Written Answers Nos. 412-425
412. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department's planned renewable energy system's capacity estimated to be installed here in percentage of the power mix for the years 2030 and 2035. [20113/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Energy White Paper presents a long-term strategic vision that is intended to guide the direction of Irish energy policy from now until 2030. It identifies the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050. It does not set out targets for specific renewable technologies; rather it provides a framework to guide policy between now and 2030.
The National Mitigation Plan 2017 restates the Government’s commitment to move from a fossil fuel-based electricity system to a low-carbon power system. Investment in further renewable generation will be incentivised. Natural gas will continue to play a key role as a transition fuel.
The National Development Plan 2018-2027 sets out clear measures towards decarbonisation, including the upgrading of 45,000 homes every year from 2021 to make them energy efficient, up to 4,500 MW of renewable electricity generation, roll-out of the support scheme for renewable heat, and commitments on electric vehicles and low-emission public transport. However, in the transition, the lowest CO2 emitting fossil fuel is still required to ensure a safe, secure and competitive path towards sustainability. In addition to this the planned closure of Moneypoint by 2025 and the ending of peat for electricity generation in advance of 2030 will have an positive impact.
In regard to future electricity demand, EirGrid have modelled a number of scenarios in their 2017 publication “Tomorrow’s Energy Scenarios". Each scenario predicts a different possible future for the generation and consumption of electricity out to 2040. A link to the document is available at
http://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-files/library/EirGrid/EirGrid-Tomorrows-Energy-Scenarios-Report-2017.pdf
413. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a report (details supplied) will be released on the impact of opt-out advertising on the Irish market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20164/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn May 2016 the European Commission published its proposal to review the Audiovisual Media Services Directive which regulates the provision of audio-visual media services in the European Union.
In order to support its participation in the negotiations on the revision of the AVMS Directive, my Department engaged consultancy services in October 2016 to review the impact of ‘opt-out’ advertising on the Irish broadcasting sector. "Opt-out advertising" in this context refers to the practice by certain UK broadcasters of creating a duplicate version of a UK channel and removing the UK advertising and replacing that advertising with advertising targeting Irish audiences. These duplicate channels have a separate licence from OFCOM, the British regulator.
The report has informed Ireland's position in the negotiations at EU level and it is available to view on my department's website. It is expected that a final text of the revised AVMS Directive will be produced in Autumn 2018.
414. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop a bypass for Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19633/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra415. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to major traffic issues in Carrick-on-Shannon; his plans to develop a ring road to deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19634/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 415 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
416. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis registered in each county. [19703/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, which includes wheelchair accessible taxis, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
417. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding allocated to the large-scale sport infrastructure fund announced by the Minister in his budget 2018 speech for each of the years 2018 to 2020; the amount of this funding he plans to ring-fence for disadvantaged areas; his plans to put safeguards and conditions in place to ensure that the majority of the available funding is used in disadvantaged areas with poor sports facilities as part of the process of his Department drafting terms and conditions for the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19823/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently published National Development Plan (NDP) contains a commitment to establish a new “Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund” (LSSIF) with at least €100 m available over the coming years. My officials have commenced drafting the terms and conditions of the new LSSIF and I note the Deputy's comments in that regard. I would be happy to receive any additional observations that the Deputy may wish to make. My officials have also engaged with relevant stakeholders for views. It is intended that the Fund will be for larger projects where the proposed Government contribution exceeds the amount currently available for individual projects under the Sports Capital Programme.
There is no funding provided for the programme in 2018. The amounts to be provided in 2019 and 2020 will be decided in the context of the annual Estimates for each year respectively.
An announcement in relation to when applications will be accepted will be made once these terms and conditions are finalised.
418. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the preparatory work that has been carried out with regard to maintaining the open skies policy following Brexit; the contingency plans in place if no agreement is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19827/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrexit and its potential implications for Ireland are being managed on a whole-of-government basis. My Department is represented on all relevant cross-Departmental coordination structures, and an internal Departmental Committee on Brexit meets regularly. The Department also consults regularly with the aviation regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders through the National Civil Aviation Development Forum.
Contingency planning in relation to Brexit at both a national and an EU level is focused on three areas: preparing for a no-deal scenario or so-called “disorderly Brexit”; preparing for a transition period based on the “status quo”; and preparing for the future EU-UK relationship.
The European Commission is also contingency planning on this basis and in the context of contingency planning for a "disorderly Brexit" has put forward the possibility of a so-called 'bare-bones' EU-UK air services agreement (traffic rights & safety) and/or the possibility of unilateral EU measures. Ireland strongly favours an EU level solution to these issues such as those being looked at by the Commission.
The Government has been clear that its approach to preparing for Brexit is aimed at minimising the impact of Brexit on our trade and economy and an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Ireland has been a long standing supporter of open skies policies and this certainly remains the case in the context of Brexit.
419. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the 2015 amendment to the Harbours Act 1996 provides for retrospective application in that it covers the period from 1997 when the port companies were corporatised; the reason the lengthy retrospective application was included in the 2015 amendment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19880/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Harbours Act 2015 was signed into law by the President on the 25 December 2015 and commenced from that date.
420. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances in a matter (details supplied); the reason an elected official whose election was validated by the returning officer and company secretary has been refused letter of appointment as a director of a port company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19881/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Harbours Act 2015 introduced changes in legislation in line with Government policy and to strengthen and improve corporate governance arrangements for port company boards, including the introduction of a 10-year limit on the period served by a director of a port company.
Section 30(6) of the Harbours Act 1996, as substituted by section 39 of the Harbours Act 2015, provides that a person shall not serve as a director of a port company for a period that is longer than 10 years in total. This applies equally to all directors of port companies, including employee directors.
