Tuesday, 30 Jun 2015

Written Answers Nos. 645 - 666

Local Authority Finances

Ceisteanna (645)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

645. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that Sligo County Council submitted a new five-year financial plan to his Department on 29 April 2015; that the financial plan indicates that the council has borrowings of in excess of €23 million on which the council is only capable of paying the interest; that the council has had a deficit in its revenue account each and every year from 2008 to date; that the council’s cumulative deficit now stands at over €26 million, with long-term debt in excess of €100 million; that the financial plan provides for the repayment of principal and interest on council loans from 2018 onwards; that the chief executive of the council has stated that progress on the implementation of the financial plan will be reported to the council in the context of the monthly management reports; in this context, if he will include a binding condition in respect of any bailout funding that such progress reports on the implementation of the financial plan will be submitted to each monthly meeting of the council; if his Department has considered the contents of the financial plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26371/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

It is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which include adopting the annual budget and authorising borrowing, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority.

The continued deterioration of Sligo County Council’s financial position is of serious concern to me. While it is a matter for individual local authorities to manage their own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner, my Department is in regular consultation with the Council in relation to its financial position, including in relation to the agreement of a long term financial plan to address these issues. My Department received a financial plan on 29 April and responded on 12 June; engagement is on-going in relation to the contents of the plan.

While the relevant legislative provision for monthly management reports (section 136 of the Local Government Act 2001 as substituted by section 51 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014) makes no provision for the elected members to specify additional elements that they would wish to see in the monthly management report, section 136 does provide that a chief executive shall, when requested, afford to the council all information that may be in the possession or procurement of the chief executive in regard to any act, matter or thing relating to or concerning any business or transaction of the local authority.

If there is a locally-seen requirement for specific reporting to be included in the report, the Chief Executive should, in consultation with the Corporate Policy Group, seek to provide this additional information.

NAMA Social Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (646, 647)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

646. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the delivery of National Asset Management Agency housing units in north Kildare detailing where houses and apartments are and their current status. [26383/15]

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

647. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the delivery of National Asset Management Agency units for social housing; the number that have been delivered or are in the process of coming on stream; the location; and if they are to be leased or purchased by local authorities. [26384/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 646 and 647 together.

My Department continues to work closely with NAMA, the Housing Agency, local authorities and approved housing bodies in relation to the delivery of social housing from the NAMA portfolio. Information in relation to the delivery of NAMA sourced units, including a full breakdown by county, of units delivered on quarterly basis, is available on the Housing Agency’s website: www.housing.ie/NAMA. Information available for Kildare is in respect of the whole of Kildare County Council area and includes a breakdown by houses and apartments of units delivered through NAMA to date. To date 93 units have been delivered in Kildare. My Department does not keep statistics on North Kildare separately.

Since the process began in December 2011 up to end of March 2015, a total of 1,198 residential properties have been delivered for social housing use, comprising of 950 completed properties, with a further 248 that have been contracted and where completion work is on-going. A further 663 properties are active transactions whereby terms are agreed, active negotiation is on-going with all parties concerned, or where a detailed appraisal (i.e. determining the most likely delivery mechanism) is being carried out.

Units delivered through this process comprise of units purchased by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and local authorities through the various funding mechanisms available from my Department, and units leased directly by AHBs and local authorities, including from NAMA’s Special Purpose Vehicle. Of the 950 units completed by end March 2015 111 were leased by AHBs and 23 were leased by local authorities directly from property owners in NAMA. 396 were purchased by AHBs with 93 purchased by local authorities, and the remaining 327 were purchased by the NAMA SPV for onward lease to AHB’s and local authorities. The following table breaks this down by local authority.

LA	Direct Lease by AHB	Direct Lease by LA	Purchased by AHB	Purchased by LA	Purchased by and Leased through SPV	Grand Total
Carlow County Council			55			55
Clare County Council			7			7
Cork City Council				53		53
Cork County Council	6		1		72	79
Dublin City Council	28	8	78		134	248
Dunlaoghaire Rathdown County Council			16			16
Fingal County Council			41	23	80	144
Galway City Council	12	15	46	7		80
Galway County Council	3					3
Kerry County Council			26			26
Kildare County Council	43		42	8		93
Limerick City and County Council	7		9			16
Louth County Council	12		15			27
Meath County Council					11	11
Offaly County Council					14	14
South Dublin County Council			48			48
Westmeath County Council			4		16	20
Wexford County Council			8	2		10
Grand Total	111	23	396	93	327	950

Inland Fisheries

Ceisteanna (648)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

648. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a compensation package for licensed eel fishermen and dealers; if he has had meetings with representatives of this group of fishermen; if so, if he will outline their concerns and his response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25687/15]

Freagraí scríofa

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

While I have met with a number of delegations representing eel fishermen in recent months, my office has no record of a meeting involving the person referred to in the Question or a request for such a meeting.

