Written Answers Nos. 76-88
76. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his projections for the carbon emissions from the power stations in Edenderry, west Offaly, and Lough Ree; when they will be burning 100% biomass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37567/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Environmental Protection Agency produces greenhouse gas emissions projections on an annual basis for all key sectors of the economy in collaboration with relevant State and other bodies. The latest projections from the EPA (published in May 2018) provide an updated assessment of Ireland’s total projected greenhouse gas emissions out to 2030.
The EPA produced two scenarios when preparing the greenhouse gas emission projections, a With Existing Measures (WEM) scenario and a With Additional Measures (WAM) scenario. The WEM scenario assumes that no additional policies and measures, beyond those already in place by the end of 2016 (the year of the latest national greenhouse gas emission inventory), are implemented. The WAM scenario assumes implementation of the WEM scenario as well as further implementation of Government renewable and energy efficiency policies and measures, including those set out in the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP).
As per the latest EPA projections for the energy industries sector, projected emissions in the WAM scenario show an increase over the WEM scenario from 2020 to 2025. The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy that supports peat being used for power generation ceases in December 2019 under the WEM scenario, and consequently peat used for power generation significantly reduces. Thereafter, the fuel type used for electricity generation is influenced by fuel price and in this case gas largely replaces peat in the power generation fuel mix leading to lower emissions. Emissions are higher in the WAM scenario based on the assumption that Ireland’s peat power plants continue to operate with support for biomass provided for under the REFIT 3 scheme. This scheme includes the co-firing of peat and biomass for power generation which means more peat is used after 2019 to co-fire with biomass. The assumption of biomass co-firing with peat post 2020 is not included in the WEM scenario as the REFIT 3 decision for co-firing at the relevant peat power plants was made in April 2017 (after the 31 December 2016 cut-off point for policies and measures to be included in the WEM scenario).
The use of peat for power generation will be progressively eliminated by 2030 by converting peat power stations to more sustainable low-carbon technologies. The Lough Ree and West Offaly plants will no longer receive support for their peat production under the PSO from the end of 2019. Both plants have been approved under the REFIT 3 scheme for PSO support for co-firing 30% of total capacity out to 2030, and it is expected that these plants will begin co firing on biomass in 2019. These two plants require the relevant planning permission to operate beyond 2019. The Edenderry plant has been approved for 30% co-firing support out to 2030, subject to renewal of planning permission. Further increases in the percentage of biomass in the fuel mix of the peat stations is a commercial matter for Bord na Mona or ESB.
The emissions from the three peat fired power plants are accounted for under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). It is a matter for the companies involved to manage their emissions and ensure that they are in compliance with the ETS.
77. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the implementation of the An Post new vision programme; if the deadlines for the programme have been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37622/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister, I am responsible for the postal sector including the governance of An Post which is a commercial State company with a mandate to deliver a postal delivery service and a viable post office network. I am acutely conscious of the value placed by communities in both rural and urban areas on services provided by post offices and I am fully committed to ensuring that a sustainable post office network is available to all our citizens for the medium and for the long term.
It is widely accepted that the post office network has been facing many challenges for some years now with a continuing decline in transaction numbers primarily driven by the move to online payments and online banking, as well as eSubstitution. Standing still is not an option for the network.
In April this year An Post announced a renewed vision for the post office network which centres on the availability of new services in a modernised, revitalised network. A central tenet of this strategy was the agreement of a new contract for Postmasters as well as investment in the network. An extended range of services, opening hours and service options are also being rolled out. The announcement was supported by an agreement reached between An Post and the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) executive following months of intensive negotiations, and was subsequently endorsed by 80% of IPU members. In its negotiations with An Post, Postmasters sought both the modernisation of the network and a voluntary redundancy package for those who wanted to leave the business. An Post advises that where a post office closes, 70% of the business transfers to a neighbouring office. The reality is that by facilitating those that wish to exit the business, neighbouring offices are further supported thereby ensuring a more sustainable network for the future.
