Written Answers Nos. 147-151
147. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to meet targets to reduce the effect of climate change here; and if there is an interdepartmental working group set up for this purpose. [21629/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he proposes to take specific steps in respect of climate action requirements; the way in which this is likely to impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32295/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he and his Department have identified the most salient issues affecting this country through climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32296/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the development of policies likely to be complementary to issues arising from climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32297/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 156 to 158, inclusive, together.
The extent of the challenge arising from climate change is well understood by Government. Existing policy is set out in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (2014) which established a high-level policy direction for the adoption and implementation by Government of mitigation and adaptation plans to enable the State to pursue the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050 (known as the ‘national transition objective’ ). The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 established the national transition objective on a statutory basis and in order to facilitate the transition, provided, inter alia, for the development and submission to Government for approval of national mitigation plans and national adaptation frameworks.
Development work on the first mitigation plan and adaptation framework is progressing and is being co-ordinated by my Department through national mitigation and national adaptation steering committees. Both committees are chaired by the Department and include membership from the relevant sectors as well as the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, EPA, SEAI, NewEra and the local government sector. Work generally on the national transition objective is overseen by Government through a hierarchy of committees and sub-groups, with independent advice from the Climate Change Advisory Council, as appropriate. These committees and groups include the Cabinet Committee and Senior Officials' Group on Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action, a Technical Research and Modelling Group and a Domestic Climate Finance Group.
Policy in relation to tackling both the mitigation and adaptation aspects of climate change in Ireland has been in development for a number of years, having regard to EU and international obligations, national policy and the recent legislative provisions referred to earlier. Taken together, these and other measures, including the mainstreaming of climate change considerations into policies and operations across different sectors and the National Dialogue on Climate Change, form part of a long-term strategy to pursue substantial decarbonisation of the energy, transport and built environment sectors and carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land sector. They will also assist our towns and cities to adapt to the future impacts that climate change will bring and ultimately build a level of climate resilience that society will require in the future.
148. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if waste management functions have transferred to his Department. [21631/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Environment (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2016 was approved by Government on 19 July 2016 and took effect from 22 July 2016. This order provides for the transfer of responsibility for environmental functions in relation to air quality, radiation, climate, environmental policy and waste and resource efficiency, including waste management, regulation of waste collection companies and regulation of recycling facilities, to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2016 took effect from 23 July 2016 and altered the title of the Department to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
149. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the categories under which compensation is provided to landowners where EirGrid brings power lines through their property; and the amount paid to a landowner for a timber pylon and a steel pylon. [32168/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraEirGrid endeavours to ensure that Irish citizens have ongoing, secure access to electricity via a world class electricity infrastructure that supports Ireland’s continued economic development. Essentially, EirGrid develops, manages and operates the electricity transmission grid and this brings power from where it is generated to where it is needed throughout Ireland.
In working towards an ever more efficient,more effective and more economic electricity network, it is necessary to carry out grid refurbishment and enhancement on an ongoing basis. This can affect landowners, homeowners and communities near new transmission lines.
EirGrid is aware of the inconvenience and interruption not only on farm activity due to the construction of new pylons on a farm, but also the impact on communities who host the infrastructure. They also acknowledge that there are some restrictions on land use at the site of individual pylons. Hence, in recognition of the potential impact of transmission infrastructure, EirGrid has a range of “compensation” payments in place. The categories are, flexibility of access, loss of development rights, loss of tree planting rights and impacts on farming. EirGrid also has a range of “proximity” and “community” payments in place. It is difficult to provide specific details because each case is assessed on its own merits and consequently compensation rates will vary. However, the flexibility of access category is of most relevance to the question. Payments vary, but for instance, in 2009 a provision was agreed for staged payments of €11,000 per double wood pole set and €22,000 per mast (steel lattice tower) in relation to the construction of a number of new 110kV overhead transmission lines.
EirGrid will be happy to provide more details via their Communications Department. I should also point out that ESB Networks also manage a system of annual payments for farmers where their normal farming practices are affected by the presence of masts on their lands.
150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the attainment of the various targets in respect of climate change such as reduction on dependency on fossil fuels, carbon reduction, encouragement of the alternative energy sector and the maximisation of employment generating potential in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32289/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2014 National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, which is underpinned by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, provides a high-level policy direction for the adoption and implementation by Government of plans to enable the State to move to a low-carbon economy by 2050. Latest Green House Gas emission projections by the Environmental Protection Agency, indicate that emissions by 2020 could be in the range of 6-11% below 2005 levels, thereby falling short of the EU target that emissions should be 20% below their value in 2005. The focus of the first National Mitigation Plan will include putting in place the necessary measures to address the challenge to 2020.
The Energy White Paper, Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030, published in December last, sets out a vision and a framework to guide Irish energy policy and the actions that Government intends to take in the energy sector from now up to 2030, aimed at transforming Ireland's fossil-fuel based energy sector into a clean, low carbon system by 2050.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy, with the latter transport target also being legally binding. A range of support measures designed to meet our binding target has been adopted and although good progress has been made to date, meeting the 16% target remains challenging. Budget 2017 has provided over €100 million to support energy projects. This funding will be split between supporting the existing energy efficiency programmes and rolling out a series of new initiatives and pilots that can lay the foundation for increased investment in future years which will also support employment in the sector.
Figures from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for 2015 show that 9.1% of Ireland’s overall energy requirements were met from renewable sources. In addition, SEAI has calculated that 25.3% of electricity, 6.8% of heat and 5.7% of transport were met from renewable sources.
The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers.
Funding of support schemes under the Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy also supports employment in the renewable energy industry.
151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he expects to meet international requirements in respect of protection of the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32290/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI attach a high level of importance to supporting the international agenda on protection of the environment, and to fulfilling our obligations under relevant international agreements. This is consistent with the overall Government position, as reflected in the commitments set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government, particularly the commitment to work towards implementing the new Sustainable Development Goals and to promote their implementation around the world. In the case of my own Department, the range of climate policy commitments reflect the Government's support for, and response to, the international effort under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). An immediate example of that support and response is the fact that my Department is currently engaged with the other relevant Departments in finalising arrangements for Ireland to ratify the Paris Agreement in advance of the upcoming 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC. Also, a range of measures were announced in Budget 2017 which will contribute to Ireland meeting its international obligations in relation to climate change.
