Written Answers Nos 36-46
37. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the progress that has been made on The Gathering; the numbers of events by county that are due to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15043/13]
View answer62. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in the progress of The Gathering 2013; the early indicators of its success at reaching out to the worldwide Irish diaspora; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15045/13]
View answer68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on The Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15220/13]
View answer80. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in The Gathering 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15040/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 62, 68 and 80 together.
I am pleased that the positive start to The Gathering Ireland 2013 has continued and I am confident that the momentum will be maintained as we approach the peak tourism season. The overall target is to attract at least 325,000 extra overseas visits in 2013 which would generate some €170 million in revenue, based on historic spending patterns. The 2013 Estimates allocations to Failte Ireland include a special provision of €7 million, specifically provided to fund the promotion, development and legacy of the Gathering.
As of the end of last week, there were 3,300 individual Gatherings confirmed on the Gathering website. These include clan gatherings, festivals, special sporting events and concerts taking place all across the country throughout the year. A county breakdown can be viewed on this website. Along with well-established events and festivals, we are also supporting a specially targeted set of events for the Gathering, such as the very successful New Year's Eve Event in Dublin. The People's Parade was the Gathering element of the recent St. Patrick's Festival and was a great success with almost 6,000 overseas visitors joining the parade.
The ambitious targets for overseas visits and associated revenue can only be achieved if people in our main source tourism markets are aware of the initiative. Tourism Ireland continues to mount a major consumer campaign to promote The Gathering to people across the world linked by family, friends or otherwise with Ireland. The agency is undertaking cooperative activity with major airlines and ferry operators to highlight the value fares on offer. Print, online and TV advertising is being used to promote the initiative while the recent programme of overseas Ministerial visits during the St. Patrick's Day period highlighted this special year for Irish tourism. I understand that the feedback from the diaspora in the markets has been extremely positive. Tourism Ireland has announced 2013 as Ireland's Family History Year and are encouraging people throughout the world to research their family history and connections with Ireland.
While progress to date has been encouraging, I have previously stated that all tourism stakeholders must continue to work hard to ensure that our targets are achieved. If we do so, I have no doubt that the benefits of participation in the event will have longer term positive consequences in terms of additional annual events as well as the strengthened connections being established as a result of the initiative.
38. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he acknowledges the unique and rich history of Cobh, County Cork and the town’s potential to become one of the main tourist destinations outside of Dublin; the reason thus far no plans have been put in place by his Department to develop it as an significant tourist destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15313/13]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
39. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to ensure that all legislation produced by his Department is in line with the spirit of international agreements signed up to by this State including the Good Friday Agreement. [15051/13]
View answerLegislation is developed in accordance with set procedures which take account of all legal and constitutional issues that may arise. Issues contained in international agreements where relevant are considered as part of this process.
The procedures for the development and enactment of legislation provide the opportunity for both Senators and Deputies in the Houses of the Oireachtas to raise any issues in relation to the draft legislation, including issues in relation to international agreements such as the Good Friday Agreement, for consideration and agreement by both Houses.
40. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way taxi drivers who own perfectly safe and roadworthy vehicles designed to accommodate wheelchairs, are to be compensated; the way those who have lost the mobility allowance are going to travel with less wheelchair accessible taxis on the road, following the decision that such vehicles have to be taken off the road when they are 15 years old. [15038/13]
View answer47. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reverse the decision requiring taxi drivers to take wheelchair taxis off the road once they are 15 years old. [15037/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 47 together.
The regulation of the taxi industry, including issues pertaining to vehicle age limit, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. The NTA is the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011.
The NTA carried out a consultation on vehicle standards as part of the Taxi Regulation Review which gave rise to recommendations for strengthening vehicle standards. Action 10 of the Review Report recommends retention of the 9 year vehicle age limit that applies at licence issue or renewal for all new vehicles entering the fleet. For existing vehicles in the fleet licensed prior to 1 January 2009, these can operate up to the 15th annniversary of each vehicle's first registration subject to 6-monthly NCT testing and NTA licence renewal assessment. It is envisaged therefore that, over time, all vehicles older than nine years will gradually transition from the taxi and hackney fleet.
A number of other recommendations of the Taxi Review aim to address the transport requirements in SPSVs for people with disability and reduced mobility. In particular, Action 20 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report recommended the review of existing specifications for WAVs with view to assisting in the increase in availability of accessible SPSVs. Action 18 proposes a single contact centre for ordering wheelchair accessible taxi services, which is to be introduced on a pilot basis. These actions are being developed by the NTA with a view to implementation later this year.
41. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that some services provided by Louth Linx who are funded by his Department under the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013 are to be suspended, specifically the Carlingford to Dundalk bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15240/13]
View answerSince 1st April 2012 responsibility for managing the Rural Transport Programme has been assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of new arrangements for integrated local and rural transport approved by Government in January 2012. Currently, the Programme is administered by Pobal in conjunction with the NTA as part of the Programme transition. Thirty-five groups covering thirty-six geographical areas nationwide are currently being funded under the Programme. Louth Linx (Louth Leader) is one of these groups.
