Written Answers Nos. 520 - 536
520. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether a recent Twitter statement was in keeping with the International Olympic Charter; if national governing bodies of sport will adopt equality and discrimination clauses in their constitutions in line with the EC White Paper on Sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48042/13]
View answerI am aware that the athlete in question has unreservedly withdrawn his comments and publicly apologised. I do not condone racist language whatever the context.
In relation to the constitutions of the National Governing Bodies of Sport, the Irish Sports Council is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. Therefore, I have referred that aspect of the Deputy's question to the Council for further information . I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
521. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form for each year since 2003, the total cumulative amount in euro paid by his Department for non-audit services to companies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48117/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table. My Department's financial database system does not break down between audit and non audit financial services so the figures supplied are for total amounts paid to these companies.
The figures prior to March 2011 do not include tourism and sport as these were functions of a different Department up to that point. Local roads only became a function of the Department of Transport in 2008 and hence figures for this area prior to 2008 are not included. Similarly, maritime transport only became a function of the Department of Transport in 2006, hence figures prior to 2006 do not include the maritime area.
|
Year |
Deloitte and Touche |
Ernst and Young |
KPMG |
PriceWaterhousecoopers |
Grant Thornton |
|
2003 |
€3,837 |
€7,260 |
Nil |
€1,201,240 |
Nil |
|
2004 |
€32,248 |
€21,605 |
€161,293 |
€2,170,345 |
Nil |
|
2005 |
Nil |
€9,999 |
€25,045 |
€989,785 |
Nil |
|
2006 |
€100,829 |
Nil |
Nil |
€929,860 |
Nil |
|
2007 |
€208,917 |
€13,000 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2008 |
€644,373 |
Nil |
Nil |
€100,875 |
Nil |
|
2009 |
€90,502 |
Nil |
Nil |
€186,978 |
Nil |
|
2010 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
€110,958 |
Nil |
|
2011 |
€24,576 |
Nil |
Nil |
€21,752 |
Nil |
|
2012 |
€67,650 |
Nil |
€152,305 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2013 |
€30,750 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
522. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will detail in tabular form for each year since 2003, the total cumulative amount in euro paid by his Department to companies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48138/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table. The figures prior to March 2011 do not include tourism and sport as these were functions of a different Department up to that point. Local roads only became a function of the Department of Transport in 2008 and hence figures for this area prior to 2008 are not included. Similarly, maritime transport only became a function of the Department of Transport in 2006, hence figures prior to 2006 do not include the maritime area.
|
Year |
Arthur Cox |
Matheson |
A&L Goodbody |
William Fry |
Mason Hayes Curran |
McCann Fitzgerald |
|
2003 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
€60,334 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2004 |
€51,485 |
€19,054 |
€7,417 |
€6,357 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2005 |
€154,307 |
Nil |
Nil |
€38,430 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2006 |
€9,075 |
€12,348 |
Nil |
€525,936 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2007 |
Nil |
€36,612 |
Nil |
€52,004 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2008 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
€9,654 |
Nil |
|
2009 |
Nil |
Nil |
€2,919 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2010 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2011 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2012 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2013 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
523. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form for each year since 2003, the total cumulative amount in euro paid by his Department to senior counsel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48160/13]
View answerDetails of all external consultancies, including legal consultancies, engaged by my Department are available on my Department's website: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/publications/english/expenditure-external-services. and are regularly updated.
The figures prior to March 2011 do not include tourism and sport as these were functions of a different Department up to that point. Local roads only became a function of the Department of Transport in 2008 and hence figures for this area prior to 2008 are not included. Similarly, maritime transport only became a function of the Department of Transport in 2006, hence figures prior to 2006 do not include the maritime area.
524. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there has been a cost benefit study analysis carried out on completing the M4 route through the midlands particularly from Mullingar to Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48167/13]
View answer525. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costs associated with completing the M4 route bottleneck through Longford-Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48168/13]
View answer526. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when works will commence on the next stage of the M4 route through Longford-Westmeath as this would help bridge the east-west divide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48170/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 524 to 526, inclusive, 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. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. 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.
528. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the deliberations of the subcommittee of the Taxi Advisory Committee on providing exemptions to the six monthly renewal, assessment and licensing of vintage vehicles operating as SPSVs aged 30 years and over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48237/13]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry, including vehicle standards, under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. The NTA is also the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011, including the new regulatory requirement for 6-monthly renewal and assessment of older vehicles. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within ten working days please notify my private office.
529. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the exact progress of the local hackney scheme for rural areas; the way in which and when he envisages rolling the scheme out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48251/13]
View answerAction 46 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report, published by the Government in January of last year, recommended the introduction of a “Local Area Hackney Licence”, to address transport deficits in certain rural areas.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the regulation of the small public service vehicle industry. They have consulted with, and obtained the advice of, the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles in relation to this proposal. The NTA are currently preparing revised regulations to introduce this Local Area Hackney Licence and I am advised that the adoption of these revised regulations will be considered and determined by the Board of the NTA shortly. If adopted, these regulations would come into force prior to year end.
530. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the provision of a cycle path from Sandycove to Sutton, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48259/13]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the provision of public and sustainable transport infrastructure, including cycle paths, in the Greater Dublin Area.
The NTA provides funding to local authorities for a range of schemes to benefit cyclists, including the provision of infrastructure, under the Sustainable Transport Management Grants Programme. Accordingly, I have forwarded your Question to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within ten working days, please notify my private Office.
531. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a cost benefit analysis has been undertaken by his Department on the impact of Ireland signing the Antarctic treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48328/13]
View answerMy Department has not conducted a cost benefit analysis on the impact of Ireland signing the Antarctic Treaty. As the Deputy will be aware, principal responsibility for international treaties and agreement lies with my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. In that regard, I would draw the Deputy's attention to his answer to Parliamentary Question 65 of the 17th of October.
532. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he shares the concerns caused by Aer Lingus's decision to close the cabin crew base at Shannon Airport, a decision which will have serious negative impacts on sustainable regional development, particularly in terms of employment and the diminution of transport connectivity. [48379/13]
View answerThe Government is committed to the new independent Shannon Airport company being a success and sustaining employment opportunities in the mid-west region and in that context I would, of course, prefer that, if possible, the base at Shannon remain open.
I welcome the current talks taking place at the Labour Relations Commission on the matter, and hope that it will be possible for the parties to reach an agreement. It is my preference that the base would remain open and that the staff should be normal Aer Lingus employees and that the additional jobs would go to normal Aer Lingus employees. The only way to achieve that, however, is for Impact and Aer Lingus to come to an agreement at the LRC and I hope they will be able to do that.
The State's 25% shareholding in Aer Lingus does not allow it to interfere in the day-to-day commercial operations of the company. Aer Lingus is a publicly quoted company and decisions regarding the company’s employees based at Shannon are a commercial matter for the company. As Minister I have no role in such decisions. However, I have communicated my preference to the Government-appointed members of the Aer Lingus board.
533. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the immense boost to outdoor adventure sports for which our country, particularly regions such as Connemara, is ideally suited, the installation of a zip wire similar to that recently installed in Wales would have and if a feasibility study can be carried out on foot of information provided to Fáilte Ireland in 2011 on the topic. [48380/13]
View answer536. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his investment plans to build on the success of the outdoor adventure tourism sector which is being led by indigenous Irish companies which provide crucial employment opportunities to rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48388/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 533 and 536 together.
The matters raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's questions to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
535. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the N59 greenway project to run along the Galway-Clifden railway. [48387/13]
View answerAs I understand, Galway County Council are currently involved in the planning and preparation of the Galway to Clifden greenway with the ultimate aim of extending this route from Clifden to Leenane and eventually linking up with the cycle network as it extends from South Mayo. In 2013, my Department allocated €25,000 to the Council under an National Cycle Network (NCN) seed finance scheme to complete the detailed design of a cycleway from Clifden to Oughterard, which runs along the old western rail line from Clifden to Galway.
More generally, in the context of greenway development, my Department recently announced the provision of €6.5 million under a second round of funding associated with the multi-annual NCN Programme for the years 2014 to 2016. The funding will be allocated to local authorities through a competitive process. The deadline for receipt of applications is this Friday, 15 November. It is hoped that, over this period, 2 to 3 projects or phases of projects can be funded from the allocation. However, it is a matter for the relevant local authority to progress and, if funding is required, submit proposals to this Department.
I look forward to receiving exciting greenway proposals from all local authorities, including Galway County Council, by the end of this week and it is hoped that to announce successful projects by end 2013/early 2014.
