Written Answers Nos. 203-223
203. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will review matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the specific questions raised therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62886/25]
View answerThe introduction of a private wire’s regime is a priority for the Government as set out in the Programme for Government. Following on from the approval of the Policy Statement on Private Wires by Government on 15 July this year, my Department is working on drafting the general scheme for the private wires legislation. It is hoped to have the general scheme approved by Government by the end of the year, after which the drafting of the Bill will commence. The legislation will be drafted to reflect the guiding principles of the policy statement and clarify the necessary regulation for the building of Private Wires in the policy’s 4 specified use cases.
It is envisaged that the Bill will be enacted in 2026 following Oireachtas approval. The necessary secondary legislation and regulations will then follow.
At this time a pilot phase is not anticipated and more information on the specificities of the regulation will follow in the coming months. Engagement with key stakeholders is ongoing.
204. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment in view of the agreement reached at COP30 and the commitments made by the EU to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 and between 66.25% and 72.5% by 2035, the way in which Ireland is aligning its national policy and emissions reduction pathway to these new EU targets; the steps the Government will take to ensure these are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62947/25]
View answerThe final outcome of COP30 will not be known until the negotiations conclude on 21 November. Ireland looks forward to working with EU and global partners to ensure that COP30 in Belém delivers a balanced outcome that ensures the world is on track to keep warming below 1.5C.
With respect to the EU-wide 2040 target and NDC range, the agreement was reached following guidance from Leaders at the European Council, and it reflects a pragmatic and balanced approach achieving the broadest possible consensus among Member States while maintaining Europe’s global climate leadership. I look forward to working closely with the European Commission and Member States next year on the broader implementing package that will set out the specificities of how the EU target is to be achieved as well as the individual Member State targets yet to be set.
205. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress being made toward Ireland’s 2030 emission reduction targets; and the further measures planned to meet sectoral ceilings. [62970/25]
View answerThis Government is committed to delivering the measures and actions so that Ireland plays its part to address the climate crisis. We are taking action to achieve national and EU targets with the ultimate aim of achieving climate neutrality no later than 2050. In pursuing these objectives the Government is also balancing affordability, competitiveness, economic and energy security objectives.
It is important to note the significant progress that is being made. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) most recent reporting confirms that Ireland has recorded overall GHG emission reductions for a third consecutive year. This includes a decrease of 6.8% in 2023 followed by a further 2% reduction in 2024. Ireland’s GHG emissions are now at their lowest level in 35 years, a notable achievement given the concurrent demographic and economic growth our country has experienced.
However, the Government recognizes that EPA projections show the current pace of delivery is insufficient to meet our 2030 targets. The EPA’s 'With Additional Measures' scenario projects a 23% reduction by 2030, against our 51% national target. Therefore, the next phase of our plan is about acceleration - doing more and doing it faster, building on the progress and momentum across all sectors.
We are undergoing a renewables-led energy transformation, with a target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030. This is supported by massive grid investment overseen by the CRU, projected at up to €18 billion for the 2026-2030 period, and a plan to deliver 9GW of onshore wind, 8GW of solar, and 5GW of offshore wind.
In transport, delivery is accelerating, and the 2025 ZEVI target for 195,000 electrical vehicle sales was surpassed in October. In the built environment, we are scaling up home retrofitting, supported by improved grants particularly for those at risk of fuel poverty.
The Solar for Schools Programme is also being rolled out, with over 2,000 installations completed. For agriculture, we will support farmers to reduce emissions by adopting practical abatement measures including diversification.
To ensure timely delivery on measures to reduce emissions, governance arrangements have been strengthened. The Climate Action Plan Programme Board, involving senior officials from all key sectors, has been established and is focused on accelerating delivery to close the emissions gap.
206. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of vacancies which arose at principal officer level for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 in his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the number of these vacancies filled between internal and external methods; the number of vacancies each year at principal officer level filled by mobility; the number of internal competitions for principal officer grade run by his Department since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63019/25]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy the number of vacancies which arose at principal officer level for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 in my Department. The number of these vacancies filled between internal and external methods; the number of vacancies each year at principal officer level filled by mobility; and the number of internal competitions for principal officer grade run by my Department since 2020 is as set out in the attached tables.
Please note it is my Department's policy to provide information for the previous and current Dáil terms only.
There are 12 State bodies under the aegis of my Department. The information sought in the Question is an operational matter for each of the State bodies concerned and, as such, it is not information held by my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the Bodies directly in relation to this matter. Contact details for each body is set out in the attached document.