An overall budget of €9.133 million has been allocated by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport to the Programme for 2013. This represents a small decrease on the 2012 allocation of €9.77 million, at a very difficult time financially. €78,670.50 of the 2013 RTP budget has been allocated to Louth Linx from January to June 2013, with a further proposed allocation of €78,670.00 from July to December. Additionally, €16,213.00 of Free Travel Pass (FTP) funding has been allocated to Louth Linx from January to June, 2013, with a further proposed allocation of €16,213.00 from July to December. This represents a total 2013 allocation of combined RTP and FTP funding of €189,766.50, for the provision of the RTP service across County Louth. This funding allocation covers the planned 2013 RTP service level, which anticipates over 26,000 passenger trips, or 1,185 service trips, by means of two daily services, 18 weekly services and one fortnightly and monthly service.
I have been advised that Louth Linx RTP bus services 502 and 701, Carlingford to Dundalk and Dundalk to Omeath respectively, are currently operational and it is planned that they will remain in operation during 2013. The temporary suspension of the 701 Sunday service to the Cooley peninsula was lifted on the 3rd of March, with the exception of St Patrick’s weekend due to road closures.
42. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on meetings he has held with interest groups relating to Knock Airport and its future and any commitments made to secure its continued operation. [15055/13]
View answerWhile I have not had meetings with interest groups regarding Ireland West - Knock Airport, since coming to office, senior officials of my Department and I have had meetings and engagements with Knock Airport itself on a number of occasions. Most recently, I met the Board of the Airport, along with the Taoiseach in Mayo on 28 January 2013. At that meeting, it was agreed that a Study Group would be established, with participation at a senior level from my Department, focussed on securing the future of the airport. The intention was that the Group, to be chaired by Deputy John O’Mahony, would report in a short time frame and following the Group’s report, the Government would engage further with the Airport on how best to progress matters.
Since then, the Board of Knock Airport and my officials have been putting arrangements in place for the Study Group, including nominations and the terms of reference for the Group to enable the Study Group’s work to commence in the coming weeks.
The Taoiseach and I have made it clear that the Government is keen to work with Knock Airport to secure its future but that such co-operation would have to be on a realistic basis within State aid rules and recognising exchequer constraints and the need to treat other regional airports similarly.
I am hopeful that the outcome of the Study Group’s work, which is taking place in parallel with the development of a future Aviation Policy for Ireland launched by me last December at a major Aviation Conference in Dublin, can form a useful input into that Policy and assist in identifying the future role of the airport along with other regional airports in Ireland. The Government believe that the airport should continue to perform the important role of providing air connectivity to its hinterland in the years to come.
43. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that Bantry Bay Harbour, County Cork, is the only regional harbour operating under the Harbours Act 1946 and that the intention is to merge the harbour with the Port of Cork Company, his plans to promote and develop Bantry Bay Harbour with the aim of maximising Bantry's potential as a tourist hub for west Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15304/13]
View answerAs the Deputy points out, Bantry Harbour is the last remaining harbour operating under the Harbours Act, 1946.The core business of Bantry Bay harbour is the oil storage and transhipment terminal on Whiddy Island. Provision was included in the Harbours (Amendment) Act, 2009 to allow the transfer of Bantry Harbour to the Port of Cork to take place. The Act provides that a public consultation must be completed before any transfer takes place and it outlines how that consultation should take place.
I launched a public consultation on 7th March in relation to a proposal to transfer Bantry harbour to the Port of Cork. The deadline for receipt of submissions is Friday 5th April 2013. A decision on the proposed transfer will be made when all the submissions duly made under that process have been considered. In terms of the promotion and development of Bantry Bay Harbour and maximising Bantry's potential as a tourist hub for west Cork, Fáilte Ireland have responsibility for regional tourism development. I have referred the question of the development of the region to them for further information and direct reply.
44. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has, based on the expectations, taken into account the reasoned opinion of the Advocate General, of a negative decision from the European Court of Justice of the European Union in the case concerning the Galway city outer bypass, commenced preparation on a new IROPI or imperative reasons for overriding public interest application to progress the bypass. [15217/13]
View answerAs 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.
Once the outcome of the legal proceedings, including the Supreme Court's decision on the judicial review, is known I would expect that all the stakeholders involved will review how to move forward with this project. The Government is committed to overcoming any legal and planning difficulties so that this important project can commence.
46. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of 19 February 2013, if he has appointed a new chairperson to the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, Dublin; if this vacancy has been filled; if he has taken up the outstanding issues of remuneration to the CEO with the new chairperson; if the position has not been filled, when he expects to fill it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15295/13]
View answerI informed the Deputy in response to Questions on 19 February 2013 that at present I am actively recruiting a Chairperson, and I hope to be in a position to make an appointment shortly. I have undertaken previously that I would ask the new Chairperson to review certain matters relating to the CEO remuneration raised by the Deputy. The Chairperson designate will as usual appear before the Joint Committee before being appointed. When appointed I would like to see the new Chairperson and Board deal with these issues quickly in order that the company can focus on the immediate and long term future direction and success of the harbour company.
