Written Answers Nos. 21-41
21. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach to provide a breakdown of the amount expended by his Department on consultancies in 2023 and to date in 2024; the company engaged; and the nature of the work conducted by the consultancy on his Department’s behalf, in tabular form. [40222/24]
View answerThe Department of the Taoiseach has incurred no expenditure on consultancy services in 2023 or to date in 2024.
22. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of companies that applied for the contract to construct the new Ireland House in Chicago but were unsuccessful, in tabular form. [39702/24]
View answerThe first ever Ireland House in Chicago will be located in the Equitable Building on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s commercial district. The fit out of the premises is currently under way.
A competitive procurement process was launched in March 2024 to identify a building contractor to undertake fit-out works for the project.
Tender documents were issued to six general contractors, pre-qualified according to the following criteria:
• Years in business;
• Project experience at 401 N. Michigan;
• Governmental or Counsel Project experience ;
• EMR Rating;
• Existing or pending litigation within the past 5 years.
Responses were evaluated against the Scoring Methodology Award Criteria as set out in the Request for Proposals. Three companies were shortlisted and interviewed.
The successful contractor was Clune Construction.
23. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Irish embassy in the United Kingdom offers the facility for a landlord of an Irish property to sign a statutory declaration under supervision at the Embassy; if not, if he is aware that this is a service that the Residential Tenancies Board advises is available in their guidance notes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39759/24]
View answerThe Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Provision or Services) Act, 1993, empowers specific staff, serving abroad, to perform any notarial act that a Notary Public can perform in the State. This includes witnessing statutory declarations. In circumstances where the services of a solicitor, notary public or those authorised to take statutory declarations are available in the country of accreditation, an Embassy or Consulate will direct citizens to those services in the first instance. Section 4.5 of the RTB Guidance Note on “Statutory declarations made outside of Ireland” references that: “A person who wishes to sign the statutory declaration at an Irish Embassy or Consulate, should contact the Embassy/Consulate in advance to confirm the availability of the service, process, etc. Fees will apply.”Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs are in ongoing communication with the RTB to ensure the guidance notes remain accurate and updated, where necessary.
24. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the support being provided to persons (details supplied) to assist them in being evacuated from Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39902/24]
View answerI want to thank the Deputy for his question regarding the situation of Irish citizens in Lebanon. I also want to recognise the extremely challenging and distressing situation for all of those families in Ireland whose family members remain in Lebanon.
Throughout this crisis, my Department and our Embassy in Cairo has remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in Lebanon. We have worked closely with our EU and other partners to exchange information and coordinate our consular response to the situation in Lebanon.
As a result of this cooperation, two groups of Irish citizens were assisted to depart Lebanon on flights operated by partners last Friday, 04 October. The citizens departed on flights operated by Ireland’s international partners and they arrived in Ireland safely over the weekend. This included the family raised by the Deputy in her question.
This is an excellent example of the importance of international cooperation. I would like to record my thanks to the governments of The Netherlands and Canada, who organised today’s flights, as well as our consular response teams in Cairo, Dublin and across the Middle East who continue to support Irish citizens in the region.
Many Irish citizens in Lebanon are deeply rooted in the country, with family, work and other links. While we have been able to assist almost all Irish citizens who have expressed a wish to leave, understandably a number have decided to remain.
My Department will remain in close contact with all citizens still in Lebanon over the days and weeks ahead.
25. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether a person who was born in the UK to an Irish mother, and was subsequently adopted by a UK family, is eligible for an Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39921/24]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. In order to meet this requirement, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement.
Irish citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which is under the auspices of the Department of Justice and Equality. Citizenship may be obtained in a number of ways, including by birth, descent, naturalisation and adoption.
Each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by submitting acceptable documentary evidence of their entitlement when making a first time passport application. If a person or their parent was born on the island of Ireland before 1 January 2005, they are an Irish citizen and they can apply for an Irish passport without making a separate application for citizenship.
