Written Answers Nos. 2020-2039
2020. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will be proposing or making legislative changes to achieve full compliance of Irish law with the obligations of the Aarhus convention; and the form he expects those changes to take. [35192/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters ("The Aarhus Convention"), was ratified by Ireland on 20 June 2012. An implementation table which details various legislative measures taken to implement the Aarhus Convention and related EU Directives into Irish law is available on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie.
Although Ireland is already in compliance with the Convention, my Department is currently working on the Heads of a Bill to improve our compliance by reflecting the findings of Aarhus-related Irish and European case law which have emerged since 2012. The Bill will principally provide greater clarity as regards Ireland’s intentions in terms of the transposition where the courts have expressed the need for such.
Issues to be addressed in the Bill include: automatic recognition that certain environmental NGOs have sufficient interest in relevant environmental cases; establishing in law that judicial review is an appropriate review procedure under Article 9(2) of the convention; and, where they exist, that administrative review procedures must be exhausted prior to an application for judicial review.
While it had been originally anticipated that the Heads would be approved by the Government before the summer recess, a small number of issues still remain to be settled in consultation between my officials and those of the Office of the Attorney General. Publication is now anticipated in the Autumn session.
2021. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the introduction of a carbon floor price for electric sales similar to the one introduced in the United Kingdom; and if so, the price at which he plans to set same. [32415/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the Deputy is referring to the carbon price floor introduced by the United Kingdom (UK) in 2013 as a measure to support the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). As implemented in the UK, the carbon price floor taxes fossil fuels used to generate electricity via carbon price support rates set under the UK Climate Change Levy. The rate of tax effectively tops up the EU ETS allowance prices, as projected by the Government, to the carbon floor price target.
The UK carbon price floor is currently set at a rate of £18 per tonne of CO2 emitted until 2021. The carbon price floor does not apply in Northern Ireland.
As in the UK, greenhouse gas emissions from power generation in Ireland are regulated through the EU ETS. Recently agreed reforms to the EU ETS for the 2021 to 2030 period will provide for a reduction in EU-wide ETS sector emissions to 43% below 2005 levels by 2030, as a contribution to the overall EU commitment to reduce emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. These reforms will result in significant changes to the operation of the ETS, some of which will begin to take effect from next year. These include changes to the market stability reserve to address the prevailing surplus of allowances within the ETS, and improvements in the resilience of the ETS to major price shocks by provisions for periodic adjustments to the supply of allowances to be auctioned. These reforms are already having an impact on the price of ETS allowances, with market prices currently in the region of €16 per tonne, up from just under €8 per tonne in January 2018, with some forecasts pointing to a price of €35 per tonne by 2030.
Given the upward movement in ETS allowance prices, the policy rationale to consider the introduction of a carbon price floor in Ireland has now diminished. It is also important to exercise caution in implementing additional measures at a national level that will have an effect on the price of ETS allowances for the power generation sector in Ireland. The desirability of a stable emissions price signal for the power generation sector needs to be balanced with the potential competitiveness impacts on the wider Irish economy from resultant rising electricity prices. Such adverse competitiveness effects would be more significant in light of the higher-than-average wholesale electricity prices, and limited interconnection, that exist in Ireland. In the context of the Single Electricity Market, the absence of a carbon price floor applying to power generation in Northern Ireland, and the need to plan for the potential impacts of Brexit, are additional considerations that I must take into account.
In terms of the desired outcome from the introduction of a carbon price floor in Ireland, I would also draw the Deputy’s attention to the commitments in the National Development Plan to transition the Moneypoint plant away from coal by the middle of the next decade and for the progressive reduction in the use of peat in power generation between now and 2030.
In light of the above considerations, therefore, I currently have no plans to introduce a carbon price floor for the ETS in Ireland.
