Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 8 May 2018

Written Answers Nos. 396-411

Forestry Data

Ceisteanna (396)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

396. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated additional cost to the Exchequer based on 2017 participation and planting rates on implementing a proposal (details supplied) over a full year. [20053/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Environmental Requirements for Afforestation guidelines require that up to 15% of the afforestation site must be treated with particular regard to biodiversity, comprising a combination of open spaces and retained habitats and this includes setbacks beside habitats, watercourses, setbacks beside public roads and archaeological monuments that are not planted.

The land set aside as Areas for Biodiversity Enhancement or ABEs, as they are known, are fully eligible for grant and premium payments. Increasing level of ABEs to 35% would not result in additional expenditure for the exchequer but would result in fewer trees being planted which would have a detrimental impact on the targets in the Forestry Programme.

It would also result in lost income for landowners planting their land forest as it would reduce the quantity of timber available for harvesting by up to 20%. I therefore have no plans to change this current requirement.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (397)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

397. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount allocated and expended, respectively, on forestry schemes in each of the years 2014 to 2017, in tabular form. [20054/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The amount allocated and expenditure incurred by my Department on forestry schemes for each of the years 2014 to 2017 is indicated in the table.

Allocation for Afforestation Scheme and Forestry Support Schemes

(million)

2014

109.77

2015

109.56

2016

111.68

2017

109.05

Expenditure on Afforestation Scheme and Forestry Support Schemes

2014

108.09

2015

102.70

2016

102.02

2017

99.51

Dairy Sector

Ceisteanna (398)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

398. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address labour shortages in the dairy sector; and the way in which this deficit will be met in order to reach Food Wise 2025 targets. [20101/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A shortage of labour has been building up in certain sub-sectors of the Irish agri-food sector in recent times. The Deputy is correct to refer to the dairy sector, but labour pressures also exist in the horticultural and meat processing sectors. While the reasons for the shortages are varied, they include the significant value added growth expansion of the sector in recent years; the growth in the economy as a whole which has meant we are now approaching full employment; and also economic and associated employment growth in other EU countries which have traditionally supplied workers for the Irish agri-food sector.

I am aware of the impact that these labour shortages are having, and I am committed to helping the sectors involved find appropriate solutions.

In relation to the dairy sector, last November I established a multi stakeholder group with a view to ensuring that Irish dairying has access to the human capital it requires to realise its ambitions. I expect that this Group will finalise an action plan in the coming weeks which will address the short and medium term labour issues facing the dairy sector. This action plan will make an important contribution to alleviating the labour shortage issue that exists and will be submitted to the Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee for information.

In addition to the work of this group, a range of other measures are being pursued by the dairy sector to try to attract and retain labour, including exchanges with New Zealand, enhanced efforts to recruit from within the European economic area, as well as efforts at regional level to engage with, and attract people on the live register, homemakers and drystock farmers to avail of opportunities on dairy farms.

Bioenergy Strategy

Ceisteanna (399)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

399. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has examined the study published by the EU Commission in March 2017, "Optimal Use of Biogas from Waste Stream. An Assessment of the Potential of Biogas from Digestion in the EU beyond 2020", which highlights that Ireland has the highest potential for biogas production per capita within the EU by 2030 and a potential of 13 TWh/annum forecast; and if he examined rolling out a scheme to increase biogas production from farm waste via co-operatives and the potential costs incurred. [20102/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The agriculture and forest sector has a critical role to play in contributing to our national climate change ambitions, and bioenergy represents a key component of that contribution.

I have noted with interest the study to which the Deputy is referring and this study has been examined by the relevant division in my Department. While the EU study illustrates that small Member States have a large potential to increase their domestic biogas production (in terms of production per inhabitant), these figures are based on accelerated growth scenarios with the upper limits of feedstock potential used.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in their recent report on “The Assessment of Cost and Benefits of Biogas and Biomethane in Ireland” also highlight that the potential of biogas production could be 35PJ by 2050. This is based on maximum use of grass silage and other resources for anaerobic digestion (AD), which could prove very expensive to mobilise.

I also recognise that there is an opportunity to encourage the utilisation of agricultural waste as an alternative source of energy. I have noted that while it is possible to produce and utilise methane through AD of stored manure (which accounts for only 10% of agricultural methane), academic and industry research suggests that there is the potential for a significant role in the heat and transport sectors for biogas produced by anaerobic digestion, analysis to date would suggest that costs are a significant factor.

