Robert Dowds
Question:244. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of customer complaints received by the eFlow body and the process for resolving these complaints. [25013/14]
View answerRoad Toll Operators
Questions (244, 245)
Robert Dowds
Question:245. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there has ever been a review of the accessibility and consumer friendliness of the eFlow system; and if so, the results of this review; and if he will consider launching a review. [25014/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.
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. 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). In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I am referring his Question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Airport Development Projects
Questions (246)
Michael McGrath
Question:246. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the issues raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in County Cork regarding airport costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25030/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop both Dublin and Cork Airports. This include the airport charges applied and the services that are operated from those airports. Policy in relation to the future of Cork Airport was decided by Government in November, 2012. This was at the time of the decision to separate Shannon Airport from the DAA. The Government decided that given the level of debt associated with the building of a new terminal at Cork Airport, the existing ownership model would be maintained for the present.
That decision is consistent with the 2011 Booz and Co. Report on the future ownership and operation of Cork and Shannon Airports. As the Deputy will be aware that report found that Cork airport performs well under DAA ownership and management and operates to a sustainable business model. In the circumstances, the DAA has established a Development Council for Cork Airport. This Council will provide for strong engagement and alignment among key stakeholders in the Cork region. It will serve to foster a common understanding, particularly at local level, of issues of concern, potential opportunities for growth and the operating performance of the airport. I hope the Council will be successful in its work as a vibrant Cork Airport will ultimately benefit both Cork and wider region.
National Vehicle and Driver File
Questions (247)
Michael McCarthy
Question:247. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the legislation surrounding the driver database which would allow a third party to access it with a view to tackling the escalating problem of drivers leaving fuel retail premises without paying for their fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25035/14]
View answerWritten answers
Incidents of the nature mentioned in the question are criminal offences and, accordingly, are appropriate to the Garda Síochána for investigation and prosecution if this is warranted. The Garda has full access to the NVDF in the course of their duties. There are provisions under Section 60 of the Finance Act 1993, as amended, and associated regulations (most recently S.I. No. 414 of 2013) whereby National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) data may be released directly to third parties. However, data releases involving vehicle ownership details, which is personal information under the Data Protection Acts, are primarily to public bodies, including the Garda Síochána, to assist with delivery of business objectives and to parties for road safety related purposes.
Any extension of access to the NVDF for other purposes would represent a fundamental departure in how the information on the NVDF system is accessed and used. This position is supported by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. There are also concerns that such a departure could adversely impact the integrity of the NVDF and detract from the primary purposes of the system which are the collection of motor tax and enforcement of vehicle regulation. There are not any compelling grounds in these circumstances for access to the NVDF for purposes other than those already mentioned.
Proposed Legislation
Questions (248)
Terence Flanagan
Question:248. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to legislate to ensure there is passport-free travel for qualifying persons travelling within the Common Travel Area; his views on a Bill regarding this issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25067/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy's Private Members' Bill proposes an amendment to the Immigration Acts, which fall under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality. However, the Bill does have implications for my department in terms of transport and tourism. Given that the Bill was only been published on the 5th of July, I have not yet had the opportunity to consider those implications fully.
Wild Atlantic Way Project
Questions (249)
Brendan Griffin
Question:249. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a decision will be made without further delay to include the County Kerry villages of Cloghane and Brandon in the Wild Atlantic Way; if he will ensure that this happens sooner rather than later to allow logistical changes such as signage and GPS information to be updated in order that the persons of these communities can get the optimum benefit from inclusion on the route in the current tourism season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25083/14]
View answerWritten answers
I have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects including setting the route of the Wild Atlantic Way. 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 ten working days.
Departmental Staff Data
Questions (250)
Michael McGrath
Question:250. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a detailed list in tabular form of all staff vacancies, within his Department and in each agency under his Department's remit, at principal officer grade or above, including the title of the vacant post and the functional area to which it belongs; the length of time the post has been vacant; the salary attached to the post in question; in respect of agencies where Civil Service grades do not apply, if he will include vacancies where the post attracts a salary equivalent to or greater than a principal officer grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25129/14]
View answerWritten answers
Given the Government wide moratorium on filling staff vacancies, there are currently no vacancies in my Department at Principal Officer grade or above. I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within 10 working days please advise my private office.