Written Answers Nos. 1169-1185
1169. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that Cork Airport retains its 24 hour continuous air traffic control coverage; if his attention has been drawn to the Irish Aviation Authority's proposals to examine reducing the air traffic control coverage at Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34283/13]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993, one of the IAA's principal objects empowers it to decide, as it sees fit, the extent to which it should operate and manage terminal navigation services at any of the three State airports, including Cork Airport. Accordingly I have no statutory function in relation to this matter. I have been informed by the IAA of the operational circumstances, in particular the low night-time traffic levels, that are giving rise to the current consideration of introducing certain limited night-time service restrictions. It is my understanding that the IAA has decided to postpone for a six-month period a decision on the implementation of a modified air traffic control service at Cork Airport during which time traffic levels during the night will be monitored.
The Deputy will also wish to note that the IAA intends to arrange a consultation meeting in Cork next month, which will be attended by the operators of Cork Airport, as well as local business representatives and where all the factors involved in this issue can be explored and discussed in detail.
1170. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the performance of the Shannon Airport Authority since the airport became independent of the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA; if he will reaffirm his commitment that the terms and conditions of the previously employed DAA employees working in Shannon Airport will not be diminished in any way when they become staff of the Shannon Airport Authority; if there will be any loss of employment or change in employees' terms and conditions, including pensions, as a result of the change over to Shannon Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34284/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the assets, business and employees of Shannon Airport transferred from the Dublin Airport Authority to the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) on 31 December last following approval by both Houses of the Oireachtas of the "Shannon appointed day" Order (S.I No. 571 of 2012). The State Airports Act 2004 provided the statutory basis for the separation of Shannon airport from the DAA. That Act also contains provisions in relation to the terms and conditions of service, including pension matters, of the employees who transferred to the SAA last December and those provisions remain unchanged. I am satisfied with progress to date by the now independent Shannon Airport Authority.
It will be recalled that a major consideration for the Government in its decision on Shannon of last November was the serious decline of passenger traffic at the airport over recent years. Passenger numbers plummeted by over 60% from a peak in 2007 of 3.62 million to 1.39 million in 2012. It was recognised that a consistent decline on this scale would be challenging to reverse and would not happen overnight. Indeed, passenger numbers continued to decline in the first five months of this year. The immediate priority for the reconstituted board and new CEO of SAA is to halt this decline and then reverse it.
I was very pleased to see that last month, June, recorded the first monthly growth in passengers at Shannon in over five years - an 8% increase compared to June 2012. With a focus on developing new routes and on driving additional traffic on existing capacity, 2013 is currently forecast to see a modest overall increase of approximately 1.5% in passenger traffic at Shannon for the first time in seven years. If this reversal in the slide over the past five years is confirmed as the year progresses, it will prove a major achievement for Shannon in its first full year as an independent airport.
1171. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the implications the European Commission’s proposed single European sky has for airports here, the Irish Aviation Authority and Irish aerospace; if there will be any loss of employment or change in employees' terms and conditions as a result of these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34285/13]
View answerThe EU Single European Sky initiative was initially launched in 2004 and updated in 2009 with the overall aim of improving the efficiency of the way in which airspace across Europe is organised and managed. The latest Commission proposals are designed to improve the implementation of the existing legislation from 2004 and 2009 through certain reforms in institutional arrangements and the provision of air navigation services.
My Department has recently commenced a detailed consultation process of stakeholders in Irish aviation with an invitation to provide comments by 6 September 2013. Comments received will be carefully considered as part of the process of finalising an overall national position to be adopted in the negotiations to take place on these proposals from autumn onwards. The precise implications of the proposals will of course depend on the final outcome. I would however draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that Ireland has one of the lowest en route air navigation charges in Europe, which reflects the strong emphasis that the Irish Aviation Authority places on competitiveness and productivity that will equip the IAA well in relation to the further development of the Single European Sky.
1172. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an Irish driving licence is recognised by the authorities in each Canadian province and territory; the status of negotiations for reciprocal recognition between the authorities in each Canadian jurisdiction and this jurisdiction in view of the high insurance cost to Irish licence holders where their licences are not so recognised; if such negotiations will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34358/13]
View answerIreland has driver licence exchange relationships with a number of jurisdictions outside the EU. The basis for any such agreement is a detailed comparison of the two licensing regimes to ensure that they are compatible. This work is undertaken, on the Irish side, by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Ideally, we prefer to conclude such agreements at a national level so that there is a consistent approach across the whole country. However, Canada issues licences at provincial level. The Irish Embassy in Ottawa therefore engaged with the provincial authorities in Canada, and several provinces were identified where progress might be made. It was decided to prioritise Ontario as it is now home to a large community of Irish people.
I gather from the RSA that a considerable amount of work has now been done both by them and by the authorities in Ontario, although they have yet to conclude what is a very detailed project of study and comparison of the two licensing systems. In the meantime, the RSA has also engaged, with the help of the Irish Embassy, in a similar process with the provinces of Alberta, Newfoundland, Manitoba and Labrador. Although engagement has only relatively recently started with Alberta, the authorities there have allowed a concession by accepting Irish licences and granting holders an exemption against waiting time within their own graduated driving licence (GDL) system.
1173. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if traffic calming measures will be put in place at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry to slow through traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34364/13]
View answerWhile my Department is responsible for the general legislation in regard to traffic matters, I do not have a direct role in relation to local traffic management, including the provision of traffic calming measures. The decision whether or not to provide such measures is a matter for the relevant local authorities concerned and in this instance, in consultation with the National Roads Authority.