The Passport Service cannot offer definitive advice in the absence of an application or any further information on the person in question. However, any person who believes themselves to be an Irish citizen is advised to make a passport application online and submit a letter outlining the details of their specific situation along with the supporting documentation required for a first time passport application, which would include all evidence they have of their entitlement to Irish citizenship. The Passport Service will assess the individual case and will follow up with the applicant directly as appropriate.
Information on what is required for all first time passport applications, including details on documentary requirements, guardianship and consent, are available at my Department’s recently updated website (www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/documentary-requirements).
Our Customer Service Hub agents are available through phone and WebChat services from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. They can be contacted at +353 1 671 1633, or via the WebChat service: www.ireland.ie/contactpassportservice/
26. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a first-time passport application will be processed in time for travel on 7 October in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39966/24]
View answerThe Passport Service has issued over 883,000 passports to date this year. All passport applications are subject to the requirements of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. First-time applications are the most complex applications due to the necessary checks involved to verify the identity and citizenship status of the applicant. The turnaround time to complete first-time online applications is 20 working days. It is important to note that turnaround times for applications that require supporting documents begin from the date the Passport Service receives the supporting documents are received.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents were received from the applicant on 25/09/2024, and the Passport Service has now issued the passport to the applicant.
27. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of a request from a family for an urgent meeting (details supplied); if he intends to meet the family in order to discuss their experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39974/24]
View answerI am aware of the case in question and the request to meet the family. While this is primarily a matter for the Department of Justice as it relates to a death that took place in this jurisdiction, I have asked officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs to meet with the family next week.
I am conscious of the enormous loss and enduring suffering that bereaved families of Troubles-related violence bear across this island. The Government has always sought to acknowledge and address the needs of those affected by Troubles-related violence in both jurisdictions.
In my role as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, I meet with victims' families and survivors of the Troubles on a regular basis to learn about their experiences and how best the Government can support them. Indeed, two weeks ago I met with a number of victims’ families to hear their perspectives on the UK Legacy Act.
28. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign birth register application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40108/24]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the application form and supporting documents were initially received on the 09 January 2023. Further documentation was received on the 27 November 2023 however the application remained incomplete. A member of the FBR team reached out directly to the applicant to discuss the application and further documentation was requested on the 27 December 2023 which were subsequently received on 06 March 2024. Again further documentation was required and a member of the team reached out and requested the documents on 11 April 2024. Subsequent documents were received however the application remained incomplete and the correct documents where again requested 22 September 2024. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents are submitted.
29. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of work-related credit cards that have been issued to each Irish ambassador, deputy ambassador or equivalent, and consul general, to date in 2024, in tabular form [40116/24]
View answerThe Department is making increasing use of electronic methods of payment for improved security and more efficient business practices. To facilitate this, credit cards are issued to Diplomatic Missions where there is a specific business need, including a regular pattern of low value or infrequent payments, a need to make online payments, or where suppliers require a hold to be placed on an order for goods or services e.g. meals for visiting delegations or hotel accommodation in advance of the event. In most cases, these credit cards are assigned to the senior staff, i.e. Ambassadors, Deputy Ambassadors and Consul Generals.
Extensive controls are in place governing the use of credit cards. All cards are approved centrally by the Finance Unit in Headquarters on a case by case basis and may only be used to arrange for payments that have been dual-authorised i.e. by two members of the team. Each transaction is accounted for in the Department’s Financial Management System and reviewed centrally as part of a robust monthly reconciliation and reporting process.
Diplomatic Missions issued with credit cards in 2024 to date are set out in the table below.
|
Diplomatic Mission |
|
Abu Dhabi |
|
Ankara |
|
Athens |
|
Atlanta |
|
Beijing |
|
Berlin |
|
Bratislava |
|
Brussels Embassy |
|
Brussels Permanent Representative |
|
Canberra |
|
Chicago |
|
Copenhagen |
|
Geneva |
|
Lisbon |
|
Islamabad |
|
Madrid |
|
Milan |
|
Munich |
|
Ottawa |
|
Santiago |
|
Stockholm |
|
Toronto |
|
Uganda |
|
Vancouver |
|
Zagreb |
30. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to open an Irish consulate general office in the Algarve region of Portugal in 2025. . [40117/24]
View answerThe Government is continuing with the planned expansion of Ireland’s mission network, in line with the Global Ireland Strategy. While a range of possible locations remains under review, there are currently no plans to open a new Consulate General in the Algarve region of Portugal.
