Written Answers Nos. 51 - 70
51. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for the national broadband plan and the measures contained to ensure equality in the roll-out of broadband services for rural areas, rural communities and regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48678/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI provided an outline on the current status of the National Broadband Plan in my response to earlier questions on today's order paper. The Deputy will be aware the aim of the NBP is to ensure high speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that today over 65% of premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% by the end of 2018 and to 90% by the end of 2020.
My Department is engaged in an on-going procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out the new high speed broadband network for the State led intervention. A significant milestone in that process was reached in September with the submission of Detailed Solutions by two bidders. These Detailed Solutions are being evaluated by my Department’s specialist NBP team. This is the last stage of the procurement process before receipt of final tenders and progression to the appointment of a preferred bidder or bidders.
I recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and the frustration for communities that do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. Delivering high speed connectivity to all 542,000 premises that fall within the State led intervention under the NBP remains a Government priority and my Department will engage with the winning bidder or bidders to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract. In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
52. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when his Department first announced plans to introduce the national broadband plan; the dates on which various Ministers held press conferences to publicise it; the expected commencement and completion dates provided by Ministers at each of these press conferences; the projected commencement date and completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48976/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have outlined to the Deputy in previous questions on this topic, since the publication of the National Broadband Plan in 2012 by former Minister Pat Rabbitte, there have been a number of updates provided in respect of its progress.
In April 2014, the Government decided that it needed to scale up the ambition of the plan and allocated significant resources to it. The revised ambition of the NBP now aims to provide access to high speed broadband to every home and business in the country. Since then, my predecessors and I have held a number of media briefings to inform the public of key milestones in the development of the revised Plan. For example:
- In November 2014 the then Minister, Alex White, published the High Speed Broadband Map and the public consultation;
- In June 2015, former Minister White launched the draft Intervention Strategy for public consultation;
- December 2015 saw the publication of the updated High Speed Broadband Map and Strategy and the formal launch of the procurement process by former Minister White;
- In July 2016 I announced the Government decision in relation to the ownership model for the network to be built and the shortlisting of three companies as bidders in the procurement process. I also formally announced the establishment of a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to consider immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland;
- In April 2017 I published the finalised High Speed Broadband Map for the NBP procurement process. This was also the launch of eir's rural fibre broadband deployment to 300,000 premises;
- In September 2017 I announced that my Department received two detailed submissions from bidders - Eircom Limited and the Granahan McCourt, enet, SSE, John Laing Group plc consortium. The submissions received means that we are at the final stages of this procurement process.
I am sure that the Deputy will agree that these regular progress reports on the development of this complex national infrastructure plan, at the key milestone stages outlined, is important in order to inform the public of progress.
53. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding his efforts to improve mobile telephone signals; the progress made to date in terms of the recommendations of the mobile telephone and broadband task force with particular reference to County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48950/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra61. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the work of the implementation group on the mobile telephone and broadband task force; the progress which has been made in implementing the actions recommended by the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49049/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 61 together.
Providing telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout services to particular locations. The ComReg consumer helpline is accessible at consumerline@comreg.ie and I would urge consumers who feel they have not received an appropriate response from service providers to make contact with the Regulator.
Notwithstanding ComReg’s independence, I recognise the frustration felt by Irish consumers where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Accordingly, I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. In July 2016, I established the Taskforce 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 Taskforce worked with key stakeholders to produce the December 2016 report available on my Department’s website, which contains 40 actions to alleviate some of the deficits. The Implementation Group I co-chair with Minister Kyne is overseeing implementation of the actions and comprises all key stakeholders responsible for delivery. Meetings were held in March and July and the next is scheduled for tomorrow.
The two quarterly reports published to date demonstrate the good progress made in delivering the actions, and the third such report to be published shortly after tomorrow’s Implementation Group meeting, will reflect that continuing progress and also the sustained level of engagement between actions owners and industry.
