Presentation to Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications,

Marine & Natural Resources

Brendan Tuohy

Secretary General

10 February 2004

Mission Statement

• To promote the sustainable development, management and regulation of the communications, energy, marine and natural resources sectors in support of national economic and social policy objectives

Roles of Department

• Sectoral policy role

• Regulatory policy role

• Shareholder role

• Stewardship of public resources

• Market liberalisation

• Accountability

Strategic Context

• EU Presidency - EU enlargement, Lisbon Agenda – competitiveness, world’s leading knowledge economy by 2010

• Economic backdrop – slower growth – competitiveness

• North/South & East/West

CommunicationsCore Policy GoalContribute to sustained macro-economic growth and competitiveness; ensure Ireland is best placed to avail of emerging opportunities provided by the information and knowledge society; promoting investment in infrastructures, providing supportive legislative and regulatory environment, and developing research and development reputation

Key Issues

• Telecoms infrastructure programme

• Broadband Action Plan, December 2003

• Pro-competitive regime for telecoms

BroadcastingCore Policy GoalCreate an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTÉSecure a viable future for high quality public service broadcasting in the Irish marketSeek to retain access to a range of quality programming in analogue and digital form, on a universal and free-to-air basis

Key Issues

• Reform of broadcasting sector

• Broadcasting Bill being drafted

• Corporate governance of RTE

PostalCore Policy GoalEnsure Irish industry and domestic customers enjoy competitively priced, high-quality postal services on a par with the highest quality standards in key comparator economies elsewhere in the EU; to maintain the nation-wide postal services and network, with uniform tariffs applying throughout the State, where required by regulation, and to develop the Irish postal sector in such a way that it will underpin the key economic objective of Ireland becoming a knowledge economy

Key Issues• Liberalisation of postal sector• Corporate governance of An Post• Oversee the An Post recovery strategy to enable

the company to return to profitability and deliver quality services

EnergyCore Policy GoalsDevelopment of competitive, efficient and properly regulated energy markets, which provide customers with a choice of energy services and support sustainable economic growth;Protection of security of energy supply;Environmentally sustainable energy supply and use.

Key Issues• full liberalisation of electricity and gas markets by 2005. • reassessment of security of supply mechanisms in face of an

increasing amount of EU energy needs being sourced from geopolitically risky markets .

• help Ireland meet its Kyoto targets in a least-cost manner, thereby minimising loss of economic competitiveness.

Maritime SafetyCore Policy GoalEstablish, promote and enforce safety and security standards, and by doing so, prevent, as far as possible, the loss of life at sea and on inland waters and other areas, and to provide effective emergency response services

Key Issues• Safety agency being established• New safety regulations introduced in 2003 for

passenger boats• New passenger vessel enforcement regime

introduced in 2003• New life jacket rules in place

Marine EnviornmentCore Policy Goal

To safeguard the quality of the marine environment

Key Issues• Early phasing out of single hull oil tankers

in EU waters agreed by Ministers• Draft directive on sanctions for vessel

owners who pollute EU waters being brokered by Irish Presidency

• Carrying of certain heavy oils banned from EU waters

Maritime Transport (Access) PortsCore Policy GoalTo provide a framework for the provision by port companies operating within the national transport chain of port services which are efficient, effective and adequate for the needs of our trading economy

Key Issues

• The Minister will publish (in 2004) a comprehensive statement for ports that will set out the future policy framework

Maritime Transport (Access) Harbour AuthoritiesCore Policy GoalAs provided for in the Harbours Act 1996, to oversee the transfer to alternative uses under local control, of those remaining regional ports and harbours which do not form part of the national maritime transport system for trade and travel while maintaining, in transition, an appropriate corporate governance regime

Key Issues• The Department is working with the

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government with a view to developing a framework to facilitate the transfer of harbour authorities to local control

Maritime Transport (Shipping Sector)Core Policy GoalTo expand Irish based ship ownership and ship management and to increase Irish seafarer employment

Key Issues

• The Department is working closely with the IMDO with a view to promoting the Irish shipping industry. In this regard, a range of fiscal reliefs, such as tonnage tax, seafarer income tax allowance and a PRSI seafarer refund scheme have been introduced

Marine Tourism & LeisureCore Policy GoalTo help secure the sustainable development of the marine tourism and leisure sector in the context of overall tourism development

Key Issues

• The Minister will develop, in consultation with the Marine Institute, a new strategy to facilitate and promote marine leisure participation in Ireland

Marine ResearchCore Policy GoalTo ensure that the national research effort achieves the potential of the marine resource sector