However, I am pleased to confirm that, following an open competition and completion of the associated official processes, an Honorary Consul has been nominated for the Algarve. The Portuguese authorities have confirmed their agreement. The appointment of the Honorary Consul will take effect in November 2024 and will further enhance Ireland’s consular support to Irish citizens in the region.
31. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a breakdown of the amount expended by his Department on consultancies in 2023 and to date in 2024; the company engaged; and the nature of the work conducted by the consultancy on his Department’s behalf, in tabular form. [40214/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs). Overall expenditure under both Votes for consultancy services engaged by my Department in 2023 and 2024 to date are set out in the table below. My Department engages external expertise in line with national and EU procurement rules when it is clear the skills are adding value to the wide range of skills already available in the Department and in particular, where independent appraisal and evaluation of policies and projects is necessary. Such external expertise may involve the provision of expert reports, expert analysis or expert services to the Department. External expertise has informed, and continues to inform, my Department's strategies and policies and the effective delivery of our services to our citizens in a transparent and accountable manner representing value for money. The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. Procurement takes place in the context of Directive 2014/24/EU and supported by Procurement Guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). My Department participates fully in on-going initiatives of the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) focusing especially on achieving procurement savings, including the use of shared framework agreements for the provision of different categories of supplies and services.
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose of Consultancy |
Expenditure |
|
2023 |
Accompany Ltd |
Gender technical support consultancy |
€21,339 |
|
2023 |
Adrienne Boyle Consultant |
Global Citizenship Education (GCE) Annual Grants appraisal |
€8,662 |
|
2023 |
Aisling Swaine |
Gender Equality consultancy |
€10,999 |
|
2023 |
Anne Downes |
Proofreading Services |
€552 |
|
2023 |
Anne Nolan |
Specialist consultancy in support of HIV/AIDS |
€15,375 |
|
2023 |
Arcline |
Advising on a File Repository Premises Move |
€4,520 |
|
2023 |
Barbara Wilson |
GCE Annual Grants appraisal |
€9,739 |
|
2023 |
Brian Casey |
Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund |
€4,500 |
|
2023 |
Caoimhe Sweeney |
Technical climate consultancy for Loss and Damage Transitional Committee |
€46,006 |
|
2023 |
Deirdre Farrell Consultant |
GCE Annual Grants appraisal |
€8,250 |
|
2023 |
Fitzpatrick Associates |
Evaluation Services and Quality Assurance Capital Projects |
€15,197 |
|
2023 |
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
Consultancy - Business Case Advisory Services Capital Projects |
€45,740 |
|
2023 |
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
Consultancy –Business Case Capital Projects |
€47,560 |
|
2023 |
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
Business Case Advisory Services Capital Projects |
€6,027 |
|
2023 |
Gartner Ireland Ltd |
ICT Research and Advisory Services to support the Department’s Digital Transformation Strategy and related activities. |
€143,172 |
|
2023 |
Graham Shaw |
Specialist consultancy support on Health HIV/AIDS |
€30,619 |
|
2023 |
Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd. |
Technical Support for Monitoring Visit to Kenya |
€17,525 |
|
2023 |
Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd. |
Technical Support for Monitoring Visit to the Gambia |
€17,074 |
|
2023 |
Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd. |
Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund |
€6,027 |
|
2023 |
Havas |
Evaluation Quality Assurance |
€5,510 |
|
2023 |
Hornbill Consultants Ltd. |
Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund |
€1,000 |
|
2023 |
INKA Consult |
Technical climate consultancy |
€46,054 |
|
2023 |
Institute for Development Strategy GmbH |
Advisory and Quality Assurance Service in Relation to: International Benchmarking Study |
€28,062 |
|
2023 |
