Written Answers Nos. 33-58
33. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a progress report on the Celtic interconnector; if it is on track to be delivered by 2026; if the cost of the project has changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8376/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Celtic Interconnector is an electricity interconnector jointly proposed by EirGrid and their French counterparts, the French transmission system operator, RTÉ (Reseau de Transporte d’Électricite). It is proposed as a 575km long (500km subsea), 700MW cable from the north-west coast of France to the south coast of Ireland. At this scale it would be able to provide electricity for some 450,000 homes.
The Celtic Interconnector will provide a reliable high-capacity electricity link between Ireland and France that will have significant benefits for the people of Ireland. The project will provide access to the European internal energy market, leading to expected increased competition and lower prices in Ireland. It will also enhance security of electricity supply and facilitate increased capacity for renewable energy here via export access to the mainland European markets.
In late 2019 the European Commission announced a grant of €530m towards the construction of the interconnector under the Connecting Europe Facility fund. This grant was made possible by significant support for the project from the Irish Government that resulted in its designation as an EU Project of Common Interest. The estimated cost of this project remains approximately €1 billion.
Extensive planning by EirGrid and a period of public consultation took place last year with regard to the development of interconnector infrastructure, following which decisions were reached on the interconnector's location in East Cork. A further decision was arrived at by EirGrid regarding the establishment of an enhanced community benefit scheme for impacted communities.
While I have no function in this matter, my officials have been informed that EirGrid will likely submit its planning application for Celtic Interconnector project in Spring this year with the project estimated to be completed in 2026.
34. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has communicated directly with the ESB regarding the potential loss of the Georgian House Museum; if efforts will be made to save the popular amenity in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8377/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe use and management of properties owned by ESB is a matter for the Board and management of ESB and is, therefore, not an area in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function.
However, officials from my Department engage with ESB on a regular basis on a number of topics, including, in the last number of weeks, the decision by the Company to redevelop a number of Georgian houses back into residential units.
Throughout Project Fitzwilliam, the redevelopment of their headquarters, ESB has been governed by planning permission received under the relevant planning legislation and this will remain the case in regards to the proposed redevelopment of the Georgian houses in question. I understand that ESB has applied for the relevant planning permission and Dublin City Council has yet to make a decision. I, as Minister, cannot interfere in the planning process.
I ask that all relevant stakeholders work together to find an alternative location for a Georgian House Museum.
35. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the strategy on single use plastics; and the way the strategy has been affected by the pandemic, and changes in behaviour resulting from same. [8074/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, launched last September, sets out our national strategy for single use plastics and contains a range of ambitious measures for dealing with these items. The Plan details measures Ireland is taking under the Single Use Plastics Directive to prohibit certain items from being placed on the market. It also contains our commitment to introduce a Deposit and Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans and to lead EU efforts on disposable coffee cups through a prohibition on the use of disposable cups for sit-in purposes, a latté levy and an eventual ban on disposable coffee cups and cold drinks cups.
I am conscious that during the pandemic some businesses and individuals have moved away from reusable cups. However, international research has confirmed that re-usable cups are safe to use during Covid 19. A number of organisations, including the Conscious Cup Campaign, have provided guidance on how they can be used safely during current restrictions without compromising staff or customer safety. A list of cafes accepting reusables is available on the Conscious Cup Campaign website. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has also confirmed that the use of reusable cups and containers is permitted during the current restrictions.
36. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if enforcement action has commenced regarding the European Union (Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions, Calculation Methods and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2017 (as amended) (details supplied); if an application has been made to the High Court, as envisaged; if so, the outcome; if the maximum penalty appears to be fit for purpose when compared with the turnover of oil companies; if steps have been taken to ensure that the national carrier is compliant; the plans in place to increase enforcement, compliance and penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8130/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 7a of the Fuel Quality Directive placed an onus on transport fuel suppliers to achieve at least a 6% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions in fuel and energy placed on the market by the end of 2020 and in subsequent years, compared to a 2010 baseline. This requirement was transposed into Irish law by the European Union (Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions, Calculation Methods and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2017 (SI 160 of 2017 ). In line with decisions taken at EU level, SI 160 of 2017 was recently amended by S.I. No. 670/2020 (European Union (Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions, Calculation Methods and Reporting Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2020) to ensure the 6% reduction requirement continues past 2020.
