Written Answers Nos. 63-71
66. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in the statewide audit of speed limits in order to address issues raised by this audit; and the efforts he has made to work with his counterparts in the Stormont Assembly to harmonise speed limits North and South in the interests of safety. [22895/13]
View answerI announced last year that I had established a Group, comprising all relevant stakeholders, to carry out a review of speed limits in the country. This Group, which is chaired by my Department, includes representatives from the local authorities, the Automobile Association, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority as well as the National Transport Authority. Much progress has been made and I expect to receive a report from the Group shortly. I will give careful consideration to implementing any recommendations that emerge from the Report.
As the Deputy will be aware, there is significant existing co-operation on road safety matters between the authorities on both sides of the Border. At the North South Ministerial Council in October 2012, Minister Attwood and I agreed a detailed timetable for the mutual recognition of penalty points in the areas of speeding, drink/drug driving, non-wearing of seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving. The timetable agreed will be challenging as it will require significant legislative and operational work but officials on both sides are committed to the agreed timetable. There are many complex issues that will have to be addressed in both jurisdictions with a view to establishing a workable system which is perceived as proportionate and equitable and which atttracts widespread public support throughout Ireland.
This is the immediate priority for North South legislative co-operation and harmonisation and will require considerable work. While the harmonisation of speed limits with Northern Ireland would obviously be desirable there are significant complications to be addressed to arrive at this position, mainly the fact that speed limits in the North are set in imperial measurement units, while we use the metric system of measurement.
67. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to distribute the €13.5m in the sports capital programme 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22847/13]
View answerThere is €13.5m in the subhead in 2013 to cover payments to Sports Capital Programme grantees. This will be disbursed over the course of the year.
68. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his 32-county strategy for a lighthouse tourism trail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19160/13]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. It is not involved in the administration of tourism-related funding programmes or in support to specific tourism sectors, which are the responsibility of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply. It is not involved in the administration of tourism-related funding programmes or in support to specific tourism sectors, which are the responsibility of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply.
I am advised that the Commissioners of Irish Lights are currently in discussion with the Special EU Programmes Body about a cross-Border project to develop the tourism potential of lighthouses along the northern coast. Fáilte Ireland, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and a number of other public bodies are supporting the Commissioners of Irish Lights in relation to the project, which will facilitate the visitor to explore the best of our land and sea scapes.
I look forward to seeing this project progressed by the participating bodies at an early date.
70. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the high demand by local and regional sporting clubs to access funds under the successful 2012 Sports Capital Programme, if he will outline the future plans he has to support this community and voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22912/13]
View answerThe most recent round of the Sports Capital Programme was launched last March. The Deputy will be aware that this was the first round of the Programme since 2008.
The Department received 2,170 applications for funding under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme, the highest number of applications ever received. The allocations were announced last December. There were 648 allocations totalling €31m.
No decision has been taken on the timing of the next round. Any such decision will of course have to be taken in the context of the likely capital provision for the subhead in future years.
71. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for investments in Irish ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22991/13]
View answerIn March 2013 I published a new National Ports Policy which is available from my Department's website. This document outlines a roadmap for the sector's future development. With regard to future investment, there is no Exchequer funding available for port infrastructure development. Rather, as is stated in the National Ports Policy, the individual port companies must fund development proposals themselves without recourse to the Exchequer. This is settled Government policy and no Exchequer funding has been provided to the port companies since the conclusion of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 funding programme. No budget line exists for such funding and were it decided to provide such funding, it would give rise to significant competition and state aid concerns.
The new Policy is clear that the response to future national port capacity requirements should be led by the three Ports of National Significance (Tier 1) - Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes port companies, when, where and as required. There is also a role for the two Ports of National Significance (Tier 2) - Port of Waterford Company and Rosslare Europort to develop additional capacity to aid competitive conditions, particularly within the unitised sectors.
While Exchequer funding is not available there are of course a variety of commercial funding options open to the companies, notwithstanding the current difficulties in the financing markets. National Ports Policy encourages greater private sector involvement and investment in our key Ports of National Significance and there may be possibilities arising through, for example, the use of concession type arrangements or other public-private partnership arrangements. In addition I raised the possibility of investing in our ports with officials from the European Investment Bank on their recent visit. Furthermore I was happy to endorse funding applications made by Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes port companies under the EU TEN-T programme earlier this year.
In relation to the Ports of Regional Significance, they will continue to develop in line with regional requirements. Those Ports of Regional Significance that are currently under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport will transfer to Local Authority control over the coming years. The future investment in those ports shall be a matter for the Local Authorities concerned.