Institute for Social and Environmental Transitions (ISET) International |
Demining review |
€21,758 |
|
2023 |
Integrity Communications t/a Integrity 360 |
Cybersecurity Services |
€94,680 |
|
2023 |
International Organisation Development |
Evaluation of Ireland’s term on the United Nations Security Council 2021 - 2022 |
€25,478 |
|
2023 |
Journey Consultancy |
Technical climate consultancy |
€11,070 |
|
2023 |
Mazars |
Audit Services |
€26,619 |
|
2023 |
Mokoro Ltd |
Financial Risk management consultancy |
€64,416 |
|
2023 |
Nutrition Works |
Evaluation of the Nutrition and Food Security Outcomes of the Sierra Leone and Liberia Mission Strategies 2019-2023 |
€46,888 |
|
2023 |
Public Good Ltd |
Foods Systems consultancy services |
€73,972 |
|
2023 |
RSM Ireland |
Advisory & Quality Assurance |
€3,395 |
|
2023 |
Southern Cross Consulting |
Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund |
€6,027 |
|
2023 |
Tony Tyrrell |
Evaluation Advisory |
€4,750 |
|
2023 |
Trade Advisers Consulting Limited |
Evaluation of Ireland’s Participation at Expo 2020 |
€22,103 |
|
2023 |
Transformative Talent Ltd |
Development of Human Resource Strategy |
€12,875 |
|
2023 |
Vanessa Sheridan Consultant |
GCE Annual Grants appraisal |
€8,750 |
|
2023 |
Vanguard Economics Ltd |
Consultancy services to provide evaluation and management support to the Africa Agri Development Programme |
€6,838 |
|
2024 to date |
Accompany Ltd |
Gender support consultancy |
€30,381 |
|
2024 to date |
Adrienne Boyle Consultant |
GCE Annual Grants appraisal |
€5,587 |
|
2024 to date |
Aisling Swaine |
Gender Equality consultancy |
€738 |
|
2024 to date |
Anne Downes |
Proofreading |
€812 |
|
2024 to date |
Arcline |
Advising on a File Repository Premises Move |
€322 |
|
2024 to date |
Barbara Wilson |
GCE Annual Grants appraisal |
€8,839 |
|
2024 to date |
Caoimhe Sweeney |
Technical climate consultancy for Loss and Damage Transitional Committee |
€15,650 |
|
2024 to date |
Crowe Advisory Ireland Limited |
Consultancy Services to Support an Organisational Governance Review |
€22,878 |
|
2024 to date |
Deirdre Farrell Consultant |
GCE Annual Grants appraisal |
€10,500 |
|
2024 to date |
Ed Hughes |
Technical Support for Monitoring Visit to Cameroon (re PLAN Ireland) |
€17,488 |
|
2024 to date |
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants Ltd. |
Evaluation services and QA – framework agreement |
€6,458 |
|
2024 to date |
Gartner Ireland Ltd |
ICT Research and Advisory Services to support the Department’s Digital Transformation Strategy and related activities. |
€179,175 |
|
2024 to date |
Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd |
Financial Risk Management Consultancy Services for Civil Society Funding Schemes |
€26,882 |
|
2024 to date |
Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd. |
Technical Support for Monitoring Visit to Sierra Leone (re GOAL) |
€21,164 |
|
2024 to date |
Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd. |
Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund |
€17,220 |
|
2024 to date |
Gumfoot Consulting |
To review impact of Irish Aid research with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council (IRC) |
€17,176 |
|
2024 to date |
Gwen Wordingham |
Consultancy services for the development of climate proofing guidelines and toolkits |
€5,281 |
|
2024 to date |
Hornbill Consultants Ltd. |
Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund |
€4,000 |
|
2024 to date |
Infocus |
Consultancy Support to Develop the Department’s Evaluation Manual |
€12,460 |
|
2024 to date |
INKA Consult |
Technical climate consultancy |
€20,910 |
|
2024 to date |
International Organisation Development |
Review of Ireland’s Mission Strategy (2020 – 2024) for Mozambique and Evaluation of Ireland’s term on the United Nations Security Council 2021 - 2022 |
€112,921 |
|
2024 to date |
IOD PARC |
Specialist Support for Monitoring Evaluation and Learning on Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership for A Better World (ICSP) |
€20,400 |
|
2024 to date |
Karen McHugh |
Consultancy Support on Review of Approaches to Mission Strategy Evaluation |
€7,675 |
|
2024 to date |
KITE |
Midterm Review of the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Strategy 2021-2025 |
€4,612 |
|
2024 to date |
KITE |
International Fellowship Programme (IFP) Alumni Programme development |
€33,948 |
|
2024 to date |
KITE (keep in touch education) |
