Written Answers Nos. 319-35
319. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received any correspondence or had discussions with his UK counterpart with regard to the UK's ongoing membership of EURATOM; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5165/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision of the UK Government to withdraw from the EURATOM Treaty was only confirmed last Thursday upon the publication of the Bill seeking Parliamentary approval to issue notification of the UK’s intention to withdraw from the EU. I have not, as yet, received any correspondence or engaged with my UK counterpart on this matter. Officials in my Department are examining the consequences of this decision and, over the coming months, will engage as appropriate with the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Office for Nuclear Regulation, through the UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters. This will enable us to examine the impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EURATOM Treaty and plan for these as necessary.
320. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the ESB's proposed smart metering project and the tendering system for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5218/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU's Third Energy Package stipulates "where roll-out of smart meters is assessed positively, at least 80% of consumers shall be equipped with intelligent metering systems by 2020." Member States across Europe are now at varying stages of smart meter rollout programmes and smart meters are also being rolled out in other parts of the world including the United States, Brazil, India, and China.
In Ireland, the National Smart Metering Programme, which includes both electricity and gas meters, is managed by the Commission for Energy Regulation. The regulator is developing a cost benefit analysis on the roll-out of smart meters. The cost benefit analysis results are due in the second half of this year and will be the key determinant in relation to the scale, scope and timing of the roll-out.
Over the next two years ESB Networks will be responsible for most of the procurements associated with the rollout of smart meters in Ireland and Gas Networks Ireland will be responsible for the rollout of gas smart meters. The largest of the ESB Networks' procurements are the communications technology that underpins smart meters and the electricity smart meters. Procurement of the communications technology commenced last year and the associated "Request for Tender" is due to issue this summer.
There are a range of benefits to be secured through the introduction of smart meters. These include accuracy, efficiency, increased competition and sustainability. Energy bills will be more accurate and timely as there will no longer be a need to physically read meters. Once consumers know more about their energy consumption they are likely to use less energy, be more efficient with it and therefore save money. People will be able to reduce their energy bills by shifting when they use energy from more expensive peak consumption times to less expensive times. By reducing the peak demand for energy, the peak market price will reduce, leading to savings for all energy consumers.
321. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he and any Minister of State under his Department use a personal e-mail account for work purposes; the security controls that are in place relating to the use of personal e-mail accounts for Department related business; if his Department has a policy on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5250/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI use both my Department and Oireachtas email accounts for work purposes. I do not use a personal email account to receive or send official business emails.
Minister of State Kyne has said previously that for Departmental business he uses his Ministerial or Oireachtas email accounts. He has a personal email account from his time as a member of the County Council and, occasionally, still receives emails from constituents to this account. Very occasionally, when out of the office, he accesses information such as constituency issues, appointments and draft press releases, on this email account.
My Department has a policy document called 'Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Policies for All Staff for E-Mail, Internet/Intranet & Computer Usage' which is mandatory for all staff to read and sign when taking up employment.
The Department's policy is that personal email accounts should not be used for official business as the Department provides the email infrastructure for employees to carry out their official functions.
322. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the Acts or sections or other provisions of Acts, coming wholly or partly under the auspices of his Department, or for the commencement of which his Department is wholly or partly responsible, which are not in force and which require the future making of a commencement order; if, in each case, it is intended to make such an order; if so, when; the reason for the failure to make such an order to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5265/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is one Act in respect of which all sections have yet to be formally commenced by my Department, the details of which are as follows.
|
Title of Act |
Sections not yet commenced |
Purpose of sections |
|
Energy Act 2016
|
Provisions not yet commenced are sections 3-6; 8-10; 12-17; 19-23. |
To provide for amendments to the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002 in relation to the establishment of a new administrative sanctions regime. There are additional amendments to existing provisions of the 1999 Act in relation to prosecution of offences, service of notices and increases in existing penalty provisions, including penalties in relation to REMIT. Other provisions relate to the change in the name of the Commission for Energy Regulation, the publication of a strategy statement by the CER every three years and the repeal of redundant legislation. The Act also provides for a revised wider definition of the existing Single Electricity Market (SEM) in the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. The revision to the definition of SEM is to facilitate decisions of the North/South regulators (CER and NIAUR) developing the new market rules of SEM known as the Integrated-Single Electricity Market (I-SEM) which, in turn, is required for compliance with new EU internal energy market rules. This project is well underway and section 8 of the Act in relation to SEM will be commenced when the market goes live in 2018. The remaining provisions refer to issues where CER readiness is vital for commencement. The new administrative sanction provisions, for example, involve the modification of existing licences which gives rise to timing and scheduling issues. The CER is currently assessing these issues and will advise the Department of the optimal date for the commencement of the provisions in question. It is anticipated that the remaining provisions in the Act will be commenced by way of commencement orders by Q3 2017. |
323. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if Gas Networks Ireland has carried out a cost-benefit analysis on extending the line from Listowel to Tralee, County Kerry, in view of the fact that it has extended the network from Foynes to Listowel; if so, will he request it to provide a copy of the report; if no analysis has been carried out, if he will direct Gas Networks do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5286/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial and operational matter for Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), a commercial State-sponsored Body under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. Gas Networks Ireland's published Connections Policy, most recently revised in 2015, set out its policy on the connection of all loads to the transmission and distribution gas networks.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. It also approves the GNI Connections Policy. I have no statutory function in relation to either the routing of pipelines or the connection of towns to the gas pipeline network.