Key Issues

• The Minister will bring proposals to Government in 2004 on a new Research, Development and Innovation strategy for our marine area, currently being developed by the Marine Institute

Marine Coastal Zone ManagementCore Policy GoalTo support and manage the sustainable use and development of Ireland’s marine territory

Key Issues• Commitment to effective licensing and regulation of aquaculture, so that the

industry develops in a sustainable manner and in accordance with high environmental standards. Review of monitoring and enforcement for marine finfish aquaculture is being finalised

• Review of Foreshore Acts in train. Legislative proposals emerging will, as necessary, include provisions to facilitate more coordinated approaches to the management of coastal areas. Coastal stocktaking to be undertaken, in line with EU Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management

• Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill will enhance the processes for regulation of dumping at sea

SeafoodCore Policy GoalTo maximise the long-term contribution of the seafood sector to the economies of coastal regions

Key Issues• Negotiation of national priorities within CFP framework, in consultation with industry• Resource conservation a key priority – new Biologically Sensitive Area around Ireland being

created and various stock recovery plans agreed/being discussed• 5 Fishery Harbour Centres operated by the Department and funding provided for other key

harbours, ensuring continued facilities for fishing sector• Supporting the sustainable development of aquaculture in coastal regions • Commitment to develop long-term strategy for the sustainable development of the fishing industry• Deployment of inspectorate to ensure adherence to conservation measures and food safety

requirements• Independent authority governing licensing and registration of sea-fishing boats established July

2003, ensuring transparent management of fishing fleet capacity

Engineering Core Policy GoalTo facilitate and develop harbours and coastal infrastructure, to support coastal protection works, and the sustainable development of State foreshore

Key Issues• Completion of major port development at Killybegs

Fishing Harbour Centre. The project is on target for completion in May 2004 and is under budget

• Development of cosatal protection strategy including appropriate and sustainable responses to the threat of climate change and sea level rise

• Advance the sustainable and pro-active management of Ireland’s marine coastal zone

Inland FisheriesCore Policy GoalConserve the inland fisheries resource in its own right and its viability and economic and social contribution at national and local community level

Key Issues• The Minister will work towards the conservation of

our valuable salmon and sea trout stock through a further step in 2004 towards aligning the Total allowable Catch for salmonids on objective scientific advise by 2005

• The Minister will develop a new strategy and support organisational framework for the Inland Fisheries sector in 2004

Minerals Exploration & MiningCore Policy GoalStimulate discovery of economic mineral deposits and to maximise the contribution of the mining sector to the national economy, with due regard to its environmental and social impact

Key Issues• Continue promotional measures to maximise the level of

minerals exploration• Require and facilitate sustainable development in the

minerals sector including mining facilities at Navan (Tara), Lisheen (Anglo American), Galmoy (Arcon), Gypsum (Knocknacran, Co.Monaghan )

• Safety & rehabilitation of abandoned mine sites ongoing, including Silvermines

Petroleum Exploration Development & ProductionCore Policy GoalMaximise the benefits to the national economy from exploration for, and production of, indigenous oil and gas resources, while ensuring that activities are conducted safely and with due regard to their impact on the environment and other land/sea users

Key Issues• Progress the development of the Corrib Gas

Field since the re-launch of its planning application

• Discussion / agreement with industry to identify measures to stimulate exploration

Geological Survey of IrelandStrategic GoalsProvide Easily Accessible and Accurate Geological InformationSupport Sustainable Development, Enviornmental Protection and the National Development PlanMap Ireland’s Earth ResourcesPromote Public Understanding of the Role of GSI and Geology in Irish Society

Key Issues• Nation-wide bedrock map series completed• National Seabed Survey ongoing in partnership with Marine

Institute• Digital document management system completed• Support for groundwater aspects of EU Water Framework

Directive; groundwater protection schemes in Kildare and Roscommon

Organisational Challenges & StrategiesCore Policy GoalPosition the Department as a modern, inclusive and results-focussed organisation, operaring to the highest public service standards

Key Issues• Change & Modernisation agenda – Sustaining Progress• Structural changes in relation to Marine Safety Directorate and

Fisheries sector• Quality Customer Service• Decentralisation – business continuity• Knowledge Management• Robust financial management• Management Information Framework• ICT – internal and external customers• Best practice Internal Audit & Risk Management Strategies

Measuring Performance

• Performance Indicators group established

• Key Performance Indicators identified

• Integration into business planning

• Review of Statement of Strategy Indicators

• Publication in Annual Report