Tuesday, 11 Mar 2014

Written Answers Nos. 1 - 20

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (9)

David Stanton

Ceist:

9. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total cost of delivering the metropolitan area networks, MANs; if all 88 MANs are now lit; the numbers of persons and businesses using the MANs infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11656/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The cost to the State of delivering the Metropolitan Area Networks or MANs Programme is in the region of €176 million. The Programme was eligible for co-funding of 40% to 50% under the European Regional Development Fund. Phase I of the MANs programme delivered optical fibre based networks to twenty eight towns and cities around the country. The total capital cost of Phase I of the Programme was €85 million. Phase II of the MANs programme delivered a further sixty fibre networks serving sixty-six towns. The total capital cost of Phase II of the Programme is €91.5 million. The MANs are managed, maintained and operated by e|net, who were appointed as Concessionaire following a procurement process in 2004 for the Phase I MANs and in 2009 for the Phase II MANs. e|net makes the networks available to the telecommunications sector on an open access basis.

Of the 88 MANs, 83 are currently “lit”, that is, connected to backhaul and in use by one or more licensed telecoms service providers. The final Phase II MAN, Kinsale, will shortly be handed over to e|net. The MANs that are not currently lit are available and ready to meet demand for services as it arises. e|net is a commercial organisation and information on traffic on the MANs is commercially sensitive. However, it is estimated that in excess of 600,000 individuals and business users are currently benefiting from the MANs infrastructure. The number of connections to the MANs has doubled in recent years and over 50 service providers are using the MANs infrastructure.

Since the inception of the MANs Programme, demand for bandwidth has increased significantly and this increase is expected to continue. Almost all broadband service providers are increasingly turning to optical fibre to backbone their networks. Service providers will continue to bring optical fibre closer to their end users. The MANs are ready to meet the demand for fibre connectivity and are well placed to serve the needs of service providers and their end users for the foreseeable future. The following table sets out a list of the MANs, the construction completion date for each MAN and the current status of each MAN:

Phase One Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)

-	MAN	County	Year of Completion	Year MAN was lit
1	Cavan	Cavan	2006	2006
2	Kingscourt	Cavan	2006	2012
3	Cork	Cork	2005	2005
4	Carlow	Carlow	2005	2006
5	Letterkenny	Donegal	2004	2005
6	Gweedore	Donegal	2005	2011
7	Galway	Galway	2004	2004
8	Kilkenny	Kilkenny	2005	2006
9	Portlaoise	Laois	2005	2005
10	Carrick-on-Shannon	Leitrim	2005	2005
11	Manorhamilton	Leitrim	2005	2006
12	Limerick	Limerick	2005	2005
13	Dundalk	Louth	2006	2006
14	Drogheda	Louth	2006	2006
15	Ballina	Mayo	2003	2004
16	Belmullet	Mayo	2011	Not yet lit
17	Kiltimagh	Mayo	2003	2009
18	Carrickmacross	Monaghan	2006	2012
19	Monaghan	Monaghan	2006	2008
20	Tullamore	Offaly	2005	2006
21	Roscommon	Roscommon	2004	2006
22	Sligo	Sligo	2005	2005
23	Clonmel	Tipperary	2004	2004
24	Dungarvan	Waterford	2004	2006
25	Waterford	Waterford	2005	2005
26	Athlone	Westmeath	2004	2005
27	Mullingar	Westmeath	2005	2006
28	Wexford	Wexford	2005	2005

Phase Two Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)