2022. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to recommendation CM/Rec(2018)7 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment; the action his Department will take to meet the five recommendations contained therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32482/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2023. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action he will take to require business enterprises to meet their responsibility to respect the rights of the child in the digital environment as per a recommendation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32483/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2024. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when his Department will examine the implementation of recommendation CM/Rec(2018)7 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment and the guidelines in its appendix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32484/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2025. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when his Department will review its legislation, policies and practice to ensure that they are in line with a recommendation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32485/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2022 to 2025, inclusive, together.
The Council of Europe document to which the Deputy refers contains five overarching recommendations which are then further informed by detailed guidelines. The recommendations, and particularly the guidelines, offer advice to Member States and stakeholders on a wide range of online safety policy issues.
The Action Plan on Online Safety, which was launched by the Taoiseach on 11 July, recognises that online safety is not the responsibility of any one Department, but that many Departments have a role to play. If a Department has responsibility for a policy issue, this includes online responsibility for that issue. The Action Plan sets out 25 Actions and the Departments responsible for their delivery. A sponsors group will be shortly established to drive implementation of the Action Plan, which will be chaired by the Department of Education & Skills and comprise five other key Government Departments; Children and Youth Affairs, Justice and Equality; Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Business, Enterprise and Innovation; and Health.
It will be a matter for each Department to consider these recommendations in the context of the implementation of the Action Plan and their wider policy remits.
2026. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of legal fees in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32521/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total amount spent by my Department on legal fees for the past three years is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Legal costs |
|
2015 |
€718,220 |
|
2016 |
€686,449 |
|
2017 |
€3,161,039 |
2027. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a complaint has ever been made to the European Commission by agencies within its remit in respect of a breach of the water framework directive or other EU legislation on the Munster Blackwater at Fermoy, County Cork. [32597/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
2028. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has contracted the legal services of a company (details supplied) at any point over each of the past six years; if so, the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32636/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not awarded a contract for legal services to the company referred to in the Question in the last six years.
2029. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of a better energy warmer homes scheme application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32670/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures at no cost to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the defined eligibility criteria. Typical measures available under the scheme include attic and cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets and low energy light bulbs.
The Deputy may be aware that I recently announced that the measures available under this scheme are being expanded to include dry lining and external wall insulation. These new measures which have come into effect will increase the number of households that can avail of the scheme. Subject to an SEAI survey, replacement windows may be offered in limited circumstances, most likely where external wall insulation is being carried out and the existing windows are very poor performing and need to be replaced to ensure the insulation performs effectively. I understand that SEAI is in contact with the householder in question to arrange a survey of the home.
More information on this scheme is available on SEAI’s website at: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Warmer_Homes_Scheme/About_the_BEWH.html or Freephone : 1800 250 204.
2030. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if funding will be allocated to an organisation (details supplied) and other community organisations that provide training courses to older persons in rural Ireland; if follow-on programmes subsequent to training already provided such as getting citizens online will be authorised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32677/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed under the National Digital Strategy to actively support people, including in particular older citizens, to move online. Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that almost one in seven adults living in Ireland has never used the internet with lack of skills identified as a key barrier. As part of the ‘Getting Citizens Online Programme’ my Department’s Digital Skills for Citizens Scheme, is concentrating on providing these people with the basic skills needed to take their first steps online.
Since training began in January 2017 over 29,000 people have received training. I have allocated €2.2 million in 2018 to the Getting Citizens Online Programme and can confirm that the organisation referred to in the Question is one of 12 community, voluntary and not-for profit organisations who are receiving funding from my Department to provide basic digital skills training classes across all Counties.
Officials in my Department are also working to develop innovative collaborations with industry and public sector organisations to support and provide opportunities for people to learn about and develop greater confidence in using digital services in their communities.
Further details of the Digital Skills for Citizen Scheme is available at www.dccae.gov.ie/digitalskills.
