Written Answers Nos. 231-250
231. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times including dates that the Brexit consultative committee has met since the UK Brexit referendum. [25164/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the steps I undertook in the immediate aftermath of the UK's decision to leave the EU was to establish a Consultative Committee of Stakeholders in order to ensure a full exchange of information on the potential implications of a UK exit from the EU for the agrifood sector in Ireland. The working arrangements of the Committee are to meet as required rather than according to a pre-determined schedule.
Building on more informal consultation arrangements that had been in place in the months leading up to the referendum, I convened the first formal meeting of the Brexit Consultative Committee of Stakeholders on 7 July 2016. A comprehensive and very useful discussion on the sectorial impacts took place, and this was followed by a further meeting of the Committee on 20 October 2016.
The next stage of the consultation process took place in the context of the All-Island Civic Dialogue, which commenced in November 2016. Three sectorial meetings for the agrifood and fisheries sectors took place between December 2016 and February 2017. The first, which comprehensively examined the potential impacts and potential solutions for the cattle and sheep, dairy, and pigs and poultry sectors, took place on 15 December 2016. The second, dealing with issues in the fisheries sector, took place on 1 February 2017. The third addressed the implications for the forestry, horticulture, prepared consumer foods and cereals/animal feed sectors, and took place on 8 February 2017.
This first stage of the All-Island Civic Dialogue concluded with a plenary discussion in Dublin Castle on 17 February 2017 which addressed, among other things, the agrifood and fisheries issues that had been raised during the sectorial meetings.
I then held a further meeting of the Stakeholder Consultative Committee on 11 April 2017.
A second phase of the All-Island Civic Dialogue has now commenced. As part of this, I have hosted a further sectorial dialogue for the alcohol, beverage and distilling sector on 3 May 2017, and arrangements are currently being made for a similar gathering for the equine and greyhound sectors on June.
All of these consultations are helping to further inform my approach and that of my Department to the challenges presented by Brexit for the agrifood and fisheries sectors, and the Brexit Consultative Committee of Stakeholders will continue to play a vital role in this regard.
232. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to protect fishing interests at upcoming Brexit negotiations if the British Government leaves the Common Fisheries Policy and the London Fisheries Convention of 1964 in view of the large percentage of landings made from the UK exclusive economic zone. [25165/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt this stage it is impossible to say with certainty what effect Brexit will have on the Irish fishing industry. We don't know yet what changes the UK may seek to the current arrangements.
In theory, the UK could indeed restrict access to their waters and or seek to gain larger quota shares at the expense of others. However, that could only happen if the UK was content to ignore the potential repercussions that would certainly arise from the EU side.
On average, 35% of Irish landings are currently taken from UK waters. However, for some of our most important stocks the figures are even higher.
Limitations on access and, more worryingly, any attempt by the UK to increase its current quota share at the expense of Ireland and others must, and will be, resisted strenuously. These twin threats, could also lead to increased activity by other EU vessels in the waters around Ireland threatening the long term sustainability of our stocks.
Earlier this year, I hosted a dedicated Civic Dialogue on the potential impacts of Brexit for the seafood sector as a whole. This was very well attended by stakeholders from across the industry and gave a clear insight into the real dangers that a 'hard' Brexit presents for our fishing communities.
I will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as the issues develop and work with them and my fellow fisheries Ministers in the EU to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations.
I am also continuing to work closely with all of my European colleagues to ensure that fisheries remain a top priority in the negotiations to come.
As both I and An Taoiseach have stated before, we intend to ensure that fisheries remains high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that Ireland obtains the best possible outcome from the negotiations. Last week (11 May), as part of Chief Brexit Negotiator, Mr Michel Barnier's visit to Ireland, I met him and discussed the issues arising for the agrifood sector. On fisheries, I explained Ireland's perspective and that it was shared by a number of EU partners. I am satisfied that Mr Barnier understands the issues and significance of BREXIT for Ireland's fisheries sector. He supports my view that fisheries negotiations must be progressed in the context of trade and will fall into the second phase of negotiations. I also made clear that transitional arrangements are likely to be important for the seafood sector.
