Written Answers Nos. 1315-1333
1316. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the proposed €1.5 million reduction in landfill fees offered to waste companies to offset the cost of an awareness campaign on pay by weight; the total of the reduction provided to each waste collection company in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36648/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I set out in reply to Question 1026 of 13 July, 2017, proposals at that time under consideration concerning a possible reduction in the landfill levy were withdrawn with the removal of mandatory pay-by-weight charging.
1317. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to limit the fees that can be charged by waste collection companies; his plans to set minimum or maximum limits for standing charges; his further plans to set minimum or maximum limits for lift charges; his plans to stipulate the type of bins on which changes can be levied; and if customers that sign a new contract before 1 September 2017 will not experience a change in price for 12 months. [36649/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe charges applied by waste management companies are matters for those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
In the interest of encouraging further waste prevention and recycling, the Government has decided that flat-rate fees for kerbside household waste collection will be phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018 as customers contracts come up for renewal, when the necessary regulatory steps are in place.
As has been long-standing practice, a collection service provider may amend a pricing structure or a contract , as long as the amendments are in accordance with all relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation. It is worth noting that the measure to phase out flat fees is not ‘new’ for the more than half of kerbside household waste customers who are already on an incentivised pricing plan, i.e., a plan which contains a per lift or weight related fee. There are no plans to introduce maximum charges or minimum charges as proposed in 2016. However, the Government is putting in place a price watchdog group to carefully monitor the situation in the months ahead.
1318. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the system in place for calibrating and verifying the accuracy of the weight measures used on waste collection trucks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36650/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNSAI Legal Metrology is responsible for the implementation of the Metrology Acts 1980-1996 and related Regulations. It does this through certifying and inspecting measurement instruments and the quantities of pre-packaged products. A wide range of measuring instruments, including bin weighing systems on refuse collection trucks are subject to legal metrological control when used for trade purposes.
The Metrology Act 1996 and Legal Metrology (General) Regulations 2008, provide that only nationally approved instruments or instruments that have undergone European conformity assessment and bear the CE mark can be used for trade. The primary responsibility for design approval and conformity assessment rests with the manufacturer. The trader is obliged to ensure that only such a measuring instrument is used for trade and that it is correct and verified at all times. Re-verification must be carried out after the instrument has been repaired, re-calibrated or failed inspection. The process of re-verification involves establishing that the instrument complies with regulations, in particular, testing for accuracy against applicable measurement tolerances and the application of tamper evident seals.
In order to ensure sufficient resources are available for traders to keep their instruments in compliance, Legal Metrology have authorised private operators, subject to specific conditions, under Section 12 of the 1996 Act, to undertake verifications at the request of the instrument owner. To monitor compliance, NSAI Legal Metrology Inspectors, operating out of seven offices countrywide, carry out inspections of bin weighing systems on refuse trucks on the basis of risk-based enforcement to determine compliance.
1319. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there have been applications for an oil exploration licence at Kish bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36656/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is one Standard Exploration Licence extant in relation to the Kish Bank Basin. Providence Resources P.l.c and Star Energy Oil were granted that Standard Exploration Licence in 2011. There are no further applications on hand for a petroleum authorisation in the Kish Bank Basin.
1321. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 1034 of 13 July 2017, if there is a Government policy relating to the emissions of greenhouse gases from development sites on peatlands, including degraded peatlands to which planning authorities should have regard in assessing proposals for renewable energy or other developments. [36670/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the National Mitigation Plan, which I published on 19 July 2017, I am open to considering further work on the role of wetlands as carbon sinks in the context of the mitigation of Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions. In order to build on the experience of research already undertaken, my Department intends to engage with a number of relevant Departments and Agencies on the development of a robust inventory which would form the foundation for any changes to the future role of wetland sites. It is, however, premature at this stage to indicate what role may be played by wetlands in terms of greenhouse gas mitigation by means of storing and sequestering carbon. Accordingly, the preparation of guidance in relation to the development of such sites is not being considered at this time.
1323. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost to the Exchequer of proposals by an organisation (details supplied). [36710/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe long term vision for the agricultural sector is based on an approach to carbon neutrality, but which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production. A key consideration in the move towards carbon neutrality will be cost effective technology and continued research and development.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) publishes and maintains a Triple E Register of energy efficient products and equipment. Currently the Triple E product Register is based solely on the existing Accelerated Capital Allowance, ACA, list of eligible products and eligibility criteria but it is planned in the future to extend the product range beyond that covered by the ACA. The Register provides independent intelligence to energy end users regarding the products that are best in class from an energy efficiency perspective, as well as offering a financial incentive to organisations to procure them.
The ACA is tax incentive which allows businesses to write off the cost of eligible equipment from this register in one year rather than over eight years. This is available to businesses, including farms, paying corporate tax.
