Written Answers Nos. 605-623
605. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the role the Commission on Energy Regulation has in the regulation of oil, petrol and diesel prices in the Irish economy; and his views that the pricing of this crucial area of Ireland’s energy supply should be regulated in the interests of Irish households and small businesses. [4894/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for Energy Regulation's (CER) primary economic responsibilities in energy are to regulate the Irish electricity and natural gas sectors. There is free entry to the Irish oil market, no price control and it is Government policy to encourage price competition and consumer choice. As the Irish oil sector is completely privatised, liberalised and deregulated, the CER has no role in the oil market. Oil is consumed in two sectors of the economy - in transport and heating. The amount of oil used in the electricity sector is negligible at less than 1%. In terms of gasoline and diesel prices at the pump and home heating prices, the Consumer and Competition Commission (under the aegis of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation) has a role in ensuring that the market is functioning correctly and that consumers are not being disadvantaged.
Previous investigations and surveys into oil prices, including home heating oil, have been undertaken by the National Consumer Agency (now the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission), and these are available at www.ccpc.ie. The research indicates that the price paid by consumers is largely determined by taxation levels, the internationally traded price of crude oil and the consequent price at which refined product is traded in Europe, along with the level of competition in the retail market.
It is a general Government policy to avoid excessive regulatory burden and allow market forces and competition to determine price insofar as possible. Regulatory intervention in the oil market could only be justified if investigations by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission indicated that consumers were being unfairly treated by oil companies. Notwithstanding that, in my forthcoming consultation on energy affordability, I intend to consult with the public on whether the oil market in Ireland should be regulated by the Commission for Energy Regulation.
606. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress to date in the identification of areas within the constituency of Louth where commercial operators will not be providing broadband; the actions that will be taken by his Department to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4935/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The national high-speed coverage map published on the 24th November last shows clearly those areas of the country where public investment will be required. On the same day I also published a public consultation on the mapping process. This consultation which will close on the 12th February next aims to ensure the accuracy of the map and to establish definitively where the State will need to intervene.
The map, which includes lists of every townland on a county-by-county basis, can be accessed at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas on the map marked Blue will all have access to high speed broadband services of at least 30Mbps from the commercial sector by end of 2016. The areas marked Amber will require the intervention of the State and includes 16 townlands in County Louth.
The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises or home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention.
It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be also delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.
In tandem with the mapping consultation, intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy. The strategy will address a range of issues in relation to the intervention including amongst other things the optimum approach to enable high speed broadband services to be delivered to the premises identified on the Map.
The next steps in this process will see a further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy in mid-2015. The Intervention Strategy will be notified to the European Commission for State Aid clearance.
Following the public consultation, towards the end of this year a detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders. It is expected that the physical build of this network will commence from 2016. I am keen to see the implementation begin as quickly as possible and completed at the earliest opportunity.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.
607. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an economic division exists in his Department; if so, the extent to which comparisons continue to be made between energy costs here and those in adjoining jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5004/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has an economic unit which is responsible for the provision of economic analysis across the Department.
Electricity price statistics for Ireland and EU Member States are publicly available. SEAI publishes biannual reports on electricity and gas prices in Ireland. The reports analyse electricity and natural gas price data, as published by Eurostat and collected for Ireland and other European countries under the methodology for the EU Gas and Electricity Price Transparency Directive 90/377/EEC as amended by Council Decision 2007/394/EC. Since 2008, these comparable data for all EU Member States are published every six months on the Eurostat website.
The most recent SEAI biannual price report was published in December 2014 and contains electricity and gas price statistics for the period January to June 2014. The reports present detailed information, analysis and commentary on Ireland’s comparative electricity and gas prices and trends in these prices over time, for both EU 28 and Eurozone Member States.
These electricity and gas price reports, going back to 2008, are available on the SEAI website at the following link: http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/.
Insofar as oil is concerned, the European Commission maintains a Statistics and Market Observatory, which publishes a weekly Oil Bulletin with consumer prices of petroleum products in EU Member States, including Ireland. The petroleum products reported include gasoline, diesel, gasoil and fuel oil. The Oil Bulletin is designed to improve transparency and strengthen the internal market. It contains tables with consumer prices in all 28 Member States prices, as well as separate euro-area and non-euro area tables and information on prices with and without taxes. It is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/statistics/weekly-oil-bulletin.
608. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of areas in counties Longford and Westmeath that will require State intervention under the national broadband plan; if work has commenced in providing fibre broadband to these areas; the work that has been undertaken to date in these areas; when fibre broadband is scheduled to be operational in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5021/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The national high-speed coverage map which I published on the 24th November last shows clearly those areas of the country where public investment will be required. On the same day I also published a public consultation on the mapping process. This consultation will close on the 12th February next. This consultation process aims to ensure the accuracy of the map and to establish where the State will need to intervene. It will further inform the Government’s proposed intervention strategy.
The map and county by county breakdown, which includes lists of every townland on a county-by-county basis, can be accessed at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas on the map marked Blue will all have access to high speed broadband services of at least 30Mbps from the commercial sector by end of 2016. The areas marked Amber will require the intervention of the State. It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be also delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.
The map allows all member of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises or home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end of 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government’s proposed intervention. It also provides detailed information on over 50,000 townlands throughout the entire country including Counties Longford and Westmeath.
Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy. The strategy will address a range of issues in relation to the intervention including inter alia, the optimum approach to enable high speed broadband services to be delivered to the premises identified on the Map. The next steps in this process will see a further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy in mid-2015. The Intervention Strategy will be notified to the European Commission for State Aid clearance.
Following the public consultation, towards the end of this year a detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders. It is expected that the physical build of this network will commence from 2016. I am keen to see the implementation begin as quickly as possible and completed at the earliest opportunity.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.
609. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a list of all bonus payments made to chief executives of commercial semi-State agencies under the remit of his Department in each year from 2011 to 2014; if bonuses were withheld by commercial semi-States during the period; the reasons for withholding of bonuses; the current policy regarding the payment of bonuses in the commercial semi-State sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5200/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll directions issued by the Government in relation to remuneration of CEOs in Semi State Companies have been brought to the attention of the relevant State Companies. While the information sought by the Deputy regarding payments made to CEOs in Semi State Companies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each company, I will ask the bodies to provide this information directly to the Deputy.
610. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4805/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities (in this case Kerry County Council) own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
If this is a road not taken in charge by Kerry County Council, the maintenance and improvement of such a road, is in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) does provide for funding for such roads and laneways. However, there is no separate allocation for the LIS. Instead, local authorities may use up to 15% of their initial Discretionary Grant towards local improvement schemes should they wish to do so. The local contribution for these schemes is 20% of the total cost of the project. Furthermore, it is open to local authorities to supplement the percentage of their Discretionary Grant that they can use for the LIS with their own resources.
Kerry County Council is being allocated €12.8m in funding by my Department as part of the 2015 regional and local road grant allocations.
It is also important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils in their own resources spending in this area.
611. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the national car test cannot be facilitated at present in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4873/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's Question to the RSA for direct reply. Please advise my Office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
612. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the rising rates of car insurance premiums due to the increase in the number of road traffic collisions, fatalities and injury claims; and if he will report on the interventions that will be put in place to address the urgent road safety issue, which is having a knock-on effect on citizens through huge hikes in car insurance premiums. [4884/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no role in the regulation of motor insurance. That role falls to the Central Bank of Ireland as the financial services regulator.
Motor insurance is a private matter between the insurer and the insured and the cost varies according to the provider depending on how they insurer perceives the risk the applicant presents.
I note that, based on Central Statistic Office figures, there has been an increase in the cost of motor insurance in the 2013-2014 period. However, I am confident that the implementation of the Actions in the Road Safety Strategy will, over time, lead to a reduction in road traffic collisions, fatalities and injuries which will be of assistance in reducing the cost of motor insurance.
613. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the owner of a vehicle (details supplied) has been asked to present for a DOE test only a few months after their previous test, as the vehicle was never off the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4929/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation and management of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness testing is statutorily, a function of the Road Safety Authority. I have forwarded the Deputy's Question to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not received a response within the next ten days, he should contact my office.
614. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views confirming that the current 25.1% State shareholding in Aer Lingus prevents the airline from disposing of any of the Heathrow slots without the Government's agreement; the way these slots will be protected in the context of the Government disposing of its 25.1% stake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4688/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my response to priority question 124 in which I addressed this issue.
615. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will retain and reallocate the funding for the N86 Tralee to Dingle road in County Kerry following the resolution of the current impasse on the vital continuation of improvements as Kerry County Council has justified the economic need for this development and is pursuing the process to ensure the further approval to construct this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4320/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects such as the N86 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
616. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans for increasing the M7 to three lanes at Naas, County Kildare; his views that such an investment would improve the value of the National Asset Management Agency's site at Millennium Park, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4325/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects such as the Naas Bypass widening is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Owing to the national financial position, there have been very large reductions in roads expenditure in recent years. The reality is that the available funds do not match the amount of work that needs to be done to maintain existing road infrastructure or address demands for new road improvement projects. Funding in 2008 was €2.3 billion while funding this year is around €730 million for the national, regional and local road network. Unfortunately, the current financial realities are such that the budgets proposed for my Department for 2016 and 2017 indicate that capital funding will continue to be very tight, and my ability to progress new projects and PPPs is limited.
I acknowledge it is important to restore over time capital funding for the transport sector to ensure that infrastructure is maintained but, as of now, I am not in a position to give a commitment in regard to funding of the projects in question, although I acknowledge their national and local importance.
617. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a report on the number of taxi licence holders who have returned the S15 form, which relates to the inheritance of a taxi licence in the event of the death of the licence holder, to the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4380/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the processing of the S15 form relating to the death of a licence holder, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
618. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Roads Authority has received a traffic management plan from Meath County Council for Slane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4397/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra619. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Roads Authority has submitted a report to him regarding the Slane bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4398/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 618 and 619 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question regarding a traffic management plan for Slane to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days. I can confirm that I have not received a report from the NRA regarding the Slane Bypass.
620. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the finalisation of the national aviation policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4445/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new National Aviation Policy is currently being finalised. This will address all aspects of aviation policy from safety, security and economic regulation to airline and airports policy. I intend to publish the Policy shortly.
621. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to the Exchequer of the PSO route between County Kerry and Dublin for 2012, 2013 and 2014. [4446/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the total subvention paid in respect of the PSO route between Kerry and Dublin for the years 2012-2014 are as follows:
|
Year |
Subvention - € |
|
2012 |
3,917,964 |
|
2013 |
4,021,261 |
|
2014 |
4,061,373 |
622. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, for the years 2007 to 2010 the total photography costs in his Department, including a list of which photographers were booked, the photographers used and breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4501/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra623. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, for the years 1997 to 2007 the total photography costs relating to his Department, including a list of which photographers were booked, the photographers used and breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4517/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 622 and 623 together.
Details of photography costs incurred by the Department since 2008 are published on its website http://dttas.ie/corporate/english/photography-costs.
Details prior to 2008 are not readily available or comparable due to a number of changes in Departmental functions and structures since 1997.
It is Department policy that photography costs are kept to a minimum and services are provided in-house by staff where possible.