Review of the Irish Aid Centre |
€13,837 |
|
2024 to date |
Maria Mulrooney |
Proof Reading |
€250 |
|
2024 to date |
Mazars |
Audit Services |
€21,525 |
|
2024 to date |
Mokoro Ltd |
Financial Risk management consultancy |
€28,413 |
|
2024 to date |
Public Good Ltd |
Food Systems consultancy services |
€23,351 |
|
2024 to date |
Richard Boyle |
Evaluation External Reference Group Member |
€1,230 |
|
2024 to date |
RSM Ireland |
Advisory & Quality Assurance |
€19,972 |
|
2024 to date |
Southern Cross Consulting |
Technical Support to the Civil Society Fund |
€16,310 |
|
2024 to date |
Sweetman Consulting |
Consultancy services providing evaluation and management support to Africa Agri Development Programme |
€8,400 |
|
2024 to date |
UCD (Dr Caitriona O’Dowd) |
Evaluation External Reference Group Member |
€3,075 |
|
2024 to date |
Vanessa Sheridan |
GCE Annual Grants appraisal |
€4,500 |
32. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the plans, if any, of the European Commission to review the EU Israel Association Agreement in light of the atrocities in Gaza over the past 12 months. [40300/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in February 2024, the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
I have continued to underline the importance of such a review at successive meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council, most recently at my informal meetings with EU counterparts in Brussels on 29 August and in New York on 23 September. The Taoiseach has raised this issue in a meeting with President Von Der Leyen on 11 April and on a number of occasions since.
I welcome that the EU HR / VP has called for an extraordinary meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council to discuss the issue of compliance and that there is clear agreement among EU Member States that any such meeting cannot be “business as usual”. Furthermore, it is now completely clear that a review of EU-Israel relations is even more pressing in view of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July 2024. This is a point I made very strongly during my informal meeting with EU Ministers in New York on Monday 23 September. I will continue to press for the EU to review its relations with Israel, including in light of the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ and the Resolution adopted by General Assembly on the Advisory Opinion.
34. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has received an application for a foreshore licence from Donegal County Council for a pontoon at Ballyshannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39804/24]
View answerA foreshore licence application was made by Donegal County Council for a pontoon in Ballyshannon, County Donegal on the 8 November 2022. However, this application was formally withdrawn by Donegal County Council on 26th April 2024.
35. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the broadband outage (details supplied) that has impacted the Dunderrow area of Kinsale, County Cork will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39805/24]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
The premises in question is in the BLUE area on the broadband map. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The 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 the Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. There may be a choice of operators offering this service in any given area. Further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
If a person lives in the BLUE area and after contacting their Retail Service Provider are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query via the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) webform at: secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and the department will escalate with the commercial operator to investigate this matter further.
My officials have contacted Open Eir, who have confirmed that the broadband outage in this area is now resolved since the 2nd October 2024.
The regulation of service providers is the responsibility of the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and associated Regulations.
ComReg must act independently in exercising its regulatory functions, including its investigation of complaints.
ComReg can be contacted at:
Phone - 01 804 9600
Online - www.comreg.ie
Email - consumerline@comreg.ie
I trust this information is of assistance.
36. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will make a commitment to providing incentives for businesses to implement a paper cup collection scheme by reclassifying paper cups under the 'recycled paper/board' category rate within the classification guidelines (details supplied); if he is aware that this reclassification would reduce EPR fees for participating retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39854/24]
View answerMillions of single-use cups are sent to landfill or incineration every year in Ireland. This is an entirely avoidable waste and I want to encourage people to prevent it by enjoying their on-the-go drink in a reusable cup. The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, Ireland’s national waste policy, sets out range of measures to tackle the environmental degradation caused by single-use plastics, including single use cups. The intention is to eliminate this waste stream with the introduction of a levy and an eventual ban on all single-use cups, building on the success of initiatives such as the Killarney Coffee Cup project.
Single-use cups are typically made from paper which is lined with a plastic coating to make the cups waterproof, resulting in a composite material which makes them difficult and expensive to recycle. Typically, such cups must be disposed of as general waste as they are not recycled in Ireland. These cups are also contaminated by the drink they contain, which is another reason why they should not be placed in dry recycling bins.
Reclassifying single use cups as a recycled material for the purposes of reducing producer responsibility fees, would not address our overreliance on single-use products, would not minimise the use of the resources required to manufacture them and would not reduce the amount of waste to be disposed of.
Repak, the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging, has introduced an eco-modulation fee structure to drive environmental considerations for packaging materials. Repak members now incur lower fees by placing materials on the market that are recycled instead of materials that are not recycled. This eco-modulation framework, including categories and fees, is an operational matter for Repak.
37. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of the reported 6.8% emissions reduction in 2023 that is contributed by imported electricity; what this equates to in tonnes of carbon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39957/24]
View answerThe recently published EPA Greenhouse Gas emissions report highlights the very positive 6.8% reduction in emissions from electricity generation in 2023. Overall emissions from the Energy Industries sector in Ireland decreased by 21.6% in 2023, down 2.2 Mt CO2eq on last year. The emissions intensity of power generation decreased from 332g CO2/kWh in 2022 to a historic low of 255g CO2/kWh in 2023.
This decrease reflects the reductions in coal, fuel oil and natural gas use (-44.3%, -78.2%, and -7.2%) in electricity generation. There was also a substantial increase in the amount of imported electricity, accounting for 9.5% of electricity supply in 2023, becoming our third largest source of electricity, after natural gas (44.3%) and wind (33.7%).
In 2023, Ireland generated 3.3 TWh less electricity from fossil fuels than in 2022, balanced by just over 3 TWh more electricity imported through international interconnectors and 1 TWh more renewable generation in Ireland.
According to provisional figures from the EPA, that level of imported electricity would have resulted in additional emissions of over 1 Mt of CO2eq if generated in Ireland. Of the estimated 4 Mt CO2 eq reduction in overall emissions last year, the energy sector as a whole contributed 2.2 Mt CO2 eq, or 55% of that reduction.
The increasing number of interconnectors between the continent, Britain & Ireland is enabling greater sharing of solar, onshore and offshore wind as weather patterns move across North-West Europe. This increasing interconnection is reducing emissions, prices and improving security of supply across all the interconnected countries.
38. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to his commitment to increase the delivery of offshore renewable energy around the coast, in line with our future energy commitments, the engagements he has had with Eirgrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40007/24]
View answerEirGrid, as the certified independent transmission system operator in Ireland, will play a vital and central role in the expansion of Ireland’s offshore grid. As per Statutory Instrument 445/2000, EirGrid will operate and ensure the maintenance of and, if necessary, develop a safe, secure, reliable, economical and efficient electricity transmission system, and to explore and develop opportunities for interconnection of its system with other systems, in all cases with a view to ensuring that all reasonable demands for electricity are met and having due regard for the environment.
The 2021 Policy Statement on the Framework for Ireland’s Offshore Electricity Transmission System set out EirGrid’s intended role relating to offshore grid development.
EirGrid is one of the member organisations of the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce, a cross-Departmental Taskforce which I established in April 2022 in order to accelerate and drive delivery, and to capture the wider and longer term economic and business opportunities associated with the development of Offshore Renewable Energy in Ireland. A key output of the Taskforce is the Offshore Wind Energy Programme (OWEP), which brings together the work to deliver offshore wind into one system-wide plan.
