Written Answers Nos. 1-50
45. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on using an underground alternative to the North-South interconnector employing high-voltage direct-current technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44810/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, EirGrid made a formal application for the North-South Transmission Line project to An Bord Pleanála on 9 June 2015. I am constrained, therefore, in what I can say in relation to the project other than the provision of factual information.
The North-South Transmission Line project is part of EirGrid's plans to upgrade the national electricity transmission system. It is a strategically urgent project that will remove restrictions limiting cross-border power flows between Ireland and Northern Ireland and strengthen security of electricity supply throughout the island of Ireland.
Since the project was initiated, there have been numerous studies into the option of using an underground alternative for the project.
In July 2014, a Government-appointed Independent Expert Panel provided its opinion on whether EirGrid had adequately examined this matter. It found that the studies and work undertaken were compatible with the methodologies being employed on the Grid West and Grid Link projects.
On 27 March 2015 EirGrid published a new independently peer reviewed draft Strategy which found that there remains a clear need for the North-South Transmission Line project, and that the existing proposal for a 400kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project.
46. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the national high-speed broadband scheme will be rolled out to the most isolated areas first, as they are the least likely ever to receive a commercial high-speed broadband service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44661/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's 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.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.Broadband.gov.ie. The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER and was developed based on the most up to date information available at the time of publication. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services by the end of 2016. The areas marked AMBER represent the target areas for the proposed State intervention. The High Speed Map contains a breakdown of premises covered per townland.
Over 40 responses were received following the publication of the NBP proposed Intervention Strategy in July last. Non-confidential versions of these submissions have been published and can be accessed at www.Broadband.gov.ie
Meanwhile, my Department continues to review the technical and financial detail relating to potential new commercial investment proposals.
I expect to finalise the strategy and move to formal procurement phase before the end of the year.
The prospective bidder(s) are experts in network roll-out and each will offer different network architectures and technologies to deliver the network. It is proposed to engage with the winning bidder(s) on the optimum rollout strategy, and on the sequencing of the network deployment to maximise efficiencies during network build, having regard to business and consumer needs, and to areas of particularly poor service and areas of strong demand. All these factors will need to be balanced against the most efficient network rollout and will be agreed during the procurement process.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018 with an ambition of 100% coverage by end of 2020.
47. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the commitment to provide high-speed broadband to every house and business in County Donegal and the deadline for this; if the Government has failed the people of County Donegal, given that 52% of homes and businesses in the county do not have access to high-speed broadband after this Government's five years in office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44830/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's 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.
On 29 September last the Government approved an allocation of €275m for the National Broadband Plan, which will provide the initial stimulus required to deliver the Government's intervention. Combined with commercial investment, this will ensure that 85% of Ireland's premises have high speed broadband by 2018, with an ambition of 100% coverage by 2020.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2016, published on 24th November 2014 was developed by my Department to establish the National Broadband Plan (NBP) Intervention Areas. This Map shows where access to high speed broadband services provided on a commercial basis are expected to be in place by the end of 2016 and where the Government may intervene to enable access to high speed broadband.
I am informed by the commercial operators that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to 21,200 premises to date in Co Donegal with a further 27,200 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 52,000 premises in Co Donegal will be covered be the target for the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan, subject to examination of any further commercial development plans in the area. The breakdown of premises covered, per townland, is available on the High Speed Broadband Map at www.broadband.gov.ie
In July last, following intensive consultations, stakeholder engagement and detailed financial, strategy, economic, legal, technical analysis, I published the draft Intervention strategy and 7 accompanying expert reports. Over 40 responses were received following the publication of the NBP proposed Intervention Strategy. Non-confidential versions of these submissions have been published and can be accessed at www.Broadband.gov.ie.
The planned period for the rollout of the State Intervention is 2016 to 2020 and the Department has revised the investment period under assessment to also include investments in the period 2016 – 2020.
Meanwhile, my Department continues to review the technical and financial detail relating to potential new commercial investment proposals. I expect to proceed to formal procurement before the end of the year.