	MAN	County	Year of Completion	Year MAN was lit
1	Cootehill	Cavan	2007	2010
2	Bailieborough	Cavan	2007	2012
3	Kilrush	Clare	2008	2012
4	Bantry	Cork	2008	2010
5	Blarney	Cork	2008	2009
6	Carrigaline/Ringaskiddy/Passage West	Cork	2008	2009
7	Charleville	Cork	2008	2011
8	Dunmanway	Cork	2008	2012
9	Fermoy	Cork	2008	2012
10	Kanturk	Cork	2008	2013
11	Kinsale	Cork	2013	Not lit yet
12	Midleton	Cork	2008	2012
13	Mitchelstown	Cork	2008	2013
14	Skibbereen	Cork	2008	2012
15	Youghal	Cork	2008	2012
16	Ballybofey/Stranorlar	Donegal	2007	2011
17	Ballyshannon	Donegal	2007	2009
18	Buncrana	Donegal	2007	2011
19	Bundoran	Donegal	2007	2012
20	Carndonagh	Donegal	2007	2012
21	Donegal Town	Donegal	2007	2010
22	Donabate/Portrane	Dublin	2007	2010
23	Lusk	Dublin	2007	2011
24	Skerries	Dublin	2007	2011
25	Athenry	Galway	2007	2012
26	Ballinasloe	Galway	2007	2011
27	Clifden	Galway	2007	2013
28	Gort	Galway	2007	2012
29	Loughrea	Galway	2007	2011
30	Killarney	Kerry	2008	2009
31	Castleisland	Kerry	2008	2010
32	Tralee	Kerry	2008	2009
33	Listowel	Kerry	2008	2010
34	Thomastown	Kilkenny	2008	2013
35	Abbeyfeale	Limerick	2008	2012
36	Newcastlewest	Limerick	2008	2012
37	Longford	Longford	2007	2009
38	Ardee	Louth	2007	2012
39	Ballinrobe	Mayo	2007	2012
40	Claremorris	Mayo	2008	2011
41	Knock	Mayo	2007	Not yet lit
42	Clonee/Dunboyne	Meath	2007	2009
43	Dunshaughlin	Meath	2007	2013
44	Kells	Meath	2007	2011
45	Navan	Meath	2007	2009
46	Trim	Meath	2007	2011
47	Castleblayney	Monaghan	2007	2010
48	Clones	Monaghan	2007	2012
49	Nenagh	North Tipperary	2008	2012
50	Roscrea	North Tipperary	2008	2012
51	Templemore	North Tipperary	2008	2011
52	Edenderry	Offaly	2009	2011
53	Banagher	Offaly	2008	Not yet lit
54	Birr	Offaly	2008	2011
55	Cahir	South Tipperary	2008	2012
56	Carrick-on-Suir	South Tipperary	2008	2012
57	Tipperary	Tipperary	2008	2013
58	Cashel	Tipperary	2008	2012
59	Blessington	Wicklow	2008	Not yet lit
60	Kilcoole/Newtownmountkennedy	Wicklow	2008	2012

Questions Nos. 10 and 11 answered orally.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (12, 16)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

12. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to improve broadband services in County Donegal through the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11499/14]

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

16. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the mapping process being undertaken as part of the national broadband plan; the timeline for completion of same; the way he believes it will improve the services to many parts of rural Ireland which remain without a satisfactory broadband service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10850/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 16 together.

The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses including those in County Donegal. This will be achieved by providing:

- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and

- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.

Since the publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway and in some instances have been accelerated in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. In the fixed line segment of the market, Eircom has announced plans to pass 1.4m addresses with its next generation broadband service, with speeds of up to 100Mbps, while UPC has increased its entry level and maximum speeds to 120Mbps and 200Mbps respectively. Mobile operators have also made announcements regarding network upgrades and are rolling out enhanced product offerings. The ESB Electronic Communications Bill, will, when enacted, enable the ESB to utilise its electricity distribution network to provide telecommunications services and is a further step in promoting investment in competitively priced high speed broadband.

Many of these developments have been facilitated through the implementation of measures in the National Broadband Plan, including the conclusion of ComReg's multiband spectrum auction, and the regulatory regime for fixed line Next Generation Access and service bundles. Both of these measures are designed to incentivise the rollout of services by operators.

In tandem with these developments, intensive work, including a comprehensive mapping exercise, continues in my Department in relation to the State-led investment to secure the countrywide introduction of next generation broadband access. In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained.

