Written Answers Nos. 665-682
665. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason behind the different licensing procedures for limousines registered before and after 1 January 1980; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6558/14]
View answer666. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the event or research that prompted his Department's changes to licensing for pre-1980 limousine owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6561/14]
View answer667. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the purpose or intent of the engineer's inspection report required by limousine owners to be taken annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6562/14]
View answer668. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed limousine owners who use non-PSV licensed drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6563/14]
View answer672. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the unlicensed operators within the limousines and wedding car industry; and the resources allocated to this issue within the regulators office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6620/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 665 to 668, inclusive, and 672 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry, including enforcement and 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.
The Taxi Regulation Review, 2011, encompassed a wide range of issues including licensing, vehicle standards and enforcement, the current regulatory policy and practices and future dialogue with the taxi sector. The 6 monthly testing and renewal assessment requirement for vehicles older than 10 years was introduced to promote vehicle standards that improve passenger and road safety.
Many of the key recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review, 2011, relate to enforcement and compliance matters, involving both 'on-street' and 'off-street' enforcement. These recommendations have been given legislative effect through the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 which was signed into law on 23rd October 2013. The Act will be commenced in the coming months when regulations to be made under the Act are finalised.
The Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides for a range of offences for contravention of the provisions of the Act and regulations made thereunder, as well as a suite of enforcement measures. The Act will enable An Garda Síochána to issue fixed payment notices in respect of an increased range of offences.
In addition, under the Act the enforcement capacity of the NTA may be enhanced through service agreements.
'Off-street' enforcement and co-operation arrangements have been put in place for data sharing on SPSV licences and drivers involving the key enforcement agencies of An Garda Síochána, NTA, Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners.
I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within ten working days please notify my private office.
669. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the full section 53 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 will be commenced; and the steps that need to be taken to facilitate the commencement of the provision so that any driver who commits an offence attracting penalty points and who produces a non-Irish driving licence will have those penalty points applied to their licence. [6565/14]
View answerSection 53 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 was designed to address the problem of penalty points which could not be associated with a driver licence record. On reflection, it was considered that the provision as passed required redrafting in order to make it practical. The section, therefore, could not be commenced in full. For this reason, the Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013, which has passed through the Dáil and is currently before the Seanad, will repeal section 53 and replace its provisions.
The National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) of my Department can associate penalty points with the licence record of Irish Licence holders and, since the commencement of Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 on 1 June 2011, records relating to the holders of foreign licences.
The provisions replacing section 53 of the Act of 2010 will also allow for the situation where penalty points cannot be associated with a record because no such record exists, in other words where the person does not hold a licence or where licence details are not known. Under the new arrangements, penalty points will be assigned when such persons subsequently obtain licences or the licence details become known at a later date. I understand that there are some cases where a person has an Irish licence but fails to produce it in court, and therefore any points imposed cannot, at that time, be associated with a licence record. The new provisions will ensure that, where a record is subsequently identified with which those points can be associated, this will be done.
671. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department currently engages in real-time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6606/14]
View answerMy Department monitors issues of relevance to the Department and agencies through its Press Office on a daily basis. This includes television and radio broadcasting, print media, and various types of online media.
673. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be allocated to the National Roads Authority this year in respect of necessary upgrading of the east-west route from Cootehill, County Cavan through Shercock and Carrickmacross to Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6622/14]
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 the local authority.
Cavan County Council was provided with over €2 million between 2007 and 2013 from my Department in connection with this project under the Strategic Non National Road Grants Scheme in order to bring this 75 km route to preliminary design stage. A further allocation of €100,000 is being provided this year to facilitate completion of the preliminary design.
Due to budgetary constraints it will not be possible to progress the project further at this point as available funding has to be concentrated on the repair and maintenance of regional and local roads. The construction cost for a scheme of this magnitude would be in excess of €150 million.
674. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a decision has been made on an application for the reinstatement of a trailer licence category BE in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6660/14]
View answerThe subject matter of this question is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore forwarded the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
675. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will have their inactive small public service vehicle licence made void in view of the fact that it will be one year since they were due to renew it in May 2014 and the new requirement is for it to be renewed within one year, as opposed to the previous renewal window of five years; and if any special provision can be made due to the ongoing insurance dispute which has left them without their vehicle. [6719/14]
View answerThe regulation of the taxi industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. The NTA is also the lead agency with responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011.
Action 16 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report recommended a reduction in the period during which an "inactive" Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) licence may be reactivated from the current five year period to one year.
The Taxi Regulation Act 2013, which gives legal effect to many of the recommendations of the Review Report was signed into law on the 23rd of October 2013. The NTA has prepared draft SPSV regulations under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 that will introduce new measures provided for under the Act, as well as consolidating and replacing the existing regulations. The draft regulations, including provisions reducing the period for reactivation of expired SPSV licences to twelve months after the date of expiry of the licence, were the subject of a publication consultation process that concluded on 31st January 2014.
It is expected that the new regulations will be introduced in tandem with the commencement of the Act in early April 2014.
676. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the renewal of driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6739/14]
View answerThe National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). My Department has no role in the processing of driver licence applications.
There have been some problems with the speed of processing applications in the NDLS since the new system came on stream last October. I met the acting CEO of the RSA to discuss the difficulties people have experienced, and how the RSA proposed to address them. The RSA acknowledged that there were teething problems when the service opened. Some were technical and systems issues, while others related to new staff becoming familiar with rules and processes around driving licences and permits. However, the system is improving.
The RSA has responded by increasing resources in NDLS centres experiencing delays, as well as in the licence processing centre, and providing further training to staff. There are no major technical difficulties now affecting the service. A booking system to allow for customers to make appointments has been in a Pilot Phase which was successful. This system will now be provided on a phased basis in all NDLS offices.
