Finian McGrath
Question:664. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has taken over a building (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [27384/14]
View answerHSE Properties
Questions (664)
Written answers
Management of the health care property estate is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (665)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:665. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the national immunisation schedule this year and if there is sufficient funding available to support any proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27386/14]
View answerWritten answers
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. A Health Technology Assessment which includes a cost benefit analysis is carried out prior to any new vaccine being considered. This has a vital role in ensuring that care technologies, including vaccines, are used in a manner appropriate to their ability to maximise health gain and achieve value for money. Should NIAC advice recommend the inclusion of a new vaccine into the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland, my Department, in association with the Health Service Executive's National Immunisation Office will examine the issue.
Road Projects
Questions (666)
Micheál Martin
Question:666. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has spoken to Prime Minister Cameron regarding the Narrow Water Bridge project recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27155/14]
View answerWritten answers
I have never met or spoken with Prime Minister David Cameron.
Driver Licence Renewals
Questions (667)
Pearse Doherty
Question:667. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider implementing a procedure whereby persons working abroad can have their driving licences renewed or replaced in the event of such a licence being lost or stolen without having to present themselves in person at a national driving licence service centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26633/14]
View answerWritten answers
The National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) operates according to the SAFE 2 standard of ID verification. Among other requirements this means that, as a rule, the individual needs to be photographed once at an NDLS centre in order to obtain their driving licence. However, there have been a number of cases such as the Deputy mentions, where individuals are working abroad and are not able to come home to present themselves at an NDLS centre to renew or replace their licences. In such cases, the NDLS already accepts photos provided with an application, in the same way in which they were accepted before SAFE 2 standards were introduced.
Driver Licence Renewals
Questions (668)
Pearse Doherty
Question:668. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will facilitate the replacement for a stolen driving licence in respect of a person (details supplied) without the need for them to return to Ireland. [26634/14]
View answerWritten answers
The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I cannot comment on or intervene in individual cases. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (669)
Terence Flanagan
Question:669. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding accessibility to public transport for persons with blindness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26648/14]
View answerWritten answers
Accessibility improvements to public transport services are being advanced in the context of Transport Access for All, the Transport Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. The Plan is available on my Department’s website www.dttas.ie and is premised on the principle that through accessibility improvements to the public transport system for people with disabilities including people with visual impairments, access for all people will be improved. This is being done as extensively as possible having regard to the availability of resources. A committee, which includes representatives of people with visual impairments, is in place to monitor delivery of actions under the Plan and to make recommendations in that regard.
Parking Regulations
Questions (670)
Noel Coonan
Question:670. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to introduce regulations permitting local authorities to introduce by-laws that would designate electric vehicle charging points on public roads as electric vehicle parking only, as well as permitting local authorities to assign dedicated public parking spaces as car club only spaces; and to outline the reasons for delay in same. [26678/14]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has been engaging with the Office of the Attorney General for some time in order to finalise regulations in this area. As can often be the case, a matter which may be expressed easily in lay terms can sometimes require a surprising amount of work to draft properly in legal terms. It is important to get the legal details right but I understand that most of the work is now done. I hope to be able to sign the regulations in the coming weeks.
Road Traffic Offences
Questions (671)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:671. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons disqualified from driving in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown based on the type of disqualification. [26719/14]
View answerWritten answers
The number of persons recorded on the National Vehicle and Driver File as disqualified from driving in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014, by statutory basis for the disqualification, is set out in the following tabular statement.