Under these regulations, the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) is designated as the competent body responsible for implementation of Article 7a. NORA estimates that an overall carbon intensity reduction of approximately 3% will be achieved for 2020.
The Fuel Quality Directive and the Renewable Energy Directive are currently being reviewed at EU level in terms of aligning transport energy targets with the European Green Deal. With these reviews on-going, and given that compliance under the Fuel Quality Directive will continue beyond 2020, a decision was taken not to impose penalties under the regulations with respect to 2020.
The Department of Transport will continue to assess and review policy and legislative requirements for how we maximise decarbonisation efforts for the transport fuel sector.
37. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expiration date of all existing licences and leases issued by his Department for oil and fossil gas exploration and drilling, in tabular form; the details of applications for renewals and progressions of same under consideration by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8156/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra38. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the terms and conditions that must be met by applicants in order to extend or renew existing exploration and drilling licences, and leases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8157/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 38 together.
Section 57 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 requires that I lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas every six months a report detailing all exploration activities, including petroleum exploration authorisations granted during the period of the report. The last such report laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas was in respect of the six-month period ending 31 December 2020. In addition, a report on the status of all petroleum authorisations is published on a quarterly basis on gov.ie (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/10d43-acreage-reports-and-concession-maps/). The most recent such report was published in respect of the three month period ending 31 December 2020. This report contains the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the categories and expected expiration date of existing oil and gas licences and leases.
In relation to the number of applications for extensions and progressions, the following are under consideration by my Department:
|
Extensions |
3 |
|
Application for Licensing Option |
1 |
|
Application for conversion from Licensing Option to Exploration Licence |
2 |
|
Application for conversion from Exploration Licence to Lease Undertaking |
2 |
Applications for extensions received by my Department are assessed against a number of criteria in accordance with the Licensing Terms. This includes the work programme proposed by the applicant, the technical competence of the applicant and the financial resources available to it. The Licensing Terms also set out that the receipt of an application creates no obligation on my part to grant any authorisation.
39. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent of flaring of hydrocarbons by offshore undertakings; the terms and conditions regarding flaring by current and prospective offshore undertakings; the initiatives in place to prevent and end non-emergency flaring; the assessments of greenhouse gas, GHG, emissions and environmental impacts associated with all flaring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8158/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra40. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if GHG emissions associated with exploration, drilling, flaring, expected future operations and future fossil fuel supplies of applicants are reviewed and assessed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8159/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together.
There are currently no offshore flaring operations taking place in Irish waters, with such operations currently limited to the onshore Corrib gas terminal at Bellanaboy.
The petroleum regulatory framework sets out measures in relation to flaring associated with oil and gas exploration and production operations. The flaring and venting of petroleum in connection with such operations is subject to my prior approval, in accordance with section 61 of the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration.
Furthermore, in accordance with the Rules and Procedures for Offshore Petroleum Production, an operator must submit to my Department for approval a detailed Management Plan prior to the commencement of production under a Petroleum Lease. This Management Plan must include a description of how a commitment to minimising flaring or venting of gas will be pursued, both at the commissioning and production phases.
In addition, applications for offshore exploration activities (including drilling) under petroleum authorisations and applications for the working of petroleum under a Petroleum Lease are subject to environmental assessment before being considered, to ensure that the impact of the activity in question on the environment is fully considered, in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment and Birds and Habitats Directives.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for compiling and reporting on Ireland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on an annual basis, for submission to the EU and UN. This includes GHG emissions from flaring and venting as well as any GHG emissions from offshore oil and gas exploration, which must be reported by operators of offshore installations in accordance with the OSPAR Convention, to which Ireland is a contracting party.
41. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an analysis has been carried out on raising the national broadband speed cut-off mark of 30 Mbps. [8192/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode.
Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention to be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. For this purpose, my Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
The 30Mbps download speed threshold is based on current targets set at EU level and contained in the State Aid Guidelines for High Speed Broadband. I understand that the State Aid Guidelines for High Speed Broadband are currently being reviewed and my Department is monitoring developments at EU level in this area.
42. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an analysis is being carried out regarding the entry of a provider (details supplied) to the Irish market. [8193/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTelecommunications service providers are regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which operates independently of my Department. The telecommunications regulatory framework, which ComReg implements, requires electronic communications service providers to notify the regulator in advance of their intention to provide such a service.
Under the terms of the Authorisation Regulations, operators are free to commence operations once a completed notification has been received by ComReg, but operations are subject to the conditions set out in the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Authorisation) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 335 of 2011). There may also be a requirement to hold a spectrum licence depending on the service provided.
This is an operational matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) and not one in which I have a role. However, I understand that Starlink Internet Service Limited registered with ComReg in 2020. I welcome the addition of new service providers to the Irish market, which can only be of benefit to customers.
43. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of consultation that has taken place regarding the proposed peatlands climate action scheme with local residents of the affected areas. [8204/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe approval of the Bord na Móna Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme on 24 November 2020 reaffirmed the Government's commitment to a just transition for workers in the Midlands. The scheme will, over time, employ 307 people, some of whom will be engaged on a seasonal basis, with 210 full time equivalents engaged over the delivery period. The scheme encompasses 33,000 hectares of Bord na Móna peatlands previously harvested for peat extraction for electricity generation. The scheme will protect the storage of 100 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. It is also estimated that over the period 2020 to 2050, 3.2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions will be avoided.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has been established as Scheme Regulator to ensure the effective oversight of the rehabilitation and restoration works. Bord an Móna must submit a plan for each bog to both the National Parks and Wildlife Services in respect of this scheme, and to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in respect of works required to meet their Integrated Pollution Control licence obligations. As part of this process, Bord Na Móna is consulting with stakeholders and landowners that may be impacted by the scheme. Bord na Móna carry out such consultation in accordance with EPA guidance on the process of preparing and implementing bog rehabilitation plans, which focuses on meaningful, early, on-going and transparent consultation with all national and local regulators, local interest/community groups, and affected parties.
Covid restrictions have impacted Bord na Móna’s capacity to call door-to-door to affected parties and, as such, newspaper advertisements have been issued in local publications. In addition, Bord na Móna have recently launched a digital information hub for the Scheme.
44. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a property (details supplied) is not included in the intervention area for the roll-out of fibre optic cables even though the area is currently being surveyed and cables are being laid to service the neighbouring homes. [8219/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
The premises referred to in the Question is currently located in the BLUE area on the High Speed Broadband Map. Investigations by my Department indicate, however, that the premises is located in an area where other neighbouring premises are in the Intervention Area. It appears that this premises may not have been included in the AMBER area due to an anomaly. If the conclusion of the investigation is that the premises should be included in the Intervention Area then it will be and the High Speed Broadband Map will be updated to reflect this. Importantly, as the network will pass all houses on the road, there is no question of anyone being left behind.
45. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will examine the broadband connectivity issues that are occurring in Blackhall, Clane, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8233/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when access to high-speed broadband will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8266/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.
The premises referred to in the Questions are located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
My Department has, however, looked into the matters raised and I understand that the premises are included in the area covered by the eir 300k rollout of rural fibre to the home. I am advised that eir has indicated it is currently engaging with the local authority to resolve an issue that has delayed the rollout of this fibre broadband network.
47. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he has taken to fulfil his commitment on post offices and community banking as outlined in the programme for Government (details supplied); the measures that have been taken to establish the feasibility of offering a better range of financial services and e-commerce in post offices; if he has established a working group to identify the potential for local post offices to act as hubs and a one-stop-shop for State services; if he will report on the digital assist scheme and offline services group report carried out to meet these commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8297/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra48. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of recent engagement his Department has had with An Post on Prio Eco and the transformation of An Post corporate centre and business service areas, and the impact these two projects will have on the workforce and post office network of An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8299/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.
