Written Answers Nos 1-30
9. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will prioritise the construction of the new N22 Cork Kerry road via Ballyvourney and Macroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21526/14]
View answerIn my earlier reply to a similar question in relation to the N59, I explained that the capital funding available for roads at present means that we have to prioritise the protection of the existing investment in road infrastructure as against major new expenditure on road building.
I pointed out that my general approach is to keep under review projects at various stages of planning and design which have been evaluated and appraised in order to have a pipeline of suitable "shovel ready" projects ready to avail of any funding opportunities that may arise. The N22 Ballyvourney - Macroom project referred to is among these.
Work has started on the preparation of the next capital programme. As the Deputy will appreciate, I will have to prioritise the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure and the scope for progressing new projects under this programme will very much depend on the level of funding available.
10. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is proposed to sell the Government stake in Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16773/14]
View answerIn 2012, the State's 25.1% shareholding in Aer Lingus was included among the assets to be considered for sale under the State Asset Disposal programme in the context of the EU/IMF support programme. The Government agreed at that time that the stake would only be sold when market conditions were favourable and if acceptable terms and an acceptable price could be secured. However, circumstances favourable to a sale did not arise during the period of the EU/IMF programme. The State remains open to the sale of its shareholding when conditions are right and if the right price and terms can be agreed.
The Government continues to manage its shareholding actively, with the aim of maximising the value of the shareholding, securing dividends and encouraging new routes and additional capacity where commercially viable. The State's shareholding in Aer Lingus has returned dividends totalling of €9.38m to the Exchequer since 2011 and a further €5.36m is due to be paid on 30th May this year in respect of 2013.
12. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the number of road fatalities on our roads this year; the way this compares with last year; his views on the operation of the Road Safety Authority; the resources needed to carry out fully its duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21529/14]
View answerAs of yesterday,14 May, the total number of fatalities on our roads in 2014 was 67. That is the same number for the same period last year. While it is too early in the year to be certain, I am hopeful that the year on year rise in fatalities experienced in 2013 will not be repeated this year. All of the agencies involved continue to examine the causes of road deaths and propose measures to be taken to improve safety for all road users.
Last year I launched the Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020. This contains 144 Actions to be implemented by the various agencies involved in order to build on the previous strategies with the objective of improving safety, sustainably on our roads, making Ireland among the safest countries for road safety. I will continue to ensure that every effort is made in implementing the Actions contained and earlier this week I met with all the relevant stakeholders to monitor progress.
In recent months I also brought through the Oireachtas the Road Traffic Act 2014, which contains measures that will contribute to the road safety improvements.
The new Strategy was developed by the Road Safety Authority whose principal role is the promotion of road safety. I am satisfied that the RSA receives all of the necessary resources and assistance it requires from my Department in carrying out its functions.
15. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent of consultation with stakeholders-employers in Dublin Port to date regarding future development plans for the port; his role in the master plan for Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21292/14]
View answerIn 2013 I published a new National Ports Policy. As is stated in that, port masterplanning is in line with international best practice and is consistent with policy to improve integrated planning for all modes of transport. All of our Ports of National Significance (Tier 1) have in recent years published such documents and I welcome the initiative shown by the ports in providing clarity to all stakeholders in relation to their likely future development requirements and options. The development and implementation of these plans is carried out by the particular companies concerned and is not one in which I, as Minister am directly involved. In February 2012 Dublin Port Company published its masterplan which outlines a vision for the future of the port. It set out a range of potential development scenarios to accommodate growth in what is our most important port. The publication of the final document represented the culmination of a wide-ranging Company led consultation process with port stakeholders, statutory bodies and the general public. The process included publication and circulation of an ‘issues paper’, information briefings for customers, employees and interest groups, public information meetings for citizens and a conference in May 2011 on the emerging themes generally.
