Matt Carthy
Question:261. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he intends to establish a joint cyber defence command; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28532/23]
View answerCybersecurity Policy
Questions (261)
Written answers
In terms of cybersecurity, the primary role of the Defence Forces relates to the defence and security of their own networks and systems. This important role is being developed in the context of the High Level Action Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and will grow in importance as threats in the cyber space increase.
The recommendation by the Commission on the Defence Forces to create a Joint Cyber Defence Command was accepted in principle by the Government, which meant that it required further consideration on the optimal approach to meeting the intent of the Commission. Sanction has been given for the Defence Forces to create a new Cyber Development Planning Office which will start the planning needed to enhance Defence Forces structures across the cyber domain required by a new Joint Cyber Defence Command, including the management of Defence Forces IT Services, CIS Services and Cyber Defence.
This Cyber Development Planning Office will also progress other cyber-related recommendations identified in the High Level Action Plan, including updating and publishing a cyber defence strategy in line with best international practice and standards as well as incorporating practical lessons identified from comparator countries and EU Member States’ maturing cyber commands.
Defence Forces
Questions (262)
Matt Carthy
Question:262. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the capital allocation and expenditure of the Defence Forces in the years 2020 to date, by domain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28533/23]
View answerWritten answers
Vote 36 Defence is managed through a single programme with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. Accordingly, my Department does not allocate funding by domain.
The principal demand drivers of Defence capital requirements are the ongoing acquisition and renewal of military equipment, along with the development and upgrade of Defence Forces built infrastructure and ICT capacity. The importance of this was set out in the 2019 White Paper Update and reinforced in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022.
The table below outlines overall capital allocations and expenditure from the Defence Vote (including Civil Defence & Administration capital expenditure ) over the specified timeframe:
Capital Allocation & Expenditure on the Defence Vote from 2020 to 2023 (YTD)
|
Defence Capital Expenditure |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 (YTD) |
|
Allocation |
€125m |
€131m |
€141m |
€176m |
|
Outturn |
€159m |
€130m |
€144m |
€49m |
The primary return on Defence capital investment is the maintenance and development of necessary military capabilities which provide the means by which the Defence Forces contribute to national and international peace and security and fulfil all other roles assigned by Government.
Question No. 263 answered with Question No. 249.
Defence Forces
Questions (264)
Matt Carthy
Question:264. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of women in the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Reserve Defence Forces, by rank, for the years 2010 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28535/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
The military authorities have provided the information in the attached table which contains the requested breakdown of the number of women in the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Reserve Defence Forces, by rank, for the years 2010 to 31 May 2023 which is the last date such information is available from. The Defence Forces are an equal opportunity employer and, in addition to increasing overall capacity, it is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces to reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve.
The White Paper on Defence contains a number of projects with a view to increasing participation of females in the Defence Forces. Furthermore the High Level Action Plan agreed by Government to implement the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains a range of projects designed to assist in achieving the target rate of 35% female participation. An example of this is the early action to appoint a gender advisor at Colonel level in the Defence Forces, which has been accepted in principle and is being progressed.
Naval Service
Questions (265)
Matt Carthy
Question:265. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the cost of acquiring each Samuel Beckett class ship; if related contracts provided for the acquisition of any further ships; if so, if such are still valid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28536/23]
View answerWritten answers
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed.
Four new ships were delivered as part of the Naval Service Ship Replacement Programme, under the Samuel Beckett class, all were built by Babcock Marine in the United Kingdom. The contract with Babcock for the provision of the Samuel Beckett or P60 Class of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Naval Service has now expired. The four ships, P61 LÉ Samuel Beckett, P62 LÉ James Joyce, P63 LÉ William Butler Years, P64 LÉ George B Shaw cost approximately €250 million in total and were commissioned in to service in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019 respectively.
Question No. 266 answered with Question No. 255.
Question No. 267 answered with Question No. 255.
Defence Forces
Questions (268)
Matt Carthy
Question:268. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the 130 recommendations contained in the Commission on the Defence Forces, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28539/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 69 main recommendations and with sub recommendations there were 130 recommendations in total. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covered high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.
Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations was undertaken over a period of 5 months by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. Following this engagement, a High Level Action Plan (HLAP) and a Memo for Government were brought to Government and approved on 12 July 2022. The High Level Action Plan set out the response of Government in relation to each of the 130 individual recommendations: Accept, Accept in Principle, Further Evaluation or Revert. 103 of its recommendations were accepted by Government for implementation, or accepted in principle, with 17 requiring further evaluation and a further 10 to revert to Government. The status of each of the 130 recommendations is included in the attached appendix.
