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Thursday, 3 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos. 267-276

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (267)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

267. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will grant funding to a club (details supplied) in County Cork which applied under the 2014 sports capital programme; when grants will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15746/14]

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Written answers

I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme and his support for the project is noted.  I hope to announce allocations later this year.

Tourism Project Funding

Questions (268)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

268. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be granted to develop a greenway on the Farranfore to Valentia Harbour branch of the old Great Southern Railway line from Glenbeigh to Renard; his views on the potential to create a world class tourism amenity along this route; his further views on the economic potential that such a development would offer this part of south Kerry; if he will take this disadvantage into consideration when deciding on the allocation of funding; if he recognises the positive symbolism that would also accompany the re-opening of the route as a greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15792/14]

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Written answers

I have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects as this is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland.  Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Transport Infrastructure Provision

Questions (269)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

269. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he sees potential in the development of Foynes Port as a hub for transatlantic freight transportation, the marine equivalent of the Shannon free zone; if his Department has explored the idea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15811/14]

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Written answers

As the Deputy is aware the Shannon Estuary is one of the finest, natural deep-water resources on the island. Shannon Foynes Port Company is the State commercial port company tasked with the management of shipping within the Estuary and is designated as a Port of National Significance (Tier 1) in National Ports Policy and as a ‘core’ port within the European Union’s Trans-European Transport Network. In November 2013 Minister of State for Housing and Planning Jan O'Sullivan launched the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary which was commissioned by the local authorities, Shannon Development and Shannon Foynes Port Company as part of the Mid-West Regional Planning Guidelines. The Plan sets out an overall strategy for the proper sustainable growth, development and environmental management of the Shannon Estuary for the next 30 years. Additionally Shannon Foynes Port Company has also produced its own development masterplan entitled 'Vision 2041'. This plan was developed taking cognisance of, and is consistent with, the outputs of the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan. The Plan refers to the potential of the Estuary in developing as a transhipment hub and seeks to provide the policy framework to safeguard the critical deep-water channels and facilitate the sustainable growth of the required deep-water berths. The Plan also designates a total of nine strategic development locations for marine related industry and large scale industrial development around the Estuary as a whole. It is Government policy that all port infrastructure development must be funded on a commercial basis without recourse to the Exchequer; however, the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan is a good example of inter-Governmental co-operation designed to facilitate future sustainable economic growth and provides potential investors with a clear vision of the Estuary's future potential.

Air Traffic Control Services

Questions (270)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

270. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the potential of the development of Shannon as a European centre for air traffic control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15812/14]

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Written answers

The main objective of the EU Single European Sky initiative is to reform the air traffic management system in Europe, currently delivered by approximately 40 separate service providers, including the Irish Aviation Authority. The European air traffic management system is a complex one with widely varying conditions across a network currently controlling some 9.5 million flights per year. Although consolidation under the Single European Sky initiative would be welcome, it is not anticipated that any one location such as Shannon would act as a centre for all European air traffic. 

Ireland is, however, one of the most efficient locations in the European network and the retention of this position is a priority and will be an important factor in ensuring the long-term viability of Ireland’s  air traffic control facilities.

Air Services Provision

Questions (271, 272)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

271. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the role played by Irish airlines in the development of Irish tourism; if he will continue to explore options such as the abolition of the travel tax to help these airlines to prosper and bring more people to this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15818/14]

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Brendan Griffin

Question:

272. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the potential for the development of Irish tourism through the emergence of low-cost transatlantic flights; if he will liaise with airlines to explore ways of incentivising and enabling this prospect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15819/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 271 and 272 together.

As an island destination, direct, convenient and competitive access services are critical to achieving tourism growth to Ireland.  The development of our tourism industry is central to the Government's economic recovery programme, and the connectivity that is provided by Irish airlines is very important in this regard.  Enhanced air access to key business and tourism markets around the world has been a key element of the Government's policy.

The zero rate travel tax, which has come into effect this week, has been introduced in order to encourage new airline routes into Ireland. There has been a very positive response to date from the airlines with new routes and increased services coming on stream from Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Knock.

North America is a critically important market for tourism to Ireland; these visitors stay longer, spend more than average and tour more extensively.  The latest CSO figures indicate that in 2013 there was an 11% increase in visits from North America compared to 2012 and it represented the highest ever annual number of visits from this market.  This year, it is expected that during the peak season, direct air capacity on transatlantic routes will increase by 17%. This follows an increase of 26% in 2013.

In terms of the possible introduction of any new services, obviously these are primarily commercial decisions for the airlines themselves and the  trans-Atlantic aviation market is fully liberalised under the EU Open Skies agreement with the US and Canada.   Tourism Ireland, in co-operation with other enterprise agencies, does engage in case-making activity for the introduction of routes of strategic importance for Ireland and undertakes co-operative marketing activity with airports and air carriers to stimulate demand.  In this regard, campaigns are currently underway with all the airlines which fly to Ireland from ten North American gateways, and with leading tour operators. 

Mountain Rescue Service

Questions (273, 274)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

273. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to provide extra funding for mountain teams around the country in view of the growth in hill walking and mountain climbing, the importance of it to the tourist industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15906/14]

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Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

274. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation made to each mountain rescue team in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014, to cover the costs of the services that they provide on a voluntary basis to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15907/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together.

Once again I would like to put on record my appreciation for the excellent work done by voluntary mountain rescue organisations. It is important to recognise that An Garda Síochána have responsibility for the coordination of mountain rescue teams under the Framework for Major Emergency Management. The Gardaí fall under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality. However, my Department is responsible through the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) as Chair of the National Coordinating Committee for Mountain and Cave Rescue, for administering payment of grants to all the mountain rescue teams in Ireland.

Over the past four years this grant funding scheme has provided €362,957 to mountain rescue teams - see table below. In some instances organisations such as Mountain Rescue Ireland, the all-island umbrella organisation governing mountain rescue in Ireland, can make applications to other Departments and agencies under various funding schemes. It is important that voluntary organisations that meet qualifying criteria can seek funding from a variety of sources.

In terms of extra funding from my own Department, I have stated recently that I have asked my officials to consider the introduction of a modest capital grant scheme for mountain rescue activities. However, given constraints on my Department’s overall capital budget and other capital demands arising from my primary responsibility to provide a marine emergency response, it will be some time later in the year before it can be established whether there is any capital funding that could be utilised for mountain rescue services. 

Mountain Rescue Team

2011 €

2012 €

2013 €

2014 €

Donegal Mountain Rescue

7,407

7,407

7,407

7,407

Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue

14,815

14,815

14,815

14,815

Galway Mountain Rescue

7,407

7,407

7,407

7,407

Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue

14,815

14,815

14,815

14,815

Kerry Mountain Rescue

14,815

14,815

14,815

14,815

Mayo Mountain Rescue

7,407

7,407

7,407

 

Sligo-Leitrim Mountain Rescue

7,407

7,407

7,407

7,407

SARDA

7,407

7,407

7,407

7,407

South Eastern Mountain Rescue

7,407

7,407

7,407

7,407

Tramore Mountain Rescue

3,704

3,704

3,704

3,704

Tourism Project Funding

Questions (275)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

275. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money approved by his Department directly or through one of its agencies towards the development of the greenway along the route of the old Galway–Clifden railway line; when it is expected that the money will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15908/14]

View answer

Written answers

I have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects. This is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland.  Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Rail Network Maintenance

Questions (276)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

276. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if work can be done to secure trees along a section of train track (details supplied) in County Kerry. [15936/14]

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Written answers

The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have referred 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.

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