National Ports Policy affirms the Government’s support for the core principles underpinning the Company’s masterplan and I am aware that the Company has recently lodged a planning application to An Bord Pleanála in respect of the first major infrastructure development project outlined in the masterplan. That independent statutory planning process will afford a further opportunity to any interested party to make a submission on the detail of a particular project.
16. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to further end tolls on roads across the State following the recent toll free period initiative and comments by him that he was considering the removal of tolls levied on trucks using the Limerick tunnel. [21597/14]
View answerAs 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. Moreover, 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).
The contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between the NRA and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned. As the Deputy will appreciate there is a contract in place between the State, in this case represented by the NRA, and the PPP companies. This contract can not be unilaterally changed by either party. While toll rates are adjusted annually in line with consumer prices, the base rates are built into the PPP financing arrangements that enabled the high quality motorway network to be built.
In relation to Limerick Tunnel, in light of the findings from the toll free pilot last November, which showed an increase of 70% in the number of HGVs using tunnel, I have asked the NRA to assess the option of making the tunnel toll free for HGVs taking into account the traffic guarantee payments.
17. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the greenway potential for County Donegal in the context of recent discussions at the North South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21589/14]
View answerThere was a short discussion on the margins of the recent North South Ministerial Council about the potential funding opportunities for border region greenways and cycleways under Interreg V and the forthcoming EU Structural Funds Programme.
This discussion was fruitful and my officials have since met with officials from the Department of Regional Development in Northern Ireland to explore the types of projects that could be supported if Sustainable Transport is chosen as one of the final four thematic objectives of the Interreg Programme, which is due to be finalised in September. Both Departments are anxious to support greenway projects and would welcome any input from Donegal County Council. Donegal, like all border counties, could stand to benefit from contributing to this process and my officials would be hopeful that cycleway projects could be devised that would benefit the entire region, North and South.
18. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support full-time taxi drivers who are finding it difficult in the current economic climate and to support their genuine concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21456/14]
View answerI have always been supportive of the interests of full-time taxi drivers who are legally compliant and committed to providing a high quality service to customers. I have met extensively with them in the course of leading the Taxi Regulation Review and in the subsequent enactment of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
That Act, which was recently commenced, is the most significant piece of legislation relating to the taxi sector in the history of the State. It strengthens the regulatory powers of the National Transport Authority in relation to licensing, enforcement and regulation of the industry.
The Act, together with regulations introduced by the National Transport Authority, gives the necessary legal underpinning to many of the actions recommended in the Taxi Regulation Review. The aim is to allow consumers to have confidence in the taxi system while also ensuring that legitimate and professional operators and drivers can be rewarded fairly by operating in a regulatory framework that is adequately enforced.
The provisions in the legislation include mandatory disqualification from holding a licence upon having a serious criminal conviction and a demerit system to deal with recurrent breaches of the regulations. The National Transport Authority is given the power to enter into agreements with service providers so as to increase enforcement capacity and capability. As a result of the latter, 15 new enforcement officers have been appointed as part of 'Operation Taximeter' which is targeting both urban centres and rural towns.
Other measures introduced include 'off-street' enforcement and co-operation arrangements for data sharing between key enforcement agencies of An Garda Síochána, National Transport Authority, Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners, an end to the practice of 'plate rental', a prohibition on vehicle licence transfers, a requirement for a declaration of other employment and mandatory branding on vehicles to provide greater recognition of taxis, promote increased professionalism of the industry and to reduce the potential for unlicensed vehicles to operate as taxis.
19. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons killed and injured on our roads over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21454/14]
View answerIn 2013, 190 people died in collisions on roads in this country. This was an increase of 17% over the 2012 figures, which was the safest year on Irish roads since records began in 1959. As of the 9th May, 63 people have been killed on our roads this year, a reduction of 3 on the same period last year.
Garda statistics indicate that there were 318 serious injuries in 2013, an increase of 18 on the 2012 figure.