This engagement was clear in the October first National Stakeholder Forum in Athlone which I hosted with Minister Kyne. It arose from the Taskforce’s recognition that, given the rapid technological change and the emergence of new equipment and solutions to deliver telecommunications services, stakeholders needed an opportunity to raise concerns on impediments to the rollout of services. Issues impacting on rollout were discussed at the Forum, and there were also some new recommended actions for the Taskforce to help improve services to consumers and in preparing for roll-out of the National Broadband Plan network, once contracts are in place.
The Taskforce’s achievements to date include:
- Funding of all local authorities to assign a Broadband Officer;
- Close cooperation with local authorities to develop local digital strategies, including Government working closely with local authorities to identify approximately 320 high speed Strategic Community Access Hubs to be connected at an early juncture after award of the NBP contract;
- ComReg’s development of a testing regime to check mobile handset performance which will inform consumers in choosing products and network services. ComReg will also develop a new network coverage map.
- Most local authorities applying waivers in respect of development contributions for telecoms development.
- Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has constructed 80km of ducting on the M7/M8 corridor and 14km on the N25 in Cork, with more following in the coming months to help expedite infrastructure roll-out. TII is also reviewing the cost of duct access for telecoms.
In tandem with the work of the Taskforce, the release by ComReg of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, which has been identified at EU level as a primary band suitable for the introduction of 5G, will also contribute to addressing increasing mobile data demands and improve mobile coverage. Mobile operators’ commercial investment has also resulted in improved services, following ComReg's 2012 multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage.
All of these initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services, particularly in rural areas.
55. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he or his Department has had discussions with the RTÉ authority or other Government Departments regarding the future of the symphony and concert orchestras currently managed by RTÉ. [49097/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster established under the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114 of the Act sets out the objects of RTÉ, including the objective 'to establish and maintain orchestras, choirs and other cultural performing groups'. Section 98 of the Act establishes the independence of RTÉ in pursuance of its objects.
As a matter of routine, my officials and I regularly meet with the Chair and senior management of RTÉ on a range of policy and governance issues.
56. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions he is taking to facilitate the development of solar energy in a well managed and sustainable manner; the timeframe for the introduction of a new renewable electricity support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48705/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra58. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action he will take to increase Ireland's renewable energy stock; the date by which a renewable energy support scheme will be launched here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49106/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the renewable electricity support scheme in respect of wind generation and micro-scale generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48979/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a support scheme for residential and-or community solar photovoltaic electricity will be introduced (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49015/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 58, 64 and 78 together.
My Department is developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal. This appraisal compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies, including Solar Photovoltaics (Solar PV) and both onshore and offshore wind, at various scales including micro-generation, to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply. The assessment included analysis of the optimum financial support mechanisms for renewable technologies, in line with the 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines.
The 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines set the framework and extent of financial support options for national renewable electricity (RES-E) support schemes. In general and except for small scale and demonstration projects, RES-E support levels must be set through competitive bidding processes and all new RES-E schemes should provide support in the form of a premium in addition to the market price. This support mechanism is very different to current schemes in place in Ireland where all renewable electricity generators within specific sectors get a fixed price for the electricity they export to the national grid. In designing the new RESS, the cost implications for people and businesses have been a high priority and I will ensure that the new scheme is designed in a cost efficient manner.
The analysis also assessed a range of renewable electricity penetration ambitions, informed by Eirgrid’s 2017 Generation Capacity Statement, to measure their impact on cost and their likely technological composition.
A cornerstone of the new scheme will be the provision of pathways for increased community ownership and participation in and benefit from renewable electricity projects in line with the 2015 Energy White Paper commitments. Communities are effectively being designed into the fabric of the new scheme and a comprehensive assessment of polices and support measures to increase community ownership from renewable electricity projects has been undertaken. The most effective policies to increase community ownership and participation in renewable electricity projects have been examined within an Irish context. Examples include a mandatory requirement for all projects supported under RESS to offer ownership or investment opportunities to the local population, facilitating grid access for community-led renewable projects, ring fencing dedicated capacity for community-led projects and putting in place structures which will support community groups overcome legal, financial and technical barriers to renewable electricity generation. Furthermore, the Government recognizes that Solar PV has the potential to contribute to meeting Ireland’s renewable energy and climate change objectives and could also provide a community dividend, thereby enhancing citizen participation in Ireland's energy future.
