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Tuesday, 16 Apr 2013

Written Answers Nos. 1372-1393

Public Transport Provision

Questions (1373)

Jack Wall

Question:

1373. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to continue their business operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16316/13]

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Written answers

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.  I have referred the details of your question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

Bus Éireann Services

Questions (1374)

Noel Grealish

Question:

1374. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received the report and recommendations by the National Transport Authority on public service obligations which was carried out in summer 2012; if he will make the recommendations of the National Transport Authority available to the public; if and when he intends to make decisions based on these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16386/13]

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Written answers

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 4, which I answered on 27 March 2013 and a copy of which follows. The position is unchanged.

Dáil Question No: 4 To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to supply the public transport passenger with a more diverse bus service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Timmy Dooley.

For PRIORITY answer on Wednesday, 27th March, 2013.

Ref No: 15509/13

Answered by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar

REPLY

This question relates to the structure of the public service obligation bus market. The programme for Government contains a commitment "to establish a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Infrastructure to explore the benefits to the public transport passenger of a more diverse bus service provision".  In line with this commitment, the National Transport Authority conducted a non-statutory public consultation in the summer of 2012. A report on the process is available on the website of the authority.  I draw the Deputy's attention to the Competition Authority's submission, which highlighted the positive international experience of tendering. The National Transport Authority briefed the Cabinet sub-committee on the process in October 2012. Public consultation submissions will be considered and taken into account by the authority when it comes forward with proposals.  If the authority proposes to enter into a further direct award contract or contracts for bus services, it is obliged to carry out a statutory consultation under section 52 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.  Furthermore, the legislation states that it may not enter into direct award contracts unless "it is satisfied that the continued adequacy of the public bus passenger services to which the contracts relate can only be guaranteed in the general economic interest by entering into such direct award contracts".  Accordingly, the matter will require further examination by the National Transport Authority before any decisions are taken. I have been advised by the authority that it is commencing a series of analytical tasks in respect of the public service obligation bus market.  This analytical work will be completed before August of this year, when the authority anticipates that statutory consultation on any new direct award contract will need to commence.

Driver Licences

Questions (1375)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

1375. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the provision that has been made regarding photo capture for the new driver licence; if he will consider the points made in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16530/13]

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Written answers

In January of this year, a centralised National Driver Licensing Service under the Road Safety Authority (RSA) came into effect.  The legislation to give authority over driver licensing to the RSA was passed in 2012. The new licensing system involves three outsourced contracts, managed by a specialist unit based in RSA headquarters in Ballina.  The outsourced elements are: a card production facility, a front office for engaging with the customer, and a back office to process applications.  This system will not be fully up and running until September of this year.  In the meantime, local authorities continue to perform front office functions on behalf of the RSA. The Deputy may wish to note that, during this transition period, applicants can still provide their photos as before. Once the new system is fully operational, the only option will be the digital photo taken at the front office network.  I understand from the RSA that when they published the Request for Tenders for the front office they asked tenderers to put forward a preference for scanning or digital capture.  All three tenderers went for digital capture, as it is the most effective, secure and efficient process. The operation of the tender processes was a matter for the RSA, and I had no involvement in it.  The contractors for the front office, and the back office and card producer, have already been procured.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (1376)

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

1376. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding support from his Department for amateur boxing clubs in relation to access to training facilities and other supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16585/13]

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Written answers

The primary vehicle for the funding of sports clubs is the Sports Capital Programme.  The last round of the programme was launched on 28 March 2012 with the deadline for applications being the 11 May for paper based hard copy applications and 1 June for applications made online.  The Department received 2,170 applications for funding under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.

It was open to all sporting organisations including boxing clubs to make an application under this programme. My Department received 55 applications for funding from boxing clubs around the country of which 24 were allocated funding.

In 2009 and 2010 my Department provided total funding of €1m to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association to bulk buy equipment for distribution amongst their member clubs. In addition to this there was an allocation of €1.25m made to the IABA in 2011 to allow local boxing clubs throughout the country to improve their premises with special emphasis being made for clubs wishing to introduce facilities for female boxers.  The maximum amount allocated to each of the boxing clubs was €25,000.  This scheme was funded by my Department and administered by the IABA.  Under this initiative 51 boxing clubs were in a position to improve their facilities. Last week I announced an additional provision of €1m for the extension of the above scheme and my officials will meet with the IABA to finalise the terms and conditions attaching to this allocation.

Road Traffic Regulation

Questions (1377)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1377. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is any road traffic regulation that requires that all telecommunications cables and electric cables are at least 22ft, 7metres, over road height; if there is, the body that has responsibility for the enforcement of this regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16627/13]

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Written answers

While Chapter 6 of my Department’s Traffic Signs Manual (2010) provides that a Road Authority shall, when giving consideration to providing warning signs under section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, consult with the owner of the electrical cables concerned in order to agree the safe height to be displayed on such warning signs, road traffic legislation does not provide for minimum over road clearance height of the cables concerned.

