Written Answers Nos. 63-82
68. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration has been given to investing in Bantry Bay for development as a hub for renewal energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27539/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of a robust, globally recognised offshore renewable energy (ORE) industry in Ireland is crucial to meeting our international and national climate and energy targets.
As reiterated in the Future Framework for ORE Policy Statement, Ireland has set ambitious goals of 20GW of ORE by 2040 and at least 37GW by 2050. This will include the facilitation of floating offshore wind – to which Ireland’s west coast is particularly well suited – and the establishment of renewable energy hubs across the country.
Renewable energy hubs seek to align ORE generation with demand offtake including the transmission grid, large energy users, renewable hydrogen development, and other opportunities for industrial demand. My Department has committed to exploring renewable energy hub development which will maximise infrastructural efficiencies and energy security.
Broadly, port development policy is developed by the Department of Transport. However, construction and investment in specific areas, like the privately owned Bantry Bay port, is the responsibility of private port companies and industry in collaboration with regional authorities and local communities. The conditions of these potential hubs must be explored in accordance with national legislation and planning procedures, including environmental considerations.
DECC does not provide guidance for specific facilities but sets national policy to facilitate development at strategic locations. Future alignment policy is being developed in collaboration with EirGrid, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and industry representatives.
My Department will continue to accelerate the deployment of ORE in these prime locations through the development of strong policy and consideration of national support mechanisms.
69. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on battery energy storage systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27269/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan recognises the need for a range of supporting measures to enable the transformation of Ireland's electricity sector. Electricity storage systems are a key measure to ensuring security of electricity supply in the electricity network throughout Ireland's energy transition.
There are now over 1GW of electricity storage systems on the grid managing targeted demand issues, providing specialist system services and supporting strategic grid build out, with over 700MW of these Battery Electricity Storage Systems (BESS).
Electricity storage systems improve the overall operation and reliability of the network and are vital assets capable of reinforcing the grid at a regional or local level. The deployment of targeted electricity storage systems is crucial to maximising the integration of renewable electricity, achieving our CAP targets and ultimately improving the affordability of energy to the consumer.
I intend to bring the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland to Government for Cabinet approval in the coming weeks. This policy addresses the role of electricity storage on the grid network until 2040. It contains 11 actions that support both the key stakeholders and industry to incorporate the optimum amount of electricity storage to meet our 2030 and 2040 needs and ensures continued engagement with all electricity storage stakeholders in order to meet Ireland's Net-Zero future.
71. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has a policy to ensure both 100% geographic and population 5G mobile phone coverage, as part of the roll-out of 5G and the parallel roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27497/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has a fully liberalised and competitive market for 4G and 5G mobile network services. In 2023, following the completion of the Multi-band Spectrum Award of 2022, ComReg awarded new radio spectrum to operators allowing them to roll out additional network capacity. These licenses contain obligations requiring the operators to achieve coverage and capacity targets within clear timeframes.
Eir, Vodafone and Three are obliged to cover 99% of the population and 90% of the geographic area of the State within 3 years of the award, i.e. by 2026.
The legal commitments contained in these licenses align with the government’s policy laid out in the Harnessing Digital strategy to cover all populated areas with 5G by 2030. There is no strategy to provide 100% geographical coverage.
It is my Department’s policy, as set out in the current Digital Connectivity strategy, to support the adoption of enhanced mobile connectivity solutions based on 5G. My Department continues to work with industry through the Mobile Phone & Broadband Taskforce to implement actions designed to remove barriers to telecoms infrastructure roll-out.
As regards the National Broadband Plan, as of 19 June, 262,000 premises have been passed by National Broadband Ireland and the project is on schedule to provide Gigabit fibre connectivity to 564,000 premises by 2028. This future-proof digital infrastructure, covering some of the more remote and rural areas of the State, will facilitate the roll-out of 5G small cells to enhance the mobile services available in these areas. Additionally, Wi-Fi calling is now available on the 3 mobile networks and this has enabled a significant improvement in indoor mobile coverage particularly where fibre-based broadband has been made available.
77. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will support local people and oppose the mining of lithium at Moylisha Hill in Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27534/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the current situation in Moylisha and wish to clarify that mineral exploration is distinct from commercial mineral extraction, and both occur within an Irish and EU legislative framework, including instruments ensuring environmental and water quality protection. All exploration must be undertaken in such a manner as to avoid damage to the environment and amenities of the Licensed Area and to avoid or minimize residents’ disturbance.
The Prospecting Licences in question are held for a number of minerals, including lithium, however, no mining licence applications have been submitted. All mining must be preceded by planning permission, an EPA industrial emissions or integrated pollution control; and a State Mining Lease or Licence from the Geoscience Regulation Office, which must be accompanied by an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive and an Environmental Impact. Any State Mining Facility application will only be considered by the Minister if the first two regulatory approvals are given.
A key priority of the Government’s Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining is building public understanding and trust in mineral exploration and mining, requiring public engagement on any concerns. Consultation and engagement are cornerstones in the implementation of the Statement, which also reflects discussions of the Minerals Exploration and Mining Advisory Group comprising representatives of the environmental, geoscientific, industry and social pillars, as well as departments and regulators.
78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which Ireland continues to make progress towards meeting climate change issues, with particular reference to flooding prevention, land drainage/management and any other issues of potential positive impact in meeting the various climate challenges in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27532/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2024 National Adaptation Framework (NAF), which was approved and published by Government on 5 June 2024, sets out Ireland's climate adaptation policy. The new NAF was completed following my Department's review of the framework in 2022 and a statutory public consultation undertaken earlier this year.