1174. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of sustainable transport projects announced since 1 January 2013, broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34391/13]
View answerI launched the National Cycle Network Seed Funding Scheme in March 2013 to provide seed funding to local authorities for the development of proposals for high quality, off-road, greenway cycle routes.
The following 12 applications were selected for funding from a total of 35 applications. The total funding is €420,000.
More details on these projects can be found at www.smartertravel.ie.
|
Local Authority Proposal |
Funding approved |
|
Clare County Council West Clare Railway Greenway |
50,000 |
|
Cork County Council West Cork Abandoned Rail Lines Greenway -Cork to Kinsale Section |
30,000 |
|
Cork County Council West Cork Abandoned Rail Lines Greenway -Ballinascarthy to Courtmacsherry Section |
30,000 |
|
Galway County Council Connemara Greenway - Clifden to Oughterard (site survey) |
25,000 |
|
Kerry Co Council Ring of Kerry Trail - Glenbeigh to Renard, Cahersiveen |
50,000 |
|
Leitrim County Council North Leitrim Greenway - along the track of the former Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) |
30,000 |
|
Mayo County Council Monasteries of the Moy |
40,000 |
|
Roscommon County Council North Roscommon Greenway |
15,000 |
|
Sligo Borough Council Sligo section of SLNCR Greenway (see Leitrim for details) |
50,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council Dodder Greenway |
25,000 |
|
South Tipperary County Council Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir Greenway |
45,000 |
|
Westmeath County Council Mullingar Greenway |
30,000 |
1175. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011. [34411/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website.
1176. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that adequate measures have been taken to ensure compliance with EU transparency regulations regarding Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34429/13]
View answerI am satisfied that adequate measures have been taken to ensure compliance with EU transparency regulations regarding Bus Éireann and the company has confirmed that it is committed to adhering to EU transparency regulations that are applicable to the services it provides.
1177. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or any of the agencies under the aegis of his Department has investigated the further development of canal banks or lands within the control of Waterways Ireland as cycle or pedestrian facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34461/13]
View answerMy Department is fully supportive of the development of cycle ways and walking routes along canal paths and recognises the benefits of these initiatives. In general, it is a matter for relevant local authorities to progress and submit proposals for the development of such routes to the Department or to a relevant agency.
The agencies which come under the remit of the my Department and which have a role in the development of walking and cycling ways are the National Transport Authority and the National Trails Office. I have forwarded your question to those agencies for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within ten days please advise my private office.
With regard to projects being developed by local authorities along routes controlled by Waterways Ireland with direct funding by my Department, €451,000 has been granted to Westmeath County Council under the National Cycle Network Programme for the development a cycle route along the Royal Canal in Westmeath. This cycle way will form part of the proposed Dublin-Galway Greenway.
1178. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the fees and expenses paid to each member of each State board, to include the chair and board members, and the number of members on each State board under the aegis of his Department. [34521/13]
View answer1179. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, the annual salary of the chief executive officers of all non-commercial State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of his Department. [34537/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1178 and 1179 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the annual reports and accounts of the individual agencies. Full details of State board membership and approved fee scales are set out on my Department's website.
1180. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, a list of all professional fees, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT related, advisory, advertising and accountancy; the company name and the amount invoiced between 1 June 2012 and 31 May 2013. [34553/13]
View answer1182. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the annual saving to the Exchequer of a 20% reduction in all professional fees, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT related, advisory, advertising and accountancy; the company name and the amount invoiced between 1 June 2012 and 31 May 2013. [34585/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1180 and 1182 together.
Details of consultancy and other external expenditure by my Department are published on its website.
Reduction of costs across all activities continues to be a major focus of my Department. The measures in place to ensure that purchases of goods and services are made on the most economically advantageous terms include the competitive tendering process, availing as appropriate of Public Service Framework Agreements and availing of the Services of the National Procurement Service. I have no plans for, nor am I currently examining the effect of, introducing a 20% reduction in the fees referred to by the Deputy.
1181. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of all third level courses, training programmes and courses and accompanying cost for the 2012-13 academic year, from 1 September 2012 to 30 June 2013, provided for employees of his Department. [34569/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days.
1183. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, the annual saving to the Exchequer of a 1%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20% reduction in travel and expenses for his Department. [34601/13]
View answerThe 2012 outturn for my Department under the Travel and Subsistence subhead X02 was €1.069 million. Applying the percentages prescribed by the Deputy would reduce this amount as follows:
|
- |
Amount saved |
|
1% |
€10,690 |
|
5% |
€53,450 |
|
7% |
€74,830 |
|
10% |
€106,900 |
|
12% |
€128,280 |
|
15% |
€160,350 |
|
17% |
€181,730 |
|
20% |
€213,800 |
1184. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, the annual saving to the Exchequer of a 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20% reduction in training and development for his Department. [34617/13]
View answerThe allocation for 2013 for training and development in my Department is €150,000. The impact of applying the percentages to this figure is set out in the following table:
|
Budget 2013 |
% Reduction |
Saving |
|
€150,000 |
5 |
7,500 |
|
|
7 |
10,500 |
|
|
10 |
15,000 |
|
|
12 |
18,000 |
|
|
15 |
22,500 |
|
|
17 |
25,500 |
|
|
20 |
30,000 |
1185. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, the annual saving to the Exchequer if all his special advisers' pay was capped at the first point of the principal officer grade; and if he will provide a list of all salaries paid to his special advisers, post-implementation of the Haddington Road agreement. [34633/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.
