Written Answers Nos. 390-413
390. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there is no union representation on his Department's Brexit consultative committee, which was formed in the aftermath of the UK referendum result; his plans to add such representation to the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32727/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Consultative Committee on Brexit was convened in the wake of the UK referendum result to ensure a full exchange of views between my Department and the range of stakeholders across the agrifood and fisheries sectors as the negotiation process unfolds. This range of stakeholders is comprehensive. It currently facilitates effective input to my Department's ongoing assessment of the likely impacts that Brexit will have on Ireland’s agrifood and fisheries sectors, and will play an important role in identifying and pursuing the key priorities for the agrifood and fisheries sectors as the negotiations proceed.
Of course, my Department's work is just one element of a wider, whole-of-Government response which is being coordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach. As part of this response, a consultative group of external shareholders has been established by the Department of the Taoiseach, and I understand that trade unions have been invited to participate in this group.
391. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the weighting in terms of the application assessment process which is accorded to the requirement of adhering to Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council, FAWAC, advice on best practice for dealing with unwanted horses regarding funding of animal welfare charities; the meaning in the regulations of the term "unwanted"; the flexibility which is available to the animal welfare organisations to make their own decisions about otherwise healthy animals that may no longer fulfil the purpose for which they are bred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32748/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC), which is representative of various stakeholders in the animal welfare area and has been instrumental in promoting animal welfare in a practical manner, advocates that, in situations where an owner can no longer adequately provide for or where the equine can no longer fulfil the purpose for which it was bred, owners should be proactive in seeking to dispose of the animal before its welfare is compromised, including consideration of the option of humane disposal where the horse cannot be sold/transferred to another responsible owner. My Department supports this policy because it should help to prevent the emergence of long-term animal welfare problems.
With regard to the funding by my Department of animal welfare organisations under the ex gratia scheme, the terms and conditions of the scheme for 2017 reiterate the FAWAC advice, which was also included in the 2016 scheme. Accordingly, welfare organisations are required to actively seek to find suitable homes for the animals in their care and have in place a policy statement which clearly states the maximum period of time for which they will hold an animal. However, the terms and conditions do not require equines that cannot be re-homed to be euthanised. While animal welfare organisations may hold animals until end of life, they must state the circumstances in which animals are not suitable for re-homing. This is only one of the many conditions of the scheme and organisations which do not comply with this requirement are not automatically disqualified from funding under the scheme. Animal welfare bodies should also be guided by their private veterinary practitioner advice. Information to hand in 2016 suggests that there are excellent re-homing possibilities for equines in a number of European countries.
392. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times the consultative committee that was established after the Brexit referendum in June 2016 has met; the number of additional meetings planned for the remainder of 2016; the number of meetings planned in the first quarter of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32756/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Consultative Committee of Stakeholders on Brexit was established in the wake of the result of the UK Referendum in order to ensure a full exchange of information between my Department and the range of agrifood and fisheries stakeholders as the negotiation process unfolds.
The Consultative Committee has met twice since 24 June. The first meeting was held within two weeks of the referendum result, on 7 July, and the second meeting was held on 20 October. The meetings have been extremely useful and productive, both in terms of keeping stakeholders informed of developments and in identifying issues that need to be addressed in my Department's contingency planning, which is in turn feeding into the Government’s central contingency framework that is being co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach. Further meetings of the Consultative Committee will be arranged as necessary.
It should be noted that the consultative committee is not the only forum for consultation with stakeholders on Brexit. The Foodwise High Level Committee discusses the issues relating to Brexit as a standing item on the committee's agenda and my officials are also in regular contact with representatives from the sector through other channels.
393. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing issue of commonages claims throughout County Tipperary due to a lack of a chairperson for the commonage implementation committee; when the appointment of a replacement chairperson for this committee will be envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32862/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of issues which have arisen on a small number of commonages in County Tipperary that have been referred to the Commonage Implementation Committee. Proposals for the appointment of a new independent chairperson have been submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and I expect to appoint a new chairperson shortly.
394. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a forestry payment by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32871/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no outstanding payments currently due to the applicant under this Afforestation contract. The next payment on the contract is the 2017 annual premium. An overpayment notified on the contract was the subject of an appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office and an oral hearing on the matter took place on 30 September 2016. The Agriculture Appeals Office will contact the person named as soon as the mater is decided.
395. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount that his Department spent on external legal advice in each of the years 2013, 2014 and 2015; the names of each of the legal firms that provided advice to his Department in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32915/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department generally avails of the legal services of the Chief State Solicitor’s Office. However, occasionally it engages private Solicitor Firms and Junior and Senior Counsel for external legal advice. Details of such engagements are provided in the following table:
|
Year 2013 |
Name of Firm |
Total Amount paid. |
|
Philip Lee Solicitors |
||
|
PP Ryan & Co. Solicitors |
||
|
Advice provided in 2012 |
Deirdre O Callaghan (BL) |
|
|
Advice provided in 2012 |
Dan Boland |
|
|
€108,420 |
|
Year: 2014 |
Name of Firm |
Total Amount paid. |
|
Philip Lee Solicitors |
||
|
PP Ryan & Co. Solicitor |
||
|
Deirdre O Callaghan |
||
|
Joseph P. Gordon & Co. Solicitors |
||
|
Advice provided in 2013 |
Catherine Murphy & Co. Solicitors |
|
|
€146,470 |
|
Year: 2015 |
Name of Firm |
Total Amount paid. |
|
PP Ryan & Co. Solicitors |
||
|
Maurice E Veale & Co. |
||
|
€23,807 |
396. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 771 of 27 September 2016, the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32923/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department received an application from Mr. Maguire on 25 August 2015. On 21 December 2015 a refusal letter issued to the applicant stating that the land is not suitable because it is not capable of producing a commercial broadleaf crop and therefore the application is outside the scope of the Scheme.
This site was deemed not suitable for the planting of trees under the Native Woodland Scheme because of poor fertility, poor drainage and its altitude.
On 29 April 2016, the applicant lodged an appeal. The appeal was referred to the Forestry Appeals Committee and an appeal decision letter issued to the Applicant on 20 July 2016.
The Appeals Committee has examined the appeal and decided that it was unsuccessful. The site proposed for afforestation must be capable of growing a vigorous crop of broadleaves throughout the rotation. The committee found that the site is not suitable for growing broadleaves due to fertility and requirement for repeated applications of fertiliser, including drainage. The site was deemed more suited to growing conifers and the committee found that a revised application can be considered if water sampling is carried out in accordance with the Acid Sensitive Protocol as described in the Forestry Schemes Manual Appendix 11.
As the site is acid sensitive, the applicant has been advised (by phone) to discuss any further applications with the local District Inspector.
397. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of occasions on which an applicant was not required to submit an environmental impact statement to accompany an application for an aquaculture licence, pursuant to and since the introduction of the aquaculture (licence application) regulations 1998, by year, in tabular form; if the application relates to marine-based aquaculture activities or land-based activities on each such occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32932/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act where appropriate and applicable EU legislation.
Under the provisions of the legislation an Environmental Impact Statement is mandatory in the case of licence applications for the cultivation of finfish in the marine environment (other than trail licences for research purposes). In all other cases, including licence applications for the cultivation of shellfish and seaweed the requirement to provide an Environmental Impact Statement is determined on a case by case basis and by reference to all relevant legislation and assessment criteria set out therein.
The specific information requested by the Deputy will require an extensive examination of my Department’s records and I can confirm that the information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
398. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 803 of 27 September 2016, when payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32948/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the GLAS pre-payment validation checks on the application of the person named in respect of the 2015 scheme year a number of issues were identified including an outstanding BPS ground inspection and the outstanding digitisation of a parcel. My officials are currently reviewing these issues and once resolved the GLAS application of the person named will be further processed in respect of the 2015 part year payment.
399. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing a basic farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32952/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was a successful applicant under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme as she met all of the qualifying criteria including the requirement to have commenced her agricultural education course at FETAC Level 6 or equivalent before end-2015.
In order to provide for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme and Young Farmers Scheme for 2016, my Department is obliged to ensure that the successful 2015 young farmer is progressing as expected through their agricultural education course. In this regard, on 27 October 2016 the person named submitted confirmation to my Department from her agricultural education course provider that she is successfully progressing through her course. Following receipt of this confirmation, payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue to the person named in the coming days.
400. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be a GLAS 4 round for those farmers currently in the AEOS 3 scheme whose contracts end at the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32978/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe third tranche of GLAS will be launched shortly with a view to bringing participation in the Scheme to at least 50,000 farmers and to utilise the full budget allocated to GLAS. Until the third tranche is completed it is therefore not possible to consider the issue of any potential fourth tranche.
401. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) will qualify for 60% on TAMS II; when a decision will be made on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33024/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the eligibility criteria to qualify for the higher 60% grant rate under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme in TAMS II is that an applicant must meet the requirements of set-up for the first time within five years of the date of receipt of the grant application under this scheme. The definition of Young Farmer is set out in the EU Regulations governing the TAMS II Scheme.
