Written Answers Nos. 731-755
733. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the project for completion of the stretch of the N11 between Arklow and Rathnew, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52751/12]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
734. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he has taken in the wake of An Bord Pleanála's decision to refuse planning permission for the Slane bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52756/12]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Following An Bord Pleanála’s decision, Meath County Council, in liaison with the NRA began evaluating traffic management options, including restricting HGV traffic and tolling. As part of this work the NRA commissioned a report on tolling options in the area. This report has been completed and made available to the various interested parties. Meath County Council commissioned AECOM to prepare a Slane Traffic Management Study and I understand that the Council is holding a public consultation on that study. As statutory responsibility for traffic management rests with the local authority, it will be a matter for Meath County Council to decide, following on from this public consultation, how it wishes to proceed with regard to the implementation of traffic management measures.
735. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which construction work will begin on the extension of the Luas BXD to Broombridge, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52759/12]
View answer736. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made to date on progressing the Luas BXD project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52760/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 736 together.
The provision of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as LUAS BXD, now comes under the remit of the NTA in accordance with the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. Luas BXD to Broombridge is designed to be a key element in an overall integrated transport network for Dublin. It will create a Luas network by joining the Luas Red and Green Lines and will also link with rail services from Maynooth and Dunboyne and with existing Quality Bus schemes which enter or cross Dublin City Centre. It will also, in time, interchange with future key projects such as Dart Underground and Metro North. The project has been prioritised under the Governments's 5-year capital plan - Infrastructure & Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 - Medium Term Exchequer Framework . Funding has been included in my Department's capital allocation to 2016 to cover the cost of commencing the main construction works in 2015 and for pre-construction enabling works in 2013 and 2014. Construction is expected to take 4 years. An Bórd Pleanála gave approval to the project on 2 nd August 2012 and, following the statutory 8-week appeal period, the railway order (RO) is now operational. An updated business case for the project, taking account of conditions attached to the RO and reflecting the current economic context, has now been completed by the Railway Procurement Agency. The updated business case has also been reviewed by the National Transport Authority. A further announcement on the project will be made shortly.
744. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of routes that Dublin Bus are operating at a loss; his views on the cost of outsourcing these routes to private transport companies as a cost reducing measure while protecting routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52859/12]
View answerThe issues raised are matters for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have referred the Deputy's question to both the company and the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
745. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the implementation of mutual recognition of penalty points on both sides of the border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52883/12]
View answerThe mutual recognition of penalty points between Ireland and Northern Ireland is being dealt with under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). Initially this work involves the mutual recognition of penalty points in each jurisdiction for the road traffic offences of speeding, drink/drug driving, non-wearing of seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving. The detailed timetable agreed at the North South Ministerial Council Meeting held on 5 October 2012 for the drafting, passage and enactment of parallel legislation, North and South, is the 31 December 2014.
746. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to bring the forthcoming Road Traffic Bill before the Dáil Éireann; the measures that will be contained within same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52884/12]
View answerI expect to bring the General Scheme of the Road Traffic Bill to Government in December for approval for formal drafting. Once formal drafting is approved, my Department will engage with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to expedite the process. It is, as the Deputy will understand, never possible to be certain in advance how long that drafting process will take. I intend however to publish the Bill as soon as possible in the New Year. The General Scheme will address a range of issues. These will include elements of the Graduated Driver Licensing System, amendments related to the roadside testing of drivers for impairment, testing of unconscious drivers following collisions and changes to the penalty points regime deriving from the recent review of the system carried out this year by my Department. I also intend to include measures to facilitate car clubs and charging points for electric cars.
749. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department have identified specific targets for the tourism sector in the coming twelve months; the degree to which he anticipates improvements on the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53070/12]
View answerTargets for overseas visits to Ireland in 2013 will be set in Tourism Ireland’s Business Plan for 2013, which will be agreed at an upcoming meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in accordance with its governance arrangements. Targets at the operational level are matters for the agencies responsible for promoting and developing Irish tourism.
750. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has examined the extent to which the development of the tourism sector has been affected by transport or other costs in each of the past three years and to date in 2012; his plans if any to address any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53071/12]
View answerCost competitiveness is a key consideration for Ireland in attracting tourists and transport is just one of the many factors influencing that competitiveness. Clearly, transport costs have had an impact on tourism, not just over the past three years but over many decades. In practice, the main driver is and has always been the cost of oil which is ultimately set by the market. My Department has no direct control of transport costs in general but keeps under review costs arising from the services provided through our agencies. As regards overall competitiveness, the Government's plans to improve this are set out in the Programme for Government and place a heavy emphasis on the delivery of effective transport services. I have also outlined my priorities to 2016 for the transport, tourism and sports sectors on my Department's website.
With specific regard to the tourism sector, the Government has already delivered on several measures under the Jobs Initiative to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness, such as reducing VAT to 9% on a range of tourism services and halving employers’ PRSI for those on modest wages. Following on from the Jobs Initiative, the 2012 Action Plan for Jobs set out key policy actions to ensure tourism’s continued contribution to economic recovery. In line with the Programme for Government and the Action Plan for Jobs, the Government will continue to play its part in reducing business costs and enhancing overall competitiveness. With specific regard to the tourism sector, my Department, Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and the tourist industry will continue to ensure optimum promotion of Ireland overseas and continued strengthening of the competitiveness of our tourism product.
753. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has examined the potential of the tourism industry to play a major part in economic recovery; if any change of policy or direction is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53076/12]
View answerTourism is central to the Government’s strategy for economic recovery and jobs and has been integrated into the broader economic strategic framework. This overall strategic approach is complemented by the work of the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, assisted by the work of the industry-led Tourism Recovery Taskforce.
Key commitments in the 2011 Programme for Government were reflected in the Government’s subsequent Jobs Initiative, with immediate priority actions set out in the 2012 Action Plan for Jobs. The Government has already delivered on several measures under the Jobs Initiative to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness, such as reducing VAT to 9% on a range of tourism services and halving employers’ PRSI for those on modest wages.
Following on from the Jobs Initiative, the 2012 Action Plan for Jobs set out key policy actions to ensure tourism’s continued contribution to economic recovery, building further on the Programme for Government. These include supporting the competitiveness of Irish tourism, through minimising the costs of doing business and ensuring the quality of the product is maintained; targeting capital investment in public tourism product and infrastructure; and using the Tourism Marketing Fund to support international marketing and advertising programmes.
The existing strategic approach has kept tourism and economic concerns at the heart if Government decisions. Using The Gathering Ireland 2013 as our centrepiece for 2013 and through continued collaboration between Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the Irish tourist industry, I am confident that we can grow business for the tourism sector over the coming years and make a key contribution to Ireland’s overall economic recovery.
755. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the number of new State agencies, forums and task forces that have been established in 2012; the number of new employees there are as a result of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53704/12]
View answerTwo task forces entitled the Aviation Business Development Task Force and the Change Management Task Force, respectively were set up on 29 May 2012 to assist the Steering Group that was established to progress issues around the Government’s decision in principle of 8th May to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority and merge it with a restructured Shannon Development. There are no new employees associated with the setting up of these task forces.
