Written Answers Nos. 680 - 699
680. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will raise concerns raised by Amnesty International regarding exploitation of workers in Qatar in the run up to the 2022 World Cup with the FAI and FIFA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50442/13]
View answerThe question of protection of human rights overseas is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I have no function in relation to the arrangements or location for the hosting of the soccer world cup. I understand that FIFA has in recent days issued a statement arising from the issues raised in the Amnesty report.
681. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request the National Roads Authority and the Road Safety Authority to immediately investigate and complete the footbridge in Sneem village, County Kerry, as this structure continues to be a health and safety issue until such time as the matter is attended to; if he will request the NRA to resurface Sneem village on the N70, Ring of Kerry road in 2014 as the road through the village is in a very poor condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50471/13]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual 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 do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
682. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with the Dublin Airport Authority on the issue of aircraft noise and its effects on residents in the hinterland of the airport. [50495/13]
View answerI have no statutory function in this matter. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) for direct reply on the basis that the IAA has certain statutory responsibilities for noise related issues at Dublin Airport. Please contact my Private Office if you do not hear back from the IAA within 10 working days.
683. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce testing for tractors; if it will be on an annual or biannual basis; if he will make clear if this is as a result of a European directive, and if so, when such testing will be introduced; the number of testing stations that would be needed to cover the entire country; if any such testing centres will be run on a franchise basis similar to the testing centres used to test trucks and vans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50512/13]
View answerAgricultural vehicles are currently not subject to vehicle testing in Ireland. However, under the terms of draft legislation proposed by the EU Commission, which is under discussion in Brussels at present, wheeled tractors capable of travelling at speeds in excess of 40 km/h may be subject to annual roadworthiness testing. Separately, legislative proposals are being developed by my Department which will permit certain agricultural vehicles to operate at higher weights, and which may result in such vehicles being subject to roadworthiness testing. The testing frequency will be decided in the light of the technical requirements recommended by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
As in all cases, responsibility for the practical arrangements of roadworthiness testing of vehicles is a matter for the RSA. In 2008, the RSA commenced a consultation and review of the regulation, classification and safety issues surrounding the use of agricultural and related works vehicles on public roads. Their report, delivered in March 2009, contained a number of recommendations for dealing with the issue. Following Ministerial approval in principle of the recommendations, extensive consultations were held with the RSA, the IFA , the Professional Agricultural Contractors of Ireland (PACI) and the IRHA.
In the wake of these extensive consultations, a number of road safety related proposals were formulated by the RSA and agreed by the Minister in November 2012. Depending on the number of axles, axle spacing, and type of coupling, agricultural vehicles will be able to draw up to 28 tonnes. In view of the increase in safety risk associated with the larger and heavier vehicles using the public road, tractors and trailers operating at the higher weights would be subject to roadworthiness testing. The proposed arrangements also regulate axle spacing, vehicle and trailer plating, lighting and visibility, braking and coupling, driving licences, on-road behaviour, accident reporting, roadworthiness testing and enforcement.
The draft Statutory Instrument to give legislative effect to the Minister’s road safety related decisions is being prepared by the RSA and will be submitted to the Department shortly.
684. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is represented on the group doing a strategic study on the future of Knock Airport; the progress made to date with this study; when it is hoped to complete the work and submit a report to the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50528/13]
View answerMy Department is represented on the IWAK Study Group which comprises a broad range of parties interested in the development of the Airport. The Group has made good progress with its work and is currently finalising its report which I expect will be submitted to the Taoiseach and me before Christmas.
685. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there is a reduction in the number of carriages on trains throughout Ireland; and if his attention has been drawn to the safety concerns due to overcrowding as a result of this decision. [50585/13]
View answerWhile the issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, I have been in contact with the company in relation to the matter. Iarnród Éireann has indicated that it is in the process of implementing new energy saving fleet utilisation initiatives on its DART and Intercity services to generate fuel savings, which will reduce fuel and maintenance costs by €3.2m per annum. Concerns about overcrowding have been raised with the Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann and I understand that the company has already responded and re-introduced larger carriages to accommodate passengers where this has been considered necessary. The Chief Executive has agreed to continuous monitoring of carriage levels on both DART and Intercity services to ensure they match passenger demand. It should be noted that carriages were only reduced at off-peak times. Overcrowding which has occurred at peak times was caused by other issues including technical faults, industrial relations and leaf falls.
686. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of full-time service bus drivers in Bus Éireann. [50620/13]
View answer687. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of managers of all grades there are in Bus Éireann; and if he will provide a breakdown of numbers of managers per grade. [50621/13]
View answer694. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a recommendation has not been put in place arising from the Labour Relations Commission of 16 May 2013 on proposals to resolve the dispute at Bus Éireann which included a joint initiative to maximise operational effectiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50628/13]
View answer695. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will commit to working with Bus Éireann to implement the joint initiative to maximise operational effectiveness as proposed by the Labour Relations Commission. [50657/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 686, 687, 694 and 695 together.