Micro generation, which typically involves an element of self-consumption and the selling of excess electricity to the grid, was also appraised as part of the RESS economic assessment. The analysis identified a number of challenges that may need to be addressed before a support scheme for micro generation can be developed. These include a reform of network charges, an assessment of the distributional impact of such a policy decision on the PSO (cost burden sharing), and development of a fair tariff for exported electricity taking the benefits of self-consumption into account. This approach is in line with experience from other EU member states who have attempted to introduce supports for micro generation.
I am committed to further exploring opportunities for supporting micro generation, as I believe that micro-generation could have an important role in Ireland’s transition to a carbon free economy, in assisting Ireland meet its renewable electricity targets, and increasing social acceptance of and promoting renewable energy projects right across the country. My Department and SEAI hosted a workshop on micro generation last month and will develop a policy position on how best to support micro generation and micro generators in Ireland.
A public consultation on the emerging principles of the proposed RESS closed on 10 November. Over 1,250 submissions were received and these will now be reviewed and considered and will inform the final design of the RESS. Following on from this public consultation and review, a final proposal will be brought to Government for approval in early 2018, including the overall costs and technologies to be supported. Subsequent to a Government decision, a formal application for State Aid clearance from the European Commission will commence.
The Economic Report to underpin the design of the new scheme (assessing a range of renewable technologies at different scales and against a range of sensitivities e.g. renewable ambitions) and the Community Report, which identifies and assesses renewable electricity community policies and measures, were published as part of the public consultation process and are available on my Department’s website at www.dccae.ie.
At this point no final decisions have been made as regards which technologies will be supported under the new RESS. I welcome and have noted with interest the falling costs of some renewable technologies over the past year, most notably Solar PV and offshore wind. Increasing renewable technology diversity is one of several policy objectives the new RESS is trying to deliver and falling technology costs may lead to increased diversity of the renewable portfolio over the medium term.
57. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to make changes to the national mitigation plan to introduce binding targets in view of research presented by a centre (details supplied) at COP23 which shows that greenhouse gas emissions will rise in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49091/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the recent study by an organisation (details supplied) on the use of gas and other fossil fuels in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49090/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra89. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the publication of a warning letter by a group (details supplied) highlighting the lack of adequate steps being taken by governments to safeguard the biosphere and prevent catastrophic climate change; his plans to review the national mitigation plan in order to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49013/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 88 and 89 together.
I understand that the research studies referred to are 'Natural Gas and Climate Change,' published by Manchester, Uppsala and Teesside Universities and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research; and a report by the Global Carbon Project with input from the Norwegian Centre for International Climate Research (CICERO), which was published at an event organised to coincide with the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties COP23 in Bonn on 13 November 2017. I am also aware of the letter published by the Union of Concerned Scientists referred to in the Question from Deputy Daly. The common theme in all of the referenced documents is that more urgent action needs to be undertaken by the international community to ensure the goals set out in the Paris Agreement can be met.
The Government’s commitment to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions over the longer term is set out in the 2014 National Policy Position on Climate Change and in the 2015 Energy White Paper. These include ambitious long-term commitments, respectively, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80% compared to 1990 levels and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector by between 80% and 95% by 2050. As energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are inextricably linked, meeting this objective will require a radical transformation of Ireland’s energy system from being predominately fossil fuel based to a clean, low carbon energy system.
I published Ireland’s first statutory National Mitigation Plan in July. This represents an important initial step to enable the transition in Ireland to a low carbon economy and society. The Plan identifies over 70 mitigation measures and 106 related actions to address the immediate challenge to 2020 and to prepare for the EU targets that Ireland will take on for 2030. Although the Plan does not provide a complete roadmap to achieve the national transition objective to 2050, it begins the process of development of medium- to long-term options to ensure that we are well positioned to take the necessary actions in the next and future decades.