Notwithstanding, my Department and the Government recognise that indigenous renewable energy plays a vital role in our domestic fuel mix and will become even more important in the context of reducing our reliance on imported fuels and in meeting our challenging renewable energy targets. My Department is committed to working closely with the Department for Communications, Climate Action and Environment which is the lead Department in this area, to ensure that the supply of domestic biomass and residues available in the forest and agriculture sectors are mobilised to support energy generation from a range of bioenergy technologies.

Given renewed interest in this technology and an interest from industry in mobilising biomethane, my Department is also collaborating closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment to consider the potential for anaerobic digestion to contribute to Ireland's significant renewable energy and Green House Gas targets, and promote the development of Ireland's bioeconomy.

Harbours and Piers Maintenance

Ceisteanna (400)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

400. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the body responsible for the upkeep, repair and maintenance of the slipway in Foynes, County Limerick (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20107/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Pursuant to the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended), this Department is responsible for the management, control and operation of the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros an Mhíl. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.

Responsibility for the maintenance and development of Local Authority-owned harbours and piers rests with each individual Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government thereafter.

The slipway referred to in Foynes does not come under the remit of my Department and is registered to a private individual, responsibility for its maintenance and upkeep would appear therefore to rest with the owner or their estate.

That said, it is my understanding the local Council has undertaken to clean the slipway of dangerous material.

Nitrates Action Programme Implementation

Ceisteanna (401)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

401. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Exchequer funding allocated for the nitrates action programme in each of the years 2018 to 2021; the 2018 funding allocation, by current and capital funding; the number of full- and part-time staff working directly on the programme in his Department; and the annual running costs, including staffing costs, for his Department, in tabular form. [20174/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government is the lead authority for the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations which gives legal effect to the Nitrates Directive and to our Nitrates Action Programme (NAP).

The Nitrates Directive is one of the Statutory Management Requirements for which my Department inspects 1% of Basic Payment Scheme applicants to ensure compliance with standards.

Significant supports are made available through the Rural Development Programme towards achievement of environmental objectives in climate, biodiversity and water including with the Nitrates Directive. This support amounts to €4 billion over the period 2014-2020. Under GLAS our agri-environmental climate measure in the RDP a significant portion of funding is devoted to water protection measures such as priority access to farmers in high status water areas.

Our Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) provides grant aid of 40% to all farmers and up to 60% to young trained farmers investing in slurry and manure storage facilities and concrete silage slabs etc. The Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme has been particularly successful and provides grant support for use of new technology which will increase the value of applied slurries on farms. This leads to reduced nutrient losses and therefore benefit water quality and over 1500 applications have been received to date.

In addition my Department funds the Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) which is a joint research and advisory programme operated by Teagasc in six agricultural catchments across the country. The scientific findings from the ACP help fulfil Ireland's monitoring and reporting requirements under the EU Nitrates Directive and the EU Water Framework Directive. The findings support key agri-environmental policies and strategies, including the recent review of the NAP and the 2nd cycle of River Basin District Planning under the Water Framework Directive.

The most recent support is a collaborative approach between my Department, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the dairy industry to fund water advisors for farmers to assist in them in meeting water protection standards. This is an important measure as it is a whole of government, whole of sector innovation and an important measure in Ireland's recently published River Basin Management Plan.

The Nitrates, Biodiversity and Engineering (NBE) Division of my Department plays a major role in the development and implementation of policies and operations pertaining to the NAP and Nitrates Derogation, in addition to other responsibilities. Projected expenditure details for the DAFM Nitrates, Biodiversity and Engineering Division for 2018 are as follows:

Number Personnel

21 (Full time equivalents = 19)

Staffing Costs

€1,277,966

Agricultural Catchments Programme

€1,600,000

Total

€2,877,966

For 2019 to 2021 expenditure will rise in line with normal inflation rates.

Departmental Programmes

Ceisteanna (402)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

402. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Exchequer funding allocated to the sustainability support and advisory programme in each of the years 2018 to 2021; the 2018 funding allocation, current and capital; the number of full- and part-time staff working directly on the programme in his Department; and the annual running costs, including staffing costs, for his Department, in tabular form. [20176/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 'Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme' is an innovative Government/ industry collaborative initiative and a new approach to achieving improvements in water quality and wider sustainability. It involves the establishment and joint funding between my Department, the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government (DHPLG) and the Dairy Industry of a resource of 30 Agricultural Sustainability Advisors. 20 Advisors are being jointly funded by my Department and the DHPLG.

