Written Answers Nos. 1162-1171
1162. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the composition of the board of CIÉ; the number of members currently on the board and the level of remuneration awarded for serving on the board; when the current board was appointed and its timeframe; the process for appointing people to the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1482/13]
View answer1164. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the composition of the board of Bus Éireann; the number of members currently on the board and the level of remuneration for serving on the board; when the current board was appointed and its timeframe; the process for appointing people to the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1484/13]
View answer1165. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the composition of the board of Dublin Bus; the number of members currently on the board and the level of remuneration for serving on the board; when the current board was appointed and its timeframe; the process for appointing people to the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1485/13]
View answer1166. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the composition of the board of Irish Rail; the number of members currently on the board and the level of remuneration for serving on the board; when the current board was appointed and its timeframe; the process for appointing people to the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1486/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1162 and 1164 to 1166, inclusive, together.
Full details of state board appointments are available on the Department's website (http://www.dttas.ie/feature.aspx?Id=167 ) as are the fee levels approved by Government for each agency. Details of the actual fees paid to a director in any year are available from the annual report of the relevant agency. Details are also available from my Department's website on how a member of the public can express an interest in serving on a state board.
Increasing the range of people being considered for serving on state boards, and improving the transparency surrounding such appointments has been a matter to which I and my Department have given considerable attention. My Department advertised for expressions of interest for appointment to state boards under the aegis of Department on Friday 8th April 2011 and all appointments since that date have had regard to those individuals who have expressed an interest. However, given the importance of ensuring the right mix of skills and experience on every board, appointments are not necessarily confined to those who have made an expression of interest.
1163. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he monitors and invigilates the performance of the senior management and board of Bus Éireann: if the board and senior management is benchmarked against the performance of international companies such as for example Arriva and Stagecoach in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1483/13]
View answerCIÉ and its subsidiaries, including Bus Éireann, account for the discharge of their functions in their annual reports and accounts which are placed before the Oireachtas, annual reports by the Chairman of CIÉ certifying compliance with Code of Practice requirements, regular appearances before Oireachtas Committees, and annual audit of accounts by independent auditors.
CIÉ is currently going through a business planning and change process with a view to strengthening the financial sustainability of Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann. My Department has concluded a memorandum of understanding with CIÉ, which will encourage the reporting on the achievement of key financial sustainability targets in 2013 and among other things the benchmarking of operations, where feasible. My Department will be supported by the NewEra Unit of the National Treasury Management Agency in overseeing the regular reporting by CIÉ of its financial performance in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding.
In addition both I and Minister of State, Deputy Kelly have regular meetings with the Chairmen and senior management of CIÉ and its subsidiaries and there is also ongoing contact between my officials and the CIÉ and its operating companies, about which we are briefed regularly.
Management are not benchmarked against the performance of Arriva or Stagecoach in the UK by my Department but the Deputy's suggestion will be taken on board.
1168. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details regarding the cross-country Greenway proposal as set out in his Departmental priorities statement of 2 January 2013, including an indicative timeframe for the completion of the Dublin to Mullingar section; the estimated total costs; the funding sources available form the central Exchequer and Europe for developing this route; the estimated cost of the completion of the deep cutting section between Castleknock and Keenan Bridge, Porterstown, Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1511/13]
View answerPlanning for the proposed Dublin-Galway cycle route is currently being carried out by my Department, aided by the National Roads Authority and National Transport Authority. The National Transport Authority is responsible for the provision of cycling infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and is therefore proceeding with the planning of the Dublin City Centre to Maynooth section of the proposed route.
I have been informed by the NTA that work on the proposed route has already been undertaken by the extension of the Premium Grand Canal Cycle Route from Portobello to its junction with Sherriff Street. The NTA propose to extend this route.