The Programme for Government recognises that a modernised post office network will provide a better range of financial services and e-commerce services for citizens and enterprise, as part of our commitment to a sustainable nationwide post office network.
The Department of Finance published a report on the Evaluation of Concept of Community Banking in Ireland by Indecon Consultants in December 2019. This followed on from the publication of a previous report by the Department of Finance on Local Public Banking in July 2018. The further report concluded that there is no business case for the State to establish a public banking system in Ireland.
An Post is transforming its retail network by delivering new products and new formats. This includes, among other things, diversifying and growing the financial services products it provides for individuals and SMEs to include loans, credit cards and more foreign exchange products, local banking in association with the major banks and a full range of State Savings products. Two new dedicated sub-brands, An Post Money and a new business-to-business brand, An Post Commerce, were launched. Investment by An Post of €50 million in the network is designed to encourage communities to use the enhanced services in their local post office.
While it is longstanding Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by the Government, we remain fully committed to a sustainable post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure in both rural and urban areas.
A lot of work has been done over the past few years to develop the network and this has had a positive effect for both postmasters and customers. This momentum needs to be maintained and if An Post, the postmasters and Government work together we can ensure that the network can emerge as a central hub for a wide variety of valuable community-focused services.
Government believes An Post has untapped potential to do more and make a further significant contribution across many areas of public, business and community life in Ireland. I intend to set out a series of next steps on the Offline Services Report shortly.
What we are doing now is working with An Post to investigate the scope to channel additional services through the network. As with any business the post office needs to develop commercial strategies to enable it to grow and maintain its relevance for its users. All options will be considered fully and efforts will be redoubled to give effect to our commitment to ensuring a sustainable and viable post office network.
An Post has recently submitted a new draft Strategy for analysis and consideration by the shareholding Ministers in line with the requirements set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. In this regard I recently met with the CEO of An Post on the matter. I will be providing my views on the draft Strategy in due course but final responsibility for the content of the plan, including commercial strategies therein, rests with the Board of An Post.
49. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises in Carrigaline, County Cork that can access a fibre broadband connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8369/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
There are some 273,548 premises in Co Cork of which approximately 71% have access to high speed broadband through commercial operators. The remaining 79,424 premises are located in the Intervention Area in County Cork.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 11 February 2021, over 174,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys have been completed in Co. Cork in Midleton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon and Kilpatrick, with surveys underway in Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh. Pre-build works are underway in Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected in Carrigaline and construction work is continuing with significant technical testing and validation taking place prior to wider release of the area. There are over 4,500 premises in the Carrigaline deployment area and some 300 premises are currently eligible for connection with NBI advising that a further 373 premises will be eligible for connection by 1 March 2021.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 11 February, 268 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and by the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCPs connected in Cork are Ballindangan Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre and T.O. Park Labbamollaga. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Clogagh and Ballycroneen National School will be provided with high speed broadband for educational use as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of the schools aspect of the project was announced late last year and will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
50. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the adoption and implementation of the European Electronic Communications Code that was due to take effect in December 2018; the penalties that have been applied to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8422/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been working to implement Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code. The Code represents a revision of the entire EU regulatory framework and will repeal the Framework Directive, the Authorisation Directive, the Access Directive and the Universal Services Directive. Elements of the Code came into effect on 18 December 2020.
The transposition process has included extensive and ongoing engagement with relevant key stakeholders, including industry, the Regulator and the European Commission. In keeping with that stakeholder engagement, my Department has shared the text for the end user rights element with industry which is available to view on gov.ie. Following the expected finalisation of the draft text in the coming weeks, my Department will publish the full text in a public consultation. The text will then be finalised having considered submissions received, following which the European Commission will be notified of the transposition. It is expected that transposition will be completed early in Q2.
No penalties have been applied to Ireland in relation to this transposition. My Department provides regular updates to the European Commission on progress in transposing the Directive and will continue to do so pending final notification of completion of the transposition process.
51. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which premises not in the intervention area of the national broadband plan, and without access to speeds of at least 30 Mbps, can contact his Department; and the supports available to them. [8505/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. There may be a choice of operators offering this service in the area referred to and further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
Complaints about service provision are a matter between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.
