Written Answers Nos. 2040-2059
2041. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he plans to take to ensure the viability of a strong local and regional newspaper sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32945/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recognition of the importance of a free and independent press, the print media sector is not subject to any sector specific regulation by the State. Rather, the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman were established by industry to safeguard and promote professional and ethical standards in Irish newspapers and magazines. These bodies have been formally recognised under s. 44 of the Defamation Act 2009, which falls under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
My role as Minister in respect of the print media relates solely to the administration of the media mergers regime, which was created as a result of amendments made to the Competition Act 2002 by the Competition & Consumer Protection Act 2014. All media mergers must be notified to me as Minister and I must make a determination whether or not the proposed media merger may proceed based on an assessment of its impact on the plurality of media in the State.
Therefore while I have no specific role in relation to the funding of local and regional print media, I acknowledge the challenges faced by newspapers, especially local and regional newspapers, and am conscious of the value of the local press in ensuring that quality journalism is available throughout the country.
2042. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the funding provided for home and community energy efficiency scheme grants in County Tipperary; the number of grants that have allocated in County Tipperary under the warmer home scheme in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32965/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Programme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The Programme consists of three main schemes: Homes, Warmer Homes and Communities.
The Homes Scheme provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. Communities supports energy efficiency upgrades to mixed projects of homes, community facilities and businesses in a local community; projects under this scheme can cross county boundaries and therefore a breakdown per county is not available.
The Deputy may be aware that I recently announced that the measures available under the Warmer Homes scheme were to be expanded to include dry lining and external wall insulation. These new measures which have now 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.
More information on these schemes is available on SEAI’s website at: https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-grants/ or Freephone : 1800 250 204
The tables below set out the annual funding allocated under the Better Energy Homes Scheme and the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme in County Tipperary and the national allocation under the Better Energy Communities scheme.
|
Better Energy Homes |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 to date |
|
Number of Homes |
358 |
505 |
378 |
120 |
|
Grant amounts |
€376,030 |
€528,100 |
€416,010 |
€149,400 |
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Number of Homes |
154 |
203 |
303 |
37 |
|
Amount Spent |
€389,003 |
€513,979 |
€870,511 |
€179,555 |
|
Programme |
2014 Spend |
2015 Spend |
2016 Spend |
2017 Spend |
2018 Spend to date |
|
Better Energy Communities |
€15.3m |
€13.57m |
€16.71m |
€22.7m |
€1.94m |
2043. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the roll-out plan for a person (details supplied) and their neighbours will be modified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33118/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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, 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. 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 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 rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017.
The premises referred to by the Deputy is in an AMBER area on the High Speed Broadband Map. It is therefore included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP.
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.
With regards to the nearby rollout of infrastructure, decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the rollout and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis by competing service providers operating in a liberalised market. I have no statutory role or function to intervene in the commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, 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 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. The Department of Rural and Community Development maintain a list of Broadband Officers, a link to which is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/Pages/NBP-Information-Leaflets.aspx
2044. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the work of the SEAI's behavioural economics unit; if this unit has published its first report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33163/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2045. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of ongoing talks between the SEAI and the CRU on reforming energy rates here to reflect the research findings of the SEAI's behavioural economics unit. [33164/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2044 and 2045 together.
The Behavioural Economics Unit (BEU) is contributing to the achievement of national energy policy objectives in a number of ways. One of these is by looking at the potential for further research and assessment here in Ireland informed by what has worked well elsewhere. The BEU has not yet published its first Report which is at an advanced stage of drafting and is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks. The Report will comprise a review of current international evidence on what works when it comes to encouraging sustainable energy behaviours. Which of the research proposals that will be covered in the Report that might be progressed will need to be carefully considered by SEAI in close consultation with my Department and other relevant stakeholders.
In relation to Irish electricity and gas prices the BEU Report will include some content on Smart Meters, Demand Response, time-of-use tariffs and in-home display research amongst other potential topics for further research in an Irish context. The Report will make reference to energy tariffs only in a research context in relation to examining international examples where time of use tariffs have been used previously to encourage energy efficiency and/or to encourage homeowners to use energy during different time periods throughout the day. The Report will not make any binding or specific recommendations relating to tariffs but rather provides an evidence base from international sources for consideration of further research that could be useful to policy makers.