|
STATUTORY BASIS |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (to31st May) |
|
SEC. 182 - FISHERIES (CONS.) ACT 1959 TO 2010 |
|
2 |
- |
|
SEC. 9 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2002 |
2 |
5 |
- |
|
SEC. 1 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1952 |
|
1 |
- |
|
SEC. 10 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
1 |
2 |
- |
|
SEC. 102 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
34 |
21 |
5 |
|
SEC. 103(4) ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
SEC. 106 -ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
81 |
79 |
11 |
|
SEC. 107 -ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
25 |
20 |
10 |
|
SEC. 109 -ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
23 |
17 |
10 |
|
SEC. 11 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
4 |
4 |
- |
|
SEC. 11 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1994 |
12 |
11 |
2 |
|
SEC. 112 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
154 |
150 |
49 |
|
SEC. 113 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
22 |
9 |
3 |
|
SEC. 115 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
- |
1 |
- |
|
SEC. 12 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
62 |
53 |
3 |
|
SEC. 12 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2010 |
137 |
321 |
88 |
|
SEC. 12 CRIMINAL JUSTICE (THEFT AND FRAUD OFFENCES) ACT, 2001 |
10 |
17 |
4 |
|
SEC. 12 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2006 |
17 |
33 |
17 |
|
SEC. 12(3) ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1994 |
6 |
10 |
3 |
|
SEC. 12(b) CRIMINAL LAW ACT, 1976 |
3 |
5 |
- |
|
SEC. 13 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1994 |
89 |
31 |
5 |
|
SEC. 13 - NON FATAL OFFENCE ACT, 1997 |
5 |
8 |
2 |
|
SEC. 13 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1978 |
5 |
- |
- |
|
SEC. 13 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1994 |
245 |
47 |
4 |
|
SEC. 13 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT, 1984 |
2 |
4 |
- |
|
SEC. 13(1) ROADS ACT, 1920 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
|
SEC. 13(4) ROADS ACT, 1920 |
2 |
2 |
- |
|
SEC. 14 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1994 |
6 |
12 |
2 |
|
SEC. 15 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1994 |
6 |
2 |
- |
|
SEC. 15&27 MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT, 1977 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
SEC. 15(1)&(5) CRIMINAL JUSTICE (THEFT AND FRAUD OFFENCES) ACT, 2001 |
7 |
5 |
- |
|
SEC. 17 CRIMINAL JUSTICE (THEFT AND FRAUD OFFENCES) ACT 2001 |
11 |
14 |
4 |
|
SEC. 18 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
23 |
12 |
3 |
|
SEC. 18 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE (THEFT AND FRAUD OFFENCES) ACT, 2001 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
SEC. 19 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
SEC. 19 OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT, 1994 |
- |
4 |
- |
|
SEC. 2 - NON FATAL OFFENCES AGAINST PERSON ACT, 1997 |
1 |
3 |
- |
|
SEC. 2 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
SEC. 2.1 CRIMINAL DAMAGE ACT, 1991 |
5 |
8 |
1 |
|
SEC. 20 (3) - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1994. |
6 |
- |
- |
|
SEC. 23 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
1 |
- |
- |
|
SEC. 25 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE (THEFT AND FRAUD OFFENCES) ACT, 2001 |
1 |
1 |
- |
|
SEC. 26 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE (THEFT AND FRAUD OFFENCES) ACT, 2001 |
5 |
6 |
- |
|
SEC. 27 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
1 |
3 |
- |
|
SEC. 28 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
|
SEC. 29 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT, 2001 |
4 |
9 |
33 |
|
SEC. 29 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
2 |
2 |
- |
|
SEC. 3 - NON FATAL OFFENCES AGAINST PERSON ACT, 1997 |
- |
1 |
2 |
|
SEC. 3 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
3 |
- |
- |
|
SEC. 3&27 - MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT, 1977 |
8 |
11 |
3 |
|
SEC. 3(1) - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2006 |
15 |
6 |
1 |
|
SEC. 33 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
1 |
- |
- |
|
SEC. 35 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
SEC. 35(5) - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 1994 |
39 |
38 |
7 |
|
SEC. 36 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961. |
64 |
32 |
7 |
|
SEC. 38 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
496 |
537 |
150 |
|
SEC. 4 (1) & (5) OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT. 2010 |
31 |
1,000 |
775 |
|
SEC. 4 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE (THEFT AND FRAUD OFFENCES) ACT, 2001 |
213 |
71 |
7 |
|
SEC. 4(3)(A) & (5) - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2012 |
39 |
247 |
44 |
|
SEC. 4 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2010 |
424 |
394 |
138 |
|
SEC. 4(2)&(5) - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2010 |
115 |
444 |
49 |
|
SEC. 4(3)(B)& (5) - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2010 |
56 |
240 |
22 |
|
SEC. 4(4) - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2010 |
1,222 |
1,129 |
117 |
|
SEC. 40 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
9 |
4 |
1 |
|
SEC. 42 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
53 |
9 |
10 |
|
SEC. 47 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
40 |
58 |
11 |
|
SEC. 48 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
6 |
- |
- |
|
SEC. 49 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
2,291 |
421 |
55 |
|
SEC. 49 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1994. |