These Advisors will receive comprehensive training provided by Teagasc to ensure a consistent and unified approach. The Government funded Advisors will be managed by Teagasc's environmental section with oversight provided by both my Department and DHPLG.

This four year programme supports the goals of the Food Wise 2025 strategy, facilitating increased productivity hand-in-hand with a more sustainable sector. The sustainability and efficiency gains will be achieved through improved nutrient management with more targeted use of fertiliser, better farmyard practice, and the development of new approaches to reducing nutrient losses in critical source areas.

The programme has the potential to strengthen delivery of Ireland's obligations under the Water Framework Directive. It is part of a new approach to River Basin Management Planning for the 2018–2021 cycle. This new approach includes the development of a much-strengthened evidence base to understand the full range of pressures affecting water quality and the development of the programmes of measures needed to deliver improvements. Over time, the Programme will also address on-farm climate change and biodiversity strategies

Under the programme, the new team will promote on-farm sustainability best practice to farmers in 190 priority catchments identified by the EPAs in consultation with other Government agencies and Departments. Furthermore the Dairy Co-ops will support sustainability best practice through their structures, promoting best farmyard and nutrient management practice across all their suppliers.

Projected expenditure details for the 20 Sustainability Advisers and 3 Overhead Personnel, being financed by my Department and DHPLG, are as follows:

2018

2019

2020

2021

Total Annual Cost €

816,944

1,686,207

1,741,284

1,868,844

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (403)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

403. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a scheme for farmers to further reduce ammonia and nitrogen emissions following the completion of the projects (details supplied); and if his officials carried out exploratory work in this regard for potential schemes and associated costs. [20178/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The two projects referred to by the Deputy were funded by my Department. The recently completed Sustainable nitrogen fertiliser Use and Disaggregated Emissions of Nitrogen (SUDEN) project generated, for the first time, Irish specific ammonia emission factors for dung and urine deposited by grazing cows. The project also identified that farmers can maintain yields and reduce ammonia loss to the environment by switching from CAN to urea protected with NBPT (urease inhibiter). The research found nitrogen loss to the environment can be reduced substantially by integrating urease inhibitors in high profit grass systems. Following on from this, my Department made an award of further funding for a project titled 'Manipulation and Integration of Nitrogen Emissions (MINE)', which aims to use cutting edge techniques to provide greater understanding of the processes and factors controlling nitrous oxide emissions.

The LowAmmo project, which is focusing specifically on addressing knowledge gaps in national ammonia emissions data, including measurement, modelling and mitigation of ammonia emissions from livestock housing, grazing depositions and slurry storage, is scheduled to conclude later this year. Data collected will feed directly into the refinement of Ireland's national ammonia inventory. The mitigation options for yards and slurry storage investigated in LowAmmo will also provide valuable data for the future development of abatement options.

Furthermore, we have a whole territory approach to nitrates implementation so all farmers are obliged to abide by nutrient management planning which has many synergies with reducing ammonia due to the efficient use of animal manure. The Nitrates Action Programme agreed in December 2017 included a balanced programme of measures supporting the objectives of achieving good water quality while at the same time encouraging sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. The measures in Ireland's derogation take account of the growing numbers of derogation farmers who are farming at intensive stocking rates, and also environmental objectives for water, climate change and ammonia which Ireland must achieve. For example, a new condition for derogation farms has been included in that from 2018, 50% or more of slurry must be applied by 15 June and after that it must be applied by using low emission slurry spreading (LESS) equipment.

Additionally, my Department supports the grant aid for Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme known as TAMS II and supports the application of slurry via LESS equipment as an option in the GLAS agri-environment scheme which significantly reduces the ammonia losses from slurry.

Officials from my Department are also engaging with the Department of Communications Climate Action and the Environment, who are the lead Department on air quality issues, on the development of a National Clean Air Strategy.