Electricity interconnection will play a key role in energy security and as an export route for surplus renewable energy. Under the Joint Declaration of Intent with France, EirGrid are exploring a second interconnector beyond Celtic Interconnector due to be completed in 2027, and under the Joint Statement with Ireland. Belgium and UK are exploring interconnection options between the 3 countries.
I regularly meet with Eirgrid senior management on the offshore programme and other energy priorities, most recently I met the Chair and Interim CEO on the 20th September.
I also attend the Taskforce which meets approximately every eight weeks and have direct engagement with relevant workstream leads and officials, including Eirgrid.
39. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the delay in the roll out of broadband in Kilcrea, Donabate given the rollout was to be completed in 2022 and has been delayed a number of times since then, with no definite date for this to be rolled out and with workers trying to work from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40015/24]
View answerIreland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
The Question refers to an area located in the AMBER area on the broadband map, which is available on my Department's website www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/. The AMBER area is to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
Commercial Fixed line operators Open Eir, Virgin Media and SIRO are delivering high-speed broadband services in the blue area/ non-intervention area of the map.
The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to this area can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at Network Map - NBI.
This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time.
It provides potential customers with indicative dates, based on the best information available at any given time. However, with the complexity of building the Network alongside specific circumstances that may arise that are out of NBI's control, dates are subject to change. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
NBI have advised my Department that they are currently facing challenges in this specific DA- Donabate / Portrane Deployment Area, which is affecting the anticipated connection timeframe. Build works were to be completed by third-party infrastructure in September 2023. Under the National Broadband Plan (NBP), NBI is contractually obligated to re-use existing third-party infrastructure, such as poles and ducts.
During the Network Build Stage, the third party is responsible for clearing and replacing poles and clearing ducts to align to the agreed standards. Regrettably challenges have occurred during the completion of these works by the third party, which has significantly impacted NBI’s ability to proceed with the build in this DA.
Given these delays, while the current estimated timeframe for connection is between April 2025 and June 2025, NBI has advised that it is likely to be later. As NBI have further confirmation of timeframes they will publish it to their website.
40. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on progress in fulfilling the obligations in Article 12 of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2023/1791; if the deadline of 15 May 2024 was met; and if not, the reason therefor. [40047/24]
View answerThe recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) includes in Article 12 an obligation for Member States to require that owners or operators of data centres with an installed information technology power demand of at least 500kW or above, to publish information on their energy performance and sustainability as set out in Annex VII of the Directive. For this purpose, the European Commission will establish a database with this information which will be publicly accessible on an aggregate level.
Based on feedback the Department received from engagement to date with government agencies and industry representatives, the intention is for data centres operating in Ireland to comply with the Directive by submitting the required data directly to the centralised European Commission Database. My Department is currently in the process of establishing the national validation and compliance process to facilitate this.
Due to the very tight timeline for transposition, the European Commission adjusted the original initial reporting date from 15 May to 15 September 2024, with the second reporting date set to 15 May 2025.
In light of the tight timelines referred, my Department has communicated to the European Commission that additional time is required to formally transpose the legislation. It is the Department’s intention to have this in place before the second reporting period of 15 May 2025.
41. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when an investment of €750 million will be made in the electricity grid; what the mechanism for placing this funding announced in the Budget will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40063/24]
View answer33. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the mechanism for the investment of €750 million of receipts from the sale of shares (details supplied) into the electricity grid; when the mechanism for making this investment is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40061/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 33 together.
My Department has secured funding, by way of an initial direct equity injection of €750 million, to develop Ireland’s electricity infrastructure and, in particular, to support Phase I of offshore grid development.
This significant equity injection for EirGrid will encourage further industrial investment, facilitate the progression of the digital economy, enable decarbonisation of the broader economy, and enhance our competitiveness. The signalling of the provision of this funding, to expand the capacity of our electricity grid, will positively impact future investment decisions – currently being considered by both indigenous and multinational companies.
The final details of the funding for the Grid under Budget 2025 are currently being finalised.