2031. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied that there is sufficient capacity in landfill sites to cater for the increase in construction waste; and if not, his plans to increase capacity or to make alternative arrangements. [32722/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2032. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the locations in which he plans to allow disposal of construction waste; the locations in which construction waste is received and disposed of; the basis for licensing; and the limits governing this increase in construction waste disposal. [32723/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2033. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the amount of available landfill here in terms of capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32724/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2031 to 2033, inclusive, together.
My Department continues to engage with the three Regional Waste Management Planning Lead Authorities and other environmental regulatory bodies on the issue of managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste. A Construction Waste Resource Group has been convened. This Group comprises the key construction and demolition waste stakeholders, which will provide a useful platform to discuss and monitor C&D waste issues, including the capacity of the sector to manage its construction and demolition waste.
C&D Permitted Sites, which are facilities authorised by Local Authorities, cannot have a lifetime capacity exceeding 100,000 tonnes for class 5 (recovery of excavation or dredge soil through deposition for the purposes of the improvement or development of land) or 50,000 for class 6 (recovery of inert waste through deposition for the purposes of the improvement or development of land) materials. These limits are set under the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations 2007, as amended.
The Waste Management Act 1996 and the Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2004 govern the process under which waste licences are applied for and maintained. Once granted, each waste licence defines the nature of environmentally acceptable activities that can take place at a waste facility, including the acceptable types of waste that can be received. This is done by the conditions of the licence which are set by the Environmental Protection Agency. I have no function in relation either to the setting of operating conditions or to their enforcement. It is a key aspect of the legislation, passed by the Oireachtas, to establish the EPA, that the Agency is entirely independent of the Minister in the exercise of its functions.
In terms of the detail of landfill capacity for C&D waste, including for inert and non-inert non-hazardous C&D waste, comprehensive detail on EPA licences is available on the EPA’s website at http://www.epa.ie/licensing/ and further information is also available from the EPA’s Office of Environmental Sustainability at Licensing@epa.ie. Similarly, information on planning permissions or applications for planning permissions should be available from the relevant Planning Authority or An Bord Pleanála.
Waste management planning, including with regard to infrastructure provision, is the responsibility of local authorities under Part II of the Waste Management Act, 1996 (as amended). Under section 60(3) of the Act, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance, in specific cases, by a local authority or the Agency of their statutory functions under the Act.
2034. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if local authorities and An Garda Síochána have the power to seize and impound vehicles involved in illegal dumping and other environmental pollution; if these powers are being enforced; the fines and release fees for such vehicles; if legislation in this area will be strengthened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32732/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 14 of the Waste Management Act an authorised person is allowed to halt and/or board a vehicle. Such a vehicle can be taken either by the original driver or by a driver employed by the enforcing authority to a designated place and be detained there. This power covers:
- The establishment of roadblocks on the public road;
- The questioning of drivers about the vehicle and its contents;
- The seizure of the vehicle when stopped at a roadblock;
- The taking of a vehicle found on an unauthorised waste site; and
- The detention of the vehicle.
The halting and taking of the vehicle is required to relate to any purpose connected with the Act. Hence the authorised person must have a reason which stems from the requirements of the Act itself and the vehicle can be detained for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purpose under which it was seized.
Section 61 of the Waste Management Act concerns the detention and forfeiture of certain vehicles and equipment. This Section provides for the following:
- On application from a local authority or the EPA for a prosecution under the Act on indictment, a Judge may require a defendant to enter into a bond of an amount equal to the value of any vehicle or equipment owned by the defendant that it is alleged was used in the commission of the offence under the Act;
- In the event of a defendant failing to comply with such an order, a Judge may make a further order authorising the local authority or the EPA to detain any vehicle or equipment pending the determination of the proceedings concerned;
- If a person is convicted on indictment for the offence the Court may order the forfeiture to the local authority or the EPA of any vehicle or equipment owned by the defendant that was used in the commission of the offence or the amount of the bond if applicable.
- A local authority or the Agency may deal with or dispose as it thinks fit of any such vehicle or equipment, or the amount of the bond if applicable.