I understand that Listowel, Killarney and Tralee were assessed under the "New Towns Analysis Phase 3" report dated 9 April 2010, published by Gaslink, the predecessor of GNI, including on its website. This assessment found that these towns did not qualify for connection on economic grounds at that time.
I am further informed that in the intervening period a review by GNI found that the three towns had acquired an increase in gas demand associated with new large industrial/commercial facilities in each. A sufficient anchor load has been identified in Listowel to make that town commercially viable for connection. Unfortunately there have not been sufficient new loads identified for Killarney or Tralee and they therefore remain economically unviable for connection under the Connections Policy approved by CER in 2015. I am informed also that the review carried out by GNI is regarded as commercially sensitive.
The question of whether network extensions should, where economically feasible and in line with our energy policy goals in the White Paper, provide for the possibility of future connections in order to contribute to regional and rural development needs to be addressed. At the launch of the Action Plan for Rural Development I set out my view that there are communities partly or sometimes wholly excluded from basic criteria of modern convenience and comfort, in terms of communications, energy efficiency and fuel poverty. My long-standing position on the gas network is that the network should be developed generally in rural Ireland to provide natural gas to as many areas as possible. I consider that that further extension of the gas network could have additional benefits. Accordingly, and against the backdrop of the energy policy White Paper, it is my intention to commission research and to have a report by year end on the potential role that natural gas could play in supporting rural centres.
324. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider granting additional funding to Offaly County Council in order to carry out a road restructuring programme in respect of roads built on bogland that are currently in a poor state of repair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5028/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of a local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded from these monies is a matter for each local authority.
I recently announced the 2017 regional and local road allocations to local authorities and it is a matter for the local authority to decide on and progress its work programme for the year. All available grant funding has been allocated.
325. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding that was allocated to the Dún Laoghaire constituency for tourism and hospitality skills training in 2015 and 2016 by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4997/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra344. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding that was allocated to the Dublin South-Central constituency for tourism and hospitality skills training in 2015 and 2016 by his Department and the Department of Education and Skills. [5312/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 344 together.
The Department of Education and Skills has overall lead responsibility for skills development policy generally across all sectors, including hospitality and tourism, and oversees the bulk of training provided nationally, channelling funding through SOLAS for further education and through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for higher education.
A limited number of complementary tourism-related business development and training supports are provided by Fáilte Ireland, in line with its responsibility for encouraging, promoting and supporting tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.
As this is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland, I have referred the Deputies' questions on to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply with the specific funding information sought. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
326. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the multiple submissions made by an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5056/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for Cork City Council who are responsible for the implementation of traffic management arrangements in Cork City, including Wilton Road.
327. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money allocated to the rehabilitation of Curraheen Bridge as part of the 2017 investment programme. [5057/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the 2017 regional and local road grant allocations to each local authority are available in the allocations booklet lodged in the Dáil library.
328. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request the NDLS provide a reply to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5072/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no power to intervene in individual cases. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten day.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
329. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of enforcement officers working nationally with the taxi enforcement officers. [5112/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedure to report illegal activity in the taxi industry to an enforcement officer; and the timeframe for a response. [5113/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of convictions for illegal activity in the taxi industry in the past two years, by category of conviction. [5114/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra332. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of rural hackney licences in operation. [5115/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 329 to 332, inclusive, together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including enforcement and the granting of hackney licences, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred the Deputy's Questions to the NTA for direct reply to the Deputy. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
333. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the frequency with which he has met the Taxi Advisory Committee since his appointment as Minister. [5116/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra334. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to fill the vacant positions on the Taxi Advisory Committee. [5117/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 334 together.
I have not met the Taxi Advisory Committee (TAC) since my appointment.
The Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides that the TAC shall consist of a Chairperson and 17 ordinary members. There are currently 5 vacancies on the TAC, 3 of which are vacant since 31 July 2015, when the term of office of the membership of the last TAC expired. I am currently reviewing applications for these vacancies and hope to make the appointments shortly, in line with the new State Board Appointments Procedures which I announced recently.
335. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a dangerous junction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5122/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme, the construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
