Written Answers Nos. 243-266
243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter regarding an allowance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10976/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post.
246. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration has been given to a buy-out scheme for salmon fishery licence holders; if so, the position regarding same; if there is an option available to offer licences for sale; if a compensation package will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11021/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommercial fishing for salmon is by way of public licence. Licences are applied for and issued annually. An annual public licence does not confer property or other rights on the holder and consequently licences are not transferable and cannot be offered for sale. In that regard also, the issue of compensation does not arise. The Salmon Hardship Scheme was introduced following the decision to cease, for conservation reasons, the commercial salmon mixed stock fishery in the sea. In excess of €25 million was allocated to the scheme to facilitate payments to fishermen with a further €5 million provided for community development projects. Under the scheme, fishermen active in the fishery could opt to voluntarily cease fishing in the commercial drift net and draft net sectors and undertake not to seek a licence in the future. The scheme closed for applications on 31 December 2007 and ceased in 2008 and I understand that all funds were expended and there are no plans to revisit such a scheme.
247. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11093/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra248. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan tender progress; when all homes and businesses in County Kildare will have access to high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11094/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together.
The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across the country, and a State intervention in those areas where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest.
Since December 2015, the number of premises with access to high-speed broadband in Kildare has increased by 9,578, a 7% increase. In total, the number of premises in Kildare with access to high speech broadband is 77,589, 84% of the total premises in the County. Another 761 will be served by eir under that company’s ongoing rural deployment.
The remaining 13,885 homes, schools and businesses in Kildare will be connected under the government’s National Broadband Plan.
In April 2017 my Department published an updated High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address or Eircode.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. I will bring a recommendation to Government in relation to the NBP in the coming weeks.
Under a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017, eir is in the process of passing 300,000 predominantly rural homes with high speed broadband. According to data for Q4 2018 submitted by eir to my Department the company has passed more than 225,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. This information will be available on my Department's website shortly.
Information on eir's rural deployment is available on that company’s website, http://fibrerollout.ie/Eircode-lookup/. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website, www.dccae.gov.ie.
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. 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.
249. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the cost-benefit analysis of the national broadband plan; if the cost-benefit analysis has been updated recently; the projected cost of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11099/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrior to the launch of the National Broadband Plan procurement process, my Department undertook a public consultation on the NBP State Intervention Strategy. A preliminary cost benefit analysis (CBA) was completed at that stage, in line with the Public Spending Code. The CBA has been updated at key points during the procurement process. The level of State subsidy for the National Broadband Plan State intervention is to be determined through the procurement process. The updated CBA and ongoing due diligence in relation to the final tender submission will inform Government's decision.
250. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent on social media advertising and online promoted content (details supplied) in 2018 and to date in 2019, by campaign and social media platform used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11116/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra251. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has engaged and-or consulted with a public relations online advertising agency regarding social media advertising and online promoted content in 2018 and to date in 2019; the amount spent by company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11133/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.
My Department's remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic sectors such as climate action, waste management, energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. The Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on social media advertising, online promoted content and public relations services on these from time to time.
The information requested is outlined in the following tables:
Spend on social media advertising and online promoted content by campaign and social media platform used
|
Campaign |
Social Media platform |
Type - side bar, above the line and pop website ads |
Cost |
Year |
|
ObSERVE Programme |
|
Above the Line |
€369 |
2018 |
|
Ploughing Championships |
Facebook/Instagram |
Above the line |
€369 |
2018 |
|
National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) Regional Gatherings in 2018 - Athlone and Tralee |
|
Below the line Advertising (Facebook posts advertising the events) |
€1,096 |
2018 |
|
Phase out of flat fees for Household Waste Collection |
|
General |
€261 |
2018 |
|
Phase out of flat fees for Household Waste Collection |
|
General |
€3 |
2018 |
|
Phase out of flat fees for Household Waste Collection |
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram |
General |
€12,300 |
2018 |
Public Relations online advertising agencies engaged
|
Name of PR online advertising Company |
Campaign |
Cost |
Year |
|
Seditio Ltd |
Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
€2,890 |
2018 |
|
Focus Advertising |
Phase out of flat fees for Household Waste Collection |
€12,300 |
2018 |
|
Mandy Johnston Communications |
Phase out of flat fees for Household Waste Collection |
€1,900 |
2018 |
252. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to review the policy on commercial incineration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11208/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra253. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to review the policy on the imposition of a levy on commercial incineration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11209/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 253 together.
Government waste management policy is set out in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, published in 2012.
European, national and regional waste management policy is predicated on the waste hierarchy as set out in Article 4 of the 2008 Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC), whereby the prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling and other recovery of waste are preferred options to the disposal or landfilling of waste.
Thermal recovery activities such as waste to energy, co-incineration (e.g. at cement kilns), pyrolysis and gasification, where the principal use of the waste is as a fuel to generate energy, sit on the 'other recovery' tier of the waste hierarchy and in line with European policy are preferred to the disposal or landfilling of waste.
