the breakdown on my Department's website should be considered provisional pending the finalisation of the Revised Estimates Volume in the coming weeks.

Public Service Obligation Levy Increase

Ceisteanna (607)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

607. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason for the increase in the public service obligation levy for electricity customers; if he will confirm that VAT is payable on the levy; if he has considered the impact this increase will have on consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45622/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy has been in place since 2001 and is the overall support mechanism for peat generation, for certain conventional generation constructed for security of supply purposes, and for the development of renewable electricity. The levy is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur by purchasing electricity generated by these producers.The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) determines the PSO levy which is a charge on all electricity customers without exception. The legal basis for the PSO levy and its method of calculation are set out in regulations made under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (S.I. 217 of 2002). The scheme sets out that the levy applies to all electricity customers and the levy amount is reviewed annually. VAT at a rate of 13.5% is payable on the PSO levy amount. The annual PSO levy amount for 2013/2014 (exclusive of VAT) is €42.87 for residential customers and €129.83 for small to medium sized business customers. This equates to €3.57 per month for residential customers and €10.82 per month for small to medium sized business customers. Medium and large customers pay €18.47/kVA annually or €1.54/kvA monthly. I understand from the CER that the key drivers for the rise in the annual PSO levy include: (i) a lower market price for electricity than expected; (ii) less running of certain PSO plant than anticipated (resulting in reduced market income and hence an increased requirement for PSO support), (iii) an increase in wind connections supported by the PSO, as well as (iv) a “correction factor” for under-recoveries of the PSO in previous years. The CER Decision on the PSO levy (CER/13/168) is available at www.cer.ie

While I fully understand and appreciate concerns about the cost of the PSO levy to customers, the development of renewable energy capacity will allow Ireland to reduce its fossil fuel dependence and vulnerability to rises in international fossil fuel prices. The PSO levy supports that development and provides increased security of supply in electricity generation.

Energy Resources

Ceisteanna (608)

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

608. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reasons energy resources lying within the territory of the State, including its territorial waters, cannot be nationalised and exploited by the State itself for the benefit of the Irish people as is the practice in other European states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45672/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Fergus O'Dowd)

Ireland operates a model where the State provides the opportunity and private industry bears the risk associated with investing in exploration activity. In addition to offering regular and attractive licensing initiatives and actively promoting the opportunity to invest in exploration in the Irish offshore, my Department works with a range of other State bodies to support the conduct of effective exploration for our natural resources of oil and gas. I am of the view that it would be more effective to seek to build on this cooperation rather than to nationalise the nascent petroleum industry and establish a State exploration company.

Given that a single exploration well in the Atlantic can cost in excess of €100 million and the high risk of unsuccessful exploration in the Irish Offshore, it is difficult to make the case that the taxpayer should make such an investment in the sector at this time. There is no reason to believe that a State exploration company would be any more successful than private industry in choosing the most prospective areas in which to invest.

Electricity Transmission Network

Ceisteanna (609, 610, 611)

John Deasy

Ceist:

609. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the recommendations from the international commission of experts report on the possibility of undergrounding all or part of the Meath-Tyrone interconnector he considers applicable to the proposed Grid Link overhead power line route linking Munster and Leinster. [45731/13]

John Deasy

Ceist:

610. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his policy regarding to the erection of electricity pylons and overhead lines in areas of outstanding natural beauty and high scenic amenity generally. [45732/13]

John Deasy

Ceist:

611. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there have been any advances in technology to change the accepted view that the cost of underground cabling is multiples that of transmission via overhead powerlines. [45733/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I propose to take Questions Nos 609 to 611, inclusive, together.

The "Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure" (July 2012), made it clear that the Government does not seek to direct energy infrastructure developers to particular sites, routes or technologies. These are matters for the developers and for the forward planning processes through regional and local development plans and at project level through the development management process. In this context, energy infrastructure developers are encouraged to work with the those forward planning processes to set clear contexts for assessment of individual applications for planning consent and to facilitate as wide a degree of consensus as possible as to how and where to meet grid development needs.

The Government, as detailed in the July 2012 Policy Statement, expects the companies, including the State energy companies, in making their choices of project specific technologies and routing, to take account of all relevant national and international standards, to follow best practice, to ensure value for money and to be informed by detailed consultation at local level. Using the best available advice and expertise the companies are required to address and mitigate, as necessary, human, environmental and landscape impacts in delivering the projects concerned.

I understand that there is no single ‘right’ solution for any particular development and that technical solutions must be project specific. I also understand that conventional overhead lines are still the most common solution adopted worldwide and still offer significantly lower investment costs than any underground alternative.

EirGrid and ESB Networks are mandated to plan developments in a safe efficient and economic manner in accordance with their licences from the Commission for Energy Regulation.

The Grid Link Project is a key initiative under EirGrid's Grid25. Without this project, the electricity grid in the south and east of Ireland will not be sufficient to meet the region’s future electricity needs. The project will facilitate both conventional generation and renewable energy projects. It will reinforce the grid in Leinster and Munster and support future interconnection with grids outside of Ireland. It is a significant upgrade of the electricity grid and is the largest project under the Grid25 programme. The project will involve an estimated €500 million investment and will enable Ireland to meet its 40% renewable electricity 2020 target, while also reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels.

EirGrid is committed to public consultation and has been engaging in a comprehensive process with regard to the Grid Link project. EirGrid's consultation process has involved opening five regional information centres, providing a lo-call project information telephone line (1890 422 122), local radio advertising, and national and local print advertising. The company welcomes observations and views in relation to the Grid Link Project which is still at an early stage. The identification of route corridor options is a key opportunity for public input given that the decision regarding the final route of this electricity line is yet to be made.