Written Answers Nos. 217-221
217. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current policy in relation to wheelchair access on the DART, commuter and inter-city trains; his future plans to make the trains more accessible for wheelchairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53241/13]
View answerThe Department’s policy in relation to accessible public transport is contained in my Department Sectoral Plan 2012 under the Disability Act 2005 Transport Access for All which sets out a series of policy objectives and targets for accessible transport across all modes of transport. With regard to Iarnród Eireann this includes making all suburban and Inter-city passenger trains accessible to people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments accessible subject to available resources. Accessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage. Funding is also being provided for accessibility improvements to existing public transport infrastructure and facilities as resources allow.
I understand from Iarnród Eireann that all operational rolling stock on the DART, Commuter and Intercity trains are accessible for persons of reduced mobility. Iarnród Eireann's current policy is to have a portable wheelchair ramp at all stations. In addition they are also located on board Inter-City trains. As a member of staff is required to safely deploy the ramp for use from either the station or train advance notice of at least 24 hours is required. While Iarnród Eireann has no plans at present to purchase new rolling stock which would provide electronic ramps, I recently asked them to investigate the feasibility of retro-fitting electronic ramps on the DART fleet.
218. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the Dublin bikes scheme to Dublin North Central or Dublin North East areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53242/13]
View answerResponsibility for the roll-out, extension, maintenance and commercial elements of the Dublin City Bikes Scheme is an operational matter for the National Transport Authority, working closely with Dublin City Council. Noting the above, 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 days.
219. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will include the millennium celebration of the Battle of Clontarf 2014 on all relevant Tourism Ireland publications as the event will bring in more tourists and create jobs. [53260/13]
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.
220. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the current state of negotiations regarding funding for the Narrow Water Bridge project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47686/13]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for each local authority.
The Irish Government supported the original decision by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to approve the allocation of EU funding to the Narrow Water bridge project and committed an up-front funding contribution of €3.9 million in January this year. The funding which was to be provided by my Department for the Narrow Water Bridge Project represented a significant commitment given the current financial circumstances. This funding contribution was due to be matched with a contribution from the Northern Ireland Executive in line with the agreed funding ratios for the Programme. The Government was disappointed that the tender process resulted in a doubling of the initial estimated cost budgeted for by the project partners for the construction of the bridge. The Government has indicated on many occasions that it would be willing to help to address the shortfall in funding for the Narrow Water Bridge, but this depended entirely on matching contributions from the other parties, including the Northern Ireland Executive. Also, we could not agree to be solely responsible for any further overruns.
As the Deputy will be aware, as part of the recovery programme that this Government has had to pursue to put the country back on its feet, unfortunately, there will be a further reduction in regional and local roads spending in 2014 of over €60 million. Ultimately it is from this budget that any additional funding from this State would have had to come and we would not have been in a position to provide a further €10 million towards this project as well as to underwrite any potential further overspend. The estimated figure of a requirement from my Department of €10 million was based on correspondence received from SEUPB and Louth County Council. Given the significant difference between the initial estimates and the returned tender prices, the Deputy will appreciate the need to take a conservative approach to the funding requests.
The progression and importance of this project has been discussed with my government colleagues and on a number of occasions at the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) most recently on the 8th of November. The priority is to avoid the loss of the EU funding involved. As the Deputy will be aware, members of the party that he leads are members of the Northern Ireland Executive and of the NSMC and agreed this position as articulated in the Plenary Joint Communiqué that issued following that meeting in particular: "Ministers remain supportive of the concept of the Narrow Water Bridge and have asked for an urgent analysis of the issues involved. They remain conscious that the priority is not to lose the EU funding involved."
It is important to note that there are time constraints with regard to the INTERREG funding. It has to be spent by 2015. SEUPB has since withdrawn the letter of offer and has indicated that it proposes to re-allocate the funding to eligible projects capable of being delivered before the end of 2015. I know that officials in my Department and the Department for Regional Development have identified possible replacement projects, that will benefit cross-border communication and economic co-operation in the transport sector and will be working up proposals for consideration by SEUPB.
221. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will publish marine safety notices in the relevant industry publications to ensure that the information is disseminated as widely as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53279/13]
View answerThe purpose of a Marine Notice is to notify relevant information to seafarers and mariners and to provide navigational information for maritime traffic, for example in an area where there are activities by vessels carrying out hydrographic or seismic surveys, fishing research or underwater operations. The overall aim is to target the information where it is needed, and in a cost effective way.
My Department circulates Marine Notices to a wide range of individuals and organisations, ranging from State agencies and the fishing industry, to international shipping and water-based recreational interests. Marine Notices are posted on the Department’s website and distributed electronically, via email, to those who have asked to be included on the distribution list. They are targeted across the full range of the maritime sector, from merchant to fishing and leisure, plus ports, harbours, offshore energy, marine engineering companies, etc. From time to time, Marine Notices, once issued, are duplicated on the websites of other organisations and publications. A small number of Marine Notices are also sent out in hard copy to people who have requested the communication that way, usually due to lack of computer or email access. On occasions, particular issues or individual Marine Notices may be published in maritime industry publications but I have no plans for such publication of Marine Notices as a matter of course.