369 |
57 |
5 |
|
SEC. 5 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2002 |
263 |
245 |
111 |
|
SEC. 5 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2010 |
76 |
150 |
42 |
|
SEC. 50 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
119 |
27 |
6 |
|
SEC. 51 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
12 |
15 |
1 |
|
SEC. 52 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
71 |
80 |
22 |
|
SEC. 53 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
869 |
779 |
227 |
|
SEC. 54 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
13 |
9 |
3 |
|
SEC. 55 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
2 |
- |
- |
|
SEC. 56 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
5,098 |
3,030 |
456 |
|
SEC. 56(1) & (3) ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
465 |
2,042 |
871 |
|
SEC. 6 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT, 1994 |
3 |
1 |
- |
|
SEC. 6 - MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT, 1977 |
2 |
- |
- |
|
SEC. 60 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
- |
1 |
- |
|
SEC. 64 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
2 |
- |
2 |
|
SEC. 65 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
|
1 |
|
|
SEC. 69 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
15 |
11 |
3 |
|
SEC. 7(1) CRIMINAL LAW ACT, 1997 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
SEC. 71(1)& 76 FINANCE ACTS, 1976&1993 |
4 |
- |
- |
|
SEC. 73 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
3 |
- |
- |
|
SEC. 73(1) & 76 OF THE FINANCE ACT, 1976 |
9 |
7 |
3 |
|
SEC. 8 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1994 |
2 |
3 |
- |
|
SEC. 9 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
3 |
3 |
- |
|
SEC. 9(1) FIREARMS & OFFENSIVE WEAPONS ACT, 1990 |
- |
3 |
1 |
|
SEC. 9(2) AND (3) OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2010 |
- |
4 |
- |
|
SEC. 98 - ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
SEC. 15 - EC(VEHICLE TESTING) REGULATIONS, 2004 |
3 |
- |
1 |
|
ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 2010 - PART 2 |
2 |
2 |
- |
|
ART. 5 - ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND USE OF VEHICLES) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS, 1978 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
|
ART. 6 - ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND USE OF VEHICLES) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS, 1978 |
5 |
9 |
4 |
|
ART 15&16 EC(ROAD TRANSPORT)(RECORDING EQUIPMENT) REGULATIONS, 1986 |
2 |
1 |
- |
|
ART. 16 - ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS , 1963 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
13,592 |
12,076 |
3,433
|
Driver Safety
Questions (672)
Clare Daly
Question:672. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans the Road Safety Authority has to ensure that professional drivers complete a module of their driver CPC periodic training each year once they complete their initial driver CPC training cycle as they will be issued with a driver CPC card dated with an expiry date five years ahead, that is, 9 September 2019 for truck drivers; the way the Road Safety Authority envisages this requirement will be enforced as there is no evidence available to the gardaí at a roadside checkpoint of annual compliance once the driver is in possession of their driver CPC card; his views on the genuine tempatation for some drivers not to complete their annual periodic training module and play catch-up as the second driver CPC periodic deadline, September 2019, for truck drivers approaches [26778/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Certificate of Professional Competence system derives from EU legislation and is a requirement for professional drivers in all EU Member States. The operation of the system is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Road Network
Questions (673)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:673. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the National Roads Authority must have regard to the wishes of a local authority in terms of requests for openings and/or closures of access and egress points along national routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26805/14]
View answerWritten answers
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.
When considering entrances and access points along national roads both the NRA and Local Authorities must have regard to the Guidelines entitled Spatial Planning and National Roads which was issued by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in January 2012. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Sports Facilities Provision
Questions (674)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:674. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a national audit of sports facilities has ever been carried out over the past ten years; his plans to do so; if an analysis of the benefits of such an audit has ever been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26806/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Department, in conjunction with local authorities, carried out a nationwide audit of existing sports facilities. The audit returns received from Local Authorities, in 2009, have been collated into a database of over 6,000 records. This will assist in identifying gaps in sporting facilities and will be useful to both the Department and to local authorities for planning purposes. Many of the 34 Local Authorities and the 32 Local Sports Partnerships around the country have published online directories/databases of the sports and recreational facilities in their areas.