On energy prices generally, the Deputy will appreciate that the overarching energy objective of successive Governments has been to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. The electricity and gas markets are commercial and operate within national and European regulatory regimes. CRU’s regulation of retail market prices ended in 2011 in relation to electricity and in 2014 in relation to gas. Suppliers determine the electricity and gas prices they charge their customers. At a national level, this has resulted in choices for consumers and businesses in terms of suppliers, products and prices. Successive Ministers have encouraged consumers to either switch supplier or to contact their current supplier to ensure that the best available deal is being provided. Two CRU approved websites, www.bonkers.ie and www.switcher.ie, are very helpful in aiding consumers to choose the products that best suit their needs and assisting them to switch energy suppliers.
2046. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to translate the 2016 EU clean energy package into policy here; and the way in which he plans to support the rights of private home owners to generate electricity in their home and the rights of private homeowners to sell the electricity generated at market price. [33165/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recast Renewable Energy Directive is one of the eight legislative proposals of the Clean Energy Package. In June 2018 agreement on the Directive was reached which included the setting of a binding 32% renewable energy target for the European Union as a whole by 2030.
The next steps will be adoption of the Directive at EU Council level and publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Member States will be required to transpose the provisions of the Directive by the 30 June 2021. In this regard, my Department will be engaging with stakeholders and also working with legal advisors to ensure that the provisions of the Directive are fully transposed into Irish law.
Ireland supports the ambition of the recast Renewable Energy Directive towards enabling self-consumption and the recognition of the rights, entitlements and obligations of renewable self-consumers and renewable energy communities, and the emergence of the ‘prosumer’ at the heart of the recast renewables Directive.
I intend to shortly announce details of a pilot scheme for micro generation, targeting solar PV and self-consumption amongst domestic customers. The scheme will commence later this summer and its design has been informed by the completion and consideration of the results of a study undertaken by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) into the likely uptake and demand for such a support scheme in Ireland. A micro generation 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 this pilot scheme will inform potential future phases of support for micro generation in Ireland that may be appropriate, as we begin the work to transpose the provisions of the Directive into legislation. 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.
2047. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the meetings, briefings or lobbying he or his departmental officials have had with representatives either in an official or unofficial capacity of a company (details supplied) since 2013. [33266/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date neither I nor my officials have had meetings, briefings or engaged in lobbying with the company in question. My officials have occasionally met a representative of the company (who is also a member of the Board of SEAI which comes under the ambit of my Department) on an informal basis as part of routine engagement with energy sector stakeholders. Recently a formal request to meet officials was received, however no arrangements have yet been made. Such interactions are characteristic of on-going engagement by my Department with energy sector stakeholders.
2048. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied with the pace of the completion of the tender for the national broadband plan; and when on the ground work will begin. [33300/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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, 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. 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.
My Department is in the final stages of a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area.
This process is being progressed within procurement guidelines and to a best practice standard. It will be concluded as efficiently and expeditiously as possible and a decision published at the earliest opportunity.
2049. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to remove the contract from An Post for collecting the annual television licence fee and assign it instead to either the Revenue Commissioners or a private contractor; the arrangements he will make for the persons that purchase weekly licence stamps at their local post office as a convenient way to pay for their television licence when due for renewal in the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33307/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current level of TV licence evasion is estimated to be 14.1%. While the rate has fallen from 15.3% at the end of 2013, it is still very high and equates to a loss of €40m per annum to public service broadcasting.
As the Deputy will be aware, I obtained Government approval last year to draft a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009, including amendments for the tendering of TV Licence fee collection.
The proposed amendments were considered under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment and I received their report on March 8th. The contents of this report are being considered by my officials and by Parliamentary Counsel in the drafting process, which is currently underway.
As the Deputy is also aware, I requested the Committee 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. It was debated in the Dáil on 29 March. I will be bringing proposals to Government for examination on July 24th. In the meantime, there will be no change to the existing TV licence fee arrangements and An Post continues to work as the issuing agent for television licences in accordance with Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.
2050. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission will publish its study on the operation of the household waste collection; if this report will address the escalating charges being applied to customers by waste management companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33347/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI established a Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group (PMG) last year to monitor pricing developments for household waste collection services 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
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is also currently conducting a separate study on the operation of the household waste collection market which it will complete in 2018.
The terms of reference set by the CCPC for the study are:
1. Research on Current Issues in the Waste Sector
2. An Economic Assessment of the Household Waste Collection Market
3. An Overview of Waste Collection in Other Countries
4. Recommendation
The results from the PMG in conjunction with the study being undertaken by the CCPC will provide an evidence base for future policy decisions in relation to the household waste market.
2051. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to provide fibre optic broadband facilities in the Ballinalack and Rathowen areas of County Westmeath. [33351/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the to Question No. 472 of 11 July 2018. 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. By 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection.