Fisheries Protection

Ceisteanna (404)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

404. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason for a by-law (details supplied) in regard to the reduction of fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20021/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I understand the Deputy is referring to the annual suite of regulations to facilitate management of commercial salmon fisheries by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). I recently finalised these regulations ahead of the opening date for the commercial season on 12 May 2018. These regulations are concerned with conservation of each genetically unique river stock and apply to those rivers with a harvestable surplus of fish on which it is intended to open commercial fisheries.

District Committees, which include representatives of both the angling and commercial fishing sectors, meet annually to make recommendations on how any surplus on each river is to be allocated between anglers and commercial fishermen. These recommendations are notified to the relevant Regional Director of IFI to assist informed decision making.

The commercial salmon fishing season has normally closed on 31 July for many years – for a small number of years this was extended into August for some fisheries on the basis that the full allocation for commercial fishermen was not being taken by the closing date.

In 2018, the established closing date of 31 July is being set in an effort to protect the important late running cohort of salmon - the traditional 'autumn run'. Salmon catch is limited by quota and there is a strong possibility that the quotas will be fully utilised by the commercial nets before that date. In the event that the allocation in any individual fishery is not taken by the closing date the option remains for me to consider an extension to the season, on a case by case basis.

Broadcasting Sector

Ceisteanna (405)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

405. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to implement the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment to ensure greater investment in independent television production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20040/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I requested the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment to examine the longer term issue of the future funding of public service media. The Committee published their report at the end of November 2017. The findings of the report were debated in the Dáil on 29 March, 2018.

Both Public Service Broadcasters spend millions of euro each year on independently produced programming. This is vital in supporting a vibrant independent sector, including in the regions.

As the Deputy may be aware, Section 116 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that RTÉ make specific amounts available each year for the commissioning of television and radio programmes from the independent production sector. In 2016, it spent €39.6m on independent productions. A total of 719 hours (300 radio, 419 television) were commissioned across a range of programme categories.

In addition, TG4 commissions the majority of its Irish language programmes from independent production companies throughout Ireland. In 2016, the broadcaster spent over €22.5m on independent productions, which was 90% of its annual programme budget for that year.

In order to sustain and increase the amount spent on independent productions, additional resources are required for public service broadcasting. This means that the current evasion rate in respect of the TV licence fee must be addressed and I intend to bring proposals to Government shortly in this regard.

Broadband Service Speeds

Ceisteanna (406)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

406. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that average broadband speeds in parts of Cobh are inadequate and that residents and businesses in so-called blue areas cannot access high-speed broadband. [19923/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to 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. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. Since this Government came into office almost 400,000 additional premises have access to high speed broadband. This will increase to nearly 8 out of 10 premises by the end of this year and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.

In April 2017 I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This 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 National Broadband Plan (NBP).

The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:

- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.

- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.

- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to roll-out high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017.

Premises in the Cobh area fall into all of these categories. Individuals can check which category their premises falls into by going to my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie and entering their eircode into the High Speed Broadband Map.

My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages.

In April 2017, I signed a Commitment Agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide high speed broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department's website www.dccae.gov.ie.

Where someone living in a Blue area is unable to obtain a high speed broadband service, I would ask you to please encourage them to email my Department at broadband@dccae.gov.ie with their eircode and details of the service providers they have contacted and my officials will respond.

Prior to the roll-out of the State Intervention network, 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.

Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is improving. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. A link to a list of the local Broadband Officers can be accessed here http://www.ruralireland.ie/policies/national-broadband-plan/

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Ceisteanna (407)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

407. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the BAI five-year review of public service broadcasting funding report for 2018 to 2022 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20038/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As per Section 124 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) are required to carry out a Review of Public Service Broadcasting every five years. The latest review is for the period 2018-2022 and it is my understanding that this review will be finalised and submitted to my Department shortly.

Once the review has been received, I will bring the report and recommendations made by the Authority to Government. As per Section 124 of the 2009 Act, the Government's response to these recommendations and the Five Year Review will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and published.

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (408)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

408. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of times he meets the CEOs of the major State companies and agencies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20076/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department's remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy, environment, climate change and public broadcasting, as well as regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. In this context there are 6 commercial State bodies, 8 non-commercial State bodies and 3 regulators, under the aegis of my Department.

With regard to the commercial and non-commercial State Bodies, my Department currently oversees the governance of those bodies to ensure they are fully compliant with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning individual bodies. My Department also ensures that the State Bodies act in a manner consistent with current Government policy and that compliance obligations, reporting procedures and assurance arrangements are all adhered to. The Department is supported by NewEra in exercising corporate governance functions in respect of the bodies designated under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act, 2014.