The agreement represents a necessary first step in reinvigorating our national post office network and making it a viable, sustainable, modern and vibrant network for the future, capable of adapting to the changing environment in which it operates by providing a service that meets the needs of communities across the country, particularly in rural areas.
As part of its strategy for modernising the post office network, An Post has established a dedicated business unit within An Post, An Post Retail. Additional services that An Post proposes to introduce through the network include a better range of Government services, financial services and e-commerce services for shoppers and small businesses. There is already a rapid expansion of banking services happening with the Smart Current Account and enhanced foreign exchange facilities. Post offices will have credit card services and will be able to provide loans to small business and personal loans. An Post is committed to ensuring that our post offices will be equipped with the range of services that will attract and retain footfall but these measures are meaningless unless the public use the services provided. Key to the survival of this renewed network is the willingness of all citizens to use it.
Government business is the backbone of the network. In April this year the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection renewed her Department’s contract with An Post to provide pensions, child benefit and other social welfare payments at post offices.
While Government policy is to offer Government services online, there will always be a segment of the population that is not comfortable or proficient accessing online tools or services. The post office network is the obvious choice as the “offline gateway” for citizens with its nationwide network and existing strong relationship with offline citizens. Government funding of €80,000 has been allocated to roll out a pilot scheme for Digital Assist which will see 10 post offices equipped to help citizens with online Government interactions.
In addition, I have secured Government approval to explore how further services might be made available to our “offline citizens”. This would be delivered via a centralised procurement framework. A Working Group comprising representatives across Government Departments will be established to consider this issue and will report back to Government by the end of year.
78. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to review the contract for the roll-out of broadband to enable flexibility in order that the contractor can extend the roll-out when it is logical to do so but the mapping excise is preventing it from doing so. [37621/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan is an initiative to provide high speed broadband to every premises in Ireland and will be delivered through both commercial investment, and where there is no commercial solution, services will be provided by State led intervention as part of the NBP.
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.
In conjunction with this Commitment Agreement, my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie, was updated to reflect eir’s plans. Premises included in eir’s deployment were marked LIGHT BLUE. This information is based on information submitted to my Department by eir and other commercial operators throughout the country.
The Commitment Agreement signed between myself and eir relates only to these 300k premises and the company’s obligation to pass them with high speed broadband. It does not preclude the company from including extra premises in its deployment should it wish to do so.
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.
Data for Q2 2018 submitted by eir to my Department indicates that the company has passed some 175,000 premises nationwide as part of its on-going deployment.
79. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the percentage of houses and apartments that have a municipal compost bin. [37583/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent published figures for the number of households availing of a food waste collection service are set out in the report Performance Indicators in Local Authorities 2016 which indicates that approximately 640,000 or 38% of households are availing of such a service. A copy of the report is available on the National Oversight and Audit Commission website at http://noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2016-PI-Report.pdf.
Under the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015, household waste collectors are required to provide or arrange for the provision of a separate collection service for food waste from households in designated brown bin areas. In accordance with the Regulatory Impact Assessment prepared for these Regulations, the roll-out of the brown bin has been phased in on a progressive basis, commencing on 1st July 2013. The timetable for when the Regulations take effect is as follows:
- 1st July 2013, for population centres greater than 25,000 persons;
- 31st December 2013, for population centres greater than 20,000 persons;
- 1st July 2014, for population centres greater than 10,000 persons;
- 1st July 2015, for population centres greater than 1,500 persons, and
- 1st July 2016, for population centres greater than 500 persons.
Household & Commercial Waste Management Compliance has been a National Waste Enforcement Priority for 2017 and 2018. During this period the focus of this priority for the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) has been the roll out of the household food waste bin. From their inception in 2016 the WERLAs have coordinated local authority actions by way of compliance assistance and enforcement to support the effective roll out of the household food waste bin in the required agglomerations in accordance with the legislation and this work is on-going.
The provision of a brown bin collection service, where it is technically and environmentally practical to do so, continues to be monitored by my Department, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives.
81. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which and the point at which he came to the conclusion that the national mitigation plan is not working. [37582/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMeeting Ireland's EU targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and 2030 will be extremely challenging.
The latest projections of greenhouse gas emissions, published by the EPA in May, indicate that emissions from those sectors of the economy covered by Ireland's 2020 targets could be between 0% and 1% below 2005 levels by 2020 in the context of a target that emissions should be 20% below their 2005 levels. While this is very disappointing, it is not surprising given the recent pace of economic growth, with increases in emissions from the agriculture and transport sectors in particular. The projected shortfall to our targets is further exacerbated by both the constrained investment capacity over the past decade due to the economic crisis, and the extremely challenging nature of the target itself. In fact, it is now accepted that Ireland’s 2020 target was not consistent with what would be achievable on an EU wide cost-effective basis.
For 2030, the recently agreed EU Effort Sharing Regulation sets out binding annual greenhouse gas emission targets for each Member State for the period 2021 to 2030. Ireland’s target under this Regulation will be for a 30% reduction in 2005 levels of emissions by 2030. This is where we must now focus our efforts to ensure that, at the absolute very least, we meet our 2030 target.
To meet these targets, 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.
This Plan very explicitly defined the scale of the challenge Ireland faces in decarbonising its economy and acknowledged that it was a first step and not a complete roadmap to achieve the national transition objective to 2050. Rather it began the process of development of medium- to long-term options to ensure that we are well positioned to take the necessary actions in the next and future decades. The Plan is a ‘living document’ which is being implemented and updated on an on-going basis.
Notwithstanding this, I am required, under the 2015 Act, to bring forward a new National Mitigation Plan at least once every five years. The latest date by which this must happen is, therefore, July 2022. I propose to initiate shortly the process of updating the current Plan in order to facilitate the detailed policy design required to realise the high-level of ambition articulated in the National Development Plan as well as to develop further cost-effective policy options to address Ireland's targets under the Effort Sharing Regulation. This process will also be informed by Ireland’s National Energy and Climate Plan, and by a new long-term low emissions strategy, both of which Ireland must prepare and finalise by the end of 2019 under the EU Clean Energy Package. I intend that the long-term strategy will further elaborate sectoral pathways for Ireland to meet its long-term decarbonisation objectives to 2050, as set out in the National Policy Position.
82. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to plans by Bord na Móna and the ESB to generate electricity by use of large scale biomass and that such plans could result in the destruction of forests outside the State and lead to the generation of increased emissions of CO2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37616/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the National Development Plan, the Government intends that, by 2030, peat and coal will no longer have a role in electricity generation in Ireland. This is in line with Ireland’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the National Policy Position which sets out a long-term vision of an aggregate reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of at least 80% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2050 across the electricity generation, built environment and transport sectors.
It is in this context that my Department supports the progressive conversion of peat power stations to more sustainable low-carbon technologies such as biomass by 2030. The REFIT 3 scheme provides support for co-firing of biomass up to 30% of the capacity of each of the three peat power stations. The Scheme provides a transitional period to allow Bord na Mona to manage the phased move away from peat harvesting for electricity production and has the potential to stimulate the growth of a domestic biomass supply chain in Ireland.
Since 2016, Bord na Mona's Edenderry plant has used the REFIT 3 support to co-fire biomass along with peat and the company's recent annual report notes that 80% of the biomass used in the Edenderry power station in the year to end March 2018 came from domestic sources. The two ESB peat power stations are expected to begin co-firing using the REFIT 3 support for biomass scheme from the end of 2019, subject to planning permission and other consents.
Use of appropriate sustainability criteria will help to ensure that use of biomass does not have a detrimental effect on the world’s forests. EU-wide sustainability criteria are being introduced in the revised Renewable Energy Directive, which is expected to introduce provisions to ensure that energy biomass will be required to emit significantly less carbon than the fossil fuel equivalent. This Directive will exclude certain types of biomass from contributing to a member state’s renewable energy performance such as biomass from areas of high biodiversity, areas designated for nature protection purposes and areas designated for protection of rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems or species.