This is a complex project and I have continually underlined the importance of a conclusive process that delivers for all citizens. This ambitious objective, combined with the need to adhere rigorously to EU State Aid and procurement law obligations, required intensive preparation, engagement with stakeholders and very detailed analysis.
Through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018 with an ambition of 100% coverage by end of 2020.
48. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he can provide assurances that there are no potential adverse health impacts from hydraulic fracturing, if it were to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44823/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the EPA has commissioned a research programme into the potential impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction on the environment and human health. It should be noted that the draft Terms of Reference for this programme were the subject of a public consultation process which resulted in an amended and strengthened scope for the programme, including a key recommendation that the potential impacts from Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction on human health be considered as part of the project.
In this regard, the Tender Documents refer specifically to potential health impacts deriving from impacts on environmental media, including exposure to chemicals, vibration, light, noise, and the potential pollution of environmental media, including soils, air and water.
This all-island research programme will also specifically consider the potential role of Health Impact Assessment in the regulation of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction projects and operations based on the experience in other countries, and will make recommendations towards developing a protocol in an island of Ireland context.
However, I would like to stress that any requirement for Health Impact Assessment into Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction would only arise if an application to carry out a development proposing the use of this technology were being considered.
As I have advised previously, no application to engage in Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction has been received in my Department, nor would any such application, if submitted, be considered until the research programme has concluded and there has been time to consider its findings. Any policy decision will be taken in the context of the objective of achieving a low carbon energy system by 2050.
49. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the updated area intervention map for the national broadband plan will be published; if he is aware of concerns that delays with private operator investment for expansion are occurring on account of the planned intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44804/15]
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 Plan aims to ensure that 85% of all premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband by 2018, with 100% having access by 2020. Currently approximately 1.2m premises have access to services and it is expected that 1.6m premises (70%) will have access by the end of next year.
While I have no input into formulating the plans of commercial operators, I can assure the deputy that the Department strongly encourages commercial investment under the National Broadband Plan. Our objective is to ensure that through the combination of these investments and the State intervention, we will deliver quality, high speed services for every citizen, regardless of where they live or work.
The European State Aid Guidelines for Broadband require Member States to thoroughly evaluate any commercial plans so as to ensure that State Aid is confined to those areas where commercial investment in high speed broadband services is unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future. The planned period for the rollout of the State Intervention is 2016 to 2020. The High Speed Broadband Map 2016, which was published last year, related to the period up to end 2016. The Department has now revised the investment period under assessment in order to consider future Next Generation Access (NGA) investment plans of commercial operators up to 2020.
The Department has undertaken a comprehensive assessment of commercial investment plans submitted to date and has recently published a document 'Mapping future high speed broadband networks', which sets out the Department's process for assessing operator plans and the commitments it expects from operators. It is critically important that Government can be assured that such plans will materialise in full. A further update on the High Speed Broadband Map is planned to be published by my Department before the end of this year.
50. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of his engagement with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government concerning justifiable and important environmental concerns expressed by the people of County Meath relating to Ireland's wind energy guidelines and the proposed North-South interconnector project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44828/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2013, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government began a review of the existing Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review focused on the specific issues of noise, proximity, and shadow flicker. Submissions were received from around 7,500 organisations and members of the public during the public consultation period.
This is a very technical area and the engagement between the two departments is on-going. Studies have been obtained on various aspects of the issues, particularly noise - including separation distance - and detailed assessments of various options have been undertaken by the two Departments.
Any revisions to the guidelines following the conclusion of deliberations will be introduced by issuing the revised guidelines to planning authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
In terms of the proposed North-South Transmission Line project, EirGrid, in discharging its duties as operator and developer of the national transmission grid, engages with communities and citizens on an on-going basis.
There has been extensive public consultation on the North-South Transmission Link project including statutory consultation as required under Regulation (EU) No. 347/2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure and Section 182A of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended.
EirGrid has also opened offices in Navan, Cootehill, and Carrickmacross and has appointed Community Liaison Officers and Agricultural Liaison Officers who are all involved in outreach to the local communities along the intended route of the North-South Transmission Line project.