Department records indicate that the person named was set up in May 2010 which means that the person is not set up within five years of the date of application and does not therefore qualify as a young farmer under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme.
The person named is, however, eligible to apply for a 40% grant rate under the TAMS II measures.
402. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons employed in the greyhound industry here as the last specific figures were attained some five years ago from the Indecon report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33027/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe figures currently available from Bord na gCon (BnG) are based on a report by Jim Power Economic Consultants entitled 'The Economic & Financial Significance of the Irish Greyhound Industry' commissioned by BnG and published in April 2011. These are the most up to date figures available to me. That report indicates that more than 10,000 people are employed directly and indirectly in the greyhound sector and that the wage bill generated by that employment is estimated at approximately €207m per annum.
While the compilation of this data was a major undertaking I am aware that the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has recommended that the exercise be revisited.
I think that this would be useful and I intend arranging a further study of the economic contribution of the industry in due course.
403. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to instruct Bord na gCon to appoint only independent members to the control committees operated within the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33028/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon (BnG) is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, charged with the regulation and development of the greyhound racing industry.
The Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee are statutory committees, appointed by Bord na gCon, under the Greyhound Industry (Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee) Regulations 2007, S.I. 301 of 2007 and are key to the integrity and regulation of the greyhound racing industry. Each committee serves as an Independent adjudicating body.
Under Section 5 of the Greyhound Industry (Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee) Regulations 2007, the following provisions regarding membership shall apply to the Control Committee:
(i) The Control Committee consists of five members who shall be appointed by the Board of BnG.
(ii) No member of the Control Committee shall be a member of the Board, an officer or employee of the Board or a person holding permit from the Board to perform specified functions at a racetrack.
(iii) At least one practising solicitor or practising barrister and at least one veterinarian shall be appointed to the Control Committee from time to time.
(iv) A member of the Control Committee may at any time resign his membership by letter addressed to the Board, and the resignation shall take effect on the date of receipt of the letter.
(v) The term of office of members of the Control Committee shall be three years but retiring members shall be eligible for reappointment.
(vi) A member of the Control Committee shall, unless he sooner dies, retires or otherwise ceases to be a member, hold office as such member until the expiration of his or her term of office.
The Indecon Report recommends that the Minister should appoint the members of the Greyhound Racing Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee. My Department is at present preparing the heads of a Bill to respond to some of the recommendations of Indecon. These will include changes in relation to the operation of the Greyhound Racing Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee.
404. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the frequency with which the board of directors of each greyhound track under the IGB meets; the dates of the meetings of each board held over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33029/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
The details requested by the Deputy are an operational matter for Bord na gCon.
In line with new Dáil procedures, this information can be requested directly from Bord na gCon using the dedicated email address: oireachtasqueries@igb.ie. The Deputy’s question has already been passed on by my Department via this mechanism. Bord na gCon will revert directly.
405. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the accounts for Bord na gCon for 2015 have not been published to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33030/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958, under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
Bord na gCon have informed me that they are in the process of finalising their Annual Report with the C and AG and anticipate that this report will be forwarded to my Department shortly.
406. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason staff members of Bord na gCon are being placed on boards across the country; if he will specify which boards have adopted the policy of replacing outgoing board members with staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33031/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, charged with the regulation and development of the greyhound racing industry.
The matter referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon.
In line with new Dáil procedures, this information can be requested directly from Bord na gCon using the dedicated email address: oireachtasqueries@igb.ie. The Deputy’s question has already been passed on by my Department via this mechanism. Bord na gCon will revert directly.
407. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a limited number of public recycling facilities for plastics at recycling points located throughout County Donegal; the measures being taken to increase the prevalence of such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32533/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the waste industry began releasing, in June 2016, its proposed prices under the introduction of a mandatory pay-by-weight charging structure, the Government relayed its concern to the industry regarding the reported escalation of waste bills for customers of certain companies. On foot of this, my Department engaged with representatives of the waste industry to agree a way forward that results in customers paying no more for the same level of service than they were paying in June 2016, for waste collection over the 12 months to 1 July 2017.
