Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 477: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of megawatt wind generation capacity for each of the gate scheme operated by the Commission for Energy Regulation; the amount of capacity applied for by projects involving State or semi-State organisations together with details of those projects; of those applications, if he will include the project name, project location, names of any partners, generation capacity, expected connection date and expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35809/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The EirGrid website provides a list of connected and contracted generators, both wind and other generators, and the locations of these throughout the country.

EirGrid and ESB Networks have provided the attached details of the wind projects in Gates 1, 2 and 3 being undertaken by State Companies. The dates provided for contracted projects are those supplied within their connection agreement and are indicative.

SWS was bought by Bord Gáis Éireann in 2009. The SWS applications submitted to the System Operator have therefore transferred to Bord Gáis Éireann. Details of investment partners who may be involved in the wind projects in question is a matter for the State Companies concerned. I have asked my Department to request the information from the companies with a view to forwarding to the Deputy.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 478: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the policies that have been established by his Department to ensure that natural resource development ensures openness and transparency together with early meaningful consultation and co-operation with local communities; if he will he introduce measures to ensure that the State and semi-State energy companies under his remit make every effort to operate in an open and transparent manner, co-operate and consult with local communities where they propose to develop natural resource projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35810/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The State and semi-State energy companies under my remit comply fully with all statutory consultation processes in regard to natural resource projects. Over and above the statutory requirements, the bodies, in general terms, have management plans in place for such projects.

In accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960, as amended, a Plan of Development is required for all petroleum projects. Applicants requesting consent to develop petroleum projects are required to publish details of the Environmental Impact Statement submitted in support of such an application, inviting written submissions or observations to be made to the Minister within the prescribed timeframe.

The relevant prescribed bodies are simultaneously consulted. Submissions received on foot of this consultation process are considered in the course of the overall assessment.

Should additional information considered to have a potential significant effect on the environment come to light in the course of the assessment, applicants are required to publish such additional information for a further statutory period, inviting written submissions or observations to be made to the Minister.

Development of minerals under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999 is subject to Environmental Impact Assessment through the planning acts and regulations. This involves a major public consultation process and provides an opportunity for planning decisions on mining proposals to be appealed to An Bord Pleanála. My Department is a statutory consultee in this process. In addition, my Department complies fully with the public consultation procedures prescribed in the Minerals Development Acts.

Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Loughs Agency are charged with the responsibility of the development of the inland fisheries resource and relevant provisions contained in the Inland Fisheries Acts 1959-2010 and Foyle Fisheries Act 1952, as amended by the Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries Act 2007 provide for appropriate stakeholder consultation.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 479: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the provisions relating to an agency under his aegis (details supplied) provides for it to engage in wind farming; if wind farming is among the agency's principal activities contrary to the principals of an organisation acting ultra vires; the way the agency derives the legal authority to engage in wind farming as a business activity; if the agency is expanding into areas beyond its original mandate such as those contained in volume two of the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35811/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government's Energy Policy White Paper, "Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland", which sets out the Government's energy policy framework 2007 - 2020, endorses the role and remit of Bord na Móna in supporting the achievement of the energy policy objectives through the development of renewable energy, waste to energy, energy research and development as well as power generation projects. The Government has also in that context approved Bord na Móna's corporate strategic direction in diversifying progressively from its core peat business.

The Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998 and the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 provide the legislative basis upon which Bord na Móna derives its mandate to engage in the activities in question.

Section 5 of the Turf Development Act 1990 provides that Bord Na Móna may, inside or outside the State, engage in all such commercial activities, whether in relation to the production or marketing of turf or otherwise, as in the opinion of Bord Na Móna arise out of and can advantageously be conducted in conjunction with any of its functions.

In addition section 8 of the Turf Development Act 1990, which amends section 20 of the Turf Development Act 1946, provides that Bord Na Móna may, in the performance and exercise of its functions, develop commercially or otherwise any bog vested in the Bord Na Móna which is, has become or becomes incapable of commercial exploitation for the production of turf or turf products.