Written Answers Nos. 222-226
222. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total costs incurred by the Irish Sports Council resulting from the recent legal action involving it and a board member; if the figure presented is the final cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53294/13]
View answerAs this question is a matter for the Irish Sports Council, I have referred it to them for direct reply. I ask that the Deputy informs my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
223. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received the Turpin report into corporate governance at the Irish Sports Council; if he will outline its findings; if he intends to publish the full report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53295/13]
View answerI have just received the report referred to by the Deputy. I will consider its findings and recommendations and will then decide on what action, if any, that I need to take. I will publish the report on my Department's website in the New Year.
224. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request the National Roads Authority to provide the necessary funding as a matter of priority to address a very dangerous stretch of road between Curraheen and Derrymore on the Tralee to Camp road, County Kerry; if he will request the Road Safety Authority to immediately investigate this health and safety issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53306/13]
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 don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
225. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of EU directives related to his Department that have yet to be transposed into Irish law despite the deadline date having passed; when it is proposed that these directives will be transposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53359/13]
View answerThere are currently two EU Directives under my Department's remit where the transposition deadline has passed but the Directives are not yet transposed into Irish Law. The first is Directive 2011/76/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 September 2011, amending Directive 1999/62/EC on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures. The Directive has a transposition date of 16 October 2013. The means of transposing the Directive is being reviewed at present with a view to transposition in 2014.
The second is Directive 2011/82/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011, facilitating the cross-border exchange of information on road safety related traffic offences. This Directive has a transposition date of 7 Nov. 2013. However, Directive 2011/82/EU was adopted pursuant to Article 87(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). As Article 87 is within Title V of the TFEU (Freedom, Security and Justice), then Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol 21 TFEU apply. This means that the Directive is not binding upon Ireland or the UK. The Directive is also subject to a challenge in the European Court of Justice. Ireland is awaiting the outcome of the Court's judgement on the correct legal basis for Directive 2011/82/EU before considering if we should opt in.
226. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost incurred in his Department as a result of Oireachtas Members initiating legal challenges in the courts for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53659/13]
View answerMy Department has not incurred any costs as a result of legal challenges in the Courts initiated by Oireachtas members.