Regulations were signed on 30 June, 2016 to remove the requirement for mandatory pay-by-weight charging for household waste collection. However, it is still open to a company to charge on a pay-by-weight basis. If they are charging the same fee for the same level of service, then this does not run contrary to the agreement. Indeed, many companies already had a pay-by-weight element to their charging structure before the agreement was reached and many of their customers had opted for this approach. The Irish waste industry were directly involved in the discussions which led to the agreement. Any concerns or evidence of a company breaking the agreement can be brought to my attention or to the attention of my Department officials. Queries on this issue or on any matter which is waste related may be directed to the following email address: wastecomments@dccae.gov.ie
My Department, in consultation with the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, had designed a public awareness campaign to coincide with the introduction of a mandatory pay-by-weight charging structure. However, with the removal of mandatory pay-by-weight charging, this campaign was withdrawn. As previously announced, a review of pay-by-weight is to take place prior to the end of the agreement in July 2017. Depending on the outcome of this review, a new publicity campaign will be rolled out as appropriate, which will highlight the importance of waste segregation and reduction in light of our need to reduce our reliance on landfill.
408. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of derelict fishing rights transferred from the former Land Commission to Inland Fisheries Ireland at a location (details supplied) under the Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Act; if these fishing rights remain with him for his disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32575/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen the Land Commission was dissolved under the Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Act 1992 all remaining fishing rights and fisheries reserved to the Land Commission were transferred to the Central Fisheries Board. In 2010 the Central Fisheries Board and eight regional fisheries boards were amalgamated to form Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).
I have been informed by IFI that in the case referred to by the Deputy the details are quite complex and without some considerable additional research into title it is not possible to state categorically what the position is in relation to all the river bank in the section referred to in the question. However, IFI will work with the club concerned to try to reach a resolution that will ensure that the angling club can continue to develop and maintain the fisheries in question while ensuring the State’s assets are properly protected into the future. I believe some discussions have already taken place in this regard.
409. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to reopen the hardship scheme in view of recorded salmon and eel stock levels; his plans to investigate avenues of support to help young salmon and eel fishermen affected by the closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32813/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Salmon Hardship Scheme was introduced following a Government decision in 2006 to permanently cease, for conservation reasons, the commercial salmon mixed stock fishery. Under the scheme, hardship payments were paid to fishermen active in the commercial salmon fishery who availed of the opportunity to cease fishing. They also undertook not to seek a licence in the future.
In excess of €25 million was allocated to the scheme to facilitate payments to fishermen, with a further €5 million provided for community development projects. The scheme closed for applications on 31 December 2007 and ceased in 2008. I understand that all funds were expended and there are currently no plans to revisit such a scheme.
Ireland’s Eel Management Plan (EMP) under EU Regulation 1100/2007, which included a closure of commercial fishing for an initial three year period, was approved by the European Commission in 2009. In accordance with the EU Regulation, all Member States' EMPs are required to be reviewed every three years. Ireland's EMP and its conservation measures were reviewed in 2012 and again in 2015. In both instances, the review involved an examination of the latest scientific data and the conservation measures, the results of which were provided to stakeholders in a comprehensive public consultation process.
Based on management advice from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), and having considered all aspects of the 2015 review reports, the existing conservation measures in Ireland’s EMP will remain in place up to mid-2018 at which time a further review is required. IFI has received funding for a new collaborative research initiative, involving IFI scientists and a number of former eel fishermen, to further develop national knowledge of the species and its medium to longer term potential for recovery. This scientific fishery commenced this year and is expected to continue for three years to increase data and knowledge ahead of further review of eel management measures in 2018.
The latest advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas for 2016, which was published in October 2015, is that “the status of eel remains critical and that all anthropogenic mortality (e.g. recreational and commercial fishing, hydropower, pumping stations, and pollution) affecting production and escapement of silver eels should be reduced to – or kept as close to – zero as possible”. There is no change in the International scientific perception of the status of the stock as being critically endangered.
410. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of trading online vouchers awarded in each county from 2014 to 2016 to date; and the amount that was awarded in each instance. [32835/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Trading Online Voucher Scheme offers a financial incentive of up to €2,500 (subject to match funding), along with training, mentoring and networking support, to help small and micro enterprises to trade online.
The Scheme is administered by the national network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices, and since its launch in July 2014, some 2,600 applicants have been approved for a voucher. Of these, some 1,500 business-owners have drawn down their grant assistance, having successfully completed their projects to trade online, with the average payment amounting to approximately €1,800. In addition, over 5,600 business owners have benefitted from expert advice and peer-to-peer support through participation in one of the 270 or so information seminars delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices under the Scheme.
The Scheme is helping to revitalise small businesses, including sole traders, from across a wide range of sectors including retail, arts, crafts and design, manufacturing, food, and professional services. The roll-out of vouchers continues nationwide, and I have allocated €3m in funding for the Scheme in 2017.
The detailed information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
411. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32611/16]
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. I intend to make a draft National Mitigation Plan available for public consultation by the end of the year.