With regard to the regulators, they have all been established on a statutory basis and are independent in the exercise of their respective functions. Appropriate corporate governance arrangements are in place to ensure that the regulators comply with, insofar as applicable and having regard to the binding requirements of EU and national law, the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, related Government policy and all other governance functions within the various statutory frameworks underpinning them.

As a matter for course I, as Minister, meet with the CEO's of the Agencies under the aegis of my Department as the need arises.

Telecommunications Services Expenditure

Ceisteanna (409)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

409. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the annual cost of setting up the broadband and mobile phone task force; the annual costs incurred and total Exchequer allocations made in each year since it was established; the number of part- and full-time civil servants attached to the task force; and the associated annual staff costs in this regard. [20104/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

In relation to actual direct spending associated with the Taskforce by my Department, no expenditure was incurred in 2016. In 2017, spending of €6,572.87 can be directly attributed to the Taskforce. This includes €3,834.28 towards the National Stakeholder Forum and €2,738.59 towards the Taskforce stand at the National Ploughing Championships.

To date in 2018, expenses of €580.00 were incurred by my Department in relation to the launch of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Review 2017.

There are no Exchequer Allocations associated with the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce from my Department. However, all thirty one local authorities in the State receive an Exchequer Allocation from the Department of Rural and Community Development of €35,000 in order to fund a Broadband Officer. The Broadband Officer is a single point of contact in each local authority, ensuring consistency in engagement with operators and assisting in the roll-out of telecommunications infrastructure.

In terms of staffing costs, three officials in my Department are engaged in managing the Taskforce actions, and do so in the course of their normal duties. A number of other officials and experts from various Departments and State Bodies are working with key stakeholders to assist in the delivery of the actions.

National Mitigation Plan

Ceisteanna (410, 411)

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

410. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the term "non-zero emission vehicle" in regard to the commitment in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 encompasses vehicles equipped with a combustion engine regardless of fuel and other propulsion systems which may also be installed, such that no new hybrid propulsion vehicles that include a combustion engine will be sold here after 2030. [20110/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

411. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the rationale for delaying the ban on sales of non-zero emission vehicles until 2030 in view of the large and accumulating overshoot of carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector relative to EU targets and the temperature goals for the Paris Agreement; and his costed plans for drawing down the corresponding excess carbon dioxide that will be emitted to the atmosphere and that is directly attributable to this delay. [20111/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together.

Ireland's first statutory National Mitigation Plan, which I published in July last year, provides a framework to guide investment decisions by Government in domestic measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The purpose of the Plan is to specify the policy measures required in order to manage Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions at a level appropriate for making progress towards our long-term national transition objective as set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, as well as to take into account existing EU and international obligations on the State in relation to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Although this first Plan will 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.

Building on the National Mitigation Plan, the publication in February of the National Development Plan, will lead to a significant step change in funding available for climate action over the next decade. Almost €22 billion will be directed, between Exchequer and non-Exchequer resources, to addressing the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient society. In addition, the National Development Plan allocated a further €8.6 billion for investments in sustainable mobility. This capital investment will enable us to deliver a significant reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions over the period to 2030.

Within the framework of the National Mitigation Plan, the transport sector will need to play a strong role in contributing to our national emissions reduction effort and the Department for Transport, Tourism and Sport is working closely with my Department to develop and implement the policies and measures necessary to achieve these emissions reductions.

In May 2017, the National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland was published. It set out the ambition that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland will be zero-emissions capable. This ambition was also included in the National Mitigation Plan and was further reinforced by the commitment in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, published in February 2018, that no new non-zero emission vehicles would be sold in Ireland post 2030. Achieving the National Development Plan ambition would require that no new fossil fuel powered cars, including hybrid variants, would be sold in Ireland post-2030.

In order to consider the range of measures and options available to Government to accelerate the uptake of lower emitting vehicles, a dedicated Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce was established. The low emission vehicle transition will be delivered as quickly and as effectively as possible through a combination of implementing the measures outlined in the National Mitigation Plan, the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan; realising the outcomes of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce deliberations; and developing new and innovative policy interventions in the years ahead in light of technological and market developments.

Barr
Roinn