Written Answers Nos. 217-224
217. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 628 of 1 October 2013, if he intends to introduce maximum vehicle height restrictions in the form of secondary legislation; if not in the form of primary legislation; if this is currently under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42817/13]
View answerRegulations are already in place relating to the maximum height of vehicles. Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008. Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum height limit of vehicles at 4.65 metres.
With the introduction of the Regulations in 2008, a five-year derogation from the limit was agreed for certain classes of 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introduced in order to allow a five-year period within which vehicles in excess of the new statutory limits could be withdrawn from use in Ireland.
218. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital grants available for the provision and improvement of loop walks, coastal walks and other walkway infrastructure for tourists; the level of funding available each year since 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42835/13]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the date by which driving licenceholders may get the trailer pulling category added on to their normal licences; if he is willing to amend the regulations to enable farmers who have a normal licence for ten years or more rather than prior to 1989 to be able to get this added on without doing another driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42838/13]
View answerPrior 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 agreed with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), as an exceptional and once off measure, 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. Drivers who obtained a driving licence after 1989 are still required to undertake a test in order to add an additional category, such as towing a trailer. It is important to remember that the requirement for such a test has been the case since 1989.
220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a private contractor has been granted the licence by the National Transport Authority to serve the Cavan-Dublin bus route in competition with Bus Éireann route 109. [42853/13]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded 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.
221. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority has granted a licence to Bus Éireann for its route 115 service to stop near the entrance of National University of Ireland, Maynooth. [42854/13]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded 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.
222. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport according to the most recent statistics available, the percentage of fatal collisions on Irish roads in relation to which inappropriately high speed was a significant contributing factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42895/13]
View answer223. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport according to the most recent statistics available, the percentage of fatal collisions on Irish roads in relation to which alcohol use by a motorist was a significant contributing factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42896/13]
View answer224. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport according to the most recent statistics available, the amounts by which motorists were exceeding the respective speed limits in cases where inappropriate speed was a contributing factor to fatal collisions on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42897/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 222 to 224, inclusive, together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the analysis of road safety collision statistics.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
