Written Answers Nos. 387-409
387. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any product or service purchased from Israel or the pccupied territories by his Department in 2025, broken down by description and amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1975/26]
View answerMy Department has not purchased any product or service from Israel or the Occupied Territories in 2025.
388. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department, or any body under its aegis, has funded, or is funding, other than where legal costs were awarded against the employer by a court or tribunal, the legal costs of any current or concluded litigation taken by an employee or former employee against that Department or body, in each of the past five years; if so, to provide details of the number of such cases, the bodies involved, and the total costs incurred in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2015/26]
View answer389. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the basis on which his Department, or a body under its aegis, may fund the legal costs of an employee or former employee in litigation where that employee is in dispute with, or taking proceedings against, the same body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2033/26]
View answer390. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the funding of employee legal costs in disputes against his Department, or a body under its aegis, is standard practice; if not, the circumstances in which such funding may be permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2051/26]
View answer392. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the funding of employee legal costs in litigation against the employing body could give rise to governance, accountability, or value for money concerns; whether his Department has issued any guidance in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2087/26]
View answer393. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has reviewed, or intends to review, the practice of Departments, and bodies under their aegis, funding legal costs in employment disputes involving those same bodies; and if so, the outcome or timeline for such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2105/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 388 to 390, inclusive, 392 and 393 together.
There have not been any instances of my Department funding an employee's legal costs in the manner described in the past 5 years. Furthermore, I am not aware of circumstances which would warrant or require such funding.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency and as such the Deputy may wish to contact those agencies directly. Contact details are set out at the following link for ease of reference.
391. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the guidance, codes, circulars or directions that govern the payment of legal costs by his Department, and bodies under its aegis, in employment-related disputes, including any requirements under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies or Departmental sanction arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2069/26]
View answer394. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether arrangements to fund legal costs in employment disputes involving his Department, or bodies under its aegis, require the prior approval of his Department or the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2123/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 394 together.
The Office of the Chief State Solicitor represents the Minister before the WRC and the Courts in relation to employment cases instituted against the Minister. The CSSO is responsible for the payment of Counsel if engaged to represent the Minister. Whether under order or agreement, third party costs are paid by the Minister only following approval of the Office of the Chief State Solicitor in conjunction with the legal costs unit of the State Claims Agency.
In default of agreement regarding the level of third-party costs, the matter is determined by the Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicator, subject to the right of appeal to the High Court.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency and as such the Deputy may wish to contact those agencies directly. Contact details are set out at the following link for ease of reference.
395. 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. [2157/26]
View answerAs per my previous response to this Question, the final cost associated with my Department's participation at the conference is not yet available in full, as there are pending items to be addressed and payments to be finalised. One such item is Ireland’s Delegation Office at COP30, which was located in the main conference venue and was arranged via a third party company contracted by the COP Presidency. At this year's COP there were a number of supply issues for the office and based on this we are in discussions with the service provider on the final cost.
I can share again that the current estimated costs associated with accommodation, flights and transport on the ground in Belém amounts to some €153,252, including costs associated with carbon offsetting for the flights.
Once all financial matters are 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.
396. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department is using artificial intelligence tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers; and if so, to outline which projects or units of the Department are affected. [2241/26]
View answerMy Department does not use artificial intelligence tools to replace artists, designers, or videographers for graphic design or similar work.
Design, video and creative work is undertaken by my Department's communications staff or commissioned through procurement, in line with guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the public service, copyright requirements and accessibility obligations.
My Department keeps developments in digital tools under review and continues to take advice from the National Cyber Security Centre in respect of the use of AI. Any future use of emerging technologies would be subject to appropriate governance, security, transparency and compliance with public service values.
397. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether any agencies or other bodies under his remit are using artificial intelligence tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers; and if so, to outline which projects or units of the organisation are affected. [2259/26]
View answerThe information sought in the Question in relation to each agency or public body under the aegis of my Department 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. A list of these Bodies and their dedicated Oireachtas email addresses is set out below.
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List of Departments under the aegis of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment |
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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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NORA |
enquiries@nora.ie |
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SEAI |
oireachtas@seai.ie |
398. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a list of the top ten capital or programme projects delivered by his Department or its agencies over the past three years that were completed on time and within the originally approved budget; the project name, location, delivery timeframe, original approved budget, final outturn cost and delivery body, for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2423/26]
View answer400. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a list, for each of the past three years, of the top ten projects per annum delivered by his Department or its agencies that were completed late and over the originally approved budget; the project name, location, original approved completion date, actual completion date, original approved budget, final outturn cost, cost overrun expressed in euro and percentage terms, and the delivery body for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2459/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 400 together.
My Department, through its agencies and bodies under its aegis, works to deliver climate action, the transformation of our energy systems, the protection and resilience of our environment, and a resource–efficient economy. Capital funding provided by my Department, including through its agencies, supports the delivery of secure and sustainable supplies of energy, a robust system for the regulation of Ireland’s energy markets and infrastructure, and the protection of Ireland’s environment and reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions.