The Harbours Act 2015 was signed into law on 25 December 2015. Accordingly the 10-year limit applies to all directors of port companies from that date forward, including serving directors at the time of enactment.
In 2017, employee director elections were held in a number of the port companies. In the case of the port referenced by the Deputy, the employee who went forward for election was an existing employee director and had already served as an employee director for 10 years and was therefore not eligible to be appointed for a further term of office. My Department advised the company that the 10-year limit applies to all directors including employee directors and the process for election of an employee director was reheld. A number of candidates went forward and a new employee director is now in place. All employee director positions in port companies have been filled and no vacancies will arise for a number of years.
421. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is apparently no time limit on the term of a CEO as a director of a port company here even though their employment contracts according to the Department of Finance must not exceed seven years (details supplied); the reason this inconsistency exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19882/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the case of the State commercial ports sector, section 36 of the Harbours Act 1996 provides that CEOs shall also be appointed to the board as an ex officio (often referred to as an executive) director of the relevant company for the duration of their term of office as a CEO. I would note that the appointment of a CEO as an ex officio director of a company is a standard feature of most commercial organisations; however, that appointment is limited to the duration of their contracted term of office as CEO.
422. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason an anomaly exists in the election of worker directors of ports here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19883/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo strengthen the position of the Boards of Port Companies, the Harbours Act 2015 introduced changes in legislation in line with Government policy and to strengthen and improve corporate governance arrangements for company boards, including the introduction of 10-year limit on the period served by any director, including an employee director, of a port company.
The legislation also introduced certain stated skill sets for company directors.
Section 30(6) of the Harbours Act 1996, as substituted by section 39 of the Harbours Act 2015, provides that a person shall not serve as a director of a port company for a period that is longer than 10 years in total. This applies equally to all directors of port companies, including employee directors.
This provision is also in accordance with good corporate governance and practice as specified in 4.5 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016
In setting an overall limit on the period of directorships, section 30(6) gives more opportunities for other people to register their interest in serving on the boards of port companies. Elections have been held and all employee director positions in port companies are currently filled and no vacancies will arise for a number of years.
423. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether elected worker directors play an important role in the governance of tier one commercial port companies; and his further views on whether the number of elected worker directors on the boards of State-owned tier one port companies should be restored to the level set out in the Harbours Act 1996 from one to two in order to reflect the importance attached to the role of worker democracy in State-owned ports and to bring these entities into line with representative levels established in other successful commercial State companies. [19884/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Ports Policy Statement 2005, the Harbours (Amendment) Act 2009 reduced the total number of directors serving on a port company board from 12 to 8. This was in recognition of the need for smaller, more focussed boards which were clearly aligned, on an individual member level, solely on the achievement of the commercial objectives and wellbeing of the port company. In tandem with smaller, more focussed boards being put in place the allocation of one employee director on each board was more appropriate.
Section 30 of the Harbours Act 1996, as substituted by Section 39 of the Harbours Act 2015 maintains this provision and provides that an election of an employee director shall only be held where the average number of its employees is expected to exceed 30 in an accounting year.
Employee directors play an important role and make a valuable contribution to the governance of our tier one port companies. They provide a unique insight and add to the diverse skill sets required. In line with the legislation all employee director positions in port companies have currently been filled and no vacancies will arise for a number of years
424. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a mechanism in the context of motor tax that provides for a refund of funds or transfer of motor tax to another vehicle in instances whereby a person disposes of or sells a vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19945/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the current motor tax system, motor tax remains with a vehicle on transfer of ownership and the vehicle remains taxed until the validity of the existing tax disc expires.
A motor tax disc is vehicle specific, with the registration number and other details pertaining to the vehicle printed on it. This ensures that the disc relates only to a particular vehicle and prevents the tax disc being transferred to vehicles other than the one that has been taxed.
There would be administrative and cost impacts attaching to any system of returning motor tax discs on change of ownership, issuing refunds to the seller and issuing new tax discs with a new registration number and vehicle particulars. These impacts would increase if the tax class (and thereby the motor tax rate) of the replacement vehicle was not the same as the original vehicle.
There are no plans to review the mechanism currently in place. It is open to the seller of a vehicle to manage their motor tax affairs to minimise the residual motor tax upon sale of the vehicle, including through the availability of quarterly or half yearly motor tax options. Further, the value of the residual motor tax can be factored into the price the vehicle is traded for.
425. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts being made to progress the greenway infrastructure in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19956/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department awarded funding of almost €4 million to Kerry County Council in 2014 for the development of the South Kerry Greenway from Glenbeigh to Renard. Given the specific engineering challenges and potential land acquisition and other costs associated with delivering the South Kerry Greenway, the funding currently allocated to the project will not be sufficient to provide for its construction. However, Kerry County Council (KCC) have continued to work on the planning, design and environmental assessment of the greenway and are due to have a pre-planning consultation with An Bord Pleanála in the coming weeks. It is intended following the completion of that process that a formal application for planning approval for the South Kerry Greenway will be submitted.
My Department does not currently have an open call for greenways funding and is therefore not considering any other greenway proposals at present. KCC submitted proposals for both the North Kerry Line and Tralee Fenit (Phase 1) greenways under the National Cycle Network 2014-2016 funding programme and while no funding was awarded under that programme the Tralee-Fenit proposal was subsequently awarded €345,000 under the Government Stimulus package 2014.
As you will be aware my Department is currently developing a Strategy for the future development of greenways which I aim to publish in Q2 2018. This Strategy will provide a long term vision and framework upon which Ireland's greenways can be planned in a strategic manner. The Strategy will also, among other things, seek to address the challenges experienced in delivering the South Kerry Greenway and will provide guidance to all local authorities wishing to avail of funding under future funding calls.