Overall the cost of this urban section between the City Centre (Guild Street) and Maynooth is envisaged to be in the order of €15 million to €20 million. This urban section will require, in places, extensive engineering works in the form of bridges and other structures, which is reflected in the indicative cost level. This early estimate also includes an indicative cost estimate for the Castleknock to Leixlip section of €8 million, which incorporates the deep cutting section between Castleknock and Porterstown.
In the past year, the Royal Canal towpath between Clonsilla and Keenan Bridge in Porterstown was cleared of brush and a path laid for cyclists and walkers. The Department has allocated funding to upgrade the path between Castleknock and Ashtown this year. The 'deep sinking' section between Castleknock and Keenan Bridge is by far the most expensive and most challenging. It is a pity that so little was done to make the towpath accessible and to upgrade the canal as an amenity during the long period of Fianna Fáil-led government with the Green Party and Independents when there was so much money available.
With regard to the section from Maynooth to Mullingar, route alignment work, followed by detailed planning and design work, could be completed by August 2013. Subject to funding availability, delivery of this section would then be likely to take in the region of 6 to 10 months. Robust cost estimates are not possible prior to the detailed route alignment and design work, however, based on previous project delivery it is likely that costs for Maynooth to Mullingar would be in the region of €5 million.
1169. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person who has to renew their driving licence now before the introduction of the new driving licence on 19 January 2013 is being charged the new charge of €55 when they will not receive the new licence; the reason a person who is aged over 60 will be charged the full €55 for a ten year licence despite the fact that his licence will expire in less than ten years and they are effectively being charged for a service that they will not receive; if he will consider introducing a reduced rate for the ten year licence for the over 60's; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1531/13]
View answerI approved the increase in driver licence fees with effect from 1 January 2013. The changes represent the first increase in these fees since 1989 and will result in the driver licence service being less reliant on the Exchequer in the future. From 1 January, a person will pay €55 for a ten-year licence, €35 for a three year licence and €25 for a one-year licence.
The fee structure for driver licences has not changed in that a person between the ages of 60 years and 70 years may still apply for a one-year, three-year or ten-year licence. I have maintained the position that a person over 70 years of age will obtain a driver licence without charge.
Following a Government decision of May 2011, responsibility for the driver licence service will be centralised under the Road Safety Authority as and from 12 January 2013 and, in accordance with EU Directive 2006/126EC, a plastic card form of driver licence will be introduced from 19 January 2013.
1170. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the analysis that has been undertaken to identify the significant fall off in tourist visits from the UK in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1599/13]
View answer1172. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department or the relevant State agencies have initiated any new marketing strategy to address the decline in tourist visits from the UK in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1625/13]
View answerI propose to take questions 1170 and 1172 together.
According to the latest CSO figures for January to November 2012, overall visit numbers to Ireland from overseas are on par with visit numbers in 2011. However, our visit numbers from Britain continue to be affected by the slow pace of economic recovery and weak consumer confidence in that market, with overall trips from Britain to Ireland falling by 3.7% in the first eleven months of the year.
While British visitors spend less and do not stay as long as other overseas visitors, Britain remains our single most important tourism market in terms of numbers of trips. The tourism agencies and I are determined to restore it to growth. In this regard, I was pleased to welcome the recent report of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce (TRT), entitled “GB Path to Growth”, and its recommendations for restoring growth in visitors from Britain which has been reflected in the 2013 plans of the tourism agencies. A copy of the "GB Path to Growth" strategy can be downloaded from the websites of both Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
Tourism Ireland is conducting an extensive promotional programme this year focusing on our main markets, including Britain. Its campaigns will aim to boost travel to Ireland from around the globe, as well as promoting The Gathering Ireland 2013. The Gathering Ireland 2013 will form the central focus of all tourism campaigns, with the TRT recommendations further informing marketing plans and activity in the British market.
In terms of other specific marketing strategies for the British market, as this is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland Limited, I have also referred the Deputy's questions to Tourism Ireland for additional material. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1171. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the suspension of a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1621/13]
View answerThis is a matter for the private operator concerned in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