Taxi Regulations

Questions (1378, 1379)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

1378. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of taxi drivers that are registered in the Dublin 18 area. [16730/13]

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Dessie Ellis

Question:

1379. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of taxi rank spaces that are provided in the Dublin 18 area. [16731/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1378 and 1379 together.

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including maintaining statistical information on taxis, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.  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.

Regarding the provision of rank spaces, under section 84 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, inserted by section 15 of the Road Traffic Act, 2002, the function of allocating road kerb space to taxi ranks is a reserved function of the elected members of the relevant local authorities in consultation with the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána. Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council is the authority with responsibility for this matter for Dublin 18.

Rail Network

Questions (1380)

James Bannon

Question:

1380. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the re-opening of the Killucan and Multyfarnham stations on the Dublin-to-Sligo rail line, as studies have shown that hundreds of people would access these stations if they were up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16739/13]

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Written answers

The re-opening of railway stations is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance, and therefore I have forwarded your Question to the CEO of Iarnród Éireann for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my Office if a reply has not been received within ten days. For the Deputy's information, funding for the re-opening of Killucan and Multyfarnham stations has not been included in the transport allocation under the  "Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-16: Medium Term Exchequer Framework " and therefore there  are no Exchequer funds available for these projects to 2016.

Air Fares

Questions (1381)

James Bannon

Question:

1381. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with airline companies on reducing fares to attract additional visitors to Ireland for The Gathering 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16741/13]

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Written answers

The air transport market into and out of Ireland is a highly liberalised and competitive market. I have no role in relation to the setting of air fares by airlines.  However, my Department and its agencies encourage and promote the establishment of new routes and increases in capacity on existing routes. Tourism Ireland’s ongoing investment in cooperative marketing activity with airlines has contributed to a 26% increase in capacity on US-Ireland routes for 2013, linked to both general traffic demand and the expected increased traffic linked to the Gathering.

Furthermore additional connectivity to and from Ireland has been achieved through Emirates' and Etihad's services from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively, which provide greater ease of access to Ireland from Australia as well as the emerging tourism markets in the Middle East and Asia. These long-haul markets are particularly important for Irish tourism as tourists from these destinations tend to stay longer and spend more. In addition to this, Irish airports offer discounted charges to airlines providing new routes.

Tourism Ireland continues to invest in cooperative marketing activity with airlines and negotiations are ongoing with a number of carriers for additional capacity linked both to general traffic demand and the increased traffic expected over the course of The Gathering Ireland 2013.

Road Projects

Questions (1382)

Heather Humphreys

Question:

1382. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there has been a reduction in personnel as a result of the reduced number of strategic projects being undertaken by the National Roads Authority; the cost savings that have been achieved as a result of this reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16778/13]

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Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall corporate governance of the National Roads Authority (NRA). However, the remuneration of staff in the Authority is a day to day matter for the NRA. Noting this 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.

Road Traffic Legislation

Questions (1383)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1383. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reject any proposal from the Road Safety Authority to stop persons from selling vegetables on the roadsides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16852/13]

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Written answers

I would direct the Deputy's attention to the provisions of Section 71 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended, which sets out the statutory position in relation to the sale of goods on a public road.

The Gathering Events

Questions (1384)

Simon Harris

Question:

1384. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on The Gathering events organised in a county (details supplied); the amount of funding given to events in this county; if he will give details of tourism statistics for the county to date in 2013 compared to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16867/13]

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Written answers

The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

International Summits

Questions (1385)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

1385. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he and his Department have been liaising with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding the upcoming G8 Summit taking place in June 2013 in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland; if they have requested any assistance or help with the event taking place; if any actions by his Department will be taken as a result of the summit occurring in Northern Ireland; if there are any costs involved with any operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16948/13]

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Written answers

My Department has not had any communication with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding the upcoming G8 Summit.

Fáilte Ireland Funding

Questions (1386)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1386. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in view of the importance of The Gathering, his Department, either directly or indirectly through State agencies involved, has expressed concerns regarding the Cork film festival on the way this may affect State support for the festival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16976/13]

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Written answers

I understand that the primary funding source for this event is the Arts Council and the position in relation to this funding has been set out by my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in response to PQ 16977/13. In relation to tourism, the provision of funding for festivals and events is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  Therefore I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply on this aspect. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Penalty Points System

Questions (1387)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

1387. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the upcoming Road Traffic Bill 2013 will include provisions for two penalty points in respect of learners driving unaccompanied, two penalty points for learner drivers driving without L plates, the testing of the unconscious driver involved in an injury related crash, and a new offence of using or handling the keypad of a hands free mobile for the purpose of texting or accessing information while driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16984/13]

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Written answers

The General Scheme of the forthcoming Road Traffic Bill, as approved by the Government for formal drafting, is available on my Department's website, where the Deputy will find details of all the proposed measures. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government and, subject to any additional legal advice being required, is expected to be published shortly.