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List of Agencies under the aegis of Department of Climate, Energy and the Environemnt. |
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Bord na Móna |
Oireachtas@bnm.ie |
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CRU |
oireachtas@cru.ie |
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EirGrid |
oireachtas@eirgrid.ie |
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EPA |
oireachtasqueries@epa.ie |
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ESB |
Oireachtas@esb.ie |
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IFI |
oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie |
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INPC |
enquiries@nora.ie |
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Loughs Agency |
oireachtasqueries@loughs-agency.org |
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MARA |
oireachtas@mara.gov.ie |
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Mining Board |
GSPD@decc.gov.ie |
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NORA |
enquiries@nora.ie |
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SEAI |
oireachtas@seai.ie |
|
Year |
Vacancies |
Filled |
External |
Internal |
|
2022 |
15 |
15 |
8 |
7 |
|
2023 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
1 |
|
2024 |
22 |
22 |
17 |
5 |
|
2025 |
11 |
11 |
4 |
7 |
Mobility (Internal & External)
|
Year |
|
|
2022 |
3 |
|
2023 |
5 |
|
2024 |
2 |
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2025 |
1 |
The number of internal competitions for principal officer grade run by my Department since 2020 is 2.
207. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if there are plans in place at Departmental level to re-designate Lough Sheelin as a pike and coarse fishery considering the results of the 2022 fish survey conducted by Inland Fisheries Ireland, which found that native brown trout are a marginalised species within a larger biomass of invasive and-or non-native fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63200/25]
View answerThere are currently no plans to provide for any such designation for Lough Sheelin.
Lough Sheelin is designated as one of the Great Western Lakes and is a very important and high quality wild brown trout fishery. Loughs Corrib, Mask, Carra, Conn, Cullin, Arrow and Sheelin are among the best wild brown trout fisheries in Europe and are collectively known as the Great Western Lakes.
208. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland are considering legislation for Lough Sheelin to impose a total ban on the harvesting of brown trout by rod angling; a total ban on the use of electronics (chartplotters, echosounders, side-scan sonar, livescope and active target) for angling purposes; restricting the use of outboard engines over a predetermined horsepower for angling purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63201/25]
View answerNo such legislation is being considered at present relating to Lough Sheelin.
However, I can advise the Deputy that Inland Fisheries Ireland is happy to engage with stakeholders to review angling control measures within the remit of IFI and where they support the conservation of Lough Sheelin’s fishery.
209. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his inland fisheries division and Inland Fisheries Ireland continue to support catch and release angling competitions on Lough Corrib special area of conservation, SAC, which advertently target native brown trout under 13 inches or 33 cm, as defined in the Western Fisheries Region Conservation of Trout Bye-law No. 840, 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63202/25]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) support Catch and Release (C&R) competitions nationally, including on Lough Corrib. This practice has been embraced by anglers and angling clubs organising such events.
Catch and release angling is a key conservation measure by reducing fish mortality. Since 2012, IFI has invited angling clubs and tourism organisations to apply for sponsorship support in connection with hosting such events.
IFI has advised the Department that one of the essential criteria used in the evaluation process for applications seeking IFI sponsorship support is the catch and release requirement. IFI will not support any competition where the results/scoring system necessitates the killing of fish.
210. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Departmental officials, in conjunction with Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, will implement legislative changes to the Conservation of Pike Bye-law No. 809, 2006 as clearly referenced in the IFI’s 2014 pike policy document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63204/25]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), in conjunction with the Department, is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application. The Conservation of Pike Bye-law No. 809, 2006 is being examined as part of this extensive work programme.
IFI recently undertook a public consultation process regarding the Conservation of Pike Bye-law No. 809, 2006. I look forward to the review process concluding in due course.
211. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if the principal officer of environmental protection within his Department, is on secondment to the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63205/25]
View answerI can confirm that currently within my Department, all principal officer posts, including those relating to environmental protection, are currently resourced.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has one officer at the grade of principal officer currently on secondment to the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union. This role is central to the co-ordination of the Department's efforts across its operational areas with our European colleagues, the European Commission and the European Parliament.
212. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason minutes of the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland, ACCI, and Angling Advisory Group, AAG, meetings held on 6 August and 15 October 2024, respectively, have not been disseminated in the public domain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63206/25]
View answerThe Angling Advisory Group (AAG) meetings in question took place on 6 August 2024 and 15 October 2024, with some members attending in person and some remotely.
Following any AAG meeting, draft minutes are prepared, circulated for review to all members of the Group and subsequently discussed and proposed for agreement and approval at subsequent AAG meetings. Until formally approved and agreed, the Department is not in a position to publish them.
Since October 2024, it had not been possible to meet the quorum requirements to facilitate a meeting of the Group on an agreed date until August of this year. My officials have advised me they expect to be in a position to publish the minutes of past meetings on the Department's website by the end of the month.
213. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Departmental officials and Inland Fisheries Ireland continue to legislatively conserve the invasive fish species of roach and dace in the River Blackwater special area of conservation, SAC, considering their classification under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S. I. No. 477 of 2011); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63210/25]
View answerI have been advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that the coarse fish species, dace and roach, have been present in the Munster Blackwater for several decades and they have colonised most areas of the catchment.