In the event that, having exhausted the above options, a premises located in the BLUE area still cannot get high speed broadband from service providers in the area, they should contact my Department at broadband@decc.gov.ie with full details and the matter will be investigated by my officials.
52. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if wireless broadband services are available at an airport (details supplied) using its metropolitan area network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8506/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by enet, the company that manages the MANs on behalf of the State that three telecommunications operators are currently using the fibre based Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) infrastructure at Knock. The services provided by these operators are a commercial matter between the operators and their end customers. The Knock MAN includes a connection into the Knock Airport Building.
53. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if local authorities are allowed to access databases (details supplied); if not, if legislation is required to do same; his plans to progress such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8509/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 34C(7) of the Waste Management Act obliges each local authority to maintain a register of persons availing of a household waste collection service. This obligation is for the purpose of establishing compliance by original producers and other waste holders in terms of their obligations regarding the holding, collection and movement of waste.
The information held in local authority databases is drawn from information supplied by the waste collection companies and is based on what the local authority specifically requires. Direct access to external databases is not required.
54. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to reduce the amount of palm oil consumed in Ireland in view of the negative social and environmental impacts of palm cultivation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8589/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBiofuel production and its use is an area, that unless properly regulated, may not deliver required greenhouse gas savings and could impact negatively on food production and land use. It is important, therefore, that measures are in place to mitigate against environmental risks, such as Indirect Land-Use Change (ILUC), of certain categories of biofuels.
Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (the recast Renewable Energy Directive or RED II), which was formally adopted in December 2018, sets out rules for renewable fuels from food and feed crops, including the phasing out of ’high indirect land-use change-risk’ renewable fuels by 2030. This Directive is to be transposed into Irish law by end of June this year.
Following on from its report on the status of production expansion of relevant food and feed crops worldwide, the European Commission has set out the criteria for determining high ILUC-risk feedstocks in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/807. Under the delegated regulation, palm oil is currently the only one that meets the criteria as a high risk feedstock (though other feedstocks may be added in future). However, in certain circumstances (e.g. where additionality can be demonstrated), quantities of palm oil could be certified as low ILUC risk.
Under RED II, Member States will be not be allowed to count any energy from renewable fuels with a high ILUC risk towards their renewable energy targets in any year from 2021 onwards, over and above the amount of energy achieved from these fuels in 2019. In addition, Member States must, from 2023 onwards, gradually reduce this limit to 0% by 2030. It should be noted that the quantities of biofuels from palm oil used in Ireland are very small with just 2 million litres placed on the Irish road transport market in 2019.
In September 2019, a public consultation was launched on the development of the Biofuels Obligation Scheme in the period from 2021 to 2030. This consultation closed in November 2019 and 42 responses were received. I, as Minister for Transport, expect to publish shortly a policy statement which will set out my plans for biofuels and other renewable transport fuels for the coming years, which will include measures for the treatment of high ILUC risk biofuels.
55. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received a judgment from the Data Protection Commissioner regarding the use of CCTV and illegal dumping. [8599/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to difficulties being posed to local authorities in pursuing prosecutions for illegal dumping due to difficulties regarding the use of CCTV due to general data protection regulation, GDPR; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8882/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 63 together.
I have not received any judgment from the Data Protection Commission (DPC) regarding the use of CCTV and illegal dumping. However, I have received correspondence from the DPC outlining their concerns around the legal basis for the use of CCTV cameras by local authorities in the enforcement of waste management legislation.
The Government's recently published “Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy”, contains a commitment to ensure that all waste enforcement legislation will be “data proofed”, so that all available and emerging technologies can be fully utilised for enforcement activities in a manner which is General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant.
My Department is currently working on a Circular Economy Bill which will contain provisions to give effect to the commitment in the Waste Action Plan. This will help to ensure that AVR equipment can be utilized by local authorities to protect our environment from the scourge of illegal dumping, while at the same time respecting the privacy rights of citizens.
56. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work that has been carried out by his Department to date with respect to the introduction of a beverage container deposit and refund scheme; if there are plans to introduce such a scheme in the near future; if so, the details and timelines of such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8630/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of a deposit and return scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans in 2022 is a commitment in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy which I published in September 2020. Development of the Action Plan was assisted by the deliberations of the Waste Advisory Group - a broad-based stakeholder forum which my Department chairs and which includes members from environmental NGOs, beverage producers, retailers, representatives from the waste industry and regulators. DRS was a specific topic considered by the Waste Advisory Group last year.
Since publication of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, my Department held a public consultation on design options for a DRS in November 2020 following which my officials held further bilateral engagements with various stakeholders including environmental NGOs, beverage producers, retailers and representatives from the waste industry.
A sub-group of the Waste Advisory Group has been established to input to the detailed design of the DRS and this group held its first meeting on 15th February. A second public consultation, focusing on the preferred model and draft regulations, will issue before the end of Q1 2021.
57. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes on the warmer homes scheme work programme; the waiting time for upgrades to commence; the steps his Department is taking to address the waiting list; when the changes to the scheme will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8647/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. This scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades leaving them better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. To qualify for the scheme recipients must be in receipt of a qualifying welfare payments from the Department of Social Protection.
There are currently over 7,800 homes awaiting works on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. This includes homes that are: currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting the initial survey of their home.
SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in 2020, the average time from application to completion was approximately 18 months, which would have included an impact of COVID-19 restrictions. For the same time period, the average time for a surveyor to be allocated was approximately 8 months.
SEAI have advised my Department that the average waiting times quoted above should only ever be used as a general guide and waiting times may vary, based on the demand for the scheme at the time of application. For instance, once the survey is completed and works are allocated to a contractor the time to complete works is dependent on a number of factors including the scale of works to be completed, access to the property, availability of materials, weather and more recently COVID-19 public health restrictions.
Funding for the SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased to over €109 million in 2021. This is an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation and means that almost half of the total SEAI residential and community retrofit budget will support people vulnerable to energy poverty. This funding will mean that more households can receive free energy efficiency upgrades, making their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, in line with the Programme for Government.
In addition to the increased budget, capacity by the industry to deliver more activity has also increased due to a new, broader contractor panel to provide works which commenced at the end of 2020. I also secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to allow it drive the various grant programmes that it operates, including the Warmer Homes Scheme, and to ensure that level of activity envisaged under the Programme for Government is delivered. My Department is also in regular contact with the SEAI at official level in relation to the operation of the Scheme. Recommendations on the implementation of changes to the scheme to better target those most in need will also be finalised shortly.
58. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will sanction a deferral of payment for a community energy grid connection fee (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8724/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms of an individual grid connection offer to the electricity network and the relevant charges are commercial matters between ESBN/EirGrid and the applicants and governed by the relevant regulatory policy as determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Current grid connection rules are applied according to CRU’s “Enduring Connection Policy Stage 2 (ECP-2)” Decision Paper which introduced amendments to certain elements of the grid offer process for community-led projects to enable them to develop and connect to the network. The ECP-2 Decision Paper sets out the policy and rules for onshore grid connection for the next number of years and requires that community projects must pay the balance of the application fee prior to receiving a grid connection offer. When community-led projects are applying for grid connection they pay a €2,000 application fee deposit and successful projects with planning permission will then progress to a connection assessment. After the connection assessment is conducted community-led project with planning permission must pay the balance of the application fee in order to receive a connection offer from ESBN.
I have recently announced that community projects must be 100% community-owned to gain support in future auctions of the Government's Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). This means that communities will now be able to retain all the benefits that are associated with generating their own electricity. These benefits can provide a secure long-term financial boost to the community at large and allow reinvestment into the community's long-term sustainable future.
It is recognised that electricity generation is a complex task and especially so for communities. In that regard an enabling framework of supports and funding is being developed by my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland with details to be announced shortly. This should help to alleviate some of the issues that communities are having in the development of their own community energy projects. Officials in my Department will continue to engage with all stakeholders, including community groups, ESBN & CRU, to ensure that communities are enabled to fulfil their potential in developing community energy projects.