This involved the approval of a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission. The Budget for 2023 included an increase of €67m over the 2022 budget for Defence. This demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security threats.
The High Level Action Plan set out a total of 38 early actions to be completed within 6 months of the Government decision. A comprehensive written update on all 38 early actions was published on 23 March of this year, and includes the status of each of the 38 early actions in tabular form. At that time over 80% of the early actions had been achieved. Progress continues on the remaining early actions, and to-date approximately 90% have been achieved, with the remainder at an advanced stage and due to be completed shortly.
Government noted that, in light of the Commission’s report, there is an urgent need for HR and cultural transformation in the Defence Forces and this will be prioritised. The High Level Action Plan identified the recruitment, through an open process, for the new senior-level civilian positions of Head of Transformation and Head of Strategic HR for the Defence Forces as early actions required to progress this transformation. In that regard, I welcome the recent appointment of Mr. Brian Molloy to the position of Defence Forces’ Head of Transformation. The competition to select the Head of Strategic HR has also been recently concluded and the process to appoint the successful candidate is nearing completion.
A key early action, and key output from the opening phase of the Transformation Programme, the development of a detailed implementation plan, is at an advanced stage and is expected to be published in Q2 of 2023. When published, it will set out the approach to implementation for each of the 130 recommendations. Effective reporting mechanisms were put in place for the 38 early actions, and once the detailed implementation plan has been published similar reporting mechanisms will track the progress of all the Commission’s recommendations.
More generally, the Strategic Framework we are putting in place to drive the Commission's recommendations through will also be an important enabling mechanism for delivery of the Independent Review Group’s actions. My priority now is to ensure that there is one Strategic Plan for the transformation of the Defence Forces, fully understood by everyone, that has the appropriate governance and reporting mechanisms, and is properly resourced.
Data Protection
Questions (269)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:269. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the security protections in place for remote workers within civil and public service organisations to safeguard against personal information of members of the public in audio, text and electronic form being inadvertently exposed to unauthorised third parties within the remote setting; if he can provide a copy of the remote working best practice guidelines for civil and public service workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28635/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department places a high priority on information security and cyber defence. In line with best practice and guidance from Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre, my Department has implemented a defence-in-depth cybersecurity strategy that includes people, processes and market leading technologies to mitigate the risk of cyber breach as effectively as possible.
In addition, my Department staff are aware that their obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018 are not confined to the work premises. They apply equally when working remotely in any location.
Furthermore, my Department staff are alive to the risks associated with processing personal date while carrying out their duties within the remote environment. Data Protection training is compulsorily completed by all staff and this training encompasses the operation of data protection in the remote environment. Arrangements for remote working in my Department comply with the organisation's data protection policies. Additional measures are taken as necessary by all staff to ensure the security of confidential, personal and sensitive data when working remotely. Where the removal of files or documents from the workplace is necessary this can only be carried out in accordance with my Department’s Records’ Management Policy. Secure storage boxes must be used, and these are provided to staff for this purpose.
As part of the ergonomic assessments that all staff must carry out from their remote setting before being facilitated with remote working it must be determined that the workstation allows compliance with data security and applicable confidentiality standards.
Environmental Policy
Questions (270)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:270. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will initiate a publicity campaign to draw the public’s attention to the fact that petrol is being changed from E-5 to E-10 and the potential detrimental effects on their machinery (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28543/23]
View answerWritten answers
The regulations establishing a minimum 5.5% ethanol in petrol placed upon the market by renewable transport fuel obligation account holders were made on 1 April 2023. In making the regulations consideration was given to the responses received through a statutory consultation on the draft regulations, the impact on fuel prices, and other economic and environmental impacts.
My Department launched a public information awareness campaign from the start of March 2023, in tandem with the statutory consultation on the draft regulations, which includes print, radio, digital and social media advertising, as well as information displays at forecourts. This advertising refer consumers to the gov.ie/E10 website, which was launched in July 2022, for further information. The public information campaign will continue until July 2023, when the regulations become fully operational.
Experience from jurisdictions where E10 and higher ethanol blends have been used widely for a prolonged period of time has not indicated issues of damage to petrol engines as a result of E10 use. Recent analysis published on the website of the US Department of Energy indicates no reliability or operability issues concerning E10, which has been in use in the US since the late 1970s. The AA has also issued guidance assuring the use of E10, with advice for the maintenance and use of some older vehicles and equipment, including for use in petrol powered small equipment.
