An Comhchoiste Um Chomhshaol, Iompar, Cultúr Agus Gaeltacht

TITHE AN OIREACHTAIS

An Comhchoiste um Chomhshaol, Iompar, Cultúr agus Gaeltacht

TUARASCÁIL BHLIANTÚIL2011 – 2012

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HOUSES OF THE OIREACHTAS

Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht

ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

31/ETCG/0011

Table of Contents

1.Content and Format of Report

This Report has been prepared pursuant to Standing Order 86 (3), (4), (5) and (6) (Dáil Éireann) and Standing Order 75 (3), (4), (5) and (6) (Seanad Éireann) which provide for the Joint Committee to:-

• Undertake a review of its procedure and its role generally;
• Prepare an annual work programme;
• Lay minutes of its proceedings before both Houses of the Oireachtas;
• Make an annual Report to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

At its meeting on 13 June 2012 the Joint Committee agreed that all these items should be included in this Report covering the period from 8 June 2011 to18 June 2012.

2.Establishment of Functions

2.1Establishment of Dáil Select Committee

The Dáil Select Committee was established by Order of Dáil Éireann of the8 June 2011, to consider Bills, Estimates for Public Services, Motions, and the terms of any international agreement involving a charge on public funds, which come within the aegis of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

The Dáil Select Committee may also consider Annual Output Statements, Value for Money Reviews and Policy Reviews prepared by the relevant Government Department.

2.2Establishment of Dáil Select Sub-Committees

Because the Dáil Select Committee has more than one Government Department within its remit, a sub-Committee was established in respect of each Department to consider the matters outlined at section 2.1 above.

2.3Establishment of Joint Committee

The Dáil Select Committee, under the same Order, was enjoined with a Select Committee of Seanad Éireann, established by Order of Seanad Éireann of the 16 June 2011, to form the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht.

2.4Functions of Joint Committee

Among the principal functions of the Joint Committee are to consider:-

• Public affairs administered by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport;

• Matters of policy for which the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport are responsible;

• Legislative and expenditure proposals of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport;

• EU legislative proposals coming within the remit of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport;

• Certain matters relating to bodies under the aegis of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

The Orders of Reference of the Dáil Select Committee and the Joint Committee are set out at Appendix 1.

3.Cathaoirleach, Leas-Chathaoirleach, Convenors and Membership

Deputy Ciarán Lynch was elected as Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee onthe 21 June 2011. Deputy Noel Coonanwas elected as Leas-Chathaoirleachof the Joint Committee on the same day.

The Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee is also Cathaoirleach of the Dáil Select Committee and the various Dáil Select Sub-Committees.

Convenors have three principal functions:-

• to ensure the availability and attendance of Members or their substitutes at meetings;
• to ensure that there is a quorum present for the start of a meeting;
• to ensure Members or their substitutes are available for divisions.

Mr James Bannon TD (FG) was the only member appointed as a Convenor of the Committee. He was appointed as the Government Convenor.

Membership of the Committees,including all internal changes within the reported period,is listed at Appendix 2.

4.Meetings, Attendance and Recording

Meetings of the Joint Committee, the Select Committee and the Select sub-Committees took place in the Committee Rooms in Leinster House 2000. Meetings were in Public Session unless otherwise ordered by the Committee in question.

Televised coverage of public meetings of the Joint Committee, the Select Committee and the Select sub-Committees was broadcast live within the Leinster House complex and was available for subsequent public broadcasting by RTÉ, TG4 and TV3. It was also webcast, making it available worldwide on the internet. Since the pilot launch of the Oireachtas television channel in November 2011, the proceedings of Committees in Public Session, typically recorded but occasionally live, are now broadcast on UPC channel 207.

An Official Report (Parliamentary Debates) of the Public Sessions of meetings of the Joint Committee, theSelect Committee and the Select sub-Committees may be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas website at

Copies of other reports published by the Joint Committee are also available on the Oireachtas Committee website pages at A list of these reports is set out at paragraph 7.

5.Number and Duration of Meetings

5.1Joint Committee

The Joint Committee met on 22 occasions from 8 June 2011 to 31 December 2011. The number of hours of discussion involved in these meetings was in excess of 51 hours.

The Joint Committee met on 30 occasions from 1 January 2012 to 18 June 2012. The number of hours of discussion involved in each of these meetings was in excess of 58 hours.

