Written Answers Nos. 196 - 202
196. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work he and his agencies are carrying out in relation to building on the legacy of The Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47241/13]
View answerThe Gathering Ireland 2013 aimed primarily to generate additional tourist numbers and revenue in 2013. However, it also aimed to have a longer-term impact. We set a target of 325,000 visitors and we are well on the way to meeting that. But The Gathering was never just about visitor numbers and revenues. It is also about community pride and strengthening links with the diaspora.
The Gathering helped to strengthen existing links with Irish communities abroad and create new connections. Tourism Ireland will continue to work with the diaspora networks and will include this global family as part of its future promotional work overseas. The networks and databases created through The Gathering will also remain as a valuable asset to Irish tourism.
A number of Gathering related events and festivals have already been identified as having potential to run again. Similarly, the success of the Emerald Isle Classic college football game, which was a key part of the marketing campaign for the Gathering, is being built on with nest year's game between Penn State – with the largest alumni association in the US - and the University of Central Florida in Croke Park.
The Gathering also made a vital contribution to the local community. The Gathering network also provided extensive training to more than 2,500 people and these community engagement skills will endure and be available to support other local events.
197. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount each of the board of directors of Bus Éireann were paid per year in director fees and in expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47273/13]
View answerDirector fee levels approved by Government for each Agency are available on my Department's website. The Bus Éireann Chairperson and Directors are entitled to a fee payment of €21,600 and €12,600 respectively per annum. However, with effect from 1st June 2013 Bus Éireann's Chairperson and Directors fees were reduced by 20% in line with the recommendations of the Labour Relations Commission on Bus Eireann cost saving measures.
Directors of Bus Éireann are entitled to claim expenses on a vouched basis only. I have asked Bus Éireann to provide the Deputy with details of the expenses paid to each Director per annum. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days
198. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the names of all the board of directors of Bus Éireann for the past 12 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47274/13]
View answerThe Board of Directors of Bus Éireann for the past 12 years can be found in their Annual Reports which are available on their website.
199. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the Minister that appointed each of board members of Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47275/13]
View answerThe details of the appointment of each of the Board members of Bus Éireann are as follows:
|
Board Member |
Role |
Appointed by |
|
Paul Mallee |
Chairperson |
Leo Varadkar |
|
Henry Minogue |
Board Member |
Leo Varadkar |
|
Kieran Fay |
Board Member |
Leo Varadkar. |
|
Gerard Ryan |
Board Member |
Leo Varadkar |
|
Aidan Murphy |
Board Member |
Leo Varadkar |
|
John Moloney |
Employee Representative |
Noel Dempsey |
|
Bill McCamley |
Employee Representative |
Noel Dempsey |
|
Tom Hussey |
Board Member |
Noel Dempsey |
|
Micheal Ó’Faolain |
Board Member |
Pat Carey |
200. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider reversing the change of maximum vehicle height of 4.65 m in view of the fact that the vast majority of lorries transporting fodder will have their loads significantly cut, thereby increasing the cost of bales for farmers and causing undue hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47288/13]
View answerStatutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum height limit of vehicles in this country at 4.65 metres.
Following public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, the intention to introduce a 4.65m limit was announced in January 2007. Following representations from the industry, it was agreed that a five year derogation from that limit would apply to vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1st November 2008. The derogation was introduced to allow a five-year period within which vehicles operating at heights in excess of the new limits could be withdrawn from use in Ireland or to allow for the necessary height reductions by operators. This derogation expired on 31st October 2013.
In relation to the concerns of the farming industry specifically, those concerns have only been raised in the past number of weeks and were not raised with either my Department or with me by those bodies prior to that. Given the lead-in time that this height limit has had, extending the derogation would have the effect of penalising those operators who have adjusted their fleet to ensure compliance with this well flagged law, while rewarding those that did not.
201. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when it is intended to commence the construction of the Gort to Tuam motorway; the reason for the delay with the project; if it is intended to construct it as one project; if he has provided funding for 2014 for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47294/13]
View answer202. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects a financing structure for the M18 Tuam to Gort Motorway project to be agreed; when he anticipates construction to commence; the timeframe construction is expected to last thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47305/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.
The planning, design and implementation of individual national 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 don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