I am concerned that road fatalities and serious injuries increased in 2013 after a number of years of steady reductions. The Gardaí and the RSA meet regularly to discuss the causes of collisions and the steps necessary to reduce them.
Last year, I launched the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 which identifies a total of 144 Actions to be implemented by key stakeholders within the timeframes set. Implementation of these Actions will lead to a further significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.
In addition to the Strategy, the new Road Traffic Act 2014 provides for adjustment of penalty points for certain offences, introduces a new concept of novice driver, assists the Gardaí in determining the presence of intoxicants in drivers through an impairment testing system and provides for the testing for intoxicants of drivers left incapacitated by a road collision. The provisions of this Act will assist in making our roads safer.
20. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when preparatory work for metro north will resume; and if he supports the establishment of the bus rapid transit network route between Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre. [21485/14]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is currently undertaking a technical consultancy to assess the long-term rail transport requirements of the North Dublin/Fingal corridor, extending from Finglas to Malahide and including Dublin Airport and Swords. This review will examine existing proposals including Metro North as well as other options for a rail-based transport solution to meet the area's needs in the long term. I expect to have a report on the outcome of this review by the end of the year.
The NTA's Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 has proposed a BRT Scheme as an interim solution to the short term demand needs of the Swords/Airport corridor. BRT would be a fast and efficient form of public transport in some parts of Dublin and would be cheaper to build, operate and maintain than rail. However, I fully share the view expressed in the Implementation Plan that BRT will not on its own replace rail based solutions where a higher capacity solution is required in the long-term, such as on the Swords/Airport corridor.
Under the current capital plan to 2016, funding is available for the initial design and route selection of a small number of BRT schemes. Funding for delivery of these schemes, of which Swords/Airport has been identified as a priority, will be examined as part of the recently announced review of the medium term capital plan to take account of priorities to 2020. My Departments key priority to 2020 will be, as under the current plan, to protect investment made to date and to maintain safety standards. If additional funds are available, which is not certain, there will be many competing transport projects from all modes in all regions. Only projects for which there is a clear need, which are affordable, have a sound business case and add value to existing infrastructure will be prioritised for funding to 2020.
21. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the present model of permissive access is working in terms of the introduction of greenways at locations around the country; and if he shares the view that alternative models may need to be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21489/14]
View answerThe permissive access model is a worthy mechanism for certain cycling and walking projects, particularly on a local level. It is a low cost community based model that provides access to the natural environment without interfering with the property rights of the landowners concerned. In many cases, it is the landowners who become champions of the project, supporting the role of the local authorities and the work of agencies such as Fáilte Ireland.
In terms of the best land access models for greenway delivery, the use of publicly owned land is advantageous from the perspective of reducing costs. Negotiated permissive access, from the perspective of cost and community ownership, continues to have value but, for projects of national scale, consideration must be given to land purchase agreements or CPO.
The process of obtaining permissive access is resource intensive and I would have my doubts that such a process could be deployed on projects of national scale where agreement would need to be secured with hundreds of landowners.
Greater investment is now being provided for greenways and it would be precarious to rely on permissive access where the associated agreements may be withdrawn at any time without recourse to the State. Of course, it will be a matter for all developers of cycling infrastructure to consider access to land on a case by case basis and to take a multi-criteria approach in the route selection process. The key consideration should always be to select an approach that will maximise the future use of the amenity concerned.
In the context of developing major cycling infrastructure projects that traverse long sections of privately owned land, I fully support the need to consider CPO. However, I would certainly recommend that all other options are exhausted before land purchase is considered.
22. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of proposals for the Bonagee link project to provide a new inner relief road and bridge across the River Swilly into Letterkenny; the projected cost of delivering the project; the amount spent to date; his plans for funding it in the immediate future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21587/14]
View answer49. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide funding in the immediate future to progress the proposals for the Bonagee link project which will provide a new inner relief road and bridge across the River Swilly into Letterkenny; the current status of the proposal; the projected cost of delivering the project; the total spent to date on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21588/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 49 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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.