The subject matter of each meeting of the Joint Committee,and thenames of the groups, organisations or individuals who attended the meeting,aredetailedinAppendix 3. The Minutes of Proceedings of the Joint Committee in Public Session are attached at Appendix 4.

5.2Dáil Select Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht

The Dáil Select Committee met once during the period under report solely for the purpose of appointing the Members to the three Select-sub Committees. This Select meeting is included in the list of meetings at Appendix 5. The Imeachtaí (proceedings) of the Select Committee are attached at Appendix 6.

5.3Dáil Select sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Dáil Select sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht met on 2occasionsfrom 8 June 2011 to 31 December 2011. The number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was almost 2hours.

From 1 January 2012 to 18 June 2012 this Select sub-Committee met on 1 occasion and the number of hours discussion involved in this meeting was over 1 hour.

5.4Dáil Select sub-Committee on Environment, Community and Local Government

The Dáil Select sub-Committee on Environment, Community and Local Government met 4 times from 8 June 2011 to 31 December 2011 and the number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was nearly ten hours.

From 1 January 2012 to 18June 2012 this Select sub-Committee met 4 times and the number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was in excess of 9 hours.

5.5Dáil Select sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Dáil Select sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport met 3 times from 8 June 2011 to 31 December 2011 and the number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was over one hour.

From 1 January 2012 to 18 June 2012 this Select sub-Committee met 2 times and the number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was over one hour.

The subject matter of the meetings of the 3 Select sub-Committees and the names of the groups, organisations or individuals who attended the meetingsis detailed in Appendix 5.The Imeachtaí (proceedings) of these Select sub-Committee meetings are attached at Appendix 6.

6.Witnesses attending before Committee(s)

During the period, the number of speaking witnesses for each of the Committees was as follows:-

7.Committee Reports published

During the period under report, the Joint Committee published the following reports:-

• Work Programme 2011 – 30 September 2011;
• Report on the Joint Committee’s Contribution to the European Commission on its Proposal for a Regulation on Union guidelines for the development of the Trans-European Transport Network, Com(2011)650 – 31 January 2012;
• Report to the Minister for Finance on its consideration of fuel laundering and the loss of revenue to the State, and its impact on the road haulage sector and retailers in the industry – 14 February 2012;
• Report of the Delegation to the 11th Interparliamentary Meeting on Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency – 14 March 2012;
• Report to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on the Regulation of Vehicle Clamping – 29 March 2012;
• Report of the Delegation to the Northern Ireland Assembly and to the Headquarters of Northern Ireland Water – 3 May 2012;
• Report on New Funding Model proposed for Foras Na Gaeilge – 6 June 2012;
• Report on Water Provision – 7 June 2012;
• Work Programme January-June 2012 – 14 June 2012.

8.Travel

The Joint Committee undertook the following travel in accordance withits Orders of Reference in connection with its Work Programme.

1. Purpose of travel:Visit the site of the proposed water storage reservoir and amenity lakes.

Date and Destination:.Wednesday, 20 July 2011.

Water storage reservoir Garryhinch, Co Laois and Co Offaly and Lough Boora, Co Offaly.

Members travelling: Deputies Ciarán Lynch (Cathaoirleach),James Bannon, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Kevin Humphreys andBrian Stanley. Senator John Whelan also participated in the Delegation.

Accompanying Officials:Eugene Ó Cruadhlaoich (Cléireach don Choiste) and Leo Curley (Assistant Clerk to Committee).

1. Purpose of travel: Attending 11th Interparliamentary Meeting on Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency Stockholm, Sweden.

Date and Destination:Friday, 30 September to Saturday, 1 October 2011.

Stockholm, Sweden.

Members travelling: Deputy Timmy Dooley and Senator Cáit Keane.

AccompanyingOfficial:Eugene Ó Cruadhlaoich (Cléireach don Choiste).

1. Purpose of travel: Visit to the site of the proposed water extraction point on Loch Dearg at Terryglass in Co Tipperary.

Date and Destination:Thursday, 26 October 2011.

Loch Dearg, Terryglass,Co Tipperary.