In summary, there is scope under current waste legislation to seize vehicles involved in the carrying out of suspected unlawful waste activity and in the event of a successful prosecution to have such vehicles or equipment disposed of as the competent authority sees fit.
My Department will be writing to local authorities, reminding them of the powers available to them under the Waste Management Act as outlined above and advising them that these powers should be fully exercised as a matter of policy and as part of the coordinated series of measures which have been introduced to tackle illegal dumping and the unauthorised movement of waste.
2035. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an Eircode will be provided for a building in order that a charity (details supplied) can continue its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32733/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not satisfied with the time delays associated with the allocation of a new Eircode and I am frustrated with the situation as I know it is deeply affecting people across the country. I have asked my officials to work more closely with An Post, Ordinance Survey Ireland, An Post GeoDirectory and Capita to improve and expedite the process of assigning Eircodes for new properties.
Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement.
Each new address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licensed businesses for their use. In 2017, Eircode informed my Department that 22,503 new addresses were assigned an Eircode.
2036. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding indoor air quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32877/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2040. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the success or otherwise of the warmth and wellbeing pilot programme that commenced in 2016 and which was piloted in parts of Dublin 8, 10, 12, 22 and 24; the number of persons that have benefitted from the programme in each area to date; his plans for expansion of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32912/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2036 and 2040 together.
The Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme is a joint policy initiative between my Department and the Department of Health. It is delivered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the HSE under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty and the Healthy Ireland Framework. The aim of the scheme, which began in 2016, is to demonstrate the positive effects that making homes warmer and more energy efficient can have on the health and wellbeing of people who are living with a chronic respiratory condition, including children with asthma.
The Scheme is targeting people aged 55 years of age and over and also children under 12. To qualify for the scheme you must be referred to the programme by the HSE. Full details of the criteria that must be met to receive the necessary energy upgrades can be found on https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-grants/warmth-and-wellbeing/
In total, 624 homes have been upgraded to date under the scheme with an average cost of €15,700 per home. The upgrades have meant a significant improvement in the condition of the home and, anecdotally, in the quality of life of the occupants. Applications are continuing to be received and so far almost €11.5m has been spent on the pilot scheme.
I have allocated €20 million in funding to this 3 year pilot. An independent research project is underway to assess the impact of the scheme on participants from a health perspective. The evidence base this provides will inform the consideration of a wider roll out of the scheme.
The Deputy may also be aware that the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is available on a nationwide basis to low income households who are at risk of energy poverty. I recently announced that the measures available under this scheme were to be expanded to include dry lining and external wall insulation. Subject to an SEAI survey, replacement windows may be offered in limited circumstances, most likely where external wall insulation is being carried out and the existing windows are very poor performing and need to be replaced to ensure the insulation performs effectively.
More information on this scheme is available on SEAI’s website at: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Warmer_Homes_Scheme/About_the_BEWH.html or Freephone: 1800 250 204.
2037. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to reduce packaging at household level in order to reduce further increases in charges on householders in view of the recently introduced charges for recyclable waste by some waste management providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32909/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has funded and engaged with stakeholders on a range of measures to support better recycling at household level and to reduce the contamination of waste, including:
- a national, standardised list of items that can go into the recycle bin has been established, which is available at http://recyclinglistireland.ie, to simplify the process of recycling for households;
- the standardised list has been promoted by a public awareness campaign run by the regional waste management authorities comprising radio advertisements, social media, billboards/posters, etc.; and,
- a ‘master recycling’ programme, also run by the regional waste management authorities, in partnership with environmental NGOs, is being rolled out to 650 workshops across the country, training recycling ambassadors to bring the recycling message and understanding to a wide variety of communities.
In line with the commitments set out in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, published in 2012, and in the interest of encouraging further waste prevention and greater recycling, flat-rate fees for kerbside household waste collection are being phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018, as customers contracts come up for renewal. The necessary regulatory steps have been put in place in terms of requiring household waste collectors to phase out flat rate fees.