In this regard, 26% of managed municipal waste (by weight) was sent to landfill in 2016 compared to 41% in 2012 and 92% in 1995. Furthermore, 74% of managed municipal waste was recovered in 2016 (compared to 59% in 2012). Significantly more residual waste is now used as a fuel (energy recovery) than disposed to landfill. Further information is available at
http://www.epa.ie/nationalwastestatistics/municipal/.
New waste management targets recently agreed by the European Council include a provision that Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that by 2035 the amount of municipal waste landfilled is reduced to 10% or less of the total amount of municipal waste generated (by weight).
The continued implementation of European, national and regional waste management policy to manage waste in line with the waste hierarchy will help ensure that Ireland is well placed to meet this new target.
The potential introduction of economic instruments designed to improve environmental behaviour are being considered in the context of a review of the Environment Fund.
254. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if vessels carrying nuclear waste material travelling close to Irish waters are monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11244/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFormal Government to Government communication arrangements are in place in relation to the shipment of radioactive waste and spent fuel. These have been agreed under the auspices of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA Coastal and Shipping Dialogue which consists of Coastal and Shipping States has agreed guidelines on this available at
https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/publications/documents/infcircs/infcirc863.pdf.
The guidelines provide for notification to Coastal States, including Ireland, of shipments of radioactive waste spent and spent nuclear fuel that will pass in proximity to their coastal waters. The notification is provided through diplomatic channels.
This system continues to function effectively in relation to the small number of such shipments that pass in proximity to Irish coastal waters. The prior notification of shipments allows for the principal response agencies, including EPA and Coast Guard, to be advised in advance of shipments in the unlikely event of a shipment encountering any difficulties. The Coastal and Shipping Dialogue participants hold on-going discussions with a view to improving arrangements in this area. Regular emergency and response exercises to test the appropriateness of arrangements in place are also held.
Ireland is currently chairing the Dialogue and later this year will host a workshop in Dublin that will examine areas for possible future improvements.
255. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11274/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Deputy makes reference to the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), I presume he means to refer to the ongoing National Broadband Plan (NBP) rather than the NBS which is now ended. The NBP aims to ensure high speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or 30% of all 2.3 million Irish premises had access to high speed broadband. When this Government came into office, this had risen to 52%. Today, 74% of premises can access high speed broadband.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. I will bring a recommendation to Government in relation to the NBP in the coming weeks.
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. 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.
256. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the decision by which Irish Coast Guard vehicles will not be authorised to use blue warning lights and sirens when on recuse missions; the reason these were prohibited from use by the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10966/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no change in the policy in relation to use of blue lights and sirens on Coast Guard vehicles. Under SI 694 and 695 of 2011, Coast Guard vehicles can be fitted with blue lights and warning devices. Arising from a safety review internally, the Coast Guard issued a clarification to its volunteers in relation to how these blue lights and warning devices (sirens) should be used on public roads. This instruction sets out the existing position as regards their use while driving on public roads. The issue of training Coast Guard volunteers and full-time staff in the correct and safe use of Blue Lights and sirens is being addressed as part of the Coast Guard’s Safety and Risk Work Plan.
Any legislative changes in relation to the use of blue lights and sirens would require a policy assessment which would have to take account, inter alia, of the need to balance the safety of staff, whether full-time or voluntary, members of the public as well as those to whom the Coast Guard is responding.
257. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to put the Irish Coast Guard on a statutory basis in view of the important work it carries out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10967/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 15th February 2017 as a Commencement Matter in the Seanad, I comprehensively addressed the matter of Coast Guard Services and the proposition that the Coast Guard should be designated as a stand-alone primary response agency. Legislating for a stand-alone agency is an inherently complex task and the volunteer dimension of the Coast Guard's activities adds to that complexity. The test for any such designation, given the complexity of the legislation and associated costs, is the added value it would bring. The Coast Guard is functioning very effectively as a Division of my Department and its role is supported through various legislative instruments. For that reason, I advised at the time that it was difficult to identify any benefit or added value for legislation of this nature.
An Irish Coast Guard Authority Bill was proposed by Deputy Troy during 2018. Once the bill has been progressed further, I will be happy to consider the matter once again and provide my views.
258. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedures in place regarding complaints made or raised by staff members that are responsible for the inspection of vehicles at NCT test centres when they have concerns in relation to the quality of inspections carried out. [10975/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No.477 of 2006) the RSA has responsibility for the operation and delivery of the vehicle testing arrangements.
I have referred the question to the RSA for direct reply and I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
259. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had exploratory talks with associations (details supplied) regarding an all-Ireland soccer team in line with the practice of the all-Ireland rugby team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10984/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe organisation and delivery of sport in Ireland is mainly a matter for National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs). NGBs, including those mentioned by the Deputy, are independent and autonomous bodies and any proposals regarding an all-island international team would be a matter for those two organisations.
The organisation of sport on an all-island basis has worked very successfully for a number of sports, most notably in the case of rugby. I am very supportive of cross-border sporting initiatives and collaborations between sporting organisations. Such approaches have excellent potential to enhance relationships on both parts of the island of Ireland. I understand that there are proposals for a competitive football match between the Northern Ireland and Ireland league winners and I would welcome such a development for football.