In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that I will be unequivocal in opposing any dilution of our existing EU quota shares, including protecting the benefit to Ireland of the Hague Preferences, and any limitations on our existing rights of access.
233. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to ensure innocent victims of illegal burning will not be subjected to penalties on their 2017 BPS applications and payments. [25166/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's "Guide to Land Eligibility" document clearly states that land which has been burned is not eligible as it is not in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation and therefore not eligible for payment under the Basic Payment and the various other area-based schemes. The EU regulations governing these schemes prescribe that land being submitted for payment must be in an eligible state.
All applicants under the Basic Payment Scheme and other area-based schemes who have submitted their 2017 applications to my Department should review their applications and identify if the application includes land which has been burned in the closed period and consider removing this land from their application. The withdrawal of such land from their application can be undertaken by using the Department's On-line facility or by downloading an Amendment Form from the Department's website and posting it to the Department's Office in Portlaoise.
The relevant European regulations allow for penalties not to be imposed where the applicant can demonstrate that he or she is not at fault for the non-compliance. The regulations also provide for exceptions in relation to land eligibility requirements in the case of force majeure and exceptional circumstances. However the Department is constrained by European law which requires these exceptions to be interpreted narrowly. In the case of eligibility requirements it would be for the applicant to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that such exceptional circumstances arise. This may require, where appropriate, the applicant to demonstrate that all reasonable measures have been taken to prevent such damage. My Department will examine every such case on an individual basis to determine if these exceptions are applicable.
234. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of beef exports to Northern Ireland in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017. [25167/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra235. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total volume and value of beef imports from Northern Ireland in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017. [25168/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra236. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of beef exports to the UK excluding Northern Ireland in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25169/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra237. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of beef imports from the UK excluding Northern Ireland in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25170/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 234 to 237, inclusive, together.
The following tables have been provided to my Department by the Central Statistics Office;
Volume and value of beef exports to NI
|
2015 |
2016 |
Jan-Mar 2017 |
|||
|
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
|
133,468 |
33,429 |
110,850 |
31,283 |
28,008 |
7,968 |
Volume and value of beef imports from NI
|
2015 |
2016 |
Jan-Mar 2017 |
|||
|
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
|
17,991 |
4,233 |
14,374 |
3,968 |
2,215 |
505 |
Volume and value of beef exports to Britain
|
2015 |
2016 |
Jan-Mar 2017 |
|||
|
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
|
999,192 |
211,897 |
1,002,598 |
234,014 |
247,388 |
56,790 |
Volume and value of beef imports from Britain
|
2015 |
2016 |
Jan-Mar 2017 |
|||
|
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
|
90,952 |
20,435 |
84,243 |
22,002 |
19,621 |
4,392 |
While these figures reflect the strong position Ireland occupies as a major net exporter of beef and also the existing relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom in the export and import of beef, it is clear that Brexit will pose a challenge to the continued strong performance of Irish beef exports.
One of the key elements in coping with this challenge is ensuring there is a market for the export of Irish beef. There is a strong global demand for meat, including beef, and figures from the European Commission's most recent Short Term Outlook for meat markets show a projected growth of per capita beef consumption of 2.1% for 2016. Whilst Ireland exported approximately 97% of our beef exports in 2016 to EU (including 50% to the UK), I am very conscious of the importance of growing third country markets as a valuable outlet for any increased Irish beef production, and indeed this is a crucial component of the Food Wise 2025 strategy. Significant progress has been made in this context in recent years and my Department is currently in the process of attempting to secure beef access to a range of Third Countries including China, South Korea, Ukraine, Thailand and Vietnam. This builds upon the opening of some major markets in the last two years including the US, Canada and Japan. This is a vital means of providing our beef sector with as many commercial opportunities as possible for Irish beef, in addition to our existing EU markets.
238. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 9 May 2017, if compliance by the operator with local authority requirements on fresh water intake and outflows or any other State imposed requirements is mandatory for organic certification. [25188/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the governing EU Organic Regulations, there is no specific reference to State-imposed requirements for the purpose of granting organic certification. However, depending on the circumstances, any breach of such requirements may possibly impact on the organic certification of an operator. Such breaches would have to be assessed on a case by case basis by the Organic certification body in the first instance.
239. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 542 of 9 May 2017, if his Department or the operator pay the organic control body for certifying the aquaculture operation in question. [25189/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, as the Competent Authority, delegates the task of certifying and operating the inspection system to which organic operators producing, preparing, storing or importing produce from third countries are subject. This is in accordance with the governing EU regulations. Since 2005, the associated services and obligations of the Organic Control Bodies were formalised by service agreements between the Department and the Organic Control Bodies concerned.
Every organic operator pays a certification fee to its respective Organic Control Body. In addition, under the aforementioned service agreements, a subvention is paid by the Department to the Organic Control Bodies in respect of the annual inspection which is undertaken of every organic operator.
240. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to parliamentary question number 543 of 9 May 2017, if the attention of organic control body that certified a hatchery (details supplied) as organic was drawn to the overstocking at the site; and if so, the reason organic status was awarded. [25190/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis issue has been brought to the attention of the Organic Control Body concerned. The matter is currently under examination to determine whether the requirements of the organic regulations were met. It would be inappropriate for me to comment any further at this stage in the process.
241. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 540 and 541 of 9 May 2017, if the review group will examine the conflict of interest at the centre of his Department's licensing system in view of the fact that his department's sea fisheries policy and management division is responsible for the governance of ALAB thus compromising the real and perceived independence of that body. [25191/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sea Food Policy and Management Division has a range of responsibilities involving sea fisheries policy and management, corporate governance of marine State agencies and implementation of Departmental responsibilities in harnessing our ocean wealth. That Division has responsibility for corporate governance of Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board involving oversight of that body in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016.
Responsibility for aquaculture policy and the independent review group for aquaculture licensing is with the Marine Programmes Division.
The terms of reference of the independent review group for aquaculture licensing were published in December 2016 and I anticipate receipt of the group's report in the coming weeks. As stated on 9 May 2017, I am satisfied that the Group's terms of reference provide the Group with appropriate scope to address issues arising with the licensing system.
242. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a response will issue to an interim reply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25218/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are strict protocols governing the export of live animals to Turkey, which include a 21-day isolation period on approved premises in Ireland, during which cattle being exported are monitored by Irish and Turkish official veterinarians. The isolation period is set by agreement between the EU and Turkey. A considerable amount of testing is carried out during the isolation period, and only animals with negative results are allowed to travel. It would not be possible under any circumstances to load animals onto a boat for export to Turkey in advance of all test results being available. Therefore it would not be possible for the journey from Ireland to Turkey to be considered part of the isolation period.
243. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if illegally burnt land must be withdrawn from 2017 basic payment scheme applications in the event that the farmer of the land is not the responsible party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25253/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's "Guide to Land Eligibility" document clearly states that land which has been burned is not eligible as it is not in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation and therefore not eligible for payment under the Basic Payment and the various other area-based schemes. The EU regulations governing these schemes prescribe that land being submitted for payment must be in an eligible state.
All applicants under the Basic Payment Scheme and other area-based schemes who have submitted their 2017 applications to my Department should review their applications and identify if the application includes land which has been burned in the closed period and consider removing this land from their application. The withdrawal of such land from their application can be undertaken by using the Department's On-line facility or by downloading an Amendment Form from the Department's website and posting it to the Department's Office in Portlaoise.
The relevant European regulations allow for penalties not to be imposed where the applicant can demonstrate that he or she is not at fault for the non-compliance. The regulations also provide for exceptions in relation to land eligibility requirements in the case of force majeure and exceptional circumstances. However the Department is constrained by European law which requires these exceptions to be interpreted narrowly. In the case of eligibility requirements it would be for the applicant to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that such exceptional circumstances arise. This may require, where appropriate, the applicant to demonstrate that all reasonable measures have been taken to prevent such damage. My Department will examine every such case on an individual basis to determine if these exceptions are applicable.
244. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the deadline for submission of applications for the knowledge transfer scheme as has been requested by agricultural consultants due to ongoing issues in completing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25254/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Knowledge Transfer Programme is included in Ireland's Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020, and aims to provide high quality training and upskilling for farmers across a number of sectors. Last week, I announced that the original 31st May deadline for completion of Year 1 of the Programme will be extended until 31st July, 2017. This extension will provide additional time for the completion of Year 1 requirements under the Programme.
245. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on bin collection companies introducing a pay by weight system on waste over a certain weight; and if this been agreed with him and the waste industry. [25111/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
My Department is currently reviewing, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives, the introduction of an incentivised system which encourages people to prevent, reduce and segregate their waste. This approach is in line with Government waste policy to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill for waste disposal and will also facilitate the provision of a range of options for people to manage their waste costs. As the review has yet to conclude, the introduction of an incentivised system has yet to be agreed.
246. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the records to be held by persons or companies engaged in waste activities as required under section 18(3)(b) of the Waste Management Act 1996. [25204/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of Section 18 of the Waste Management Act 1996 is to ensure that the Minister, local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency can obtain information necessary for the performance of their functions under the Act. It also provides for the exchange of specified information between local authorities and the Agency.
Subsection (3) specifically requires the Minister to make regulations requiring
(a) a specified class or classes of person carrying on a specified class or classes of waste recovery or disposal activity, or
(b) a specified class or classes of holder or producer of a specified class or classes of waste,
to maintain specified records over a specified period and to furnish specified details to a local authority, the Agency or other specified person.
The records to be held by persons or companies is dependent upon the nature and scale of the waste activity that person or company is engaged in and in accordance with the Regulations made regulating that activity utilising the provisions of this Section of the Act.
For example, under the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations 2007, S.I. 821 of 2007, as amended, a permit holder is required to compile and maintain specified records in a specified format for a period of not less than 7 years in relation to the activity to which the waste facility permit relates of:
the types and quantities of waste dealt with in the course of business,
the treatment, recovery or disposal activities to which the waste is subject, including the compilation of commercial documentation for all collected waste deposited at the facility, and
not later than the 28th day of February in each year, to furnish to the local authority an Annual Environmental Report containing summary information in relation to the preceding calendar year or part thereof.
A complete list of Statutory Instruments made under the provisions of the Waste Management Act, can be accessed from the electronic Irish Statute Book at: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/.
247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the requirements in order to obtain high speed broadband in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25128/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband 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 a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
There has been significant progress in relation to broadband rollout so that today, approximately 1.4m or 61% of premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector, which is continuing to expand this footprint.
In April, eir signed an agreement with me committing them to follow through on their commercial plans to provide broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas. Eir has committed to doing this work over a 90 week period, with an average of 500 premises passed per day. My Department will be monitoring this roll-out to ensure that eir meets its obligations under the Agreement. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my website www.dccae.gov.ie. The decision by eir to invest in infrastructure to deploy high speed broadband services to an additional 300,000 premises in rural Ireland was taken purely on commercial grounds. Neither I nor the Department have a statutory authority to direct eir in this regard.
I also published in April an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie which finalises the State Intervention area. The updated Map shows the following categories of areas for delivery of broadband:
The BLUE areas represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services,
The AMBER areas on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the areas that will require State Intervention and are the subject of the current procurement process.
It is intended that all premises will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The map shows that the entire townland of Corkeragh in County Kildare is in the AMBER area and will require State Intervention. Individuals can themselves check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie.
A formal procurement process is in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. 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 finalisation of the State Intervention Area for the procurement process is an important milestone as it means that bidders can progress their business plans and the Department can move to the next stage of the procurement. The three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second.
The State Intervention network will be a wholesale network and retail service providers will be able to use the network to provide enhanced broadband services to their customers.