A full 30 day public consultation process on Ireland's eel Management Plan, under EU Regulation 1100/2007, closed on 17 June. Under this process all stakeholders could avail of the opportunity to make a written submission to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). To assist the consultation process a number of documents were made publically available:

- the activity report of the statutorily independent Standing Scientific Committee on Eels;

- IFI’s three year monitoring report 2012 to 2014; and

- Ireland’s Eel Regulation Report to the EU 2015.

The documents were intended to encourage an exchange of views within the public consultation for the 2015 review during which a range of issues were raised in written submission and are currently being considered. I intend to make the full details of the outputs of the public consultation available shortly. Similar reviews are being carried out across EU Member States as the eel stock has radically declined throughout Europe.

In parallel with the public consultation, an information meeting for stakeholders was held in Athlone on 10 June, ahead of the deadline for written submission.

I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that there is no record of receipt of a written submission from the person referred to in the Question.

Insofar as the issue of compensation is concerned, I refer to the reply Question No. 637 of 25 June, 2015.

Post Office Network

Ceisteanna (649, 652, 653, 658, 667)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

649. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to conduct a commercial review of the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25787/15]

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

652. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will carry out a comprehensive commercial review of the post office network to ensure its viability for the foreseeable future and in particular the next five to seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25860/15]

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

653. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will quantify the social role which post offices provide and the onus on the State to provide equality for citizens under Article 45 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25865/15]

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

658. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will recognise the post office network as a national asset and ensure its future by making it the provider of choice and the front office for all Government services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25904/15]

Pat Deering

Ceist:

667. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will carry out a comprehensive commercial review of the post office network to ensure its viability for the foreseeable future; and if he will make additional resources and finance available to develop new services, such as the collection of rent, rates, local authority charges, motor tax renewals and driving licence renewals. [26367/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I propose to take Questions Nos. 649, 652, 653, 658 and 667 together.

It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide network of customer focused post offices in the community.

I established the Post Office Network Business Development Group earlier this year. The terms of reference for the group are to examine the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network; identify the new business opportunities for the network, taking account of international experience; engage as necessary with the public sector, commercial bodies and other interested parties in pursuit of the aforementioned objectives; and prepare an interim and final report for the Minister in accordance with an agreed timetable.

The work of the group will be of strategic importance to the future of the post office network and I look forward to it concluding its deliberations later this year. In the meantime, I published the initial report of the group for consultation on 16 June, the results of which will contribute to the final report in due course. The consultation runs until 28 July 2015 and details are available through the following link on my Department’s website: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/Postal/Post+Office+Network+Business+Development+Group.htm.

It is in everyone's interest that we have a sustainable post office network, one which meets the needs of the consumer first and foremost. Our collective challenge will be to ensure the future services offered by An Post and the postmasters place the company on a sound financial footing.

Post Office Network

Ceisteanna (650, 651)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

650. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a comprehensive commercial review of the post office network with the purpose of ensuring its viability into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25729/15]

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

651. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the post office network being used to be the provider for all Government services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25730/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 651 together.

It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide network of customer focused post offices in the community.

I established the post office network business development group earlier this year. The terms of reference for the group are to examine the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network; identify the new business opportunities for the network, taking account of international experience; engage as necessary with the public sector, commercial bodies and other interested parties in pursuit of the aforementioned objectives and prepare an interim and final report for the Minister in accordance with an agreed timetable.

The work of the group will be of strategic importance to the future of the post office network and I look forward to it concluding its deliberations later this year. In the meantime, I published the initial report of the group for consultation on 16 June, the results of which will contribute to the final report in due course. The consultation runs until 28 July 2015 and details are available through the following link on my Department’s website: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/Postal/Post+Office+Network+Business+Development+Group.htm.

It is in everyone's interest that we have a sustainable post office network, one which meets the needs of the consumer first and foremost. Our collective challenge will be to ensure the future services offered by An Post and the postmasters place the company on a sound financial footing.