While proposals regarding an all-island international team would be a matter for the two NGBs, if the organisations were to bring forward any such proposals, my Department and I would be happy to assist them as appropriate.
260. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he envisages changes to the plans for metro north; the timeline and dates which would include the period of the consultation process up to the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10985/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the revised route for the Dublin MetroLink rail line will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11002/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 262 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area, including MetroLink.
Noting their responsibility in relation to this matter, I have forwarded your query to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply. Please notify my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
261. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 575 of 19 February 2019, when the extra services will be approved by the NTA in view of the significant delays to commuters. [10992/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
263. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position with regard to green card insurance for travel between here and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11003/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently all Irish motor vehicles travelling within the EU are covered by the terms of the EU’s Motor Insurance Directive. This allows motor vehicles to travel freely between the State, Northern Ireland and Great Britain as well as within other EU countries.
If the UK leaves the EU with a transition period, there should be no immediate change in the position regarding travel. If the transition period is followed by a lasting arrangement which allows for travel under the current terms, there will be no further changes.
Should a no deal Brexit occur, the UK (including Northern Ireland) will no longer be party to the Motor Insurance Directive. This means that, unless action is taken by the European Commission, a Green Card will be required to demonstrate to the authorities in Northern Ireland and Great Britain that valid motor insurance cover is in place for those vehicles, and vehicles from the UK coming to the State will require a Green Card as proof of insurance. However, even in the case of a no deal scenario, the EU Commission would be able under the Motor Insurance Directive to declare that vehicles entering the EU from the UK would not require a Green Card. It would be a matter for the UK authorities to determine whether they required a Green Card for Irish vehicles. My Department continues to actively liaise with the European Commission on this issue.
As part of necessary contingency preparations, the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) has advised that, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Green Cards will be begin to be issued to affected policyholders in March 2019 and policy holders are advised to contact their insurers a month in advance of their expected travel date. This is an example of prudent advance planning by the MIBI and the wider insurance sector.
The Green Card is used as proof of insurance. The Department understands that the vast majority of Irish motor insurance policies already include cover for travel in the UK. In such cases drivers will continue to be insured to drive in the UK even in a no-deal Brexit. However, they will need to carry the Green Card as proof of insurance if no other agreement is reached with the European Commission in the meantime.
Not all policies may include such cover in the event of a no-deal Brexit. In that eventuality, drivers who may be travelling to or through Northern Ireland or Great Britain should check their motor insurance policies and, if in doubt, check with their insurers that such travel would be covered.
264. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average waiting time for a practical driver test in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11010/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe average waiting time for each driving test centre is available on the Road Safety Authority website at
www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Test-Waiting-Times/.
This information is updated weekly.
265. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken in 2018 in particular to address the dangers posed by drones at airports. [11023/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegulation on the licensing and registration of drones and drone owners has become an EU competency, under the remit of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). New EU-wide rules will be rolled out in the coming few months, having been developed through technical EU working groups during 2017 and 2018. Ireland, as an early mover with domestic legislation on drones, has made a substantive contribution to the development of these new EU rules.
Until such times as the new implementing rules are issued to give effect to the EU regulation, existing national regulatory rules set out under S.I. 563 of 2015 will continue to apply. This includes no-fly zone restrictions around airports and aerodromes, and a range of other flight restrictions around public buildings and places.
The overall threat and risk posed by drones, to airports in particular, remains a priority matter for the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, which coordinates the State's response to civil aviation security matters. This Committee met in both January and February of this year to specifically scope out further measures which may be necessary and I await their recommendations.
266. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all persons arriving in airports here on a domestic flight must go through immigration control despite the fact that they are travelling within the State; and his plans to remove this requirement. [11024/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTwo domestic routes operate within Ireland; the Dublin to Kerry and the Dublin to Donegal PSO services. These twice daily flights are operated by Stobart Air, trading as Aer Lingus Regional. In 2018, approximately 94,000 passengers were classified as domestic, out of a total of approximately 37 million passengers (0.25%) at all Irish airports.
I should clarify to the Deputy that border management at Irish ports and airports is the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and An Garda Síochána. It has been confirmed to me that there is a legal requirement for a person arriving to the State by sea or air to present to an immigration officer and that this requirement does not apply to persons travelling within the State. As approved airports, an immigration presence is maintained at Donegal and Kerry Airports, as well as, of course, at Dublin Airport.
At Donegal and Kerry Airports, domestic passengers are not required to present to an immigration official on arrival. At Dublin Airport, where large numbers of international passengers arrive each day, it would be essential that any domestic passengers to remain completely segregated until after the immigration process has been completed. It is not possible at present for Dublin Airport to provide a separate channel to allow domestic passengers to bypass immigration control. As the deputy is aware, daa holds the statutory responsibility to manage and operate Dublin Airport, including all decisions on airport infrastructure investment. I understand from daa that, given the comparatively small number of passengers availing of domestic services, it would be prohibitively expensive for them to reconfigure the arrivals area of the airport to allow for such a bypass.
