Written Answers Nos 276-295
276. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will ensure that EirGrid does not advance further procurement or pre-construction activities for the North-South interconnector until the study recently announced is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23679/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEirGrid is the independent Transmission System Operator in Ireland and SONI (a subsidiary of the EirGrid Group) is the independent Transmission System Operator in Northern Ireland.
The role of the independent Transmission System Operator includes the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity transmission network. As Minister, it is not appropriate for me to direct EirGrid in carrying out this role.
As the Deputy is aware, the section of the project in Ireland which received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála in December 2016 is currently the subject of Judicial Review proceedings. The planning process is ongoing in Northern Ireland.
Last Tuesday, 16 May, I met with the Deputy and a number of other Oireachtas members from Cavan, Monaghan and Meath. This meeting provided me the opportunity to update the members on progress in relation to the proposed study and to get feedback. I welcome the Deputy’s participation in the meeting and am considering the feedback I received.
I intend that the study be completed and published before the end of this year. Construction of the project is not planned to commence before 2018 and therefore I envisage no delay to the project as a result of carrying out this study.
277. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has been consulted by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government on proposed changes to the planning status of large-scale community extraction; and if he has provided his views in response regarding the impact such changes could have on the carbon sequestration and storage functions of peatlands. [23700/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLarge scale peat extraction in Ireland is currently carried out under the Planning Acts, which are the primary responsibility of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. It is proposed that large scale peat extraction will move from the planning regime to become an activity that is licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is an independent agency under the remit of my Department.
As well as other key stakeholders, both my Department and the Agency have engaged on an on-going basis with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in relation to the development of the necessary legislation to give effect to this change of approach. My Department’s primary focus is on the environmental aspects, and the practical and licensing implications arising for the EPA, from this change
I understand that the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government anticipates that the legislation will be finalised in the coming months, and my Department and the EPA will continue to engage in this context.
It should be noted that the fact that the consent regime for large scale peat extraction is changing should not inherently give rise to direct implications for changes affecting the sequestration potential or the storage function of peatlands.
278. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of fisheries protection officers employed by Inland Fisheries Ireland in each of the years 2005 to 2016, and to date in 2017; the number of person hours spent on patrol to protect the fisheries resources in each of those years in tabular form; the number of protection officers who have been transferred to alternative roles in the organisation between 2005 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23711/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources was established in July 2010 following an amalgamation of the former Central and seven Regional Fishery Boards. IFI's first full year of operation was 2011.
Details of fisheries protection officers employed by IFI in each of the years 2011 to 2016, and to date in 2017, are shown in the following table.
|
Grade |
Staff Number by Year |
||||||
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
|
Fishery Inspector |
28 |
25 |
24 |
23 |
26 |
24 |
24 |
|
Assistant Fishery Inspectors |
42 |
41 |
41 |
40 |
38 |
38 |
38 |
|
Fisheries Officer |
107.4 |
105.4 |
102.4 |
96.4 |
125 |
130 |
131 |
36 existing Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) staff were upgraded from General operative to the grade of Fisheries Officer in 2015. The new Fisheries Officers received training in the skills and competencies to allow them to enforce fisheries legislation thereby protecting and conserving Ireland’s valuable inland fisheries and sea angling resource. Two Fisheries Inspectors were allocated to IFI Business Development during the period 2011-2016. There were a number of location transfers amongst Fisheries Officers, however all of these remained within the protection sphere.
Fisheries patrol data is available for the years 2012 – 2016. The person hours spent on fisheries patrols of freshwater rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal and the sea are as follows:
|
Year |
Person hours on patrol |
|
2012 |
97,946 * |
|
2013 |
185,395 |
|
2014 |
180,318 |
|
2015 |
172,196 |
|
2016 |
188,405 |
*The current method of assessment used to record person hours was adopted in 2013, encompassing a broader range of activities.
279. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the practice by a company (details supplied) that profiles members of the public, including minors, without their consent or an option of opting into its practice; his views on the fact that the information gleaned on minors may be passed on to other third parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23719/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has no function in relation to this matter, which is one for the Data Protection Commissioner, who is independent in the performance of her functions. The question also requests an interpretation of the law.
280. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the construction of integrated constructed wetlands as a method of wastewater treatment; his further views on whether these are effective methods of wastewater treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23786/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department has no function in matters of water policy, I understand that the then Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (now the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government), published an official guidance document, entitled, ‘Integrated Constructed Wetlands - Guidance Document for Farmyard Soiled Water and Domestic Wastewater Applications’ in November 2010. Furthermore, I understand that funding was provided for the installation of a number of integrated constructed wetlands through the water services capital programme. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels, inter alia, through the delivery of water services capital infrastructure, including in relation to waste water treatment.
The guidance document can be downloaded from the website of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government at the following link
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad%2C24931%2Cen.pdf .
281. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated amount of percentage points by which Ireland will miss the target on renewable energy services in view of the fact it is widely reported that Ireland will not meet the target of 16% of energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 as set out in a legally binding target set by the 2009 EU renewable energy directive; the estimated amount each percentage point below this target is likely to cost the State in fines payable to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23884/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy demand 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. While good progress has been made to date, with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) advising that 9.1% of Ireland’s overall energy requirements in 2015 were met from renewable sources, meeting the 16% target remains challenging. The SEAI has recently estimated that Ireland could fall short of our renewable energy target by between 1-3%. Moreover, in a document entitled Ireland’s Energy Targets – Progress, Ambition and Impacts (published in April 2016), the SEAI estimated that the cost to Ireland of not meeting our overall renewable energy targets may be in the range of €65 million to €130 million for each percentage point Ireland falls short of the overall 16% renewable energy target.
The Renewable Energy Directive provides a comprehensive framework for Member States to work towards achieving individual and EU renewable energy targets including mechanisms for countries to work together such as statistical transfers, which allow Member States to meet their targets by purchasing credits from Member States that overachieve on their renewable targets.
The focus remains firmly on meeting our 2020 target and a number of interventions have been taken to support renewable energy, including the Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff supports. New measures are also in development including a Renewable Electricity Support Scheme and a Renewable Heat Incentive. In any event the cost of purchasing statistical transfers should any potential shortfall in Ireland's target arise has yet to be established and will depend on a number of factors, particularly available supply and market costs.
283. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to secure funding for the expansion of DART services to west Dublin, in particular the electrification of the section of the Dublin to Sligo line as far as Maynooth. [23900/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra297. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the electrification of the Maynooth line to facilitate DART services to west Dublin and north Kildare. [23899/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 297 together.
I refer the Deputy to my response to Dáil Question No. 541 which I answered on Tuesday, 16 May 2017. The position remains as outlined in that response.
284. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which moneys collected from toll roads are paid to the Exchequer by amount and road tolled in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23588/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to national roads. More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred the matter to TII for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
285. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount incurred in legal fees and associated costs (details supplied) to date in 2017 regarding the Commercial Court action on tendering for the M50 toll; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23592/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to national roads. More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred the matter to TII for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
286. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress being made towards the development of the Macroom bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23593/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
287. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with management of CIE or the manager of Rosslare Europort for the purposes of discussing Britain's exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23624/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I have not met with CIÉ and the manager of Rosslare Europort specifically in relation to Brexit, I have had a series of meetings with the management of CIE and all three of its subsidiaries, where Brexit issues arose, as appropriate. As the Deputy is also aware, I hosted an All Island Transport Sectorial Meeting on Brexit in Dundalk on 23rd January which fed into the Brexit All Island Civic dialogue on 17th February to discuss the many possible implications of Brexit across all sectors. Rosslare Europort was represented at this forum. To the best of my knowledge, the manager of Rosslare Europort has not requested a meeting to date, however, should he wish to meet, I would be happy to do so.
In addition to the above, last month my Department held a Workshop on the impact of Brexit on maritime transport, regulation and on the sectors on which this impacts. Stakeholders, including Rosslare Europort, were invited from organisations across the broader maritime sector, such as merchant shipping, national shipping, fishing vessels, recreational craft, ports, equipment suppliers, service providers and training providers.
My Department is planning to conduct a study/research into the use of the UK Landbridge by Irish importers and exporters. The purpose of the research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK Landbridge currently, the likely consequences that Brexit will have on Landbridge usage and the various options that may be viable. The results of the study are awaited.
As one of our key RoRo ports, the impact of Brexit on the use of the UK landbridge is of obvious significant importance to Rosslare, all the more so given its advantageous location in terms of potential direct shipping to Continental Europe.
