Written Answers Nos. 719-728
719. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a licence will be granted for an hourly bus service proposed from Dublin Airport to Ennis in advance of the upcoming peak summer season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25518/13]
View answerThe licensing of bus services is an operational matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have referred 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.
720. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review regulations in respect of cycle tracks; if he will outline the regulations in respect of the use of footpaths by cyclists; if this practice is prohibited; the penalties that apply for same; and the way this is monitored and policed. [25593/13]
View answerSection 108 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended, provides that a member of An Garda Síochána may demand the name, address and date of birth of a pedal cyclist when intercepted committing a road traffic offence. The section also provides for the seizure of the bicycle if the cyclist refuses to provide their name, address and date of birth or the Garda suspects that false or misleading information has being given to them. The section also provides for the seizure of the bicycle if the cyclist refuses to provide their name, address and date of birth or the Garda suspects that false or misleading information has being given to them.
Road traffic legislation is of its nature subject to constant change and growth. I have no specific plans to review the legislation on cycle tracks. Offences committed by cyclists are prosecuted by way of summons to court and the penalty on conviction is provided by section 102 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, i.e. a fine of up to €1,000 for a first offence, a fine of up to €2,000 for a subsequent offence, and a fine of up to €2,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three months in the case of a third or subsequent offence within a 12 month period. The enforcement of road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
721. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the possibility of extending a Dublin Bus Service to the airport to better serve the Dublin North West area; if the option of extending the number 4 or 83 services could be considered in view of the fact that both already terminate in Harristown adjacent to the airport; and if a feasibility survey will be undertaken by the National Transport Authority on these or other local services. [25610/13]
View answerThe provision of services is a matter for Dublin Bus, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have forwarded the Deputy's question to both Dublin Bus and the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
723. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the context of positive national numbers for tourism for the first quarter of 2013, the action he has undertaken in conjunction with Bord Fáilte to promote greater balance in tourism between Dublin and the periphery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25768/13]
View answerThe tourism and hospitality sector employs an estimated 185,000 people across the country and tourism generates revenue of the order of €5.5 billion a year. The Government has taken a number of measures to assist the tourism sector including reductions in VAT and employers’ PRSI and the short term visa waiver programme. More recently the Government extended the Employment and Incentive Investment Scheme to include tourism accommodation. In addition, a diesel fuel rebate will come into effect in July which will benefit coach operators. These measures have a beneficial impact on businesses across the country.
Fáilte Ireland has funded a range of capital projects outside of Dublin including the Great Western Greenway in County Mayo, the Sliabh Liag cliffs project in Donegal, the Wetlands Eco Park in Tralee, Mizen Head Bridge, Killarney House, the Waterford Viking Triangle, Killarney Downhill Mountain Bike Trail, new pontoons in Portmagee, and the re-development of King John's Castle in Limerick. The route of the Wild Atlantic Way was also finalised and announced recently. This route will link Cork to Donegal and will provide a compelling reason for visitors to spend their holiday in the West.
A wide variety of business supports are available from Fáilte Ireland to tourism enterprises in all regions. Many festivals and events outside of Dublin are also in receipt of significant State funding. These include events such as the Rose of Tralee, the Galway Arts Festival, Kilkenny Arts Festival and Sligo Live. The Gathering is having a major impact across the country and, after Dublin, Cork, Mayo, Donegal, Galway and Kerry have the most number of Gatherings arranged for this summer. The busiest day for Gatherings will be Saturday 1 June, with 72 gatherings taking place throughout the country. In promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination Tourism Ireland also highlight the many attractions and experiences available to visitor right across the country.
724. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a toll on the M2 motorway; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25776/13]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme, and in this regard I have already made clear that no new tolls will be introduced while I am Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007). 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
725. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if ticket machines for the operations of Irish Rail, DART, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Luas are currently accepting the new €5 notes that have recently been issued by EU member states, including the Central Bank of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25874/13]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the relevant transport providers and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
726. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding options available through his Department which may be available to support a project (details supplied) in County Meath. [25881/13]
View answerNo funding is available from my Department as its role in relation to tourism is primarily concerned with national policy and the State Tourism agencies, under the aegis of the Department, deal with the operation and administration of that policy. Accordingly, 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.
727. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the costs to Irish Rail of the rebranding with their new logo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25882/13]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
728. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an application by Donegal County Council for funding to develop a new bridge at Cockhill, Buncrana, County Donegal; if he recognises the critical importance of this structure to the Inishowen peninsula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25885/13]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
In July last year local authorities were invited to submit applications for consideration for funding in 2013 under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme - the category that would cover such works. Donegal County Council applied for funding for eleven projects under this grant category but Cockhill Bridge was not among the Council’s applications. The Specific Improvement Grants Scheme is being suspended from 2014 onward in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work. It is important to reiterate that the role of the Exchequer grant aid is to supplement Councils' own resource spending on regional and local roads.