As the Deputy is aware, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), in conjunction with the Department, is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application. The Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 is being examined as part of this extensive work programme.
IFI recently ran a public consultation process to invite views regarding the review of this bye-law. I look forward to the review process concluding in due course.
214. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the volumes of domestic, commercial and medical waste contained in the illegal landfill in Whitestown, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63392/25]
View answer215. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount of material that has been removed from the illegal landfill at Whitestown, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63393/25]
View answer216. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide details of the location the waste from the illegal landfill at Whitestown, County Wicklow, has been removed to; the location the remainder is to be taken to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63394/25]
View answer217. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the details and timeframe of the remediation plan for the illegal landfill at Whitestown, County Wicklow; if he will make the plan public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63395/25]
View answer218. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide details on pollution or contamination to the environment or watercourses at the illegal landfill at Whitestown, County Wicklow, or adjoining lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63396/25]
View answer219. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total costs to date, including legal costs, incurred in addressing the illegal landfill at Whitestown, County Wicklow; to specify the parties that have borne these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63397/25]
View answer220. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the details of funding provided to Wicklow County Council to help address the illegal landfill at Whitestown, County Wicklow, including the amounts and years in which such funding was allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63398/25]
View answer221. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the projected final costs to remediate the illegal landfill at Whitestown, County Wicklow; the party which will bear these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63399/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 to 221, inclusive, together.
In accordance with the Waste Management Act, the management of waste including the remediation of legacy landfill sites, such as Whitestown, is the legal responsibility of the respective local authorities. In this context, site specific and operational questions are a matter for the local authority and should be addressed directly to Wicklow County Council in this instance. Local Authorities must comply with the remediation requirements in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency waste licence regime to ensure the necessary environmental safeguards are put in place.
The landfill remediation grant scheme was established with the express purposes of assisting local authorities in recognition of the significant financial burden placed on them to meet this obligation. The statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in remediating these sites is reflected and reinforced in the first National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy.
I am advised that the remediation of the Whitestown site is subject to ongoing legal proceedings in the High Court and Wicklow County Council is acting in accordance with High Court judgements to remediate the site.
Wicklow County Council has availed of funding through the Landfill Remediation Grant Scheme in respect of Whitestown as set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Grant Amount (€) |
|
2013 |
€958,428.53 |
|
2014 |
€2,293,799.90 |
|
2016 |
€616,135.17 |
|
2021 |
€428,320.30 |
|
2022 |
€540,966.10 |
|
2023 |
€1,351,861.16 |
|
2024 |
€962,653.78 |
|
2025 (YTD) |
€59,985.27 |
Funding supports Wicklow County Council in assessing and managing the site in accordance with the High Court proceedings to ensure the optimal environmental outcome, as capital works only. No legal costs are funded by the Department.
I am advised that tendering processes for capital works and material outlets have been undertaken by the Council this year and a provision of €15 million has been made by the Department to support this work in 2026. It is expected that the remediation of Whitestown will cost in the region of €45M over a three year period with a further year of monitoring of the site required following the remediation.
222. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of submissions received during consultation on Ireland’s social climate plan; the key issues raised in the submissions; and the timeline for finalisation and publication of the plan. [63452/25]
View answerMy Department continues to oversee the preparation of Ireland's draft national Social Climate Plan in consultation with relevant Departmental stakeholders and with the European Commission.
The public consultation to inform the development of Ireland's Social Climate Plan, which I launched on 11 September, concluded on 23 October. The consultation received 124 responses, 88 via the EU survey website and 36 directly by e-mail.
Officials are currently reviewing the submissions which will inform the further development of the plan. A high level summary of the feedback received will be available in due course.
My Department continues to work towards the finalisation of the plan. It has agreed a revised timeframe of end March 2026 with the European Commission for the submission of the plan to the Commission for its final approval.
223. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated cost of Ireland's participation in COP30, including travel and accommodation for the delegation. [63543/25]
View answerCOP30, the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, is currently taking place in Belém, Brazil from 10–21 November. For the first time, the World Leader’s Summit took place before the official start of COP, from 06–07 November. During the World Leader’s Summit, Ireland was represented by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, whilst Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, attended during the first week, from 12-13 November. I will lead Ireland’s National Delegation to COP30 for the second week of the conference, from 17–21 November.
The costs associated with my Department's participation at the conference are not finalised as COP30 is still ongoing and as such, there are pending items to be addressed and payments to be finalised. Once COP has concluded and all financial matters closed, I will be happy to furnish full details from my Department. Questions with respect to the costs incurred by other Departments or Agencies in relation to COP30 should be directed to the appropriate Department or Agency concerned.