The ACA currently covers 10 different equipment categories and 52 associated technologies. As it stands there is no category or sub-technology type specific to farm equipment, however it is likely that there are generic technologies within the existing categories that could be of interest to farmers, e.g. lighting. New technology proposals can be submitted to the SEAI at any time.
If a supplier or manufacturer wishes to apply for a new technology type to be added to the Triple E Register, it is necessary to determine if the technology type could be included in an existing category heading, technology group or sub-technology.
Suppliers & manufacturers are requested to email SEAI at aca@seai.ie with a brief summary of the proposed technology prior to making an official proposal.
On receipt of a fully completed proposal, SEAI’s technical experts panel will complete a comprehensive evaluation in consultation with manufacturers, suppliers and trade associations to determine the technology’s energy efficient performance, energy saving potential and market availability.
Separately, SEAI is collaborating with Teagasc on a pilot energy efficiency scheme in the dairy farm sector during 2017, an innovative example of the potential for co-ordinated action across two pillars – the Built Environment and Agriculture – of the recently published National Mitigation Plan.
1324. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff in his Department that are suspended from work on full pay; the reason in each case; the length of time in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36726/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo employees of my Department are currently suspended from work.
1326. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of protected disclosures received from staff in his Department in 2016 and to date in 2017; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36758/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that my Department received one protected disclosure from a staff member in 2017, which is currently being examined.
This is the first protected disclosure made to my Department since the introduction of the relevant legislation in 2014. My Department treats any concerns raised with the utmost discretion, consistent with the legal requirement to safeguard the identity of persons who make protected disclosures.
1327. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of actuaries working in the Civil Service under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36851/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no actuaries employed in my Department.
1328. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is legislation governing private operators clamping vehicles in private car parks at commercial or private residential premises areas; if so, if there is a limit to the amount that can be charged for the removal of the clamp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34983/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware the initial commencement of the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 was effective from 1 June 2017.
The Act designates the National Transport Authority (NTA) as the statutory regulator for clamping and the NTA has now published draft Regulations and invited submissions from members of the public with a closing date of today.
The Act will benefit people through providing a robust regulatory framework for vehicle clamping and importantly will also allow for the establishment of statutory complaints and appeals procedures. The Act will I believe address issues such as those referred to in the Deputy's question.
Specifically, the Act will provide for: regulation of clamping and related activities; establishment of a two-tier appeals process to hear appeals against clamping or relocation; provision of appropriate signage in places where clamping is operated; setting of maximum clamp release and vehicle relocation charges; establishment of a code of practice; and provision of necessary enforcement and investigate powers to investigate and prosecute any alleged breaches of regulations made.
Following the completion of the consultation period, the NTA will now consider submissions received before finalising the Regulations to allow it to assume all its new responsibilities effective from 1 October, 2017.
1329. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Narrow Water bridge project; if reports of it being in jeopardy are accurate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35786/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1330. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Narrow Water bridge project; if under planning law, reports of it being in jeopardy are accurate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35787/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1329 and 1330 together.
Under the Fresh Start Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government agreed to undertake a review of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project with a view to identifying options for its future development, for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).
Following on from consultation with stakeholders, I understand that an options paper is being prepared for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council later in the year.
The position in relation to planning permission for a bridge at Narrow Water as previously proposed is a matter for the relevant authorities and my Department has no role in that.
1331. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with either the Northern Ireland authorities and or the UK government regarding the progression of the A5 and N2 cross-Border motorway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36120/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs regards the A5 scheme, the planning and implementation of the project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. As the Deputy is aware, the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start - reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50m for the A5 project and committed an additional £25m to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the planning process in Northern Ireland has been concluded.
The A5 project has been discussed on a regular basis under the aegis of the NSMC Plenary and Transport Sectoral meetings. In addition my Department is represented on the Senior Officials Group established to oversee implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement. The most recent meeting of this Group took place on 7th June this year at which the Northern Ireland officials indicated that the Department for Infrastructure was considering the findings of the A5 Inquiry Inspector's report.
As regards the N2, while 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 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.
1332. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the monitoring and enforcement regime on the mandatory wearing of lifejackets; the number of detections of breaches of the regulations in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and the consequences for the owners or managers of the vessels in question. [36577/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder existing maritime legislation, the Marine Survey Office has issued a number of Fixed Payment Notices (of €150 fine) in relation to the non wearing of life jackets on pleasure craft. The number of these issued are as set out in the following table:
|
YEAR |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
NO. OF FIXED PAYMENT NOTICES ISSUED |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
Separately, the Coast Guard carry out a number of safety compliance monitoring patrols to advise and educate the public in the wearing of lifejackets. There were over 100 such patrols carried out in 2016 and 46 to date in 2017. These are carried out to increase water safety awareness.
1333. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the completion of the new national sports policy framework. [34907/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department are at an advanced drafting stage in the development of a new national sports policy. It is aimed to publish the new policy in early autumn 2017.
