Wednesday, 20 Mar 2013

Written Answers Nos. 569 - 578

EU Funding

Questions (570)

Willie Penrose

Question:

570. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in the context of making submissions for the next round of EU structural funding for the period 2014 to 2020, he will take steps to include Killucan Station, County Westmeath as the first station on entering the BMW region on the County Sligo railway line, and the first station to be reinstated under the new fund, as it would be in a position to cater for the significant population increase in the east Mullingar area, which would willingly utilise the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13730/13]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

Regulations for the next round of EU structural funding covering 2014-2020 are currently being negotiated and it is hoped that they will be agreed during the Irish Presidency.

I understand that the bulk of ERDF funding will be concentrated on four thematic objectives, with particular priority being given to Research, Technological Development and innovation, ICT, enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs and supporting the shift towards a low carbon economy. My Department is currently liaising with the transport agencies with a view to identifying projects that could potentially fulfil the eligibility criteria for funding. Officials from my Department have also recently met with both Regional Authorities and also with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Projects which are earmarked for EU co-financing must be co-funded by the capital budget of the relevant implementing Department. In this regard, the Government's policy in relation to capital investment funding to 2016 is set out in the "Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-16: Medium Term Exchequer Framework ".

As there has been an overall reduction in funding for transport infrastructure, the priority to 2016 is to protect investments made to date and to maintain safety standards. The limited funding available over and above this priority will only be provided for projects which are affordable, meet overall transport objectives and deliver the best return in terms of economic recovery and job creation. The re-opening of Killucan station has not been included in the "Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-16: Medium Term Exchequer Framework " and there are no funds available for this project to 2016. 

In relation to the period 2017 to 2020, projects will be reviewed in 2016 having regard to available funding and the proposals and priorities set out in the Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport which is currently underway. 

Road Safety Strategy

Questions (571)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

571. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety will next meet; if he will outline the indicative agenda of the Road Safety Committee; if he will report how often the Committee meets. [13748/13]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

The Road Safety Strategy 2013 - 2020 was approved by the Government recently.  I will formally launch the Strategy at the EU Presidency Road Transport Safety Conference on Serious Injuries which will be held in Dublin Castle on Thursday 28 March 2013.

It is my intention to hold a meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety shortly thereafter.  I anticipate that the agenda for the meeting will centre on the actions contained in the new Strategy and on the plans to deliver those actions. 

I propose to hold meetings of the Committee 3 to 4 times annually.   

Penalty Point System

Questions (572)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

572. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the ongoing use of mobile phones by motorists in view of the fact that the Road Safety Authority states that using a mobile phone makes a driver four times more likely to crash their car; if he is considering any further measures in conjunction with the RSA to tackle the problem of driving while using a mobile phone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/13]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

My Department published a Review of the Penalty Points System in 2012 which recommended a number of adjustments to the current system, including an increase in the number of penalty points for mobile phone offences.  The views of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, and Communications were sought and obtained on the published Review. 

On foot of the published Review and in order to improve driver behaviour in this area, I decided to increase the number of penalty points for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone from 2 to 3 penalty points on the payment of a fixed charge and from 4 to 5 penalty points on conviction in Court.

The Road Traffic Bill 2013 contains the amendment to the existing provision for the increase in the number of penalty points for this offence. 

My Department is also examining, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, whether further legislative provisions are required in relation to the offence of using a mobile phone while driving.   

Road Signage

Questions (573)

Seán Kenny

Question:

573. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money spent by the National Roads Authority on purchasing additional signage for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13896/13]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

As 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.

Furthermore, very specific responsibility is placed on the NRA in relation to the provision of road signage in Section 19 of the Roads Act 1993.

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.

Tourism Promotion

Questions (574)

Seán Kenny

Question:

574. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Tourism Ireland to have a tourism market office in California, USA and in Montreal, Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13897/13]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

As the Deputy will be aware, Tourism Ireland was established under the framework of the Belfast Agreement of Good Friday 1998. It is jointly funded by the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, and operates under the auspices of the North/South Ministerial Council through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland and my Department here.

In terms of the location of Tourism Ireland's overseas offices, obviously this is primarily an operational matter for the agency itself. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Question No. 575 answered with Question No. 562.

Road Maintenance

Questions (576)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

576. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify if the assets of a developer are taken over by the National Assets Management Agency that those assets can include what was formerly a designated public roads, that is, an access road into an unfinished housing estate; if NAMA is in charge of such access roads into residential estates who is liable for any completion and or remedial works that may be required; the person responsible for any significant speeding or enforcement issues in relation to unfinished footpaths, traffic calming measures, inadequate road surfaces and so on; the implications of having a private road as a major access route to public roads in residential areas; if the rules of the road apply to all vehicles on a private road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13929/13]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

I would draw the Deputy's attention to the provisions of the Roads Act 1993 (including sections 11 and 12) and the Planning and Development Act 2000 (section 180) insofar as they relate to the declaration of roads to be public roads and the 'taking-in-charge' of roads by local authorities. 

The booklet 'Rules of the Road' is intended to reflect road traffic legislation and road users are expected to observe them in all circumstances. Enforcement of road traffic legislation is of course a matter for An Garda Siochána. 

Transport Costs

Questions (577)

Jack Wall

Question:

577. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans his Department or any of the State agencies within his remit have to review transport costs or comparison of transport costs between towns within the Dublin commuter belt such as Newbridge and other towns of equal distance from Dublin as stated in attached submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13970/13]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

I note that information has been sought from the NTA as regards the cost information mentioned. 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.

Question No. 578 answered with Question No. 562.