Written Answers Nos. 600-616
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Written Answers Nos. 600-616
600. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the amount of money spent by local authorities in 2011, 2012 and the expected spend in 2013 on the purchase of land to facilitate future road projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14885/13]
View answerAs the implementation of road schemes and the arrangements in relation to individual landowners is a matter for the local authority concerned in the case of regional and local roads, I do not have this information.
In relation to national roads as this is a matter for the NRA/local authority concerned, I have referred the question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
601. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed Atlantic Way, County Mayo; if he will outline the proposed route of the Atlantic Way; the budget assigned to the Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14887/13]
View answerThis is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for further information and direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
602. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total value of all properties owned by CIÉ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14897/13]
View answer610. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total value of all properties and land owned by CIÉ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15080/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 610 together.
This is a matter for CIE and I have forwarded the Deputy’s questions to the Company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
603. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total value of all properties owned by the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14898/13]
View answer611. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total value of all properties and land owned by the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15081/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 603 and 611 together.
The matters raised by the Deputy in relation to the value of properties and land owned by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) fall within the operational responsibilities of the DAA and I have referred the questions to the company for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten working days.
604. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if discretion will be allowed with the suitability case for taxis specifically in the case of prohibiting tinted windows (details supplied). [14919/13]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle standards, is a matter for the NTA under the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009.
I answered a similar Question on the 12th of March relating to the person in question. I am informed by the NTA that it communicated a response on the 19th of March directly to the Deputy who raised that question on the 12th of March.
I understand that the NTA has stated that it not in a position to grant a derogation from the relevant standards.
605. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline some of the measures contained within the road safety strategy that is due to be launched later this week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14926/13]
View answerI will be launching the new Road Safety Strategy at the EU Presidency Road Transport Safety Conference on Serious Injuries on the 28th March 2013 in Dublin Castle.
The aim of the Strategy, like all previous, is to save lives and prevent injuries by reducing the number and severity of road collisions. The Strategy, while not deflecting attention from road fatalities, will concentrate to a significant extent on serious injuries caused by road collisions.
The Strategy, which covers an 8 year period from 2013 to 2020 contain 144 actions to be implemented over its lifetime. The body responsible for each action together with a timeframe for implementation will be identified.
These actions reflect the priorities at EU level and the views put forward during the consultation process on the Strategy. These include work related vehicle safety, medical fitness to drive, drug driving, fatigue, using mobile phones while driving, vulnerable road users, road works, emergency response and care, data analysis and evaluation and post - collision investigation.
606. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will find out from the National Roads Authority the way they cleaned the N2 bypass in 2012 and the number of times they intend to clean it in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14958/13]
View answerI have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA as requested. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
607. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a company has been granted the contract to process photographs for the new driving licences being rolled out this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14974/13]
View answer612. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the basis for there being only one photo capture system for the new driving licence; if his attention has been drawn to the impact this select system will have on the retail sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15093/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 612 together.
The Government decided in 2011 to centralise driver licence provision, following an examination of the options for driver licensing which found that a centralised system would offer enhanced security and consistency, and be more efficient and cost-effective. The Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 provides for the RSA to become the central driver licensing authority in Ireland. This came into effect on 12 January 2013.
The new system involves three outsourced elements, a card production facility, a front office for engaging with the customer, and a back office to process applications. All three are overseen by a ‘centre of excellence’ based in the RSA itself. The card licence is standardised across the European Union and therefore there must be consistency in the quality and standard of information used. The photograph is digital and is not stuck on to the card in the way it was on the old paper licence. The capture of the photograph is included in the fee for the licence. As the system develops, the SAFE2 ID standard will be implemented, at which point the only option will be the digital photo taken at the Front Office Network.
There was no specific tender for photo capture. I understand that this matter comes under the contract for the front office, which was recently awarded to SGS by the RSA. The operation of the tender processes for the outsourced elements was a matter for the RSA and all contractors have now been procured.
608. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there was any consultation with stakeholders on the provision of passport photos, who previously provided photos for driving licences, before or during the rolling out of the new driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14975/13]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012, the new National Driver Licensing Service is operated by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have therefore referred this question to the RSA for direct answer, and I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
609. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details regarding the Consultation on Post Registration Vehicle Modifications conducted by the Road Safety Authority; the effect he believes it will have on vintage car enthusiasts and the contribution they play in community activities and fundraising efforts; when the publication consultation opened for submissions; the closing date for submissions; the total number of submissions received within that time frame; if he will consider extending the submission period date so adequate time can be given to Irish Vintage Scene subscribers to make a thorough submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15024/13]
View answerThe subject matter of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my Office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
613. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form a detailed breakdown of funding to the Olympic Council of Ireland for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 by podium level, world class level, international level and junior development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15098/13]
View answerThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and coordination of sport, including the allocation of funding for the National Governing Bodies of Sport and for the High Performance programme.
As the Deputy's question relates to the allocation of funding, I have referred it to the Irish Sports Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
614. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he proposes to co-operate with the request from the Northern Ireland Coroner (details supplied) to reinvestigate the sinking of the FV Strath Marie off Inishowen Head, County Donegal, on 14 March 2008 which resulted in the deaths of two brothers, Daniel and Francis McDaid. [15102/13]
View answerUnder Section 8 of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000, the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is established as being independent of the Minister in the performance of its functions and, in general, is independent of any other person or body whose interests could conflict with the functions of the Board.
Consequently, the issue raised by the Deputy regarding the Board attending an inquest in relation to a casualty investigation is a matter for the Board itself and it would be wholly inappropriate for me to comment on the matter.
615. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Tourist Office in Cahir will open for the summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15118/13]
View answerThis is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and I have referred the Deputy's question to them for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
616. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the development of a revolutionary heritage trail in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12991/13]
View answerI have asked Fáilte Ireland to examine the potential for a walking trail in Dublin based on sites of historical interest in the context of Ireland's journey towards independence. I understand they have engaged consultants to advise them and they are due to report back over the coming months. As this potential development is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for further information and direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
