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Wednesday, 16 Jan 2013

Written Answers Nos. 1134-1142

Airport Development Projects

Questions (1134)

John O'Mahony

Question:

1134. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the recently announced commercial package for Shannon Airport was submitted to the European Commission's Competition Authority for advance clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57899/12]

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Written answers

As I have pointed out on a number of previous occasions, there is no support package in place for Shannon Airport.

The Deputy will recall that the Minister for Finance announced in his Budget speech last month that he will be putting in place measures to facilitate the construction of hangars and ancillary facilities that will be key to attracting additional aviation sector organisations. These measures are aimed at attracting investment to Ireland and will be available on a national basis to all airports that wish to avail of them.

As regards Shannon Airport, the Deputy will be aware now that the assets and business of that airport were transferred from the DAA to the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) on 31st December last. My Department is now proceeding to draft legislation to provide for the merger of the SAA with a restructured Shannon Development to form a new State-owned commercial entity as decided by Government in November and it is my aim to have that new entity established on a statutory basis by July of this year.

Shannon Development and Shannon Airport Authority are both owned by the State and the State, on behalf of its citizens and taxpayers, is currently faced with these two ailing companies that are not realising their potential to make a contribution to the economy of the wider region.  The State is, therefore, restructuring its assets to make better use of them as a catalyst for the development of sectoral opportunities, particularly within the aviation sector. This restructuring involves no more than a re-ordering of assets in State ownership and on this basis is not seen as involving State Aid and hence there was no requirement to approach the European Commission.

Trans European Transport Network Programme

Questions (1135)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1135. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals Ireland is putting forward under the 2012 calls on proposals on the Trans European Transport Network multi annual and annual programmes. [57970/12]

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Written answers

I understand that the Commission's closing date for 2012 calls under the TENT programme is 28th February 2013. I am hopeful that projects will be submitted by Irish project promoters in the transport sector for consideration by the Commission in due course.

Sports Funding

Questions (1136)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

1136. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that funding will be maintained for the Special Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57994/12]

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Written answers

The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding to the National Governing Bodies of Sport.

The allocation of funding to the National Governing Bodies for 2013, including funding for Special Olympics Ireland, will be announced in the next few weeks.

I have forwarded a copy of the Deputy's question to the Irish Sports Council for their information.

National Car Test

Questions (1137)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

1137. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged with officials from the European Commission, with a view to allowing an exemption from the NCT for cars that have been pre-declared off the road prior to the expiration of their NCT certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58001/12]

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Written answers

EU Directive 2009/40/EC requires cars to undergo a roadworthiness test when they are four years old and every two years thereafter.  However, Member States are permitted to test more frequently and an annual NCT for cars 10 years and older commenced in Ireland with effect from 1 June 2011. Current EU legislation does not provide for a deferment of the due date for mandatory testing, and test dates are set by reference to the date of the first registration of the vehicle.

In 2012, my officials contacted the EU Commission to enquire about the possibility of using the flexibility afforded under Article 4.2 of 2009/40 to facilitate a deferment of the testing due date on the basis that the vehicle had not been used in a public place for a period prior to the scheduled test date. The initial advice received suggests that such a scenario does not fall within the intent and comprehension of the quoted Article. When a definitive response has been received, I will bring it to the Deputy's attention.

Driving Licence Renewals

Questions (1138)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

1138. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that if a persons drivers licence is out of date their insurance is invalid; if he will ask that the Road Safety Authority to notify licence holders of an approaching expiration date of their licence. [58020/12]

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Written answers

It has been the practice for some time for the National Vehicle Driver File of my Department to notify drivers, some four to six weeks in advance, of the pending expiry of their driver licences.

The linkage of driver licences with motor insurance policy is a non-statutory matter. Motor insurance is an agreement between drivers and insurance companies, and the holding of the  appropriate valid driving licence is a condition that may be set by insurance companies when a proposal form is being filled.

Taxi Regulations

Questions (1139)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

1139. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason it is necessary for a person seeking to obtain a taxi or hackney licence to operate in County Limerick to have a knowledge of the geography of Limerick city, even though he or she does not intend to operate in Limerick city; if there is a similar requirement imposed on those drivers that operate in Limerick city to have a knowledge of County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58024/12]

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Written answers

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues relating to the area knowledge test, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003.

I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

Taxi Regulations

Questions (1140)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

1140. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the number of inspections of taxi drivers carried out; if he will consider carrying out more inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58064/12]

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Written answers

The regulation of the taxi industry, including enforcement issues, is the overall responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA), assisted by the Garda Síochána.

I want to discourage the rogue operators who make it tough for the legally compliant operators to earn a living.  Many of the key recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011 relate to enforcement and compliance matters, involving both ‘on street’ and ‘off-street’ enforcement of the taxi regulations.

Concerning ‘on street’ enforcement specifically, there has been very good cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the NTA on enforcement issues this year and a substantial number of joint operations have been undertaken.

In relation to small public service vehicles, the NTA carried out over fourteen and a half thousand on-street vehicle checks as part of their enforcement activities during 2012.  These on-street vehicle checks continue to show a high degree of compliance with the relevant regulations.  In addition, An Garda Siochana also carried out a significant number of vehicle checks on small public service vehicles, both as part of joint operations carried out in conjunction with the NTA and as part of their normal road traffic policing activities.

The NTA is currently drafting an enforcement plan for 2013 which will be coordinated with An Garda Síochána's policing plan for 2013. That will assist with continued co-operation during 2013.

In addition, as recommended under Actions 21 and 25 of the Review Report, Garda powers are to be extended to allow members of An Garda Síochána to issue fixed charged notices with respect to additional SPSV fixed charge offences. It is anticipated that in 2013 regulations will be made following commencement of Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 2010.

The Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 will support the enforcement measures proposed in the Taxi Review Report. The provisions of the Bill will further support measures to ensure that operators and drivers can operate under a robust regulatory framework supported by an effective enforcement regime. The Bill is to be introduced in the Seanad this month.

Taxi Regulations

Questions (1141)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

1141. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether there are sufficient spaces at taxi ranks in Dublin city for the number of taxis on the road; his plans to provide additional taxi rank spaces in Dublin city especially close to the Four Courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58065/12]

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Written answers

Under Section 15 of the Road Traffic Act, 2002, Dublin City Council, in consultation with the Commissioner of An Garda Siochána, is responsible for the making of bye-laws in respect of the area comprising of the city of Dublin, including bye-laws regarding the location and number of taxi ranks.

I have no function in this matter.

Taxi Regulations

Questions (1142, 1151)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

1142. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider amending the proposed Taxi Regulations Bill 2012 to allow for the transfer of taxi licences upon the death of the owner or in circumstances when the owner is no longer in a position to operate their taxi due to ill health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58114/12]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1151. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the transfer of taxi licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1260/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1142 and 1151 together.

As part of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011, the proposal for a prohibition on the transfer of small public service vehicle (SPSV) licences reflects the Review Group view that a licence should determine a person’s suitability to carry out a function and it should not have monetary value or be traded on the open market.

The prohibition on the transfer of SPSV licences is provided for in the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 which was published on 5 December last.

In acknowledging the need for specific provisions to deal with the issue of continuity of a taxi business in the event of the death of a licence holder an amendment to the Bill is being considered.

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