The new regulations mean that from 1 July, E5 supply will not be eligible for renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) certificates. It is evident from consultation with industry that the vast majority of suppliers do not have the storage or distribution systems to supply both an E5 and an E10 petrol grade at forecourts in Ireland. But the regulations will not prevent any independent or specialist fuel supply, if sufficient demand exists.
The regulations will be kept under review within the context of the development and implementation of the Renewable Transport Fuel policy.
Bus Services
Questions (271)
Seán Haughey
Question:271. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport the reason the TFI real time app does not provide details for some Dublin Bus services such as the 33x, which were available under the Dublin Bus app; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27221/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.The issues raised in relation to the TFI Live App is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Road Projects
Questions (272)
Michael Moynihan
Question:272. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the reasons that he issued a Section 24 letter directing TII to only allocate €100,000 of funding to the Mallow Relief Road project in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27309/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has earmarked €5.1bn for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. This funding will enable improved regional accessibility across the country as well as compact growth, which are key National Strategic Outcomes. The funding will provide for the development of numerous national road projects, including the completion of projects which are already at construction stage and those close to it, as well as the development of a number of others.
As the greater portion of this funding becomes available in the second half of the decade, this means that there was a constraint on the funding available for new projects this year. As a result of this, a prioritisation exercise was necessary. In line with the NDP and Government policy, national road funding for 2023 was allocated in a manner which seeks to achieve the following key outcomes:
• Protection and renewal of the existing national road network
• Progressing major projects in or near construction
• Progressing major projects which are pre-construction but well advanced in the development pipeline
• Prioritising any remaining funds for major projects which provide for local bypasses and Compact Growth in Ireland’s towns and villages.
I can confirm that €100,000 has been allocated for the Mallow Relief Road scheme in 2023 in order to meet project commitments. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2024 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII. My Department and TII are in regular communication regarding specific projects and the national roads programme more generally. Overall, Cork County Council have been allocated €60.4 million in 2023 to progress various new national roads projects, including the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom and M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy schemes.
Dublin Bus
Questions (273, 274)
Martin Kenny
Question:273. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of penalties and deductions for Dublin Bus service disruption between 2017 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27312/23]
View answerMartin Kenny
Question:274. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of penalties and deductions for service disruption by a company (details supplied) between 2017 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27313/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. In addition, I would like to advise that as part of the NTA’s contractual performance monitoring system with operators, issues of poor reliability and punctuality performance can result in financial penalties for those operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the value of performance-related penalties issued to each public transport provider from 2017 to 2022, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 274 answered with Question No. 273.
Grant Payments
Questions (275)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:275. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a grant for a wheelchair-accessible taxi for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27418/23]
View answerWritten answers
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing and wheelchair accessible vehicle grants, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016.
I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry and accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Electric Vehicles
Questions (276)
Patrick Costello
Question:276. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport his plans to provide electric vehicles charging for people who do not have their own driveway and must avail of on-street parking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27460/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerates Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
In January, I launched the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.
A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
Destination Charging is a strong priority for ZEVI in 2023. In addition to a general scheme, a number of bespoke schemes are also in advanced stages of development and delivery, including
• A shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which will install up to 200 fast chargers
• An EU Just transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers
These circa 300 sites, in addition to those under other destination schemes currently planned will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme will be launched by ZEVI, which will provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home. In addition to this we will be working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years.
Electric Vehicles
Questions (277)
Patrick Costello
Question:277. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has considered adapting street lamp-posts to also have charge points for electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27461/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
In January, I launched the National Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.
A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme will be launched by ZEVI for Local Authorities to provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home. In addition to this we will be working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years
The Department of Transport is actively engaged in supporting the Local Authorities, who manage the local lighting lamppost infrastructure, in the development of EV infrastructure strategies. The Local Authority strategies will look at destination and local neighbourhood solutions that are appropriate to their specific locations to meet the projected publicly accessible charging needs and these plans may well include lamppost charging where suitable, among a range of possible solutions to charging demand.
Bus Services
Questions (278)
Joe Carey
Question:278. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if there are any plans to implement additional stops (details supplied) to the Ennis - Milltown Malbay Bus Route 333. [27501/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Rail Network
Questions (279)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:279. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the future use of a railway station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27526/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including the former station on the line between Cork and Limerick Junction at Kilmallock, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
As the Deputy may be aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The results of the Review will inform the development of the railway sector on the island of Ireland over the coming decades, including along the corridor between Dublin and Cork. It is expected that a draft of the Review will be published for Strategic Environmental Assessment public consultation in July.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
National Car Test
Questions (280)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:280. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of people who waited either more than 3, 6 and 9 months for an NCT test in each test centre in the State, in tabular form. [27562/23]
View answerWritten answers
The operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51