The National Mitigation Plan will be subject to formal review at least once every five years and will also become a living document, accessible on my Department's website, which will be updated on an on-going basis as analysis, dialogue and technological innovation generate further cost-effective sectoral mitigation options. This continuous review process reflects the broad and evolving nature of the sectoral challenges outlined in the Plan, coupled with the continued development and deployment of emerging low carbon and cost effective technologies across different sectors of the economy. As this first Plan moves into the implementation phase, this process will enable it to be amended, refined and strengthened over time and assist in keeping Ireland on target to meet our obligations.
The Paris Agreement, which entered into force in November 2016, aims to hold the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit this to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The Agreement is designed to meet this objective through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by all parties to the agreement. Ireland will contribute to the Paris Agreement via the Nationally Determined Contribution submitted by the EU on behalf of its Member States, and which commits the EU to a 40% reduction in EU-wide emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. This is based on EU-wide reductions in the emissions trading system (ETS) sector of 43%, and in the non-ETS sector of 30%. Ireland's contribution to this overall EU effort for the non-ETS sector will be set out in the EU Effort Sharing Regulation, which is currently under negotiation.
59. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the scale of offshore wind energy he expects could be developed in the Irish Sea by 2030; and the role his Department has in co-ordinating such developments. [49093/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan 2014 (OREDP) sets out the Government’s plan for the sustainable development of our abundant offshore renewable energy resources. The Strategic Environmental Assessment carried out for the OREDP found that it would be environmentally sustainable for 4,500 MW of offshore wind and 1,500MW of wave and tidal devices to be developed in Irish waters in the period to 2030.
The OREDP identifies policy actions and enablers that are key to the development of this sector. Progress on these is on-going under the aegis of the Offshore Renewable Energy Steering Group (ORESG). The ORESG, chaired by my Department, includes representation from all relevant Government Departments and agencies, including the Foreshore Licencing Unit of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government which has responsibility for the licencing of offshore renewable energy developments. The ORESG is responsible for the implementation of the Plan across three work-streams: Job Creation; Infrastructure; and Environment. A Working Group for each stream was established with a view to ensuring that offshore renewable energy is developed in line with EU environmental obligations and best practice.
Under the oversight of the ORESG, a mid-term review of the OREDP is currently under way. A draft review document has been published on my Department's website www.dccae.gov.ie for public consultation. This consultation will close on 19 December 2017. The Environment Working Group has developed guidance for industry on the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements and Natura Impact Statements, which is publicly available. Further guidance for industry on environmental monitoring requirements for offshore renewable energy projects is nearing finalisation.
My Department is developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal. This appraisal compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies, including ocean technologies, to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply. All submissions received following a recent public consultation on the emerging principles of the proposed new RESS will be considered in informing the final design of the RESS. While at this point no final decisions have been made as regards which technologies that will be supported, I welcome and have noted with interest the falling costs of renewable technologies over the past year, such as offshore wind. Increasing renewable technology diversity is one of several policy objectives the new RESS is trying to deliver and falling technology costs may lead to increased diversity of the renewable portfolio over the medium term.
60. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if funding has been allocated in budget 2018 for an eel fisheries hardship scheme; and if so, if a proposed scheme has been devised. [49047/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra74. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when funding can be drawn down for an eel fisheries hardship fund; the way in which funds will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49048/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 74 together.
Ireland’s Eel Management Plan (EMP) under EU Regulation 1100/2007, which included a closure of commercial fishing, was approved by the European Commission in 2009. Ireland's EMP and its conservation measures were reviewed in 2012 and in 2015, in accordance with the EU Regulation. Both reviews involved an examination of the latest scientific data and the conservation measures, the results of which were the subject of public consultations.
I recognise fully the difficulty facing eel fishermen and, notwithstanding that fact that there is no property right attaching to public eel licences, the possibility of implementing support measures for eel fishermen is a matter under consideration.
Given that Ireland’s Eel Management Plan (EMP), and the conservation measures it contains, was originally approved by the European Commission under EU Regulation 1100/2007, consultation and discussion with the European Commission would be a key element in the consideration of any potential financial support measure.
Both I and the Minister have also discussed the issue of eels with ESB Fisheries who are fishery owners in this context.
62. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the Government's commitment to provide high speed broadband to every house and business in County Donegal; the deadline for same; the number of homes and businesses which have access to high speed broadband; the number of additional homes and businesses which will receive access to high speed broadband in 2017; the number which will receive access in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48977/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that to date approximately 1.5m or 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can get access to high speed broadband and this footprint is expanding.
