Written Answers Nos. 26-44
27. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the cost to date of the Luas cross-city project, including the renting and staffing of the public office and the current estimated time for completion. [54260/13]
View answer53. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Luas cross-city project. [54330/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 53 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the Luas Cross City project, comes within the remit of the NTA.
However for the Deputy's information, the project is progressing well and the essential advance works are underway. The building condition works along the Luas Cross City corridor have been completed and the Cellars Infill works are well advanced. The Utilities Works Contract has also been awarded and the substantive work under this contract will commence in January 2014.
In relation to the main infrastructure contract, I am informed that there have been five responses to the EU Official Journal Notice seeking advance expressions of interest. These are currently being assessed. The next phase of the tender process will continue after the current short-listing phase is concluded with the aim of appointing a contractor in Q4 2014. Work on the main contract is then expected to commence in early 2015 and to be completed by the end of 2016. Following testing, commissioning and trial runs the line is currently targeted to open in Q4 2017. €27 million has been spent on the project to date.
As required under a condition attached to the Railway Order a city centre Information Office was opened on 2nd December 2013 in the Hibernian Way. I understand that the rent is €32,480 per annum plus VAT. A service charge of €13,005 per annum plus VAT also applies. Existing staff including the Communications Director for the project who is an NTA employee, and five RPA staff, two of whom are project liaison officers are now working from this office.
28. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is concerned at the lack of competition in Dublin Port in terminal operations and stevedore services; if he is concerned at the pricing of services at Dublin Port compared to other European ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54397/13]
View answerThe Deputy is right to highlight the importance in ensuring competitive conditions within our ports sector. Last month the Competition Authority published its review of competition in the ports sector. The report is a thorough analysis of competition within the sector and my Department is currently examining it in detail. The Competition Authority's report states that competition is working well in areas but does make a total of six recommendations for consideration which it believes will 'further improve' competition in the sector.
In relation to Dublin Port, the Competition Authority has made two specific recommendations to further enhance the competitive conditions within the port. As part of my Department's overall consideration of the report, officials will write to the Company shortly to seek their views on the recommendations. As stated in the National Ports Policy, I am committed to issuing a reasoned response to the report within six months of publication.
29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the planned integration of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company into Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will take place; the way this will be structured; and if it will involve a review of management practices. [54401/13]
View answerOne of the key action points arising from the National Ports Policy published last March is that control of the five Ports of Regional Significance, including Dún Laoghaire, should transfer from central to local government. The future of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is not as a major freight or transport hub, but rather in maritime tourism, marine leisure and public amenity. In that regard, the most appropriate share-holding body is not the Department of Transport, but rather Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. In order to facilitate this and other transfers, the current Harbours Acts 1996 - 2009 must be amended to provide the legislative framework to allow for later transfer by Ministerial Order.
My Department published a Regulatory Impact Analysis consultation document in August regarding these proposed amendments and requested submissions from a range of stakeholders. A copy of the document is available on my Department's website. The consultation process has now concluded and work is now well advanced in the drafting Heads of the proposed Bill. I expect to seek approval from Government in Quarter 1 of 2014 for the Heads of the Bill. Subsequent to Government approval, my Department will present the Heads to the Oireachtas Committee for their consideration.
The future operational structures of the port companies concerned is primarily a matter for agreement between the relevant council and port company. Therefore, my Department has begun discussions with these stakeholders to identify the particular transfer arrangements appropriate in each case. My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders as drafting of the legislation continues. If the Deputy has any suggestions in relation to the legislation that is being drafted, it will of course be given appropriate consideration.
33. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he foresees an agreement being reached between the Northern Executive, the Irish Government and the European Commission in relation to the funding of the Narrow Water Bridge project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48979/13]
View answer43. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he has made to ensure that support for the Narrow Water Bridge project from the SEUPB is retained; if he will commit to prioritising same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54340/13]
View answer44. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the Narrow Water Bridge project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48978/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 43 and 44 together.
The 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 upfront 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 authorities 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 SEPUB 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.
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 now decided to withdraw 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 in the transport sector and are working up proposals for consideration by SEUPB.
34. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the current investigation into the failure of marine emergency position indication radio beacons utilised by boat users and fishermen here; the date on which he became aware of the problems with these beacons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54399/13]
View answerI became aware of concerns regarding Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, known as EPIRBs, on 21 November. I sought and received a detailed report from my Department.
Earlier this year, my Department became aware of four defective EPIRBs and these were returned to the manufacturer. At end October, the manufacturer informed my Department that an analysis had shown a microprocessor within the unit to be defective. The manufacturer then issued a safety alert on 4 November advising all owners of the EPIRBs in question to undertake certain checks to confirm their equipment is working.
Under EU Directives, Bureau Veritas is responsible for certifying the devices. My Department is not the approval authority. Nonetheless, adopting a concerned and active approach, a range of initiatives was undertaken. My Department issued a Marine Notice on 11 November on the matter, the first country in the world to do so. Following my direction, my Department wrote to over 3,300 registered EPIRB owners informing them of the Marine Notice and reminding them of the importance of periodic self-checks. Advertisements were placed in the national press and will appear in the maritime press.
My Department has notified the Paris MOU, the organisation governing Port State Control in Europe and Paris MOU has now notified its 27 Member States. My officials raised the matter at the EU's Safe Seas Committee, thereby informing the Commission and all EU Member States. My Department is in contact with the European Maritime Safety Agency, with the certifying body Bureau Veritas, with the French Administration, who authorised Bureau Veritas, and with the Australian Administration, as they are the State of Manufacture. My Department will continue to examine EPIRBs on vessels as part of its normal surveying activities.
35. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the upgrading of Osberstown interchange, County Kildare; the availability of funding for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54138/13]
View answer58. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed bypass for Sallins, County Kildare; the availability of funding for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54137/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 58 together.
The 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 the local authority.
As the Sallins Bypass and Osberstown Interchange projects have still to be submitted to and considered by An Bord Pleanála, there has been no discussion of funding options for the construction of these projects with Kildare County Council.
36. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the potential of formalised stakeholder engagement regarding the development of State airports; if he will consider liaising with airport management to establish such a consultative body for Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54135/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) between them have statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop the three State Airports and as such engagement with stakeholders is an operational matter for the companies involved.
Policy in relation to the future of Cork airport of was decided by Government in November 2012 in the context of the decision to separate Shannon Airport from the DAA. The Government decided then that the existing ownership of Cork Airport by the DAA would be maintained for the present. That decision is consistent with the Booz and Co. report on the future ownership and operation of Cork and Shannon Airports, that found that Cork Airport performs well under DAA ownership and management and operates to a sustainable business model.
In the circumstances, a Development Council for Cork Airport is to be established. The Council will provide for strong engagement with, and alignment among, the key stakeholders in the Cork region and will serve to foster a common understanding, particularly at local level, of issues of concern, potential opportunities for growth, and the operating performance of the airport. I understand that the Council is to be established shortly and I hope that its work will lead to improved traffic growth that will ultimately benefit the Cork area and region.
37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department continued to evaluate the potential benefit of attracting major sporting events to this jurisdiction such as the Rugby World Cup or similar events; the degree to which specific promotional efforts are being made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54376/13]
View answer40. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed bid to host the Rugby World Cup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54158/13]
View answer42. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed bid to host the Rugby World Cup. [54335/13]
View answer57. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed bid to host the Rugby World Cup. [54136/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 40, 42 and 57 together.
My Department and Fáilte Ireland have been examining the potential benefits and costs that would be associated with supporting the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) in submitting a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023. I recently brought a Memorandum for the Information of the Government to the Cabinet on the discussions and analysis to date. My colleagues expressed strong support for the proposal and for the conduct of further work to get to the stage of making a formal decision to bid.
While the Memorandum identified a number of challenges, the great potential of the event is also clear and I believe that hosting the Rugby World Cup on a cross-border basis in 2023 would be a great opportunity for Northern Ireland and Ireland. Aside from the potential economic boost, the tournament would raise our international profile, not just in terms of sport and tourism, but also more widely in terms of business, trade and investment. Attracting major international events is a key element of tourism strategy on both sides of the border and cooperation between north and south can enhance such events.
Minister of State Ring and I are currently making arrangements to meet with Minister Foster and Minister Ní Chuilín to discuss the matter further and I will be in a position to advise the House further following that meeting.
With regard to the the evaluation of the tourism potential of major sporting events more generally, where a detailed evaluation shows clear benefits, they are opportunities. Such detailed evaluation is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and I am referring the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
38. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to assist the Irish Amateur Boxing Association in working with Swords Boxing Club, County Dublin, to develop international level boxing facilities in the town. [54133/13]
View answerI understand that discussions have recently taken place between Fingal County Council, the boxing club referred to by the Deputy, and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association. I further understand that these discussions have centred around the possibility of securing alternative premises for the club, as the Council does not view their current premises as being suitable for sporting purposes. Indeed, the Council has asked the club to vacate their current premises. Hopefully the discussions can lead to a satisfactory outcome for all concerned. I am informed that the Council will make every effort to assist the club. However, it would not be appropriate for me to become involved in the matter.
39. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the recent helicopter crash in Scotland, his plans to introduce a mandatory requirement for flight recording devices to be installed on board helicopters registered here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54251/13]
View answerThe recent crash of a police helicopter in Scotland was a very tragic event and I want to extend my sympathies to the families of those involved. The mandatory installation or otherwise, of flight recorders and other equipment on aircraft, including helicopters, is a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) on the basis that the IAA is the entity responsible within the State for the issuing of Certificates of Airworthiness that specify the requirements for all aircraft including helicopters. I have therefore passed your query on to the IAA for direct reply. I ask that the Deputy contact my Private Office if he does not receive a response from the IAA within the next ten working days.
41. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when legislation to regulate the clamping of vehicles on privately owned land will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54400/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment “to legislate to regulate the vehicle clamping industry”. Therefore, in late 2011 I asked the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht to take a role in the pre - Heads of Bill stage and to contribute to the initial drafting of legislation. The Committee carried out a number of hearings on the matter and published detailed recommendations on the issues that should be included in the legislation. Following this, in March of this year, the Government approved the drafting of a Regulation of Vehicle Immobilisation Bill 2013. The necessary legislation to give effect to this legislation is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The outcome of this process will form the core of the Bill which I expect to publish early in 2014. Progress on the drafting of this legislation has not been as quick as was originally hoped given the complexity of legislation that deal with the rights of property owners.
Under the principal provisions of the Bill, the National Transport Authority, as Regulator, will ensure the provision of adequate advisory signage in locations where clamping is in operation, set maximum clamp release periods and fees, and establish an independent appeals process. These provisions will apply to clamping activities on the public road, as well as on private property where the public has an explicit or implicit invitation to park.