The new NAF, developed with input from key sectors, the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) and the Environmental Protection Agency, integrates national and international policy developments since 2018, including work progressed at Local Authority level; through Sectoral Adaptation Plans (SAPs); and new climate research. It outlines a whole of government and society approach to climate adaptation in Ireland. Through sectors in relevant Departments, it aims to improve the enabling environment for mainstreaming adaptation action. The NAF outlines how sectors work with local government, civil society, the private sector, and the research community.
According to the CCAC’s 2023 Climate Change Adaptation Scorecard report, the Agriculture, Forestry and Seafood sector was rated as moderate overall, with good progress observed in mainstreaming adaptation into new policies, planning and financing frameworks. The Flood Risk Management sector was rated as good overall, with the Office of Public Works found to have strong internal structures in place to coordinate the planning, implementation and monitoring of its SAP.
Under the new NAF, 13 key sectors, including Flood Risk Management and Agriculture, will develop new SAPs to address the negative impacts of climate change and to benefit from potential positive impacts. The Government has requested that these SAPs be completed by 30 September 2025.
79. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the progress of legislative or other changes that will provide for local authorities to install CCTV cameras in the vicinity of ‘bottle banks’ and other waste collection locations. [27368/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislation allowing for the installation and usage of CCTV for litter and waste enforcement purposes required that the Local Government Management Agency submit to the Minister for approval, separate Codes of Practice for the operation of CCTV schemes under the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act and a further Code of Practice for the use of "mobile recording devices" (e.g. drones) under the Waste Management Act. These Codes of Practice were approved in January 2024 and the relevant sections of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act were commenced on 15th February 2024.
It has been open to all local authorities since that date to begin the process of putting the required procedures in place to allow for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant use of CCTV and other mobile recording devices to combat litter and illegal dumping. No further legislative changes are required, it is an operational matter for each local authority to decide on where they wish to utilise CCTV and to put in place the necessary measures as required under the relevant Code of Practice to support such usage.
The approved Codes of Practice are available on the gov.ie website at gov - Waste Enforcement (www.gov.ie )
80. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps his Department is taking to ensure that electricity price reductions are passed on to customers. [27541/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
However, I have been very clear in this House and in other forums that I expect energy price reductions to be passed on to customers as quickly as possible. Energy companies have no doubt of the Government's position on this matter. My Department has reiterated the Government's position in all engagements with companies and continue to monitor the situation.
Government has introduced a suite of measures over recent years to help households deal with the rising cost of electricity. Through the three Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes 2.2 million households have received €1,250 in on bill support.
This is in addition to one off increases to certain social welfare recipients such as those in receipt of the fuel allowance, pensioners, working families, carers, those living with disabilities and those in receipt of child benefit.
It is welcome that across winter 23/24 all major suppliers announced at least two rounds of price cuts, each in the region of 8-30%.
As of May 2024, all announced reductions have been applied to customer bills.
The price reductions have had a significant impact on the overall retail energy market for electricity and gas, with significant drops in Estimated Annual Bills since their peak in December 2022. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities noted in a recent publication that the emerging trends of stability in wholesale markets mean that there may be room for further price reductions in the latter half of 2024.
81. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider establishing a dumping taskforce in Cork city. [27601/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Waste Management Act, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to illegal dumping lies with the local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to illegal dumping taking account of local circumstances. It is a matter for Cork City Council to decide on whether or not they wish to establish a taskforce to deal with illegal dumping issues.
My Department provides significant support to the local authority sector in their efforts to tackle illegal dumping. Almost €18m has been provided to the sector under the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) since it was first introduced in 2017 to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies. €2.84mn was provided in support of the ADI in 2023, while a further €3mn has been allocated in support of the Initiative in 2024.
A project such as that suggested by the Deputy may be eligible for support under the ADI, but an application for such funding would have to be prepared by Cork City Council and directed to the appropriate Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority (WERLA) who administer the scheme on behalf of the Department. Cork City Council received €99,807 under the 2023 ADI which supported the delivery of 11 projects across the city.
My Department also continues to invest heavily in the local authority waste enforcement network through the Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme, with the intention of maintaining a visible presence of waste enforcement personnel on the ground across the State. €7.7m was provided to local authorities under the scheme in 2023 with a similar amount allocated for 2024. €275,000 was provided to Cork City Council under the scheme in 2023.
82. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide air quality monitoring devices to be located on State-owned lands and buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27297/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national air quality monitoring network is operated, maintained, and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP), which is funded by my Department. The EPA decide the most appropriate locations for monitors based on best practice and EU requirements, and questions in relation to proposed sites may be addressed to them directly.
A significant upgrade to the AAMP network was undertaken in recent years and has also been funded by my Department. As a consequence, the number of monitoring stations has increased from 29 in 2017 to 116 today - three times greater than the number required under the EU Air Quality Directive.
The AAMP is supported by a new air quality modelling and forecasting facility developed under the LIFE EMERALD project. The key goal of LIFE Emerald is to strengthen air quality management in Ireland to ensure effective implementation of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directives (AAQD) and to help implement the European Green Deal. The Forecast Maps were launched by the EPA last November and predict the daily air quality based on the Air Quality Index for Health for up to 3 days.
All stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants to provide information to the public, and for assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values.
The EPA produce an annual report on Air Quality which provides an overview of the quality of our air and key issues that impact upon it. Details of the locations of all monitoring stations currently in operation, along with real-time and historic data from each station, can be found at the website, www.airquality.ie .
An updated AAQD is expected later this year and may require the installation of additional stations. This will be assessed by the EPA in due course.
Officials from my Department meet regularly with EPA colleagues to discuss the operation of, and findings from, the network so that they feed into future policy development through the implementation of the Clean Air Strategy to ensure that we meet the requirements set out in the strategy.