Questions Nos. 652 and 653 answered with Question No. 649.

Broadcasting Sector Regulation

Ceisteanna (654)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

654. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a list of all media organisations that he or his predecessor met to discuss the media merger provisions of the Consumer Protection and Competition Act 2014 and his Department’s media merger guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25869/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

In my role as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I meet with representatives from media organisations on a regular basis, primarily from the broadcast sector. These meetings cover a variety of topics but I have not met any media organisation specifically to discuss the media merger provisions of the Consumer Protection and Competition Bill and/or the Department’s media merger guidelines.

With regard to my predecessor Deputy Pat Rabbitte, the only incidence of him meeting any media organisation specifically to discuss the media merger provisions of the Consumer Protection and Competition Bill and/or the Department’s media merger guidelines was his meeting with Mr. Denis O’Brien in the Department on 27 April 2012. Also present at the meeting were Minister Rabbitte's special advisor and the then Secretary General.

Energy Resources

Ceisteanna (655)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

655. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with a company (details supplied) regarding its sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25870/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Ireland has a single refinery at Whitegate, Cork that is owned and operated by Phillips 66. My Department is in regular contact with the company and I have met with Irish and US executives of Phillips 66 as well as with union representatives. I visited the refinery in November 2014.

The company most recently marketed the Bantry storage terminal, the refinery and their retail business in Ireland in 2013. At that time they decided to proceed with the sale of Bantry terminal only which concluded earlier this year.

Under the 2001 Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA), the new owners agreed to continue to operate the Whitegate refinery and Bantry terminal facility until July 2016 at a minimum. At the most recent meeting I had with Phillips 66 in April 2015, they indicated that they remain committed to honouring the 2001 SPA conditions and they are actively considering a number of options for the future of the refinery beyond that date. I understand that a potential sale is one the options under consideration.

Harbours and Piers Development

Ceisteanna (656)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

656. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on Cork Harbour being proposed as an energy support hub for Irish based exploration and production activity, as well as for offshore wind generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25871/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

There is significant expertise in the Cork harbour area for the maritime and energy sectors including the long established presence of the oil refinery at Whitegate, the National Maritime College of Ireland, the Irish Maritime and Energy Research Cluster (IMERC) at Ringaskiddy and the International Energy Research Centre (IERC) in the Tyndall National Institute in Cork City. Inputs from the wider Cork energy community into the Energy Green Paper process coordinated by my Department have been significant and were noted. My Department has a strong interest in the energy sector in the Cork harbour area. For instance, the Beaufort Building on the IMERC campus, which is a state-of-the-art ocean research facility, is co-funded by my Department and I am represented on the oversight board of the IERC.

Initiatives such as IMERC and IERC will ensure that the energy sector continues to help secure our return to economic growth and quality job creation. Both IMERC and IERC have a particular focus on research and collaboration with industry, a focus that is helping to develop a secure, affordable and sustainable energy future for Ireland. Earlier this year, I spoke at the annual IERC conference in Cork and I have also recently visited the IMERC centre where I saw first-hand how small and medium-sized research centres and enterprises are working to position Ireland as a focal point in the international marine renewable sector.

Under the framework of the Government’s Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, the IMERC facility, along with the quarter scale marine test facilities in Galway bay and the development of the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) off the coast of Mayo, combined with the support of the Prototype Development Fund managed by the Ocean Energy Unit of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), positions Ireland well to harness the potential of our abundant offshore renewable energy resources (wind, wave and tidal).

The availability of Irish ports such as Cork, with the infrastructural capacity to support offshore oil and gas exploration and development activities, is important if we are to realise the economic potential of the Irish offshore. The specific location in the Irish offshore of oil and gas exploration or development activity will undoubtedly be a key determinant in the commercial decision by industry as to which Irish port might be utilised in supporting such activity.

I believe that the Cork Harbour area, together with many other locations, will play an increasingly important role in Ireland’s energy future.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (657)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

657. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form on a county basis, the total number of premises forecasted to be covered by the national broadband plan’s intervention; the total number of premises forecasted to be covered by commercial high-speed broadband services by the end of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25872/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table. The Deputy should note that this information is based on the map produced by the Department in November 2014 and will be subject to change following assessment of all investment plans by operators.