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 NBP.
In April 2017, I also 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. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie
The High Speed Broadband 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 rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of this year as part of the Commitment Agreement with eir.
The number of premises that fall into each of these categories in the areas referred to in the Question is outlined in the below table. Individuals can enter their eircode into the map to find out into which category their premises falls into.
|
Area |
Total |
Premises in AMBER |
Premises in BLUE |
Premises in LIGHT BLUE |
|
Ballinalack |
76 |
|
|
100% (76) |
|
Rathowen |
103 |
7% (7) |
91% (94) |
2% (2) |
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.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, 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 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. The Department of Rural and Community Development maintain a list of Broadband Officers, a link to which is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/Pages/NBP-Information-Leaflets.aspx.
2052. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding of TG4 in each of the past five years; the way in which this funding compares to the annual budget for stations (details supplied). [33378/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTG4 is funded by way of a combination of exchequer funding, television licence fee receipts and commercial revenue. TG4 also receives some funding from the Broadcasting Fund administered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
Details of TG4 Funding is published in the Annual Reports and Accounts which are available on TG4 website at www.TG4.ie
Funding for the period 2013-2017 is set out below:
|
Year |
Current Exchequer funding €m |
Exchequer funding for Capital Projects €m |
TV Licence fee funding €m |
Broadcasting Fund €m |
Commercial revenue €m |
Total €m |
|
2013 |
23.505 |
.920 |
9.245 |
Not |
3.093 |
36.763 |
|
2014 |
23.505 |
1.533 |
9.245 |
Not available |
3.399 |
37.682 |
|
2015 |
22.995 |
.920 |
9.245 |
.234 |
3.310 |
36.704 |
|
2016 |
23.295 |
2.820 |
9.245 |
.337 |
3.608 |
39.305 |
|
2017 |
28.545 |
1.450 |
4.245 |
.143 |
4.070 |
38.453 |
The level of funding provided to S4C and BBC Alba is not within my remit and my Department does not hold the requested information.
2053. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 1018 of 12 June 2018, the agenda for the meeting; the persons or bodies that attended; the outcome or action points agreed arising from the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33444/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2057. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a meeting took place between his officials and a waste management company (details supplied) on 15 July 2011; if so, the persons who attended the meeting; the purpose of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33687/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2058. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a meeting took place between his officials and a waste management company (details supplied) on 9 March 2011; if so, the persons who attended the meeting; the purpose of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33688/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2053, 2057 and 2058 together.
I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 1018 of 12 June 2018 which set out the position. Further to the PQ reply, I wrote to the Deputy on 3 July 2018 detailing the meetings which had taken place with the company since January 2011.
2054. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated amount of uncollected television licence fees due to evasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33547/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current level of TV licence evasion is estimated to be 14.1%. While the rate has fallen from 15.3% at the end of 2013, it is still very high and equates to a loss of €40m per annum to public service broadcasting.
To address this issue, my Department has been working with An Post and RTÉ on an on-going basis to ensure that the TV licence collection system is working as effectively as possible. Measures such as marketing campaigns, more evening and weekend inspection and appointment of additional temporary inspectors are just some of the initiatives that have been utilised to enhance sales and improve compliance rates.
While these measures are important steps, I believe that the current system needs to be reformed. As the Deputy will be aware, I obtained Government approval last year to draft a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009, including amendments for the tendering of TV Licence fee collection.
The proposed amendments were considered under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment and I received their report on March 8th. My officials are considering the contents of this report and it is also being considered by Parliamentary Counsel in the drafting process.
As the Deputy is also aware, I requested the Committee 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. It was debated in the Dáil on 29 March and I will bring proposals to Government for examination on July 24th.
2055. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he received the two independent reports in relation to the proposed North-South Interconnector; when it is proposed to publish these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33585/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2071. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the publication of studies in relation to the North-South Interconnector has been delayed; the timeframe for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34045/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2120. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the independent cost review of the North-South Interconnector; and the date by which this will be published. [35169/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2055, 2071 and 2120 together.
In 2017 I commissioned two studies designed to address the main points of the motions passed in Dáil and Seanad Éireann as well as key concerns expressed by the parties opposed to the development of the North South Interconnector as an overhead line. The first is an independent study to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the interconnector. The second study is focused on the levels of compensation provided to land and property owners in proximity to high-voltage transmission lines in a European context.