Under the national mapping exercise, information has been sought from all undertakings authorised by ComReg in relation to current and planned broadband services, both basic and next generation access (NGA). Mapping data has been submitted to my Department by a total of 23 operators and the process of analysing the data and supporting information is continuing. The mapping data is being assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the EU State Aid Guidelines. When all of the information has been analysed, a clear picture should emerge of coverage throughout all of the country. I expect that this process will be completed later this year, after which it is my intention to publish a map showing existing and planned NGA broadband coverage, along with the Government’s proposals for a State-led intervention to roll out high speed broadband across the country. The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched later in 2014.

Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in, and maximise the benefits of, a digitally enabled economy and society.

Environmental Protection Agency Expenditure

Ceisteanna (13)

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

13. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of the Environmental Protection Agency study into hydraulic fracturing; the funding arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11496/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

While the EPA is managing the study into the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing under the STRIVE programme, the research programme is being co-funded by the EPA, my own Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. While the call for tenders for the appointment of the appropriate expertise to carry out the research programme has been completed, the appraisal of the tenders received is still underway and appropriate experts have yet to be appointed. It is, therefore, difficult to be definitive at this juncture with regard to final costs.

It should be noted that the scope of this study is considerable with its key objectives being to ascertain if Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction projects and operations can be carried out on the island of Ireland while also protecting the environment and human health and what is best environmental practice in relation to Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction projects and operations. In order to conclude on these matters, the appointed experts will consider baseline characterisation with respect to groundwater, air and seismicity, together with potential environmental impacts and mitigations of hydraulic fracturing, along with a consideration of best international regulatory practice. It is expected that the total cost of the research programme will be in the order of €1m.

Inland Fisheries Regulation

Ceisteanna (14)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

14. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a breakdown of the number and location of fish counters in our rivers to count returning salmon; his views on whether there are adequate counters to provide scientific advice on fish returns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11505/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Fish counters are a component element of the assessment array in use by the independent Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon. In carrying out salmon stock assessments the Committee draws on a number of data sets including rod and commercial catch data, fish counters and catchment wide electro-fishing. Salmon stocks are assessed in the majority of rivers using salmon rod catch data. These data are used in conjunction with an angler exploitation rate to assess the total salmon stock. This assessment is then correlated with the salmon Conservation Limit which is the number of adult fish required to spawn and sustain a healthy population for each river. Any commercial salmon catch is also included in this calculation.

Fish counters are a component element of the assessment array in use by the Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon and are particularly useful in cases where rod or commercial data is not available. Of the rivers assessed for the 2014 season, fish counters were used on 31 to assess the upstream salmon run against the conservation limit and facilitate the Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon in formulating its advice for those particular rivers. I am advised that, given the availability of catch records on the majority of rivers, and other indices the number of fish counters in use is considered sufficient as a component within the array of methodologies available to the Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon. However the requirement for additional counters is continually reviewed, as it is recognised by all that counters provide additional granularity on the status of salmon stocks.

The following table lists the location of the counters. For other rivers, catchment wide electro-fishing is used to determine the abundance of juvenile salmon in a catchment as an indicator of adult salmon presence.

Location of Counters

	River	Fishery District		16	Cashla	Connemara
1	Dee	Dundalk		17	Ballynahinch	Connemara
2	Fane	Dundalk		18	Owenglin	Ballinakill
3	Boyne	Drogheda		19	Dawros	Ballinakill
4	Liffey	Dublin		20	Culfin	Ballinakill
5	Slaney	Wexford		21	Erriff	Ballinakill
6	Bandon	Cork		22	Bunowen	Ballinakill
7	Kerry Blackwater	Kerry		23	Burrishoole	Bangor
8	Waterville	Kerry		24	Owenduff	Bangor
9	Maine	Kerry		25	Munhin	Bangor
10	Feale	Limerick		26	Owenmore	Bangor
11	Mulkear	Limerick		27	Ballisodare	Sligo
12	Shannon	Limerick		28	Erne	Ballyshannon
13	Dunkellin	Galway		29	Eany	Ballyshannon
14	Corrib	Galway		30	Eske	Ballyshannon
15	Boluisce	Galway		31	Clady	Letterkenny