National Car Test

Questions (1388)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

1388. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he was last briefed on the operation of the national car test, NCT, system; if he will indicate the current waiting time for a motorist for an NCT at each of the testing centres; if he is satisfied with the length of time it takes to get a NCT appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16985/13]

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Written answers

The General Scheme of the forthcoming Road Traffic Bill, as approved by the Government for formal drafting, is available on my Department's website, where the Deputy will find details of all the proposed measures. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government and, subject to any additional legal advice being required, is expected to be published shortly.

Marine Gallantry Award

Questions (1389)

Michael McGrath

Question:

1389. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is any official awards ceremony whereby members of the public can nominate persons or organisations under his Department, for example the Irish Coastguard, for an act of exceptional courage performed in the course of their duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17058/13]

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Written answers

A marine awards committee under the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport provides for the granting of Marine Gallantry or Meritorious Service Awards. Details can be found on the Department's web site at  http://www.dttas.ie/viewitem.asp?id=13339&lang=ENG&loc=2073. It is open to any individual, agency, organisation or service to make submissions and recommendations for marine awards.

A Marine Gallantry award may be considered in respect of any person undertaking, or assisting in, a marine emergency incident:

- within the State and its emergency response responsibility zones;

- to or on an Irish vessel anywhere in the world;

- by a declared Coast Guard resource anywhere in the world; and

- any Irish person undertaking or assisting in a marine emergency response anywhere in the world.

Any person who has given meritorious service to the Irish State in the execution of its marine emergency management remit or any Irish person who has given meritorious service to the cause of search and rescue or marine emergency management anywhere in the world can be nominated for a Meritorious Award.

Driver Licences

Questions (1390)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

1390. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is an EU Directive which states that a code should be used on the new driving licences rather than symbol to indicate that a person wishes to be an organ donor; the reason for such a directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17084/13]

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Written answers

The EU Directives relating to the format of the new driver licence are Directive 2006/126/EC and Directive 2011/94/EU.  Neither makes any reference to organ donation.

One of the main purposes of the new EU licence is to provide harmonisation in the level of information in all Member States. The EU Directives provide for a series of number codes that Member States may include on the new licence format for various forms of information.  Member States have the option of including additional information besides that required by the Directives.  The use of number codes is a standard form of conveying information under the Directives, with codes from 100 upwards available to be used for such optional addition information as individual member states choose to require.  Ireland has chosen to make an indication of willingness to be an organ donor available as an option, and this is therefore indicated by a number code. This replaces the option on the old paper licence, which had a box in which a licence holder could write indicating if they wished to be an organ donor.

Tourism Project Funding

Questions (1391)

Tom Fleming

Question:

1391. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 7 April 2011, if he will support the development of the Irish cultural-GAA museum in Fitzgerald stadium, Killarney, County Kerry; if he acknowledges the potential this multi-million euro project has for tourism in the county; if he will ask Fáilte Ireland to support and provide funding for this project at an early date in 2013, as per reply from Fáilte Ireland dated 23 November 2012; if he acknowledges the potential of this project to be one of Ireland's greatest tourist attractions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17088/13]

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Written answers

As indicated to the Deputy in response to his earlier questions on this topic, the matter concerned is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  I am advised that the Deputy has also contacted Fáilte Ireland directly in recent days on this matter, and I expect that he will receive an update from Fáilte Ireland on the matter shortly.

Search and Rescue Service

Questions (1392)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

1392. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the contract for search and rescue Sikorsky helicopter services signed by the previous Government; his views on whether that the contract represents value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17169/13]

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Written answers

The current Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) Services contract, which came into operation on the 1 July 2012, will run for 10 years to end June 2022, with a maximum extension date at the Minister's discretion to June 2025 for all or any of the bases. The contract was signed in July 2010 and the agreed financial arrangements provide for monthly standing charges, flight charges and ancillary charges for five helicopters based at four locations. The monthly standing and flight charges are subject to an annual adjustment linked to indices as advised by  the Central Statistics Office.  The contract was signed in July 2010 and the agreed financial arrangements provide for monthly standing charges, flight charges and ancillary charges for five helicopters based at four locations. The monthly standing and flight charges are subject to an annual adjustment linked to indices as advised by  the Central Statistics Office.

Prior to the tender procedure for this contract a report by the Future Helicopter Study Group established the helicopter SAR requirements, and Request for Tender documents were drawn up and issued based on these requirements. The current contract represents a competitive price for a highly professional and reliable life saving service. It represents a stepped improvement in the capacity, range, speed and capability of Ireland's SAR service and enhanced support for the national ambulance service. The new helicopters being deployed allow for staying on scene longer, searching using improved radar, night lighting and infra-red and have the ability to fly in cloud and reduced visibility. They have better hover performance, a sophisticated mission planning and tracking systems and the crew have better medical qualifications. All of this represents a significant enhancement on the previous helicopter SAR arrangements.

Road Projects Status

Questions (1393)

Seán Kenny

Question:

1393. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when will the N2-N3 link road will be opened to vehicular traffic; the final cost projected for this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17218/13]

View answer

Written answers

The N2-N3 Link Road is due to open at the end of May and the projected final cost is approximately €23 million. My Department's contribution to the project is €6 million.

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