Both studies are now completed and were submitted to me in June. As I have indicated previously, both studies will be made publically available after they have first been brought to and considered by Government. I expect to bring both reports to Government in the autumn and will publish them as soon as possible thereafter.
2056. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 22 February 2018, the progress made in relation to the appointment of a digital safety commissioner; when he expects such an appointment to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33586/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2061. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the commitment to appoint a digital ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33719/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2114. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has made progress on the creation of the office of the digital safety commissioner as recommended by the Law Reform Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35163/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2115. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has held meetings with An Taoiseach, the Ministers for Justice and Equality and Children and Youth Affairs in relation to the establishment of the office of the digital safety commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35164/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2116. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the establishment of the office of the digital safety commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35165/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2056, 2061 and 2114 to 2116, inclusive, together.
As the Deputies are aware, in February the Government did not oppose the passage at second stage of a Private Members Bill by Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire which sought to establish an Office of a Digital Safety Commissioner. This Bill, the Digital Safety Commissioner Bill 2017, was then referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment by the Oireachtas.
However, I should point out that the role envisaged for a Digital Safety Commissioner would include harmful, but not illegal content. Content which is illegal such as Hate Speech and Child Abuse Material is and will remain a matter for An Garda Síochána in Ireland working closely as they do with their counterparts in other jurisdictions.
The Action Plan for Online Safety was launched by the Taoiseach on 11 July, and contains 25 actions to be implemented by the six sponsor Departments over the next 12-18 months. These actions cover a range of activities including education and awareness raising; communicating with the public; putting in place robust oversight and consultative structures; and legislative measures.
Action 18 commits the Government to working with the Joint Oireachtas Committee in relation to Deputy Ó Laoghaire's Bill. The Bill raises a number of jurisdictional and legal issues and the Government will work with the Committee as it conducts its detailed scrutiny to seek to resolve these issues.
Action 20 provides for the establishment of a National Advisory Council for Online Safety, chaired by Minister of State Seán Kyne. The Council will comprise membership from the key stakeholder groups, including the large online platforms and NGOs, and its terms of reference will include providing advice to Government on online safety policy issues and to identify emerging issues where Government intervention may be warranted.
Action 17 provides for the implementation of the revision to the Audio Visual Media Services Directive, which has been negotiated for the past two years in Brussels and the text of which will be finalised in the Autumn, will require Member States to put in place a co-regulatory system for Video Sharing Platform Services (VSPS). This is the first time that VSPS have been included within the scope of the Directive.
While much work remains to be done on the definition of a VSPS, including the issuing by the Commission of detailed guidance in how the definition should be interpreted by Member States, what is clear is that Ireland will be required to put in place a co-regulatory system for VSPS that are established here. This means that services such as YouTube and aspects of Facebook's service will be subject to content regulation measures for the first time.
Ireland will have 21 months to implement the terms of the Directive once the text has been finalised, and my Department has commenced preparatory work in this regard. A public consultation will be held before the end of the year which will guide the approach to be taken to this and other aspects of the revision of the Directive.
The importance of making improvements in this area has been highlighted by the recent Channel 4 programme "Dispatches", which revealed serious lapses in the operation of Facebook's internal processes. I sought an urgent meeting with senior management of the company. This meeting was held in New York on Thursday 19 July and at it I told Facebook's management that I was appalled and disgusted by what the programme had revealed. I told them that a serious step change was needed in their practices and a further meeting between the company's management and my officials took place on Monday 23 July.
At the core of this debate is how the company operates the self-regulatory system of Community Standards which guides what content the company does and does not consider acceptable. If the company finds that content is in breach of these standards, then that content will be removed. The Channel 4 programme revealed several instances where content was clearly in breach of those standards, had been notified to the company by users, and yet was allowed to remain on the platform. The company has apologised for these lapses and has stated that it has put measures in place to ensure that similar lapses do not reoccur.
2059. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 433 of 3 July 2018, the names and role of each person from his Department that attended meetings with EirGrid, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and other parties in respect of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33698/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January 2018 I attended a meeting in Ratheniska with my officials and colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to the Laois-Kilkenny reinforcement project. At this meeting, the Ratheniska, Timahoe, Spink and Surrounding Areas Substation Action Group outlined aspects of the project with which they were dissatisfied. I listened carefully to the many views expressed and following the meeting, I tasked my officials with examining the main points of concern.
Since the meeting in Ratheniska, my officials have engaged with EirGrid, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and other parties in an effort to explore the issues raised. Following these engagements, a report was prepared by my officials and submitted for my information. I subsequently shared this report with the action group on 19th June 2018.