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Ceisteanna (15)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

15. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has confidence in the work being done by Inland Fisheries Ireland; if any other Department has raised any issue with him in relation to the work and professional competence of the staff of this agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11504/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The establishment of IFI has facilitated more efficient and effective management of the inland fisheries resource along with an enhanced national perspective in the formulation of relevant policy which is more streamlined, coherent and integrated. Since its establishment IFI has developed innovative technologies and working methods to create cost efficiencies with no loss of operational efficiency in delivering its services. IFI’s broad range of functions and responsibilities are set out the section 7 of Inland Fisheries Act 2010. In summary these functions relate to the protection, conservation, management and promotion of Ireland’s inland fish resources and of sea angling. In accordance with Section 7 of the 2010 Act IFI has specific functions in relation to research and to environmental matters set out in EU and domestic legislation, particularly the Habitats Directive.

Section 7(2) (a) of the 2010 Act specifically charges IFI with advising the Minister on conservation, protection, management, marketing development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. In relation to salmon, IFI is supported by the independent Standing Scientific Committee, established in accordance with the 2010 Act, comprised of scientists from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Loughs Agency, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Marine Institute and other State Agencies. In its role as the Department’s statutory scientific advisors as regards the inland fisheries resource, all advice is supported by fact-based scientific and technical research conducted by the Agency.

Given the challenging work-load and circumstances following the establishment of IFI, the amalgamation of 17 bodies into a single national organisation and the continued delivery of excellent services country-wide from a new agency has been a great success. I have confidence in the work of the Board, management and staff of the agency in achieving that success and across the wide range of functions as ascribed to the Agency by section 7 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010.

Question No. 16 answered with Question No. 12.

Question No. 17 answered with Question No. 11.

Energy Resources

Ceisteanna (18)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

18. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which adequate alternative energy electricity generating capacity is being provided for over the next 20 years with particular reference to the need to ensure the minimisation of carbon penalties; the need to ensure adequate energy resources to meet economic development requirements in the period in question; the extent to which it is expected to achieve energy self-sufficiency and security from non-fossil fuel sources in this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10959/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland is currently heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix for some time to come, progress is being made towards increasing the share of renewable energy in our generation porfolio.

The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources. Figures for 2013 show that 19% of electricity demand was met from renewables.To date wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity, contributing most towards the achievement of the 2020 target. In 2013, 17% of electricity demand was met by wind generation. At the end of 2013, the total amount of renewable generation connected to the grid was 2,300 MW. It is estimated that a total of between 3,500 and 4,000 MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to meet its 40% renewable electricity target. Currently, around 3,000 MW of renewable generation has taken up connection offers under the Gate 3 grid connection programme.

The issue of carbon penalties potentially arises with regard to Ireland's 2020 renewable energy target. Currently Ireland is in line with our forecast trajectory to meet this target. My Department closely monitors progress in this regard. We are now looking towards a new EU energy and climate change framework for 2030, and to acheiving a low carbon economy by 2050. Following the recent publication by the European Commission of its proposal for a 2030 Climate and Energy Framework, my Department is undertaking analysis to establish the scale of the contribution Ireland can make to the achievement of the proposed EU renewable energy target of 27%, while ensuring that action taken will be cost effective.

Renewable Energy Exports

Ceisteanna (19)

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

19. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has had any discussions with the British Government regarding the amount it would pay for Irish renewable energy sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11495/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

In January of 2013 the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Mr. Edward Davey M.P. and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation. That Memorandum sent a strong signal of our shared interest in exploring the opportunity to export green electricity from Ireland to Britain and resulted in consideration over the last fifteen months of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of both countries.