The timeframe for 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. During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP once contracts are in place.
The Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand and a prioritisation programme.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded.
In this regard, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force in July 2016 together with Minister Humphreys to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention. The report of the Task Force was published in December and is available at the following link:http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
In producing this report, the Task Force worked with Departments, local authorities, ComReg, State agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The report contains 40 actions that will alleviate some of the telecommunications deficits across Ireland and the implementation programme on mobile phone and broadband access identifies 19 of these actions as areas where immediate and direct action by Departments and State agencies can ensure accelerated benefits to consumers.
The work of the Task Force will also assist local authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contracts are in place.
In 2016, I signed regulations which allowed ComReg to proceed with an auction of the 3.6 GHz radio spectrum band. This has resulted in the successful assignment earlier this week of all 350 MHz of spectrum to five winning bidders. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services.
I have secured an €8 million provision for RTE in my Department's Estimates for 2017 to allow it to free up the 700 MHz spectrum band. ComReg in turn will make plans to allocate this spectrum to provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage. The 700 MHz band is particularly suited to rural environments where the signal can travel long distances.
These initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services across Ireland and particularly in rural Ireland.
248. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has corresponded with the European Commission with regard to the potential impact of Brexit on the upcoming implementation of free mobile phone roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25201/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials and I take every opportunity to discuss the potential impacts of Brexit with our EU and UK colleagues, including with the European Commission Article 50 Task Force. The EU Roaming Regulations aim to abolish retail roaming charges within the EU on 15 June 2017, subject to Fair Use Policy. At that point in time, the UK will still be a member of the EU and will thus be required to abide by EU law in place at that time.
It is not yet possible to say what impact Brexit will have on cross border roaming charges once the UK formally leaves the Union. This will be largely dependent on the future relationship between the EU and UK.
The UK Government White Paper on Brexit sets out that the UK wishes to ensure that the UK telecoms companies can continue to trade as freely and competitively as possible with the EU.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to engage with the key stakeholders on this matter both domestically and at EU level and has identified this policy area as a priority.
249. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to ensure that Ireland will meet its commitments to provide 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25259/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Provisional figures provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) indicate that more than 26% of our electricity came from renewable sources in 2016. This progress, while welcome, will need to accelerate in pace in the coming years. To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. At end April 2017, the total amount of renewable generation connected to the grid was 3,174 MW of which circa. 2,850 MW was wind. Eirgrid estimates that a total of between 3,900 and 4,300 MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to achieve 40% renewable electricity by 2020.
The Government has adopted a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy. The primary support mechanism in the electricity sector is the Renewable Energy Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes, which support the development of a range of renewable electricity technologies including hydro, biomass combustion, biomass combined heat and power, landfill gas and onshore wind.
With regard to future policy initiatives, my Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) designed to assist in meeting our renewable electricity target. The introduction of any new scheme - including the overall costs and technologies to be supported - will be subject to Government approval and State Aid clearance from the European Commission.
250. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason no coherent Government strategy or guidelines on the development of solar energy farms have been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25260/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of solar energy in Ireland. This builds on the 2015 Energy White Paper and recognises that solar has the potential to provide a community dividend, thereby also enhancing citizen participation in Ireland's energy future.
My Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030. Analysis is on-going on a range of technologies to be included. This analysis includes an assessment of the cost of supporting Solar Photovoltaics - both rooftop and ground-mounted.
The new scheme design requires detailed economic analysis on the viability and cost effectiveness of supporting several renewable technologies at various scales. This analysis is currently underway. Once this work is complete, my Department will publish a final public consultation on the design of the new support scheme. Details will be advertised on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie. There will be several decisions to be made on this new scheme with regard to scale, technologies and, in particular, how communities will have a greater involvement than in previous schemes.
Before any new scheme is introduced, it will need to secure Government approval and State Aid clearance from the European Commission. Subject to this, it is expected that the new scheme will become operational in the first half of 2018.
In relation to spatial planning, any decision to introduce Solar Planning Guidelines are ultimately a matter for the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
