Written answers
Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Legislative Programme
Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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595. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the name and number of Bills in preparation in his Department and published by his Department since May 2016; the Stage each Bill is at in the Houses of the Oireachtas; the number of Bills from his Department signed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40131/16]
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Energy Act 2016 (No. 12 of 2016) was signed into law on 30 July 2016.
The Minerals Development Bill, which aims to modernise and consolidate mineral development legislation, was published on 9 July 2015. The Bill passed the Report Stage in the Seanad on 14 October 2015. The Drafting of the Committee Stage amendments, including certain complex legal provisions, are currently being progressed with the Parliamentary Council before progressing to second stage in the Dail.
I expect, subject to Government approval, to be in a position to publish the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2016 next week. This Bill will repeal section 30 of the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act 2011 in order to remove the price cap mechanism currently applying in respect of certain postal services.
There are a number of other Bills currently in preparation in my Department which are listed in the following table:
Communications Climate Action and Environment
| Bill | Purpose | Stage of each Bill |
|---|---|---|
| Amendment to the radiological protection act 1991 | Primary Legislation to deal with the Mulcreevy issues in the Radiological Protection Act 1991 and to give effect to the transfer of the functions therein from the Minister for Housing to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment | Consideration of the best legislative solution to address this matter is ongoing. |
| Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill | To amend the Broadcasting Act 2009 to implement the Government Decision of July 2013 on the BAI 5 year review of public funding. | The General Scheme of a Bill is currently being prepared. |
| Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) (Dissolution) Bill | To dissolve the DHDA, repeal the DHDA Act 2003, and to give effect to the merger between the DHDA and Dublin City Council | It is anticipated that the General Scheme of Bill will be submitted to Government in Quarter 1 2017. |
| Geothermal Energy Development Bill | To provide a legislative framework for the vesting, licensing and regulation of the development of geothermal energy | The drafting of the Bill is currently underway. Many of the provisions proposed are based on aspects of the Minerals Development Bill, which updates a range of Acts dating from 1940. It was decided therefore to proceed with the Minerals Development Bill first. |
| Foyle Fisheries (Amendment) Bill | To modernise the Foyle Fisheries Act 1952. All amendments are required to be mirrored in the Irish Statute Book and in the legislation of Northern Ireland. | Due to implications arising from the UK Referendum and other concerns on the Northern side, the drafting of Heads of the Bill has been postponed. |
| Inland Fisheries (Amendment) Bill | To confirm that IFI has the power to prosecute under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 and the power to prohibit purchase and possession of certain fish | It is anticipated that the text of the Bill will be submitted to Government in Quarter 2 2017. |
| Inland Fisheries (Modernisation & Consolidation) Bill | To modernise and consolidate existing provisions of legislation governing the inland fisheries sector | It is anticipated that the Heads of the Bill will be submitted to Government in the first half of 2017. |
Details of the Government's full Legislation Programme is available on www.taoiseach.gov.ie.
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