Barry Cowen
Question:122. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to deal with drug driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52648/12]
View answerRoad Traffic Offences
Questions (122)
Written answers
Drug driving is a matter of great concern particularly as evidence suggests a growing prevalence of people driving under the influence of drugs in Ireland. In order to get a better understanding of the problem and the options available to tackle it, I recently asked the Medical Bureau of Road Safety to undertake a study on roadside drug testing and related matters. The Bureau's report, along with its recommendations were published last month.
One of the main objectives of the study was to determine whether any suitable devices, similar to breathalysers, are available to detect and measure levels of drugs. The Bureau has advised that, while research in the area is continuing in many countries, oral fluid is emerging as the specimen of choice for use in roadside chemical drug testing devices. As a result, I have approved the establishment of a Working Group to consider the issues associated with introducing such devices. I am advised that, while there is now the potential for a suitable roadside device to be used for the testing of certain commonly used drugs, there is still no device available for the testing of all drugs. Once such a device becomes available I will move to have it introduced as quickly as possible.
In advance of any technological measures, I propose to introduce legislation to allow for the introduction of roadside impairment testing for use by An Garda Síochána. This testing consists of simple, physical, cognitive tests such as walking a straight line, tipping one’s nose or counting while standing on one leg and will assist the gardaí in determining whether a driver is incapable of having proper control of a vehicle.
Semi-State Bodies Remuneration
Questions (123)
Mick Wallace
Question:123. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he tried to breach the €250,000 pay cap for the new Chief Executive Officer of the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52681/12]
View answerWritten answers
In imposing the €250,000 pay ceiling, the Government decision at the time made it clear exceptions might be necessary in a small number of cases where the role was of substantial importance and a candidate brought exceptional or special expertise or qualifications. The CEO of the DAA is responsible for managing three international airports which accommodate almost 20 million passenger journeys per year in addition to an international business that operates retail outlets around the World and part-owns or manages airports overseas. He or she is responsible for the jobs of hundreds of people. The CEO is expected to go ‘toe to toe’ with airline CEOs who are paid millions of euros per annum and the market for CEOs of this nature is international and, whether it is right or not, very highly remunerated.
The person whom the Board identified in the case referred to by the Deputy is a top class international candidate. He held a position abroad with a salary which was many multiples of the Government's €250,000 cap. In negotiating with this exceptional candidate, the Dublin Airport Authority initially sought to make an offer which they felt would be necessary to attract his services and I supported them. The Deputy will appreciate that judgment calls have to be made in such situations and my judgment was that this was an exceptional circumstance as envisaged by Government.
In the event, I was very pleased that it was possible to secure the services of this candidate without breaching the €250,000 pay cap.
Question No. 124 answered with Question No. 105.
Question No. 125 answered with Question No. 98.
Vehicle Clamping
Questions (126)
Dara Calleary
Question:126. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans he has to regulate vehicle clamping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52646/12]
View answerWritten answers
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to regulate the vehicle clamping industry, I presented a discussion document to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht in which I outlined the principal issues to be addressed in regulating the industry, my proposals on the shape of appropriate legislation and invited their views. The Committee responded to me in a comprehensive report which contained a number of recommendations, many of which I hope to include in the resulting legislation. Preparation of the General Scheme of a Bill is being discussed with the Attorney General's Office and it is hoped that the Bill will be published and introduced in the Oireachtas in the first half of 2013.
State Airports
Questions (127, 144, 145, 162)
Pat Breen
Question:127. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on his proposals for Shannon Airport and the next steps in progressing these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52676/12]
View answer
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:144. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on proposals to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52519/12]
View answer
Olivia Mitchell
Question:145. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on proposals to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52584/12]
View answer
Joe Carey
Question:162. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a progress report regarding the separation of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52678/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 144, 145 and 162 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, following the Government decision in principle to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority and merge it in a new entity with a restructured Shannon Development, a Steering Group of senior officials from five key Departments was established to bring forward proposals for the implementation of that decision. That Steering Group has been assisted by two Task Forces.
The Task Forces recently submitted their Reports to the Steering Group for consideration. On the basis of the work undertaken by the Task Forces and the Steering Group, detailed proposals in relation to the restructuring of the State Airports and Shannon Development have been submitted by myself and MInister Bruton to Government.
Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 105.
Road Safety Issues
Questions (129)
Clare Daly
Question:129. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review speed limits and to deal with information that has been brought to his attention in relation to road traffic penalties and fines being written off by Gardaí. [52248/12]
View answerWritten answers
Earlier this year, I announced that a review of speed limits would be undertaken and to that end, my Department established a stakeholder group to progress this work.
The Automobile Association, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority, the National Transport Authority and representatives of local authorities accepted my invitation to participate in the Working Group. The work of the Group is ongoing and I expect to receive their report by the end of the year.
I understand that a senior garda above a certain level may write off penalty points for legitimate reason and that a procedure exists to allow this. I have, however, been contacted by a possible whistle-blower with regard to allegations that this procedure may have been used inappropriately. My officials have met with person making these allegations at my request, as has the Road Safety Authority seperately. While they remain allegations, I do take them seriously. For this reason, I have referred them to the Minister for Justice.
Question No. 130 answered with Question No. 99.