Michael Healy-Rae
Question:243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7755/13]
View answerMedical Card Applications
Questions (243)
Written answers
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Driver Licences
Questions (244)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:244. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, people who have been driving for more than 35 years, who are accident free and have no endorsements, have never made a court appearance with regard to road related issues and who are not in possession of a full driver’s licence, should be provided with a full licence and classified as a special case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7756/13]
View answerWritten answers
Driver licensing law in Ireland operates within the overall framework of EU legislation on driver licensing. The purpose of both EU and Irish law in this regard is ultimately to promote safety on our roads. Experience is a vital component in good driving, but it is also essential that we have measurable standards against which we can assess the level of knowledge and skills attained by drivers. This is why the driving test is and will remain an essential component of the driver licensing regime.
We are in the process of introducing a Graduated Driver Licensing System , with many of the elements already in place and which are aimed at strengthening the driver learning process. It would be a retrograde step if we were to make exceptions for any particular group of drivers, whatever their current licence status, and I do not propose to do so. The creation of one special case, as envisaged in the Deputy's question, would in itself undermine the driver licensing regime and it would lead to many other claims for special status in relation to driver licensing.
Therefore, while there may well be individuals caught in circumstances with which I would sympathise, I cannot make exceptions for anyone.
Air Services Provision
Questions (245)
John Deasy
Question:245. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts that have been made to assist Waterford Airport replace the loss of Aer Arann services to London and Manchester since the start of 2013. [7586/13]
View answerWritten answers
It is the responsibility of airports (be they State airports or regional airports) to secure routes and negotiate deals with airlines. As such, it is a commercial matter for the airports and airlines themselves and not a matter in which I have any function. However, Tourism Ireland work closely with airports and airlines on developing new routes to drive demand for air services from key overseas markets and to help maintain our vital route network. This work is undertaken having regard to state aid rules and the need to ensure that we do not distort competition between airports.
I understand from Waterford Airport that since the withdrawal of Aer Lingus Regional services by Aer Arann in January, it has continued to service Flybe services between Waterford and Birmingham (with single transaction bookings to and from European and UK destinations via Birmingham) as well as providing a base for the Irish Coast Guard Search & Rescue service and servicing a range of general aviation activity.
I know that Waterford Airport is also continuing to work to replace the Aer Lingus Regional services that were withdrawn and the airport is confident that the London route in particular is an attractive opportunity for an airline with strong usage both inbound and outbound with high yields due to a high proportion of business usage.
Waterford Airport has received and continues to receive significant Exchequer support under the Irish Government’s Regional Airports Capital Expenditure Grant (Capex) scheme and the Operational expenditure subvention (Opex) scheme. Over the past six years (2007 to 2012), around €14m has been provided to Waterford Airport by the State under these two schemes and the airport continues to be supported under these schemes in 2013.
Road Tolls
Questions (246)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:246. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the impact on both the Exchequer and private highway operators of reduced traffic volumes on tolled sections of the national road network; his views that high traffic volumes on these sections are preferable, from a financial standpoint, to both the Exchequer and private highway operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7619/13]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual national road schemes, including Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007.
In addition, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act (as amended). The contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are, therefore, commercial agreements between the NRA and the PPP concessionaires concerned.
Two PPP contracts, the M3 Clonee-Kells PPP and the Limerick Tunnel PPP, incorporate a traffic guarantee mechanism. With regard to the remaining PPP schemes, all traffic risk remains with the operator while the State stands to benefit from a revenue share arrangement in the contracts where the average daily traffic ("ADT") exceeds scheme specific pre-defined threshold traffic.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for further reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Road Safety
Questions (247)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:247. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the working group that has been established to review speed limits has received any representation from civic society and community groups, for example, cyclist or pedestrian groups and road safety campaigners; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7643/13]
View answerWritten answers
In 2012, I announced that a review of speed limits would be undertaken and, to that end, my Department established a stakeholders group to progress this work. Representatives of the Automobile Association, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, local authorities and the National Transport Authority accepted my invitation to participate in the stakeholders group, which has met on a number of occasions since its formation.
I understand that the stakeholders group is finalising its report at present. When I receive the report I will be in a position to confirm for the Deputy if any representations were submitted.
Pension Provisions
Questions (248)
John Paul Phelan
Question:248. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons that are on State pensions who have worked in semi-State companies under his Department and are in pension brackets/bands of between €50,000 and €60,000, between €60,000 and €70,000, between €70,000 and €80,000, between €80,000 and €90,000, between €90,000 and €100,000 and more than €100,000 [7668/13]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is a matter for the bodies under the aegis of my Department.
I have asked them to provide the Deputy with the information. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within 10 workings days please advise my private office.