In this context, my Department does not have direct responsibility for the delivery of individual infrastructure projects, with the majority of its capital funding provided via grant programmes administered by agencies of the Department. Such grants are typically provided to recipients in accordance with strictly specified criteria, which avoids the possibility of budget overruns for the Department on individual grant awards.
During the period specified by the Deputy, my Department had responsibility for the www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/publications/national-broadband-plan/ which, following a 2025 transfer of functions, now falls within the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.
399. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to detail the annual spend on external consultants by his Department and its agencies in each of the past three years; the number of consultancy contracts, the largest individual consultancy engagements by value and whether internal capacity-building or cost-benefit assessments were undertaken prior to engaging external consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2441/26]
View answerFull details of all consultancies awarded by my Department for the last 3 years are set out at the link below.
Prior to tender for any consultancy over €5,000, a business case is required which includes provision for cost-benefit assessment as well as potential for internal capacity-building.
The table below sets out the number of consultancies for each of the years 2023 to 2025. Also indicated is the largest individual consultant for each of those years.
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Total Number of Consultancy Contracts |
2023 - 76 |
2024 - 38 |
2025 - 91 |
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Company with Largest Value Individual Consultancy Contracts |
Ernst & Young - €2,635,132 |
Tobins Consulting Engineers Ltd - €701,100 |
KPMG - €1,276,301
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401. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence when air traffic controllers were alerted to the drone activity surrounding President Zelenskyy’s visit to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74504/25]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that as this is the subject of an investigation by An Garda Síochána it is not appropriate for me to comment on operational decisions and security matters.
402. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence if the air corps will operate at night; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74036/25]
View answerFollowing an operational decision taken by the military authorities earlier this year to restrict operational flight activity at Casement Aerodrome, a number of immediate steps were taken by the Government to allow for the restoration of full operational activities.
In parallel with a number of HR initiatives, notably the introduction of a new Service Commitment scheme aimed at ATC personnel, my Department has entered into a contract with an external service provider to provide Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) services at the Aerodrome. The contract put in place, with the agreement of the military authorities, is aimed at ensuring a level of operational capacity on an 24 hour basis and assisting the Air Corps in restoring their own internal capacity to return to full Air Traffic Control service as soon as possible. I am advised that the military authorities are in active discussions with the regulatory authorities in relation to aspects of operational activities affecting some of the fixed wing platforms under FISO conditions. At this juncture, for operational and security reasons it would be appropriate for me to comment further.
As Minister for Defence, I will continue to address target recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces and the allocation by this government of an unprecedented level of expenditure to the Defence sector coupled with the suite of measures currently in train is illustrative of my intent in this regard.
403. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence if Irish naval ships deploy drones; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74037/25]
View answerI am advised that the Naval Service utilise drones in the maritime domain for specific operations such as search and rescue, fishery inspections, damage assessments, port and offshore installation security, and maritime pollution monitoring.
404. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence in relation to the recent visit of President Zelenskyy, the location of Irish Navy vessels at sea during the visit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74038/25]
View answer405. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence in relation to the recent visit of President Zelenskyy, the time that the Defence Forces saw unknown drones referred to in media reports; when the last one was seen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74039/25]
View answer408. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence regarding the recent visit of President Zelenskyy, the Defence Forces’ helicopters, if any, which were used during the visit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74042/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 404, 405 and 408 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that it is not appropriate for me to comment on operational decisions and security matters.
406. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence regarding the recent visit of President Zelenskyy if there were civilian craft in the area when the drones were sighted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74040/25]
View answerAs there is is an ongoing investigation with An Garda Siochana, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.
407. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence regarding the recent visit of President Zelenskyy, the options which were available during the visit for drone detection and blocking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74041/25]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that it is not appropriate for me to comment on operational decisions and security matters.
409. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence if the naval reserve launch is being used for harbour patrol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74043/25]
View answer445. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Defence the current situation with regard to delivering on the Naval Service reserve launches (details supplied); and if delivery is on schedule. [1258/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 445 together.
The role of the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) is to augment Permanent Defence Forces’ (PDF) seagoing strength through provision of trained personnel.
With that objective in mind and to raise the capability and utility of the NSR, to date one NSR Launch, which is a multi-purpose motor vessel, has been utilised by the NSR to conduct training.
The military authorities have advised of it's intention is to locate a launch with each of the 4 NSR units which are located in Cork, Dublin, Waterford and Limerick. These launches are replacing the previous vessels of the NSR and will be utilised to conduct training and assist the NSR in fulfilling their primary role of Port Security as required. They will also be capable of supporting inshore diving operations for the Naval Service Diving Section.
The contract for these vessels was awarded in accordance with current public procurement process to FM Marine Service. It is expected that a launch will commence sea trials in the coming weeks, with expected delivery in early 2026, with the remaining 2 launches being delivered in 2027 and 2028.