Existing and Planned Commercial High Speed Broadband: this is the number of premises by county that commercial operators indicated would be able to receive high speed broadband by end 2016. The Department has also received updated information from operators in respect of commercial coverage expected by 2020. The Department is in the process of reviewing all the data provided by operators for 2016 - 2020 with a view to validating coverage plans and revising the map if appropriate.

Number of Premises covered by State Intervention: This is the number of premises by county that will be covered by the proposed intervention strategy and is subject to change following assessment of operator plans.

National Broadband Plan

County	Existing and planned Commercial High Speed broadband	Number of premises covered by State intervention	Total number of premises
CARLOW	16,851	10,555	27,406
CAVAN	18,175	24,197	42,372
CLARE	33,657	34,501	68,158
CORK	181,782	85,972	267,754
DONEGAL	48,514	52,004	100,518
DUBLIN	572,053	8,295	580,348
GALWAY	71,275	62,540	133,815
KERRY	38,824	51,180	90,004
KILDARE	67,791	20,536	88,327
KILKENNY	25,317	22,455	47,772
LAOIS	22,560	16,201	38,761
LEITRIM	8,990	13,326	22,316
LIMERICK	63,698	33,963	97,661
LONGFORD	10,891	11,691	22,582
LOUTH	45,015	15,129	60,144
MAYO	33,336	50,831	84,167
MEATH	51,384	31,171	82,555
MONAGHAN	13,914	19,551	33,465
OFFALY	19,587	17,130	36,717
ROSCOMMON	14,269	24,856	39,125
SLIGO	21,281	18,605	39,886
TIPPERARY	43,368	41,207	84,575
WATERFORD	43,098	17,897	60,995
WESTMEATH	26,563	17,814	44,377
WEXFORD	40,202	39,308	79,510
WICKLOW	46,250	16,574	62,824
Grand Totals	1,578,645	757,489	2,336,134

Question No. 658 answered with Question No. 649.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (659)

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

659. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the element of the national broadband plan that requires State intervention is likely to reduce significantly following Eircom’s announcement to roll-out fibre broadband to 300,000 premises which had been included in his Department’s national broadband plan, given that Eircom had participated in the national broadband plan mapping exercise within the past year which had agreed that these 300,000 premises were not likely to benefit from commercially-driven broadband investment; and his views on successive announcements by Eircom to deliver fibre to the home over recent months, totalling some 800,000 homes since autumn 2014, when as of June 2015 only about 150 of those homes have actually been connected with fibre by Eircom. [25931/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The aim of the National Broadband Plan is to ensure that all premises will have access to high speed broadband, whether through commercial investment or a State funded intervention. Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. The map identifies detailed information on over 50,000 townlands on a county-by-county basis and can be accessed at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows Ireland with two colours BLUE and AMBER. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services of a least 30Mbps. The AMBER area shows the target areas for the State intervention and includes over 700,000 addresses.

New private planned high speed broadband investments, such as those recently announced by eircom, may be added to the national high-speed coverage map, once it is established that these plans are definitive and meet the relevant criteria to deliver high speed broadband service to end users. My Department will thoroughly examine and evaluate any commercial investment announcements prior to altering the current national coverage map. For the moment, and pending finalisation of the necessary evaluation of eircom's announcement, the intervention area on our map will remain unchanged.

Energy Efficiency

Ceisteanna (660)

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

660. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the obligations on energy providers to promote energy efficiency and microgeneration in domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. [26048/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

SI 131 of 2014 established an Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme in line with Article 7 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Under the scheme all energy suppliers with annual sales above 600 gigawatt hours (GWh) are required to deliver energy savings to final consumers equating to 0.75% of their annual energy sales. The required savings must be delivered in the non-domestic, domestic and energy poverty sectors in a 75-20-5 ratio respectively. Subject to their compliance with the terms and conditions for the scheme, as set out by the SEAI, it is a matter for individual energy suppliers, working with their customers, as to how they achieve the required energy savings. Further information on the operation of the scheme can be found on the SEAI website. I expect that the SEAI will be submitting a report to me on the operation of the first year of the scheme in the coming weeks, which I intend to publish shortly thereafter.

There is no obligation on energy providers to promote microgeneration in domestic, commercial or industrial buildings.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (661, 662)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

661. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware of the ongoing problems small businesses are experiencing with slow debit and credit card transactions due to a lack of broadband access in County Donegal, despite being near urban centres such as Letterkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26256/15]

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

662. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will prioritise the roll-out of high speed broadband to the most disadvantaged areas, including rural areas in County Donegal, as County Donegal is considered one of the most disadvantaged counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26257/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I propose to take Questions Nos. 661 and 662 together.