While I understand that there are still some backlogs in relation to applications, the situation has improved. I have been informed that licence applications that are fully and correctly completed are being issued in a much improved timeframe and work is continuing to achieve the 8 day turn around target. The RSA has assured me that the remaining backlog will be cleared in the shortest possible timeframe. The NDLS can also respond to urgent situations where a licence is needed for travel abroad or for work purposes. In relation to the specific requirement for individuals to surrender their driving licence when making their application, I have asked my officials to review the requirement for this and to see if an alternative solution is possible given European Directives in this area.
677. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is possible to amend the route of bus No. 66 to pass through Green Lane, Leixlip, in the morning to collect school-going children on their way to school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6764/14]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority and the relevant transport provider and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
678. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give consideration to the provision of a direct bus service between areas (details supplied) and Beaumont Hospital as currently access is very difficult for those who have to depend on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6766/14]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the transport providers and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
679. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a flight route from Dublin to Kerry Airport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6799/14]
View answerThe current Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services Scheme, which includes the Kerry - Dublin route, ends in November this year. The policy on regional airports post 2014 is currently being developed in my Department. This policy will reflect the recommendations arising out of the recently published IWA Knock Study Group, which are being incorporated into the draft National Aviation Policy. This future policy will also have to comply with the revised EU Guidelines on State-Aid once they are finalised. No decisions have been made in respect of future PSO supports for the Kerry - Dublin or any other route at this stage.
680. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of all official engagements by him or the Ministers of State in his Department that have taken place in Northern Ireland since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6826/14]
View answerThe information sought is set out in the following table.
|
Date |
Event |
Minister |
|
21/10/11 |
NSMC Transport Sectoral Meeting (Armagh) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
18/11/11 |
NSMC Plenary Meeting (Armagh) Meeting with Minister Michelle O’Neill (Armagh) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
25/01/12 |
NSMC Tourism Sectoral Meeting (Armagh) Meeting with Tourism Ireland (Armagh) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
20/04/12 |
NSMC Transport Sectoral Meeting (Armagh) Visit to Titanic Signature Building (Belfast) Meeting with Ulster Branch Rugby officials (Belfast) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
01/07/12 |
Somme Commemoration Ceremony (Belfast) |
Minister Kelly |
|
12/07/12 |
Joint Tourism Ireland event with Minister Arlene Foster (Enniskillen) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
13/07/12 |
Visit to Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau, (Derry) Derry City v Sligo Rovers football match (Derry) |
Minister Ring |
|
26/07/12 |
Visit and meeting with City of Derry Airport (Derry) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
05/10/12 |
NSMC Transport Sectoral Meeting (Armagh) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
02/11/12 |
NSMC Plenary Meeting (Armagh) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
28/11/12 |
NSMC Tourism Sectoral Meeting (Armagh) |
Minister Ring |
|
02/11/12 |
NSMC Plenary Meeting (Armagh) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
07/12/12 |
Attended events connected with Hillary Clinton’s visit to Belfast |
Minister Kelly |
|
12/03/13 |
St Patrick's Dinner and Speech (Ballinahinch, Newcastle, Co. Down) |
Minister Kelly |
|
17/04/13 |
NSMC Transport Sectoral Meeting (Armagh) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
30/05/13 |
Launch of Tourism Brochure (Enniskillen) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
26/06/13 |
NSMC Tourism Sectoral Meeting (Armagh) Tourism Ireland Meeting (Armagh) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
04/09/13 |
Launch of All-Ireland Lighthouse Tourism Trail with Minister Arlene Foster (Antrim) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
08/11/13 |
NSMC Plenary Meeting (Armagh) Meeting with Minister Mark Durkan (Armagh) Sport and Reconciliation Conference (Armagh) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
28/11/13 |
NSMC Transport Sectoral Meeting (Armagh) |
Minister Varadkar |
|
22/01/14 |
NSMC Tourism Sectoral Meeting (Armagh) Meeting with Minister Arlene Foster and Minister Carál Ní Chuilín (Armagh) |
Minister Varadkar and Minister Ring |
681. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider an application by Westmeath County Council to extend the pathway along the banks of the Royal Canal from Mullingar to Coolnahay; and when a decision will be made on this application. [6837/14]
View answerWestmeath County Council submitted two applications for funding under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016. One of these relates to a proposal for a Mullingar Greenway linking Lough Owel to Lough Ennell.
The Department received 38 applications under the funding call and these are currently being examined by an expert assessment panel comprising officials from my Department, the National Transport Authority, Fáilte Ireland and the National Trails Office. Proposals are being assessed, as part of a competitive process, against the criteria outlined in the funding call in August, 2013. €6.5 million is being made available and it is expected that a small number of projects, or phases of projects, which have the potential to be significant trip attractors will be selected for funding. A decision and announcement of the successful projects is expected in the coming weeks.
682. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the community involvement scheme introduced in 2013; the uptake of the scheme; and if a similar investment project would be considered for footpath projects. [6906/14]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including footpaths) in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its 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.
My Department launched a pilot Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) in 2013 for works on regional and local roads. The scheme was aimed at works on local roads which would usually only be considered for funding towards the end of a Council’s road programme after more heavily trafficked routes had been dealt with. This is a voluntary scheme and is based on community contributions within the range of 20% to 50%.
It is proposed to give the previously committed CIS amounts for 2014 to a number of local authorities. Following a review of the pilot CIS programme, consideration will be given as to whether further CIS grants are allocated in 2014. While the grant is primarily aimed at improving road surface and drainage, improvements to footpaths can also be considered as part of the proposed works.