Furthermore, Bord na Mona’s BioEnergy division sources sustainable biomass that is used at the Edenderry power station, based on a set of sustainability principles, aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This will help to ensure that biomass used in electricity generation in Ireland is from sustainable sources.
84. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he plans to enhance digital safety for young persons online in view of recent reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37511/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 Departments are Children and Youth Affairs; Education and Skills; Business, Enterprise and Innovation; Justice and Equality; Health; and my own Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
The implementation of the Action Plan will be overseen by a Sponsor's Group, to be chaired by the Department of Education and Skills. Each of the Sponsor Departments has responsibility for matters that fall within their remit, which follows the principle set out in the Plan that delineation of policy responsibility between Government Departments in relation to online issues operates on the basis that if a Department is responsible for a policy area offline, then it is responsible for that policy area - and any aspects of its implementation - online as well.
My Department will be contributing to the implementation of the actions contained within the plan by, amongst other actions: the implementation of the revisions to the Audiovisual Media Services Directive; establishing and providing the secretariat to the new National Advisory Council for Online Safety to be chaired by Minister of State Seán Kyne; working (along with the Departments of Justice and Equality and Business, Enterprise and Innovation) with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment as it conducts its detailed scrutiny of the Digital Safety Commissioner Bill 2017; and publishing an annual safer internet report to coincide with Safer Internet Day.
86. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to whistleblower allegations regarding the conduct of RTÉ during the 2011 presidential election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37363/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 10 September 2018 I received an email from a member of the Oireachtas, which contained the anonymous contents of a message that the member had received which contained allegations regarding RTÉ during and subsequent to the 2011 Presidential Election. In this email, the member indicated that they would be contacting the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) in relation to the contents of the message.
The BAI is the independent statutory regulator charged with ensuring that Irish broadcasters comply with the requirements of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and subsequent codes and rules prepared by it. Under Section 53 of the Act, the Compliance Committee of the BAI has the power to decide to conduct an investigation into an apparent breach by a broadcaster of a requirement of the Act or of broadcasting codes and rules. I note that the BAI Authority and Compliance Committee considered a number of complaints in respect of related matters in 2012.
Given the independent role of the regulator and its powers under the Broadcasting Act, it is the appropriate body to consider this matter, and I have informed the member accordingly.
In addition, I have asked my officials to bring this matter to the attention of the BAI which I can confirm they have done so.
87. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the specific actions he plans to take and associated timeframe involved to give practical effect to the EU's proposal on single use plastic; his further plans to ban specific single use plastic products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37450/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is currently one of the top performing countries in the EU in terms of recycling and recovery. In relation to recycling plastic packaging, Ireland is well ahead of its target set in European legislation, as reported in the EPA Progress Report Towards EU Targets 2017, as a result of programmes and initiatives taken to date.
On 28 May 2018, the EU Commission published a proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. This draft legislation proposes new EU-wide rules to target the 10 most prevalent single-use plastic (SUP) products found on Europe's beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear, which together account for 70% of all marine litter.
The full text of the legislative proposal which sets out all the measures contained therein is available at the following link - http://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/pdf/single-use_plastics_proposal.pdf.
As I indicated to the Deputy in my response to question 36530/10 on 7 September 2018, the Commission has indicated that this proposal should be treated as a priority by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers in order to deliver tangible results within a short timeframe. Nationally, I am engaging in a range of initiatives, including commissioning a study to explore how we can achieve the 90% target for plastic bottles sought by the Commission in the proposed SUP Directive. I am cognisant, however, that the Commission has warned of the risk of market fragmentation when Member States take measures in an uncoordinated manner, which differ in scope, focus and ambition level. Therefore, my immediate focus is to work closely with the Commission and my EU counterparts to ensure this proposed Directive is progressed as soon as possible.