The scale of the reductions in the allocations to the NRA under the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework 2012-2016 has meant that it has not been possible to progress a range of road development projects. The key priority has to be the protection of the existing investment in road infrastructure.
I understand that the preferred route has been selected on the proposed N56 Letterkenny Relief Road which encompasses the Bonagee Relief Road, However, given the reduced level of funding available for major schemes such as this, it has not been possible for the NRA to provide any additional funding to enable the scheme to progress further. As the Deputy is aware the estimated cost of the total project is €45 million. Given the size of the project, it cannot be funded through a PPP model but rather must be funded by direct Exchequer funding. In that context €45m is a very major commitment from central government given the state of the country's finances.
Work has started on the preparation of the next capital programme. As the Deputy will appreciate, I will have to prioritise the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure and the scope for progressing new projects under this programme will very much depend on the level of funding available.
23. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has received correspondence from any tier two or tier three ports as identified in the national ports policy of their intention to carry out major expansion of their facilities; if it is his intention to uphold the categorisation of ports as contained in the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21525/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I published a new National Ports Policy in March 2013 which seeks to recognise the importance of all of our ports while acknowledging the differences between them and their particular roles in national, regional and local economies and communities. The policy categorises the State owned ports into
- Ports of National Significance (Tier 1): Dublin, Cork and Shannon
- Ports of National Significance (Tier 2): Rosslare and Waterford
- Ports of Regional Significance: Drogheda, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, New Ross and Wicklow.
Our Ports of National Significance are our key international maritime gateways and handle essentially 100% of our containerised trade and around 85 – 90% of total tonnage in any given year. This realignment of national policy focus on those designated Ports of National Significance is a feature of general EU ports policy and also national level ports policy among a number of individual EU, and indeed OECD, member states.
The five Ports of Regional Significance collectively handle approximately 3.5% of national tonnage and are each individually important in terms of their role and function within their region. However, it is clear that they are not facilities of national importance that warrant their continued oversight by central Government. In keeping with the spirit of local Government reform generally, this oversight function could better be carried out at local Government level. Therefore, it is proposed to transfer control of these ports to relevant local authority led governance structures.
In January 2014 Galway Harbour Company submitted an application to An Bord Pleanála in respect of a proposed extension to its port facilities. That application will be considered by An Bord Pleanála under the strategic infrastructure development planning process. As current shareholder in the Company I was of course kept apprised by the Company as it developed its plans and I am additionally a statutory consultee as part of the planning process.
24. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made on passenger numbers in Shannon Airport following the decision of the Government to separate Shannon from the Dublin Airport Authority. [21524/14]
View answerA major consideration for the Government in its decision to separate Shannon airport from the DAA was the serious decline of passenger traffic at the airport over recent years. Shannon airport was loss making from 2008 to 2012 and passenger numbers plummeted by over 60% from a peak in 2007 of 3.62 million to 1.39 million in 2012. A consistent decline on this scale was always going to be challenging to address.
The immediate priority for the new board and management of the restructured SAA was to halt this decline. While passenger traffic continued to decline in the first five months of 2013, June of last year witnessed the first monthly growth in passengers at Shannon in over five years and this trend continued with the period June to December showing a 6% increase on the same period in 2012. The US market proved to be the most successful in growth terms with traffic up 37% during the peak summer season.
With the initial focus first and foremost on arresting the previous annual traffic decline, the overall outturn for 2013 of 1.4 million passengers marginally exceeded the outturn for 2012 of 1.39m. This reversal of the serious slide of the previous five years is a major achievement for Shannon in its first year as an independent airport.
The passenger numbers between January and the end of April this year of 348,304 are an increase of 6.8% on the same period in 2013. With the commencement of new routes and increased services, I know that Shannon airport is looking forward to new and sustainable growth of its passenger numbers this year and beyond.
25. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made any representations on behalf of Norwegian Airlines efforts to secure a licence from the US Department of Transport to fly from the EU to the US. [21475/14]
View answer27. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made any representations on behalf of Norwegian Airlines efforts to secure a licence from the US Department of Transport to fly from the EU to the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21592/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 27 together.
These questions relate to the application by Norwegian Air International to the US authorities for a foreign air carrier permit to operate flights into the US.
Norwegian Air International (NAI) was granted an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and an Operating licence by the Irish Aviation Authority and the Commission for Aviation Regulation respectively on 12 February. These licences were issued in accordance with EU legislation. NAI has applied to the US Department of Transportation for a permit to operate flights from the EU to the US in accordance with the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. Under the Open Skies agreement, the parties have agreed to the reciprocal recognition of regulatory determinations made by the other side.
On 13 February I wrote to my counterpart in the US, Secretary Foxx, advising him that NAI had received an Air Operator Certificate and an Operating Licence from the competent licensing authorities in Ireland and indicating my support for NAI's application for a US foreign air carrier permit.
26. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the extremely poor state of the road paving in Dublin city centre; if there is a moratorium on road repairs in Dublin city centre during the Luas cross city works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21532/14]
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 selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for each local authority.
On the small number of streets where the Luas works are being undertaken, major pavement reconstruction works on these streets will take place at the end of the Luas Cross City construction works during 2016 and 2017. However, all necessary road repairs along these streets are being undertaken in the intervening period.
On all of the other streets not impacted by the Luas works, which is obviously the majority of streets in the city centre area, there is no moratorium on road repairs arising from the Luas Cross City project.
Earlier this year I announced that €331.9 million was being allocated to local authorities under the regional and local road grants investment programme. Dublin City Council was allocated €5.8m for regional and local roads in 2014.
It is important to re-iterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement local authorities in their spending in this area.
28. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when allocations under the community involvement scheme will be made. [21570/14]
View answer36. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which allocations under the community involvement scheme will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21564/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 36 together.
Local authorities were issued with a circular on 1 April this year inviting applications for funding under the Community Involvement Scheme with a deadline of 2 May 2014.
My Department recently received applications from 25 county councils for funding under this scheme of grants. All of these applications are being assessed in my Department and it is hoped to announce the allocations to local authorities shortly.
30. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the establishment of a small capital grant for mountain and sub-aqua rescue and recovery groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21527/14]
View answerThe Coast Guard, which is a division of the Irish Maritime Administration in my Department, administers mountain rescue grants in two parts; to individual mountain rescue teams and to the co-ordinating body Mountain Rescue Ireland, which is an all-island body. Despite the constraints on public finance these payments have not reduced in my tenure as Minister. Although the Coast Guard does not have direct responsibility for mountain rescue I am conscious of the service mountain rescue teams provide and options for occasional capital grants will be kept under review. These matters can be discussed with mountain rescue representatives at their biannual meeting with the Coast Guard.
With regard to the sub-aqua rescue and recovery groups, primary responsibility for missing person searches in inland waters is vested in An Garda Síochána. The Coast Guard has responsibility for co-ordination of maritime search and rescue on Irish coastal and offshore waters. Diving support to the Coast Guard is provided in the first instance by the Garda Water Unit and the Navy Diving team. Volunteer diving teams do on occasion offer assistance but in such scenarios their participation based on an offer of support.
The Coast Guard is currently consulting with an Chomhairle Fo-Thuinn (Irish Underwater Council), with a view to developing a service level agreement that is primarily focused on the safety of such operations. Regrettably, it is not envisaged that any funding assistance will be extended to sub aqua or recovery groups in the foreseeable future.
In relation to coastal waters, my Department provides grant assistance to twelve units known as Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI).This funding amounts to €5k per unit per annum. These units operate on the basis of a specific undertaking with the Coast Guard and are categorised as "Declared Resources".
