Written Answers Nos. 632-650
632. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of the Acts or specific provisions of Acts under his Department that have not yet been commenced; if it is intended to commence the provision in each case; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40607/13]
View answerIncluded is a list of the Acts or specific provisions of Acts under his Department that have not yet been commenced.
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Act |
Section |
Status |
|
No. 9 of 2005 Sea Pollution (Hazardous Substances) (Compensation) Act 2005 |
No. 586 of 2007 Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Part 3 and Schedule 2 |
My Department is currently preparing draft heads of a bill, subject to the obtaining of legal advice from the Attorney General’s Office, to provide for various matters, one of which is to amend the Sea Pollution (Hazardous Substances) (Compensation) Act 2005 in order to give effect to the provisions of the Protocol to the 1996 HNS Convention. |
|
Aer Lingus Act 2004 |
Section 9 Superannuation schemes |
There is no immediate intention to commence the provision. |
|
Aer Lingus Act 2004 |
Section 2
Repeals |
Certain repeals provided for involving the Air Companies Act 1966 and the Air Companies (Amendment) Act 1969 will not be effected as long as the State remains a shareholder in Aer Lingus |
|
Tourist Traffic Act 1957 |
5(1) (iii) Unauthorised use of titles protected by the Tourist Traffic Acts |
No plans to commence the provision |
|
Tourist Traffic Act 1970 |
6 (d) Unauthorised use of titles protected by the Tourist Traffic Acts |
No plans to commence the provision |
|
Tourist Traffic Act 1983 |
7 (4)
Unauthorised use of titles protected by the Tourist Traffic Acts |
No plans to commence the provision |
|
RSA Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Act 2012 |
Sections 36, 43, 44(a) and (b) and 45 |
It is intended to commence both Sections as soon as it is practicable |
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Road Traffic Act 2010 |
Sections, 11, 32, 34 to 54 inclusive, 75 and 82 |
It is intended to commence both Sections as soon as it is practicable |
|
The Merchant Shipping Act 2010 |
Section 87 Section 87 of the Merchant Shipping Act 2010 enables the Minister for Transport to make regulations to fulfil the State’s commitments in relation to the merchant shipping aspects of the Maritime Labour Convention for Irish ships and seafarers working on those ships |
It is proposed to commence the section on entry into force of the Convention for Ireland |
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Harbours Act 1996 |
Section 88 (5) and Section 88 (6) |
Yet to be commenced. It is intended to commence both Sections as soon as it is practicable |
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Aviation Preclearance Act 2009 |
Section 19 |
It is intended to commence this provision in the near future. |
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Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 |
Section 61 (Road User information system)
|
There are no plans to commence these sections |
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Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 |
Section 114 (disposal of CIE property) |
There are no plans to commence these sections |
|
Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 |
Section 17(22) Appointed day for establishment of National Transport Authority Advisory Council. |
There are no plans to commence these sections |
|
Taxi Regulation Act 2003 |
Section 35 Appeal against refusal to grant, suspension or revocation of licence |
The provisions of these sections are now contained in the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 and will be commenced once this legislation is enacted. |
|
|
Section 36 Mandatory Disqualification for holding licence on conviction of certain offences |
The provisions of these sections are now contained in the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 and will be commenced once this legislation is enacted. |
633. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of compliance with European Union directives within his ministerial areas of responsibility; the current fines resulting from non-compliance and potential fines resulting from present non-compliance the State is or may be exposed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40643/13]
View answerThe European Commission has initiated five infringement proceedings on compliance aspects or incomplete transposition of EU Directives that fall within the remit of my Department. Officials from my Department are continuing to liaise with the European Commission on these cases with a view to addressing the issues raised by the Commission. There is no case where the European Court of Justice fines are currently being paid. Additionally, my Department has one directive (2013/15) on technical aspects of directives on free movement of goods that needs to be adapted following the accession of Croatia on 1 July 2013. This is under review in the Department at the moment.
635. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Iarnrod Éireann has filled the 20 additional revenue protection officer posts; if not, the number of posts that have been filled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40713/13]
View answerThis is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann 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.
636. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Tourism Ireland plans to open any new tourism offices in the North American region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40714/13]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational one for Tourism Ireland Limited as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
638. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the bus station office in Killarney does not open on a Saturday or Sunday; if he will consider restricted opening hours on these days to facilitate this busy tourist town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40798/13]
View answerThis is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I have referred 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.
639. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm the derogation for overheight trucks on public roads here will not be extended beyond 31 October 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40802/13]
View answerStatutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum vehicle height limit at 4.65 metres. Following a public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, it was agreed that a five year derogation from that limit would apply to vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1 November 2008. The derogation was introduced in order to allow a five year period within which vehicles operating at heights in excess of the new statutory limit could be withdrawn from use in Ireland. The derogation terminates on 31st October 2013 and I have no proposals to extend it.
640. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support a change in the legislation regarding rates paid by sports clubs and organisations, particularly in view of the recent substantial increase in rates paid by two national stadiums, namely, Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium, as this money could be better used by these clubs to facilitate and promote sport in local areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40857/13]
View answerI have been informed by the IRFU, FAI and GAA that the new valuations issued by the Valuation Office for Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium indicate that there will be a significant increase in the rates payable on each of the venues. Any increase in rates payable is a direct cost to the sporting organisations and would have a direct impact on the funding available to deliver sports in clubs and communities around the country. In that regard I have therefore outlined my concerns to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of the Valuation (Amendment) Bill.
641. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount of capital spending incurred directly within his Department as a result of measures undertaken as part of the 2011 Jobs Initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40936/13]
View answerAs part of the Government’s Jobs Initiative in 2011, my Department re-allocated €75 million of its Capital budget as follows:-
County Councils were provided with an additional €60 million in 2011 for regional and local roads. This funding was provided under the Restoration Improvement Programme. The investment was to help address the backlog of surface restoration and road reconstruction works on our regional and local road network, allowing projects previously planned for 2012 to be carried out that year.
Additional investment of €15m under the Smarter Travel heading was allocated towards local, labour intensive projects such as construction of cycle paths, pedestrian routes, traffic management systems and low cost safety measures.
642. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which The Gathering has been utilised as a means of promoting tourism directly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38439/13]
View answer665. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which The Gathering has been a catalyst for the promotion of the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41139/13]
View answer666. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which the economic benefit generated by The Gathering has been quantified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41140/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 642, 665 and 666 together.
I am pleased to report continued good progress on the Gathering Ireland 2013 - Ireland's biggest ever tourism initiative. The overall target is to attract at least 325,000 extra overseas visits to Ireland in 2013. If this target is achieved, it will generate an additional €170 million in revenue this year, based on historic spending patterns. Recent figures from the CSO show that we are well on target to surpass this target. For the eight month period between January and August, there was a 6.5% increase in the number of overseas visits to Ireland compared with the corresponding period of 2012. All of our main overseas markets grew in this period with visit numbers from Great Britain up by 3.7%; visits from Mainland Europe up 4.8%; visits from North America up 16.5% and visits from other long-haul markets up by 11.3%.
The general response from the public and tourism stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive. There are now almost 5,000 individual events confirmed on the Gathering website. These include clan gatherings, festivals, special sporting events and concerts taking place all across the country.
Obviously the ambitious targets for overseas visits and associated revenue could only be achieved if people in our main source tourism markets were aware of the initiative. Tourism Ireland undertook a major consumer campaign to promote The Gathering to the people across the world that feel linked by family, friends or otherwise with Ireland. The agency also undertook co-operative activity with the major airlines and ferry operators to highlight the value fares on offer.
While we have very much targeted this year, I have no doubt that the pay-off for participation will have longer term positive consequences with many of the events developing into annual traditions and creating on-going connections with other parts of the world. The Gathering 2013 project advisory board has been working with the Gathering 2013 team and the tourism agencies on securing the legacy of the Gathering 2013, to ensure the good work being achieved is continued, and that the outcome of the Gathering continues to have lasting positive benefits.
644. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to any possible funding opportunities for a project (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40964/13]
View answerFunding for capital projects in sport is made through the Sports Capital Programme. No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. Any future rounds of the Programme will be advertised in the national press. Any interested group should register on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie as this will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme. There is no record of an application for funding having been made in respect of this project under the last round of Sports Capital Programme in 2012.
645. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or Department officials have had any discussions with Ministers or officials of other Departments on the possible impact a proliferation of wind farms may have on the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40978/13]
View answerMy Department and I work closely with other Government Departments to consider all policies which could potentially affect the tourism industry. In this regard, officials from my Department are represented on relevant inter-Departmental groups including the National Landscape Strategy Steering Committee, under my colleague, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. In addition, Fáilte Ireland is a prescribed body under Planning and Development legislation for all planning applications which may have a significant impact from a tourism perspective. In 2007, in order to inform tourism policy on wind farm developments, Fáilte Ireland undertook significant research amongst both overseas and domestic visitors, to determine visitor attitudes towards wind farms. This research was repeated again in 2012 to determine any changes in visitor attitudes over that period. This research is about to be published as a position paper by Fáilte Ireland, and allows an evidence based approach to be taken to the evaluation of wind farm applications in Ireland by the National Tourism Development Authority.
Finally, I, along with Minister Ring, launched of a public consultation on tourism policy on 11th September 2013. This review of tourism policy is designed to give tourism stakeholders an opportunity to comment on all matters of relevance to the future development of the Irish tourism sector.
646. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details on the value of sporting events to Dublin and other major cities and towns across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40982/13]
View answerSports events are of enormous value to the area where they take place. Not only do such events generate revenue and boost the economy, but they also help to support and create jobs. Examples of some recent sports events which brought substantial amounts of overseas visitors and their contribution to the local economy include the Emerald Isle Classic American football game between Notre Dame and Navy in 2012 which brought 35,000 fans to Dublin and was estimated by the organisers to have generated an economic benefit of around €100 million and helped to increase business at hotels, restaurants, shops and golf courses.
The 2011 Six Nations matches against France and England generated €35 million according to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. In 2007, the Ireland versus England Six Nations Rugby Championship fixture generated between €83 million and €89 million. It was also estimated that the Munster Heineken Cup quarter-final match against Ospreys in Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick in April 2009 generated €10.5 million for Limerick city and the surrounding region.
Other events which are expected to greatly benefit sports tourism in Ireland include the start of the Giro D’Itialia cycle race, which is being co-hosted with Northern Ireland over three days in May 2014, and the American Football game in 2014 between Penn State and the University of Central Florida.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment that event tourism will be prioritised in order to continue to bring major events to Ireland. The hosting of major sports events can provide a great showcase for Ireland, drive international visitor numbers and the media coverage of sports tourism events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.
647. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give a commitment the tourist information office in Adare, County Limerick, will not be downgraded. [41016/13]
View answerThe management of the Tourist Information Office network is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Therefore I have referred the Deputy's Question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days
648. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has held a licence since 1989 is entitled to have a trailer towing E category added to their B licence in view of the fact that they are a full-time farmer. [41042/13]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on individual cases. I can however explain the general policy considerations at issue.
Prior to 1989, a person holding a licence to drive a car was entitled to tow trailers. A change to regulations in that year introduced new categories of licence, including the categories B and BE. Category B was for a car alone or with a trailer up to 750 kg design gross vehicle weight, and BE for a car with a trailer of up to 3,500 kg design gross vehicle weight.
A driver who held a car licence in 1989 could retain the entitlement to tow trailers by ticking boxes for both categories at their next renewal date. It appears that some drivers, unwittingly, did not apply to have the trailer category added to their licences at renewal time, and as a result lost their entitlement to tow trailers. I have received a number of representations from different parties on this subject.
I have agreed with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), that category BE will be added to the licence of those drivers who can provide proof that they held this entitlement prior to 1989. I understand that the proof required can be obtained from the Motor Tax Office that issued the licence. Where proof is not available, the RSA will accept a sworn affidavit from the licence-holder indicating that he/she held a Class C licence prior to 1989. The offer to add the trailer category will be available for a limited period to be determined by the RSA.
649. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the sports capital grants will become available; and when may interested groups begin submitting their interest in same. [41077/13]
View answerNo decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. Any future rounds of the Programme will be advertised in the national press. Any interested group should register on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie as this will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.