In April of this year, I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP. The Map is searchable by Eircode/address and is colour coded:
- AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering, or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of an Agreement signed with me in April.
There are over 101,000 premises in County Donegal, around 68,000 of which fall within a BLUE area of the Map and will be covered by commercial operators. Approximately 12,000 of these 68,000 premises form part of eir's planned rural deployment to deliver high speed broadband to 300,000 premises throughout Ireland between now and the end of 2018. Figures provided to my Department show that, in Q3 2017, eir's rural deployment passed approximately 5,000 premises in County Donegal. The remaining 33,000 premises in County Donegal fall within an AMBER area and will be part of the State led Intervention under the National Broadband Plan.
To improve both mobile phone and broadband services in rural Ireland in advance of the rollout of the high speed broadband network to be built in the State intervention area, I established, in July 2016, a Taskforce to identify solutions which can be implemented in the short, medium and long term to alleviate mobile phone and broadband coverage deficits, to identify priority areas for rollout and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers. These solutions will enhance the existing services prior to the full build and rollout of the network planned under the NBP State led intervention.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
63. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps being taken to effect the removal of subsidies on peat extraction in view of the State's emissions reduction targets and the recent vote of the Citizen's Assembly whereby 97% of assembly members voted in favour of the removal of Government subsidies on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49052/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to incorporate the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly into the national mitigation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49089/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which his Department will progress the recommendations from the Citizens' Assembly on the subject of climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48978/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the degree to which he expects existing provisions and future proposals to narrow the gap between what is required and what is already proposed in regard to the report from the Citizens' Assembly; if he is in a position to quantify the precise extent of the requirements that need to be met over the specified period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49079/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 65, 81 and 84 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 49 on today's Order Paper.
The contributions by the members of the Citizens’ Assembly to this critical and urgent issue, which included consideration of a range of detailed presentations by technical experts in meetings over the course of two full weekends, have been welcomed by me and by the Government as a whole.
I understand that the Citizens' Assembly must now communicate its report and recommendations to the Houses of the Oireachtas for further consideration. The topics considered by the Citizens’ Assembly as part of its module on climate change and the recommendations arising from this module address a range of Government policies and activities. The Government will study the Assembly’s report and recommendations systematically and comprehensively when it receives them and will provide its response to each recommendation of the Assembly in the Houses of the Oireachtas in due course.
In general terms, I was pleased to note that many of the recommendations adopted by the members of the Assembly, as reported on during the second weekend of this module, are already being addressed in the National Mitigation Plan and in the implementation of the Energy White Paper, but I also acknowledge that other recommendations will need further consideration by Government.
Upon publishing the National Mitigation Plan in July of this year, the Government explicitly recognised that this first statutory Plan does not provide a complete roadmap to achieve either Ireland’s proposed 2030 target or the 2050 transition objective. It begins the process of development of medium to long term mitigation choices for the next and future decades, without underestimating the scale of what this entails. Analysis underpinning the Plan suggests the bringing forward of additional measures with a cumulative greenhouse gas mitigation capacity of 89 Mt CO2eq over the period 2021 to 2030. This will require significant societal transformation and, more immediately, very substantial investment by both the public and private sectors, as well as a broad range of non-financial policy tools including regulations, standards, education initiatives and targeted information campaigns. Work is ongoing on the analysis and costing of various suites of measures that could meet the 2030 target as cost-effectively as possible, and the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly will feed into this work.
While the Government, in its response to the Assembly’s report, will also address the specific recommendation to end all subsidies for peat extraction on a phased basis over the next 5 years, it should be noted that the PSO support for Bord na Móna’s Edenderry peat-fired power station expired in December 2015. The Edenderry power station is now in receipt of support for biomass co-firing via the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff 3 (REFIT 3) support scheme for up to 30% of the size of the plant. In addition, Bord na Móna has stated that it intends to cease harvesting peat for electricity generation by 2030. The company has committed to replace large-scale peat production with alternative energy sources. This will contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of electricity and is in keeping with the aims of the Energy White Paper. On top of this, the PSO support for the ESB’s West Offaly and Lough Ree peat power stations expire in 2019. These two peat plants may, like Edenderry, also move to co-firing with biomass, and are eligible for support under REFIT 3.