The Energy White Paper sets out a vision and a framework to guide Irish energy policy up to 2030 including a range of actions to support the indigenous energy sector. The potential of the bioenergy sector to make a significant contribution to a wide range of Government policy objectives, including energy and waste policy, is well recognised. My Department is in the process of finalising a bioenergy plan to capture this potential through the development and introduction of measures to encourage the growth of Ireland’s biomass and bioenergy sectors. The draft bioenergy plan is currently undergoing a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) which will include a public consultation to take place before the end of the year. This will be advertised on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie.
In 2015, 9.1% of Ireland's overall energy requirements were met from renewable sources and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has estimated that this avoided €286 million of fossil fuel imports.
The clear focus of my Department is on implementing the range of actions set out in the Energy White Paper and Programme for Government that are aimed at meeting our energy and climate change targets. Nevertheless, meeting our 2020 targets remains very challenging.
While I have no function in regard to the carbon tax or taxation policy generally which is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance, I understand that the reliefs referred to were introduced with the aim of correcting an anomaly in the carbon tax regime whereby the non-fossil solid fuel (i.e. biomass) element of a biomass blended solid fuel is currently subject to carbon tax.
412. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan, with reference to the Foynes area, County Limerick, and with particular reference to Marine Cove Estate, Foynes, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32670/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated. The formal procurement process for the State Intervention commenced in December 2015.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process.
Marine Cove in the townland of Ballynacragga North is within the BLUE area and therefore is expected to be covered by commercial operators. Members of the public can view whether their premises in County Limerick are in the BLUE or AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
While I cannot compel any operator to provide services to a particular premises, my Department continues to actively monitor the deployment plans in the BLUE area and direct feedback from consumers is important. In this regard, if customers in the Marine Cove area cannot access high speed broadband services, I would encourage them to contact my Department directly at broadband@dcenr.gov.ie, quoting their address and Eircode, and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services so that my Department may investigate further.
The Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State Intervention Area comprising over 750,000 premises in Ireland including over 33,000 premises in County Limerick, covering 100,000 km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland. Since bidders were invited to participate in dialogue with the Department, there have been approximately 150 hours of meetings, with considerable more interaction to follow over the coming months.
Earlier this year, before I came into office, the Department announced that it would be June 2017 before contract(s) were awarded under the NBP. The bidders in the process have recently indicated that they may need more time to conclude the procurement process. The timing of each stage of the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team, and bidders, during the procurement process. Bidders need adequate time to prepare detailed proposals and their final formal bids and get the relevant shareholder and funding approvals at key stages of the process. It is also important to ensure that risks in this multi-million euro procurement are carefully managed. I do not propose to comment any further at this juncture, given that discussions are ongoing in the procurement process. I can assure the Deputy, however, that the procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. The Government considers the NBP to be one of the most significant investments in rural Ireland for decades, and one which will transform society, akin to rural electrification in the last century.
During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated that it could take 3-5 years to roll out a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. It is however open to bidder(s) to suggest more aggressive timescales as part of their bids.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best roll-out strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network roll-out plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed roll-out plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the roll-out of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
413. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he has taken to address the concerns raised by the recent Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom report on media ownership here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32691/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 gives the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the responsibility for assessing proposed media mergers, and empowers the Minister to prevent any merger that is deemed likely to be contrary to the public interest in maintaining the plurality of media in the State. There is no retrospective element to this legislation.
While the report referenced in the question puts forward the view that retrospective provision should be inserted in the 2014 Act, attempting to intervene in the operation of a media business when no merger is planned would be difficult and, given that the purpose of the legislation is to safeguard media pluralism, is also likely to be counter-productive.
Applying a retrospective element to the legislation could, effectively, mean empowering a Government Minister to determine the fate of any media organisation at any given time. This would raise a number of difficult questions about preserving the freedom and independence of the press, even before one considers the legal and constitutional complexities associated with retrospective action of this kind.
An important part of the current regime is the requirement on the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to prepare, every three years, a report on the ownership and control arrangements of media businesses in Ireland. In June of this year, I published the first such report, Report on Ownership and Control of Media Businesses in Ireland 2012-2014. In this report, which is available on my Department's website, the BAI concludes that there has not been a material reduction in media plurality in the State due to the limited changes in ownership and control in the period 2012-2014.
Furthermore, the international expert group Sustainable Governance Indicators ranked Ireland 9.0/10 in Media Freedom and 8.0/10 in Media Pluralism, noting that Irish media is independent, with a pluralist ownership structure.
In my view, the reforms introduced in the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 have struck the correct balance in this area and are working well and, as a result, I am confident that we have a robust and effective set of measures in place to support and encourage a plural and diverse media.