From the outset, it was our shared understanding that both States would enter into an Inter-Governmental Agreement to facilitate renewable energy trading only if it was mutually beneficial to do so. Significant work has been undertaken on various workstreams including policy, spatial development, regulatory approaches and economic analysis. A full cost benefit analysis (CBA), assessing if it is mutually beneficial for Ireland and the United Kingdom to enter an Inter-Governmental Agreement is substantially complete. From an Irish perspective the potential benefits would include jobs created, community gain, interconnection benefits, corporation tax receipts, rates paid to local authorities and a dividend of trade. This analysis also includes examination of issues such as the amount of energy to be procured by the UK and the mechanisms for sharing the resultant dividend of trade, including an appropriate return to the Irish Exchequer.

Based on the CBA, it is clear that under certain sets of arrangements renewable energy trading between Ireland and the UK could deliver significant benefits for both States while also being attractive for renewable energy generators. However, any IGA would have to be designed in a manner that would be workable for both Ireland and the UK. In this regard, both Ireland and the UK recognise that there are a number of very complex issues that have yet to be resolved in order to deliver renewable energy trading projects, particularly projects focused on delivery for 2020. Key policy and regulatory design decisions remain to be taken by the UK on matters which are central to the design of any energy trading scheme and to the conclusion of an IGA including (i) the maximum quantity of electricity to be procured; (ii) the structure of the payment mechanism, the basis for allocating payments, and the resultant financial flows to electricity generators and tranmission asset owners; (iii) the regulatory approach to the transmission wire; and (iv) the arrangements for sharing the dividend of trading. Certainty on these matters would also be essential for renewable generators if they are to deliver for 2020, given the long lead in time on projects of this nature.

As I have explained many times in the House and outside, there can only be an Intergovernmental Agreement if there is considerable value to Ireland in employment and economic terms. Against that standard and given the issues still unresolved, I made public my judgement after meeting with Minister Ed Davey last week that it is doubtful that the project can be delivered as envisaged.

Mobile Telephony

Ceisteanna (20)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

20. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress his Department has made to date with mobile phone operators in an effort to eliminate roaming charges for Irish customers while travelling through Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11500/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The regulation of retail charges for roaming services is implemented by way of EU Regulations which limit the maximum retail prices for retail roaming services within the European Union. The first such EU Regulation commenced in 2007. Two further EU Regulations were introduced in 2010 and 2012 to further reduce the maximum permitted retail roaming charges within the EU and to increase consumer protection measures by requiring service providers to inform users of the roaming charges they may incur and additional requirements to curtail services in order to avoid bill shocks in any billing period. The purpose of these recurring EU Regulations is to bring about common tariffs for both national and roaming services within the EU internal market.

The current EU Regulation, which commenced in July 2012, imposes two further reductions in retail roaming charges, effective from July 2013 and July 2014. When the second reduction is implemented in July next, the regulated maximum per minute price, exclusive of VAT, will have reduced from €0.49 in 2007 to €0.19 for making a call and from €0.24 in 2007 to €0.05 for receiving a call. In addition the retail price for data services when roaming, will have reduced from €0.70 to €0.20 per megabyte, exclusive of VAT, between July 2012 and July 2014.

In addition, the EU Regulation adopted in 2012 also requires mobile service providers to take positive steps to advise customers on the means of avoiding inadvertent roaming, which can occur in border regions when the mobile signal from a service provider in the adjacent State is stronger then the signal provided by a user's domestic service provider at any particular location. Mobile phone users can avoid inadvertent roaming by disabling the automatic network selection setting on handsets in favour of the manual network selection mode. In Ireland the competing service providers offer options for users roaming in Northern Ireland. The available options include roaming calls billed at national rates, no additional charges for calls received and some calls included within bundled minutes. The offers differ from service provider to service provider. Full details of the options available can be obtained from the individual service providers or on the website www.callcosts.ie.