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Wednesday, 7 May 2014

Written Answers Nos. 212-218

Taxi Licences Renewals

Questions (212)

Clare Daly

Question:

212. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reopen the sale window for taxi licences, as the taxi authority was only informed about the fact that licences are no longer transferable, from 6 April, on 1 April giving taxi drivers no opportunity to organise a sale in advance of this deadline which has caused enormous hardship to those who were planning to exit the market. [20415/14]

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Written answers

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. The Taxi Regulation Review Group that produced the Taxi Regulation Review Report, 2011, included representatives of the taxi industry and the taxi authority, the NTA, and its recommendations were widely publicised to the industry, including through the NTA's website and industry updates. Originally, it was intended that the measure would be introduced with effect from 1st January 2013 by way of regulations to be made by the NTA. However, it was concluded that it would be more appropriate to include such a provision in primary legislation as part of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013, that was enacted on 23rd October 2013. Consequently the industry has had an 18 month period longer than envisaged under the Taxi Regulation Review Report under which transfers have been allowed to take place.

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Questions (213)

Clare Daly

Question:

213. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will cast his vote against the CEO's remuneration package at the Aer Lingus AGM on 2 May. [20416/14]

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Written answers

I can confirm that the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus voted against item 2 on the agenda of the company's AGM last Friday, 2 May. Agenda item 2 was titled "Consideration of the Remuneration Report" and was an advisory, non-binding resolution.

The company's performance has improved significantly under Mr Mueller's stewardship and his overall remuneration package is what would be expected in a company of Aer Lingus' size and profitability. However, the decision to vote against follows my earlier indication of concern about the increased pension contribution in 2013 for the Chief Executive from 25% of his basic salary to 40%, at a time when the serious funding problem in the company’s pension scheme remains unresolved.

As the Deputy will be aware, the remuneration report was approved by a small majority.  While many other shareholders supported the government's position, most did not.  This should be borne in mind when it comes to future votes on other significant matters. Aer Lingus is a public company listed on the stock market not semi-state.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (214)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

214. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a sports capital grant in respect of a club (details supplied) in County Cork; when the grants will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20421/14]

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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 the Deputy's support for the project is noted. I hope to announce allocations later this year.

Free Travel Scheme Eligibility

Questions (215)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

215. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount it would cost his Department to extend discounted travel schemes to everyone in full-time education under the age of 18 years old. [20446/14]

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Written answers

The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the transport operators and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  If he does not receive a reply within ten working days, please advise my private office.

Traffic Management

Questions (216)

Finian McGrath

Question:

216. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow motorcycles to use the bus lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20451/14]

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Written answers

The use of bus lanes is provided for in the Road Traffic (Traffic & Parking) Regulations, 1997, as amended.  The primary purpose of providing bus lanes is to facilitate and promote bus based public transport.  The Regulations generally limit the use of bus lanes to buses and to cyclists.

As taxis provide on-street immediate public hire services, an exemption exists in relation to their use in with-flow bus lanes when they are being used in the course of business. There have been many requests over the years to extend the use of bus lanes to other categories of road user.  These include limousines and hackneys, multi-occupancy vehicles and motorcycles.  My Department has rejected these requests in light of the original reason for the creation of bus lanes. My view remains that the use of bus lanes should not be extended in any way which would undermine their original purpose through adding to congestion in these lanes.

Roadworthiness Testing

Questions (217)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

217. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide exemptions from roadworthiness tests to pre-1980 vintage veteran vehicles as he has provided for pre-1980 vintage cars and motor caravans; the reasons vintage veteran vehicles were excluded from exemptions despite numerous public submissions on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20463/14]

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Written answers

In accordance with the European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations 2004, S.I. 771 of 2004, all commercial vehicles over one year old (including vintage trucks) must complete a roadworthiness test and have a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness if used in a public place. Although there is no exemption for vintage vehicles, such vehicles are tested to the standards that the vehicles concerned were originally designed to meet.  

Regular testing ensures that all commercial vehicles, regardless of age, are maintained to a minimum standard of roadworthiness. Vintage veteran vehicles, even if only covering low mileage, may still have roadworthiness concerns such as perishing of rubber components or seizure of brake actuators following periods of inactivity. To exclude any category of vehicle from annual Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test based solely on the declared usage of the vehicle could have road safety implications. It could also lead to the anomalous situation whereby vintage vehicles being used commercially may unfairly seek to claim an exemption from roadworthiness testing.

In relation to pre-1980 vintage cars, the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2009, S.I. 567 of 2009, exempt cars first registered prior to 1 January 1980 from the NCT.  However, if such a car is used as a Small Public Service Vehicle it must be tested regardless of its age. As with vintage trucks, such cars are tested to the standards that they were originally designed to meet. In accordance with Action 59 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020, the RSA will conduct a review of the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles to determine the safety case and cost benefits, if any, for the inclusion or exclusion of such vehicles in roadworthiness testing. I have asked the RSA to bring forward this review and have it completed before the end of the year.

Road Tolls

Questions (218)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

218. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider implementing a system of discounted road tolls for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20469/14]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have overall responsibility for  policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual national road schemes which provide for tolling, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007.  Furthermore, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is very specifically vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act, 1993 (as amended).

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply.  If he does not receive a reply within ten working days, please advise my private office

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