The Department of An Taoiseach has indicated an intention to hold a further All-Island Dialogue in July and has asked that Departments consider further Sectorial dialogues and I and my Department continue to engage in this process to facilitate engagement with representatives across all sectors who wish to participate.
288. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the repair of roads in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23637/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
289. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding funding for a new bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23647/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
290. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding insurance for motorsport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23648/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the matter outlined in details supplied, support for sport is a matter for Sport Ireland. Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland channels funding for sport through the relevant National Governing Body of Sport, in this case, Motor Sport Ireland. The National Governing Bodies may use this funding assistance to offset the costs associated with staging events and to moderate participation fees.
As this is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
291. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding noise management at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23709/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am unaware of any discussions daa have had with the IAA in relation to the noise management regime at Dublin Airport. While I have indicated that IAA will be appointed as the competent authority in relation to EU Directive 598/2014, this has yet to be provided for in a Statutory Instrument which I hope to have finalised shortly.
In relation to the Deputy's reference to a collaborative working group, I wish to refer the Deputy to my response to Question 22102/17 of 10th May.
292. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a speed limit review undertaken in 2016 allowing local authorities to request speed limit changes on local and regional roads in their own areas with particular regard to County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23836/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the time of the issuing of the Department's updated Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland in March 2015, which is available on the Department's website at www.dttas.ie, local authorities were requested to review and update all speed limits in their administrative areas in accordance with the Guidelines. In the case of national roads this review was to be undertaken in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The Guidelines reiterate that the making of Special Speed Limit bye-laws is a matter for the elected members of local authorities, subject to following Departmental Guidelines and to the consent of TII in the case of national roads.
It should be noted that as part of the review of speed limits on national roads, TII has assessed the widths of all national roads and is currently engaged in the process of providing this information to local authorities. This will assist local authorities in the task of identifying the appropriate speed limits for different sections of national roads within their respective administrative areas in accordance with the Department's Guidelines.
Local authorities have been requested to complete the overall speed limit review exercise, including the implementing of bye-laws where necessary, by Quarter 2 of 2017.
My Department will review the progress of local authorities on the speed limit review, including Kildare County Council, after the end of June 2017.
293. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Derry to Dublin Bus Éireann route; his plans to ensure that this route remains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23837/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Dáil Question No. 646 which I answered on Tuesday, 9th May 2017, copy attached below.
The Dublin to Derry route is a commercial licensed bus service operated by Expressway. As with any such commercial service, decisions regarding the route are a matter for the individual operator. These services receive no taxpayer funding and operate on a fully commercial basis.
As I have stated on numerous occasions, in cases where a commercial operator, such as Expressway, decides to alter or withdraw a commercial route, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory powers available to it to respond as appropriate to ensure continued transport connectivity.
The NTA published an assessment of the proposed changes on the Dublin to Derry Bus Éireann Expressway route (Route 33) and as indicated in that published assessment, the NTA does not believe that connectivity issues arise on the route 33 corridor. The majority of the corridor will continue to be served by Expressway's route 32 (Dublin to Letterkenny) while Dublin to Derry itself will continue to be served by two Translink operated services - the X3 and the X4.
In publishing its assessment the NTA invited feedback on its proposals. A copy of the assessment is available on www.nationaltransport.ie.
294. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details on a specific matter (details supplied) in tabular form. [23849/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have written the following articles since officially taking office;
May 8 2016- Finally face to face with those who suffered my most fierce criticism May 15 2016- First week in the asylum: I lost my licence, not my drive
May 22 2016- The sky hasn't fallen in yet but better cool my jets
June 19 2016- Veronica may now be a saint, but she was no angel
July 3 2016- In five years' time we will wonder just what all the fuss was about
November 20 2016- A successful Irish Rugby World Cup bid will lift us all
March 5 2017- Three pints must mean more than three points.
I have received no payment for any articles written since taking up office on the 6th of May 2016.
295. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected increase in bus passengers in Dublin for each of the next five years in view of a growth in population and increasing economic activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23895/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is probably aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) maintains a number of regional transport models to support its transport planning remit. The models are strategic multi-modal, network based transport models and include all the main surface modes of travel (including travel by car, bus, rail, Luas, heavy goods vehicles, walking and cycling).
As the issue raised is a matter for the NTA, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to it for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
