Written Answers Nos. 563-578
563. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the proposals the Dublin Airport Authority has for the relocation of the headquarters of Aer Rianta International; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32907/13]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy about any proposals the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) may have for relocating the headquarters for Aer Rianta International falls within the operational responsibilities of the DAA and I have referred the question 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.
564. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason persons have to wait so long for an NCT to be carried out on their vehicles; the average time for waiting; the number of cars in the system waiting for a test to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33051/13]
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.
565. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons including management working for Dublin Airport Authority who earned over €100,000 in each of the past five years; the number of staff including management who received a bonus in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33103/13]
View answerOther than the Chief Executive Officer, the salary levels of employees of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), a commercial semi-State body, are a matter for the DAA. I have no function in such matters. Therefore, this question has been referred to the DAA for direct reply to the Deputy. If no answer has been received in ten working days, the Deputy should contact my private office.
566. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Bus Éireann to have at least one bus stopping during the day at a location (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33104/13]
View answerThe scheduling and time tabling of buses is an operational matter for Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and not one in which my Department has any role. I have forwarded your question to the company for direct reply and to the NTA for information. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
567. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the issue of rural hackneys as detailed in action 46 of the taxi review report and his Department's plans has been discussed by the taxi advisory group; and if not when it will be discussed. [33112/13]
View answer568. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a new plan for rural hackneys as detailed in action 46 of the taxi review report; and the advice he has sought on this new plan from experts and stakeholders. [33113/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 567 and 568 together.
The aim of the rural hackney licence, as proposed under Action 46 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011, is to facilitate the low cost entry to the hackney market for transport provision in rural areas that, otherwise, would be unlikely to have such services. The licensing requirement would be based on certain specified criteria in particular the validation of transport needs in the area of operation.
The recommendations of the Taxi Review Group were informed by the economic analysis of the independent consultants, Indecon, which concluded that there should be a different regulatory approach for rural areas focusing on ways of assisting entry into rural markets where there is a shortage of supply. The Taxi Review Group itself comprised of representatives of the taxi Industry and consumers, representing the concerns and interests of urban and rural communities.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009, and is also the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report. The NTA has prepared a proposal for the introduction of the local area hackney licence which is currently being considered by the Taxi Advisory Committee. I have forwarded your Question to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within 10 working days, please notify my private Office.
569. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of new trams that will be purchased to serve on the Luas cross-city service and their expected date of delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33145/13]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as Luas Cross City, comes under the remit of the NTA. However for the Deputy's information the advance enabling works for the project have recently commenced. Procurement for the project's main contract will commence in 2014 with main construction works targeted to start in early 2015. The target date for commencement of services is end-2017.
The procurement process for the purchase of trams is currently at an early stage. The trams are programmed to arrive to facilitate testing and commissioning in advance of the scheduled opening of the line in late 2017. A provision for the cost of the new trams has been included in the business case. In light of the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply in relation to the specific queries raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
570. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no current direct flight exists between Ireland and any city in the People's Republic of China; his views on whether such a direct air link would provide additional benefit for Ireland, in view of the current level of trade between the two countries; the discussions he has held on this matter in the past two years; his views on whether such a route would be beneficial for Ireland in view of the visit here last year of the then Vice President and now President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33184/13]
View answerIreland has a bilateral air transport agreement with China since 1998. The agreement provides the legal framework for scheduled air services between the two countries. However, the establishment of such a service is a commercial decision for the airlines. Enhanced air access to key tourism and business markets such as China has always been a key element of Ireland’s aviation policy. I would very much welcome the prospect of direct services to China and have no doubt that such a service would be of benefit to trade relations between both countries. The Irish airports and Tourism Ireland have attractive incentive and marketing programmes available to help support new services and I am aware the DAA have had discussions with Chinese airlines about the possibility of a service.
In the meantime, Ireland does have extensive one-stop connectivity with many Chinese cities through the established European hubs such as Heathrow, Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt. In addition connectively with China has improved considerably since the commencement of Etihad’s services to/from Abu Dhabi in 2007 and more recently Emirates services to/from Dubai in 2012.
571. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position in relation to progress regarding the provision of a bypass for Ardee, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33302/13]
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. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
572. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of agent network locations that he is seeking to establish in County Wicklow through SGS Ireland for the national driving licence service centres; the locations that have been agreed; if all locations in the county will open by the September 2013 deadline, if job creation will be an element of the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33306/13]
View answerThe subject matter of this question, which is the operation of the driver licensing service, is a matter for the Road Safety Authority, and I have therefore passed the question to the Authority for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
573. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the implications for Ireland if caravans, trailers and motorcycles may have to carry separate number plates from 2016 onwards as a result of a recent vote by the European Parliament; if he believes licence plates should remain in Ireland's competence or should be part of an overall EU policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33314/13]
View answerEnhanced EU roadworthiness proposals published by the Commission in July 2012 proposed the addition of heretofore excluded classes of vehicles such as towed caravans, trailers and motorcycles within the established roadworthiness testing regime. Under the Irish Presidency, amendments to those proposals were agreed by the Land Transport Working Group, and the June 2013 Ministerial Transport Council reached a General Agreement on the suggested amendments. The European Parliament has separately submitted a range of possible amendments to the Commission and negotiations to reach/seek an agreed tripartite solution will be initiated shortly under the Lithuanian Presidency. Ireland will await the final outcome of these negotiations and will carefully consider any implications that may arise.
574. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of financial assistance that has been provided by either his Department or the National Transport Authority to Bus Éireann towards the roll-out of on-street real time information systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33365/13]
View answerFollowing the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI), comes under the remit of the NTA. The Authority’s functions were subsequently extended by Ministerial Order to include provision of RTPI to the four major regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford and the contiguous areas of those counties. Noting this 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 10 working days.
575. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the provision of a facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33431/13]
View answerThe issue of bus stop improvement is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport provider. 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.
576. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of the final reports post excavation relative to the archaeological dig in the Boyne Valley, County Meath, as part of the construction of the M1 (details supplied); if these final reports on the discoveries which formed part of the conditions under which the excavation licences were issued by the national monuments service have been submitted to the appropriate Department or agency; if the consultants have been paid in full for the reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33434/13]
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. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
577. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans in regards to taxi drivers currently using the prime location rank near the Gresham Hotel, O'Connell Street, Dublin 1 who will not have the use of those ranks during forthcoming LUAS works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33455/13]
View answerDecisions regarding the location and operation of taxi ranks on public roads are primarily matters for consideration by the relevant local authority. Under section 84 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended by Section 15 of the Road Traffic Act, 2002, Dublin City Council, in consultation with the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, is responsible for the making of bye-laws in respect of the area comprising of the city of Dublin, including bye-laws regarding the location and number of taxi ranks.
I understand that the National Transport Authority (NTA) is in on-going discussions with Dublin City Council concerning the identification of potential locations for rank space within Dublin City Centre. I have forwarded your Question to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within 10 working days please notify my private Office.
578. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide for anti-speeding measures with particular reference to roads identified by groups in the national slow down day speed surveys (details supplied), as they are proven to reduce risk and save lives. [33478/13]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the relevant councils. It is open to Galway County Council to fund these works from its Discretionary Grant or alternatively prioritise these works and submit them among their applications for funding in 2014 under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Grants Scheme when applications are sought in due course. It is also important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like Galway County Council in their spending in this area and the Council may fund traffic calming works from its own resources.
