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Thursday, 15 May 2014

Written Answers Nos. 31-41

Tourism Industry

Questions (31)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

31. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he expects the tourism sector to expand in the current year; if specific areas have been identified as having a particular growth potential; the degree to which the economic benefit accruing has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21562/14]

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Written answers

The approved Tourism Ireland Business Plan for 2014 targets growth in visitor numbers to Ireland of 4% this year and growth in associated visitor revenue of 7%.  Priority overseas markets will again be the United States, Great Britain, Germany and France, which together deliver almost three-quarters of all our overseas visitors but promotions will also continue in other markets.   

The most recent CSO figures show that we are well on target to reach these targets. The figures show that overseas visit numbers were up by 7.3% for the first quarter of 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.

Spending in Ireland by overseas visitors - excluding fares - reached €3.3 billion in 2013, an increase of 11.9% on 2012.   The seasonally adjusted level of employment in accommodation and food service for the last quarter of 2013 was 137,000 - the highest level at any time since the economic crisis began. It is clear that tourism is not only playing an important role in our economic recovery but also in putting people in jobs, right across the country, and I am confident that this trend will continue in 2014.

Tourism Ireland, working closely with Fáilte Ireland, is placing a major focus on highlighting the Wild Atlantic Way this year.  It is also promoting key events including the Croke Park Classic American football game and the very successful visit of the Giro d'Italia last weekend.   Other measures such as the retention of the 9% VAT rate, the reduction of the air travel tax to zero, and the increased air access to Ireland will also help to ensure that the targets are met.

Question No. 32 answered with Question No. 8.

Taxi Regulations

Questions (33)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

33. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will commit to meeting representatives of ex-political prisoners to discuss the issues arising from the distribution of letters by the National Transport Authority to those who hold SPSV licences and the potentially catastrophic effect this could have on their livelihood and their families welfare due to legislation brought in by this Government which contravenes the commitments of this State to the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process. [21594/14]

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Written answers

In line with the Taxi Regulation Review Report, 2011, the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013, provides for a proportionate system for mandatory disqualification from holding a licence upon having a serious criminal conviction. Section 30 of the Act, commenced with effect from the 6th April 2014, will ensure those with convictions on indictment for the most serious of violent crimes will be excluded from the industry. The specification of offences to which mandatory disqualification applies is based on the principle of ensuring the welfare and the safety of passengers.

There are inbuilt safeguards in the Act to ensure that the effect is not disproportionate. Specifically, there is a right of appeal under which the appropriate court can review a range of matters pertinent to the suitability of the appellant to be a taxi driver.

While I have met very extensively with taxi drivers and their representatives in relation to the Taxi Regulation Review and the enactment of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, I do not believe that a meeting of the kind proposed by the Deputy would serve a useful purpose. The issue of an appeal in any individual case is a matter for the courts.

Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 11.

Road Traffic Offences

Questions (35)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

35. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a progress report on the work of the criminal justice fixed charge processing system working group which has been established to oversee and facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Garda Síochána inspectorate into the fixed charge processing system. [21486/14]

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Written answers

The Criminal Justice Working Group was established in March on foot of a recommendation in the Garda Inspectorate Report on the Fixed Charge Processing System.  The Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality and comprises representatives of all relevant Departments and agencies involved in the area of road traffic legislation. To date, the Group has held 5 meetings and I understand that very good progress has been made on implementation of the short-term actions set out in the report.   

Part of the terms of reference for the Group is that progress reports will be made to Government on a six monthly basis.  The first progress report is due in July 2014.

Question No. 36 answered with Question No. 28.

Road Projects Status

Questions (37)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

37. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the release of funding by the State for the development of the A5 road project; and the progress being made on the upgrades to the A5. [21596/14]

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Written answers

At the most recent North South Ministerial Council Transport Sectoral meeting on 16th April 2014, the Council noted that following the Court judicial review ruling on 8th April 2013, work was progressing on an Appropriate Assessment process to address impacts of the A5 scheme on all designated environmental areas and to propose mitigation and that the completed reports would be subject to public consultation.  Three reports were published on 30 April and I understand that a fourth report will be published in September. In addition the Department for Regional Development  is reviewing and updating the Environmental Statement for the scheme, the draft Vesting Order and the draft Direction Order and I understand that the Department proposes to initiate a public consultation process on these in November.

At its meeting in April the Council also noted that an outline programme has been developed which may lead to a further Public Inquiry in spring/summer 2015. 

As regards the Government's £50 Sterling million funding commitment, my officials will be liaising with their Northern Ireland counterparts on the project programme with a view to agreeing appropriate project milestones for the draw down of funding. 

Road Improvement Schemes

Questions (38)

Finian McGrath

Question:

38. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will improve and resurface Philipsburgh Avenue, Fairview Strand and Clontarf Road, Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21457/14]

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Written answers

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 selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for each local authority. 

Earlier this year I announced that €331.9 million was being allocated to local authorities under the regional and local road grants investment programme (down from €400m in 2013). 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. 

Taxi Regulations

Questions (39)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

39. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that adequate capacity is maintained for taxis in Dublin city centre during the disruption of the Luas development, in view of the limited number of ranks available; and if he has met or will meet representative of taxi drivers to discuss the problems they face regarding same. [21595/14]

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Written answers

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the Luas Cross City project.  

Dublin City Council (DCC), in consultation with the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, is responsible for the making of bye-laws regarding the location and number of taxi ranks in the Dublin City area. The making of such bye-laws is a reserved function of the local authority and I have no function in the matter.

Planning for short-term and permanent taxi ranks arising from the Luas Cross City project is discussed by the Luas Cross City Taxi Forum which comprises representatives of Taxi Groups, the Rail Procurement Agency, NTA and DCC. I consider it appropriate that all taxi concerns are discussed at this Forum where very specific and detailed issues can be addressed.

In the light of the NTA’s involvement in the LUAS Taxi Forum, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Authority for a more detailed response.  Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days. 

Question No. 40 answered with Question No. 8.

Rail Services

Questions (41)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

41. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the event of members of the National Bus and Rail Union rejecting the Labour Court's recommendation on pay cuts to Irish Rail staff, the way savings will then be made and in what areas; if he will provide the exact details of Irish Rail's review of services across the rail network; if he will provide clarification on the lines and services currently having their status reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21533/14]

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Written answers

Unfortunately, CIÉ is in a difficult financial situation and is dependent on continued bank funding. Cost saving measures have already been agreed in Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus and savings need to be made in Irish Rail. Despite the introduction of a number of cost reduction measures, Irish Rail has incurred accumulated losses of over €147m in the past six years, a position which is unsustainable. It is essential for the future of Irish Rail’s jobs, as well as the company, that unions reach agreement with management regarding payroll savings.

The Labour Court issued a recommendation on Friday 11 April which concluded that the measures sought by the company were “unavoidable if the future of the Company and the employment that it maintains is to be protected”. I understand that unions will ballot their members shortly on the Labour Court recommendation. I am sure that all Deputies share my hope for a positive outcome to assist the company in getting its finances back on a sustainable footing.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has entered into a Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract with Irish Rail for the provision of rail services.  Specific proposals relating to the provision of services under that contract are a matter for the NTA in conjunction with Irish Rail. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. The Deputy should please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

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