The issues raised are matters for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
688. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he expects a reduction in driver staff levels if the proposed National Transport Authority plans of 10% of routes transferring to private operators goes ahead. [50622/13]
View answer689. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he expects a reduction of management personnel if the National Transport Authority's proposed 10% reduction of Bus Éireann routes goes ahead. [50623/13]
View answer690. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he expects any staff in Bus Éireann or Dublin Bus to be transferred under TUPE if the National Transport Authority's proposed 10% reduction of Bus Éireann routes goes ahead; and if they will be able to return to their former positions should contracts be withdrawn. [50624/13]
View answer691. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that as stakeholders in this process that the Bus Éireann drivers' views and concerns should be considered during any proposed process by the National Transport Authority either at present and into the future relating to the company. [50625/13]
View answer692. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the National Transport Authority has not met with either the Bus Éireann drivers or their union representatives; and if he will use his position to arrange such a meeting at the earliest opportunity. [50626/13]
View answer693. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether Bus Éireann has met all the targets and requirements, consistently achieving 95% to 98% of target levels, as set down by the National Transport Authority, in its quarterly reports. [50627/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 688 to 693, inclusive, together.
The objective of Government is to ensure a system of public transport throughout the country that is as efficient and as widespread as possible and the National Transport Authority has a key role in realising this objective. The award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts for the bus market falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has direct responsibility for this area. Currently, the NTA is considering how best publicly subvented bus services will be provided in the future.
The direct award contracts for the provision of PSO bus market services held by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann expire late next year. The awarding of the licences for the services thereafter is a matter for the NTA and not for Government, but I have kept the Cabinet updated on the process. Both Minister Kelly and I met with trade unions representing workers in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann last week in relation to the proposals outlined by the NTA in the recent consultation process.
It is recognised that there are a number of concerns in relation to potential tendering for PSO services. These include the impact on industrial relations and cost savings measures within CIE at a general level and the specific implications of Transfer of Undertakings legislation (TUPE) and related issues. However, it must be recognised that the proposals outlined in the consultation process are relatively modest and there will be a long-lead in before any tendering takes effect. Furthermore, it is of course open to the two incumbent companies to compete for any tendered routes, so it should not be assumed that there will be any reductions in staff numbers or that TUPE will even arise.
Subject to the decision of the NTA following its consultation processes, these issues need to be addressed by it and the bus companies through constructive engagement with the unions in the course of the procurement process over the next two years. I undertook to the trade unions at our meeting that I would contact the NTA to seek to have such a structured engagement put in place.
696. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the change in boundaries in the rural transport programme, the area or group that now has or will have responsibility for rural transport in the Bohernabreena area, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50715/13]
View answerAs Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP). Since the 1st April 2012 the National Transport Authority (NTA) has been assigned responsibility for managing the RTP and also has responsibility for implementing the recently announced restructuring of the Programme. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
697. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to open applications for the next round of the sports capital grant programme; and if there is a deadline in place for organisations to register on the new online system. [50761/13]
View answerDepartmental officials are currently working on the details of a new round of Sports Capital Programme. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement before the end of the year, including the level of funding to be allocated. My Department has developed a new portal on the Department's website which must be used by organisations to register, to apply for funding (when the Programme is open for applications) and to manage the drawdown of any new grants allocated after 2013. Any interested organisation should register on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. No deadline for registration has yet been set.
698. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and percentage of the buses in the Bus Éireann fleet that are currently wheelchair accessible; when he expects the fleet to be 100% accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50822/13]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Bus 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.
699. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his opinion on the HGV Road User Levy Act introduced in the United Kingdom; if it is within the spirit of EU law; if he has raised the possible effect on southern based Irish hauliers at EU level; the success he has had in having southern hauliers exempt especially on the N2/A5 road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50831/13]
View answerSince 1999 various EU directives have set common rules on distance-related tolls and time-based user charges (vignettes) for HGVs for the use of certain infrastructure. It is open to any Member State to introduce road use charges if it wishes. Road charging is an important option in relation to funding of roads infrastructure, particularly in the context of ensuring that out of state hauliers contribute to the costs of a country’s road infrastructure. In respect of the United Kingdom's introduction of road charging, I have been in contact with my counterpart in the United Kingdom, both in response to the initial public consultation and more recently, to point out the difficulties this will create for Republic of Ireland hauliers - especially those based in the border area. Furthermore, I asked that the contribution made to date, and planned future contribution, by the Government towards roads infrastructure costs in Northern Ireland (namely in relation to the A5 in Northern Ireland) should be taken into account and some provision therefore be made in relation use of roads by Irish-registered HGVs. The UK Minister has responded, indicating a willingness to consider certain, regional cross-border specified roads in Northern Ireland. He has not proposed inclusion of the A5. However I have not yet received any formal proposal from the Minister in this regard.
My officials continue to liaise with their UK counterparts on this issue. Any influence that the Deputy can bring to bear on the UK authorities through his colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive would of course be welcome.