In this context, the National Mitigation Plan also recognises that fully realising the economic opportunities in the low carbon economy is key to ensuring a just transition, in particular for the groups and communities most affected by the scale of the transformation required such as those involved in peat extraction. Investment in the low carbon economy has the potential to create decent work and quality jobs to support local communities and workers in regions most strongly impacted by the ongoing transformation to a decarbonised society. In support of existing Government policy, as set out in the Regional Action Plans for Jobs, and the significant roles played by the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Agencies in creating and sustaining employment and supporting enterprise development, a report will be prepared on the spatial or geographical economic and employment implications of the transition. The National Dialogue on Climate Action will also afford citizens and communities the opportunity to actively participate and engage in this important area of Government policy.
66. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department must approve the proposed purchase of a wood pellet plant in the US state of Georgia by Bord na Móna (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49092/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPursuant to section 2 of the Turf Development Act 1983, my approval as Minister, given with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, is required for Bord na Móna to enter into capital commitments such as the proposed purchase referenced by the Deputy. At this juncture, there has been no formal request for Ministerial consent in respect of this project.
67. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a discussion in Dáil Éireann on the national mitigation plan will be arranged; and the way in which this plan will help the State meet its commitments under the Paris treaty. [49011/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra468. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will facilitate a Dáil Éireann discussion on the national mitigation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49098/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 468 together.
The publication of Ireland’s first statutory National Mitigation Plan in July 2017 was an important initial step to enable Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy and society. The Plan provides a framework to guide investment decisions by Government in domestic measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sets out what Ireland is currently doing, and is planning to do, to further the national transition objective as set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015. Although this first Plan does not provide a complete roadmap to achieve the national transition objective to 2050, it begins the process of development of medium- to long-term options to ensure that we are well positioned to take the necessary actions in the next and future decades.
The governance and reporting arrangements that underpin the National Mitigation Plan will be critical to successfully delivering on the full range of over 70 measures and 106 related actions in the Plan.
Under section 14 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment is required to present an Annual Transition Statement to each House of the Oireachtas by 10 December each year. The Annual Transition Statement for 2017 will have two main elements. The "Annual National Transition Statement" will set out an overview of both mitigation and adaptation policy measures adopted; a record of emissions of greenhouse gases set out in the most recent national greenhouse gas emissions inventory and a projection of future greenhouse gas emissions; and a report on compliance by the State with any existing or future obligations under EU law or international agreements referred to in Section 2 of the Act.
In addition, each sectoral Minister designated under the 2015 Act for the purposes of the National Mitigation Plan (Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Housing, Planning and Local Government; Transport, Tourism and Sport; and Agriculture, Food and the Marine) is required to include an "Annual Sectoral Mitigation Transition Statement." Each Sectoral Mitigation Transition Statement must set out a record of the sectoral mitigation measures adopted by the Minister of the Government presenting the annual sectoral mitigation transition statement concerned, and an assessment of the effectiveness of the sectoral mitigation measures in the achievement of their purpose.
Starting in 2018, it is my intention to produce an annual progress report on the implementation of the National Mitigation Plan. This annual progress report will incorporate the key provisions of the Annual Transition Statement and will also record progress in relation to each of the actions set out in the National Mitigation Plan. In order to align the Annual Transition Statement requirements under the 2015 legislation with the National Mitigation Plan annual progress report, I propose to incorporate these into a single document from 2018 onwards. This annual reporting process will facilitate debate on the implementation of the National Mitigation Plan in both Houses of the Oireachtas in each subsequent year.
Ireland will contribute to the Paris Agreement via the Nationally Determined Contribution submitted by the EU on behalf of its Member States, and which commits the EU to a 40% reduction in EU-wide emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. This is based on EU-wide reductions in the emissions trading system (ETS) sector of 43%, and in the non-ETS sector of 30%. Ireland's contribution to this overall EU effort for the non-ETS sector will be set out in the EU Effort Sharing Regulation, which is currently under negotiation.
68. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the scientific consensus on the need to leave 80% of proven reserves of fossil fuel in the ground; the way in which the continued issuing of licences by his Department can help achieve this climate change goal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49012/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Paris Agreement, which entered into force in November 2016, aims to limit global average temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with an ambition of 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Agreement is designed to meet this objective through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by all parties to the agreement. In this regard, the European Union submitted an NDC committing to a reduction of at least 40% in EU-wide emissions by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, which will be met through reductions of 43% in the Emission Trading System (ETS) and 30% in the non-ETS sector compared with 2005 levels.
Ireland will contribute to the Paris Agreement via the NDC tabled by the EU on behalf of its Member States. The specific details of Ireland's contribution are currently being negotiated between the EU and its Member States.
The Energy White Paper “Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030” sets out a vision and framework to guide Irish energy policy and the actions that Government intends to take in the energy sector from now up to 2030, aimed at transforming Ireland's fossil-fuel based energy sector into a clean, low carbon system by 2050. This ambitious vision for Ireland’s energy system envisages a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from that sector by 80-95% relative to 1990 levels by 2050. The White Paper identifies the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050.
Ireland’s transition to a low carbon energy future will involve progressively moving to lower emissions fuels, e.g. moving initially from peat and coal to natural gas, and ultimately towards an even greater reliance on renewable energy. In that regard, the Government has introduced a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy and deliver energy efficiency. In 2015, over 25% of Ireland’s electricity was generated from renewable energy sources.
The White Paper also recognises that oil and natural gas will remain significant elements of Ireland’s energy supply in that transition period.
Ireland sources all its oil needs from abroad. In addition, Ireland currently sources its gas supply from the Kinsale gasfields, the Corrib gasfield and the gas pipeline from Moffat in Scotland. Corrib and Kinsale are not in a position to meet all of Ireland’s annual gas demand and so Ireland will continue to rely on gas via Great Britain for the foreseeable future. The Kinsale fields are expected to cease production by 2021 while Corrib production is projected to decrease to 50 per cent of its initial levels by 2025.
Taking this into account, exploration in Ireland’s offshore has the potential to deliver benefits to Irish society and the economy, particularly in terms of enhanced security of supply and reduced fossil fuel imports, as we transition to a low carbon future. In that regard, I recently made a suggestion to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment that Ireland's policy on energy security deserves a full debate by the committee in the context of our policy framework for energy transition, energy efficiency, renewable energy and offshore exploration.
69. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there will be the creation of a renewable heat incentive under proposals in budget 2018; the long-term role of this incentive; when it will be established; and if it will be directed toward commercial, community projects or domestic use. [49009/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed Renewable Heat Incentive addresses key objectives set out in the National Mitigation Plan, the Energy White Paper and the Programme for Government. The scheme has a significant role to play in contributing to meeting our renewable energy and emission reduction targets for 2020 and beyond. In addition, the scheme will open up new opportunities for the domestic bioenergy sector.
The development of the scheme has involved detailed economic analysis, extensive engagement with industry and two public consultations. The scheme is designed to stimulate and support the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems with renewable energy by commercial, industrial and agricultural heat users in the non-emissions trading sector (non-ETS).
In Budget 2018, €7m was allocated for the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive which will fund the first phase of the RHI scheme, which I expect to commence in 2018 subject to Government and State Aid approval.
70. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on all applications for exploration licences that have been received by his Department; the indications he has of upcoming applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49101/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA report is compiled and laid before the Oireachtas by my Department every six months, which sets out details of State Mining Leases, State Mining Licences and Prospecting Licences and the total amount of all moneys collected under or by virtue of any such Lease or Licence or otherwise in connection with the minerals. These reports are available in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas and on my Department’s website at www.dccae.gov.ie.
There are currently 611 active Prospecting Licences (PLs) in Ireland.
In 2017, 56 PL applications have been received to date. It is not possible to indicate the number of applications that may be received in the future as this is dependent on a number of variables, including the market sentiment and the areas available for licensing.