The Government recognises that access to high quality, high speed broadband is important for businesses and households throughout Ireland.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) 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 commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.

The publicly-funded intervention under the NBP will address those parts of the country not included by commercial operators' investment plans. The Plan envisages dealing conclusively with the rural connectivity issues so that current and future generations will have a guaranteed access to high quality, high speed broadband. Whatever the technology used, it must ensure users have a service of at least 30Mbps and be capable of meeting future anticipated traffic growth.

I share the Deputy's concerns about the impact that poor quality connectivity is having on business and households. I will be publishing a draft Intervention Strategy for public consultation shortly, with a view to progressing to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year.

I anticipate that the physical build of the network to begin in late 2016, and it will take 3-5 years to fully complete – depending on the details of the bid or bids selected.

I also expect that the procurement process will establish the most efficient and cost-effective means of rolling out the network that will enable access to high speed broadband services to be delivered as quickly as possible.

More generally I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to 21,238 premises to date in the Donegal with a further 27,276 expected to be served through commercial investment. The remaining 52,004 premises in Donegal will be covered by further commercial investment or the proposed State intervention.

Eircom are currently planning for a Fibre to the Home network in Letterkenny and I understand that services will be launched from end of summer 2015.

I understand also that SIRO, the newly-established Joint Venture between ESB/Vodafone is building a fibre to the building network bringing high speed broadband to 50 regional towns and 500,000 premises across Ireland. The overall programme is expected to be completed by end of 2018 and work has commenced on the first 10 towns, including Letterkenny. An exact date for rollout in Letterkenny is not currently available.

Details of investment roll-out programmes are publicly available on the websites of both companies.

Energy Policy

Ceisteanna (663)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

663. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources given that there is approximately 7,400 megawatt capacity of electricity in power stations and that EirGrid has predicted demand will remain more or less the same as levels in 2007, the reason policy is directed towards constructing wind farms to generate 3,000 additional megawatts of energy by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26323/15]

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. A well balanced fuel mix that provides reliable energy, minimises costs and protects against supply disruptions and price volatility, is essential to Irish consumers.

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. Currently, the total amount of renewable generation connected to the grid is 2,700 MW approx. of which just under 2,400 MW is wind. EirGrid have forecasted in their “All-island Generation Capacity Statement 2015-2024” that between 3,200 and 3,800 MW of wind generating capacity will be required to allow Ireland to achieve 40% renewable electricity.

Ireland will also be required to meet targets for electricity generated from renewable sources in 2030. At the October 2014 meeting of the European Council, agreement was reached on the headline targets for the 2030 Climate and Energy Framework, requiring a reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions of 40%, an increase in EU energy from renewable sources to 27%, and an indicative target of 27% energy efficiency in the EU. Ireland will be required to make a contribution to the achievement of these targets which will require additional electricity generated from renewable sources. Every effort is being made to ensure that Ireland's 2030 target will be technically feasible, cost effective and fair in terms of burden sharing across EU Member States.

Inland Fisheries Regulation

Ceisteanna (664)

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

664. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the process and cost for angling clubs in issuing day permits to visiting anglers. [26350/15]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Angling clubs are independent organisations. The process and cost as regards issuing day permits to visiting anglers, in relation to waters on which the fishing rights are under the control of an individual club, is a matter for the club itself.

National Postcode System Expenditure

Ceisteanna (665)

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

665. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the list of companies contracted for the purposes of developing Eircode; and the total cost of these contracts to date. [26355/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

A contract was signed with Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited in December 2013 to develop and roll out the National Postcode System over a 10 year period. Total spend to date on that contract is €15.3m. Aside from the contract with Capita, the following table includes all companies involved in the project and their associated costs from 2010 to date in the development of the postcode system.

Company	Cost
Mason, Hayes & Curran	€155,627
PA Consulting	€1,003,000
Gemserv Limited	€48,248
Process Auditor	€44,180
Total	€1,251,055

National Postcode System

Ceisteanna (666)

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

666. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the companies contracted for the purposes of developing Eircode developed a second private global positioning system enabled code in the event that Eircode was not a success. [26356/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I refer to the reply to Question No. 268 of 24 June. The position is unchanged.