It is worth noting that this measure is not ‘new’ for about half of kerbside household waste customers, who are already on an incentivised usage pricing plan, i.e., a plan which contains a per lift or a weight related fee.
In terms of environmental requirements, charges should encourage householders to divert waste from the residual or general waste bin. For example, it would be expected that charges for the general waste bin would be higher than charges, if any, applied to the recycle bin.
Charges applied by waste management companies are matters for those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental, consumer and contract legislation.
I established a Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group (PMG) last year to monitor the rates charged by household waste collectors during the phasing out of flat rate fees. The PMG has met each month since September 2017 and has considered ten months of pricing data trends. The PMG has indicated that, in the vast majority of cases to date, prices have remained stable. Detailed data on the price offerings for the months of December to June is available on www.dccae.gov.ie.
In relation to plastic packaging, REPAK manages the collection and recycling of 80% of packaging on the market. Fees paid by their members are based on the amount of packaging the members place on the market and this incentivises them to reduce packaging. REPAK also employs specialist packaging technologists to optimise packaging design and minimise waste.
REPAK is also working closely with the large grocery retailers on a number of proposals aimed at improving their approach to packaging. In addition, I continue to engage with these retailers, looking for their commitment to reduce non-recyclable plastic packaging in their stores.
In January 2018, the European Commission published the European Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy. The strategy focuses on plastic production and use. It sets a goal of ensuring all plastic packaging will be recyclable by 2030. I have assured the European Commissioner that Ireland fully embraces the ambitions of the new strategy.
I have also welcomed the recent legislative proposal from the European Commission for dealing with the ten single-use plastic (SUP) products, including coffee cups, and fishing gear that together account for 70% of marine litter in Europe. The Commission's SUP proposal will now go to the European Parliament and Council for adoption and Member States have been urged to treat this as a priority in order to deliver tangible results as soon as possible. I believe that working proactively with our European colleagues on this initiative will achieve great environmental benefit for citizens across Europe.
2038. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date by which the renewable energy support scheme will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32910/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is progressing the design of the proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which is being developed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030.
A final high-level design proposal on the RESS is being brought to Government shortly for approval, and subsequent to this a formal application for State Aid clearance with the European Commission will commence in line with EU State Aid Guidelines. The new scheme is expected to open in 2019.
2039. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the supports planned for micro-generation of renewable energy as an important role in Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32911/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of a pilot scheme for micro generation, which I announced earlier this year, will target solar PV and self-consumption amongst domestic customers. It will deliver on ambitions and commitments made in the Energy White Paper and the Programme for Government.
The scheme will commence later this summer and further details on the application process and eligibility criteria will be made available shortly. The design of the scheme has been informed by the completion and consideration of the results of a study undertaken by the SEAI into the likely uptake and demand for the scheme, and a review of current solar PV installation costs. In addition, a Code of Practice is being finalised in close consultation with industry and relevant state agencies that will detail the necessary safety and technical standards required to facilitate its successful delivery and support an enduring sustainable micro generation industry.
The data gathered during the pilot scheme will inform potential future phases of support for micro generation in Ireland that may be appropriate, as we align with the ambition of the recast Renewable Energy Directive which recognises the rights, entitlements and obligations of renewable self-consumers and renewable energy communities.
Last year, my Department assessed micro generation, across a number of renewable electricity generating technologies, as part of the economic analysis to underpin the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). The assessment identified technical and financial challenges which may need to be addressed before a broader support scheme for micro generation can be introduced. This is in line with international experience, including across the EU, where many member states who have introduced supports for micro generation have had to reform them or cancel them altogether.
The reality is that bringing micro generation onto a system designed for large generators is complicated. It impacts how we pay for the network, how we manage regulation and how we technically manage the system. My Department continues to engage with the micro generation sector and the SEAI to better understand how to validate and further develop these policies in a fair and cost effective manner.