Members travelling: Deputies Ciarán Lynch (Cathaoirleach),Noel Coonan (Leas-Chathaoirleach), Timmy Dooley, Kevin Humphreys, Brian Stanley. Deputy Michael Lowry and Senator John Whelan also participated in the delegation.

Accompanying Officials:Eugene Ó Cruadhlaoich (Cléireach don Choiste) Leo Curley (Assistant Clerk to the Committee).

1. Purpose of travel:Meeting with the Committee for Regional Development, with the Committee for the Environment and with the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure in the Northern Ireland Assembly and with the Chief Executive Officer of Northern Ireland Water.

Date and Destination:Thursday 26 and Friday 27 January 2012

Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Members travelling:Deputies Ciarán Lynch (Cathaoirleach), Noel Coonan (Leas-Chathaoirleach), James Bannon, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Dessie Ellis, Tony Mc Loughlin, Gerald Nashand Senator Catherine Noone.

Accompanying Official:Eugene Ó Cruadhlaoich (Cléireach don Choiste)

1. Purpose of travel:Chairpersons Meeting: Climate, Energy, Building and Transport Committees.

Date and Destination:Monday, 26 and Tuesday, 27 March 2012

Copenhagen, Denmark.

Members travelling:Deputy Ciarán Lynch (Cathaoirleach).Accompanying Official:Eugene Ó Cruadhlaoich (Cléireach don Choiste).

1. Purpose of travel:Meeting for Environment and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairs.

Date and Destination:Monday, 14 and Tuesday, 15 May 2012.

Copenhagen, Denmark.

Members travelling:Deputy Ciarán Lynch (Cathaoirleach).Accompanying Official:Eugene Ó Cruadhlaoich (Cléireach don Choiste).

1. Purpose of travel:Launch of a joint initiative between the Irish Parking Association and the British Parking Association in relation to the car parking sector in Northern Ireland.

Date and Destination:23 May 2012.

Titanic Centre, Belfast.

Members travelling:Deputy Ciarán Lynch (Cathaoirleach).Accompanying Official:Pat Haran (Clerk)

1. Purpose of travel: Eurofores cONFERENCE.

Date and Destination:Tuesday, 19 June 2012.

Brussels, Belgium.

Members travelling:Senator Cait Keane.

Accompanying Official:None.

9.EU Mainstreaming

9.1 Legislative Proposals

From 8 June to 31 December 2011, the Joint Committee considered EU matters at 6 meetings involving consideration of some 37 legislative proposals, on which further action or scrutiny was taken on the following 5 proposals:

No EU Scrutiny Joint Committee Reports were laid in 2011.

For the period 1 January to 2012 to 18 June 2012, the Joint Committee considered EU matters at 9 meetings involving consideration of some 39 legislative proposals, on which further action or scrutiny was taken on the following 5 proposals:-

In the period 1 January 2012 to 18 June 2012 the Joint Committee laid 1 EU Scrutiny Report before both Houses of the Oireachtas as follows:

9.2 EU Council Meetings

In the period 8 June 2011 to 18 June 2012 the Joint Committee was briefed in relation to 4 EU Council meetings as follows:

9.3 Six-monthly Reports on Developments within the EU

In the period 8 June 2011 to 18 June 2012 the Joint Committee received 2 Reports as follows:

10.Report on Functions and Powers

The Joint Committee is currently satisfied with its present procedures and role.

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Ciarán Lynch TD

Cathaoirleach

13 June 2012

APPENDIX 1: Orders of Reference

a.Functions of the Committee – derived from Standing Orders [DSO 82A; SSO 70A]

(1) The Select Committee shall consider and report to the Dáil on—

(a)such aspects of the expenditure, administration and policy of the relevant Government Department or Departments and associated public bodies as the Committee may select, and

(b)European Union matters within the remit of the relevant Department or Departments.

(2) The Select Committee may be joined with a Select Committee appointed by Seanad Éireann to form a Joint Committee for the purposes of the functions set out below, other than at paragraph (3), and to report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the Select Committee shall consider, in respect of the relevant Department or Departments, such—

(a)Bills,

(b)proposals contained in any motion, including any motion within the meaning of Standing Order 164,

(c)Estimates for Public Services, and

(d)other matters as shall be referred to the Select Committee by the Dáil, and

(e)Annual Output Statements, and

(f)such Value for Money and Policy Reviews as the Select Committee may select.