Driver Licence Renewals
Questions (675)
Jim Daly
Question:675. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if postal applications may be submitted as an option to apply for and-or renew driving licences instead of persons having to present themselves at driving licence centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26821/14]
View answerWritten answers
The National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS), operated by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), applies ID verification to what is called the SAFE 2 standard. Among other things, this requires that the individual appear in person for ID verification and image capture at an NDLS centre. Once authenticated under SAFE 2, the person does not need to have their identity verified again. I understand from the RSA that NDLS enhancements which are being planned will in due course provide additional channels through phone supported by postal and online access for those customers who have been SAFE 2 authenticated. I understand from the RSA that this is targeted for introduction in the first quarter of 2015. At that point, customers who have been through an NDLS Office will not have to revisit the service personally.
Parking Charges
Questions (676)
Seán Kenny
Question:676. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details in tabular form, by railway station, on the amount of money collected in parking charges by Iarnród Éireann in 2012 and 2013; the pricing structure for car-parking in each of the stations concerned; the proportion of the funds collected that has been used to refurbish stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26839/14]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Taxi Regulations
Questions (677)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:677. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the existing regulations in relation to taxi age limit currently at 15 years; his plans to reduce or eradicate this regulation in the future; the reason this rule does not apply to buses and other public service vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26892/14]
View answerWritten answers
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle standards, under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within ten working days please notify my private office.
Departmental Bodies
Questions (678)
John Lyons
Question:678. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) was originally employed under a so-called "hay" contract; if this contract was subsequently changed or altered in any way [26946/14]
View answerWritten answers
The individual referred to by the Deputy was engaged by the company concerned in 2001. However, the contract itself was not signed until 15 December 2004 and was done so without the approval of the then Minister. However, in 2008 the then Minister accepted that it was not a "Hay" contract. With the exception of some amendments to the salary, I am not aware of any changes or alterations of the contract since its signing nor am I aware of any Minister being requested to authorise any such changes.
In April 2014, my Department wrote to the company noting their compliance with guidelines relating to publication of CEO remuneration in their annual report and advising them that all future adjustments of CEO remuneration are subject to the Board obtaining approval in advance both from myself and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (679)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:679. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a sports capital grant in respect of a sports complex (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26966/14]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that an application has been submitted by this organisation under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme and the Deputy's support is noted. I hope to announce allocations in the next number of weeks.
Haulage Industry Regulation
Questions (680)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:680. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is any progress to report on the working group considering the establishment of a HGV road charging regime for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26982/14]
View answerWritten answers
I established an Interdepartmental group in January 2014 to assess the implications of introducing a ‘pay-as-you-go’ road tax system for Heavy Goods Vehicles, in response to concerns raised by hauliers about the cost running a haulage operation in Ireland. This group is examining the technical, regulatory and economic dimensions of introducing a pay-as-you-go charging system for HGVs in Ireland. The Group is made up of representatives from my Department; the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government; the Department of Finance; the National Roads Authority; the Road Safety Authority; An Gardaí Síochána and Forfas. I hope to receive the final report from the Group by the end of July. I do not want to anticipate the findings of the Group at this stage, but the following is an update on their work to date.
The Group has carried out a review of the current motor tax arrangements for HGVs, including the administrative procedures and the tax raised. The Group has examined other charges levied on the domestic HGV operators, such as tolls and fuel costs, and other charges which hauliers face as business operators, including labour costs. The cost to haulage operators carrying loads outside of Ireland has been considered and a full review carried out of the road charging regimes in other European states, including the system introduced in the UK this year. The relevant European Union legislation in this area has also been examined. I understand that the Group has identified various options for changes to the motor tax regime in Ireland, to support the haulage industry and to ensure that transport costs do not negatively impact on Irish businesses, particularly Irish exporters who are driving our economic recovery. I look forward to receiving this report later in the summer.
Motor Tax Rates
Questions (681)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:681. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the effect that the new UK tariff regime is having on Border-based hauliers such as in Leitrim, Donegal and Cavan and the possible impact on jobs locally if those companies chose to relocate north of the Border if action is not taken to bring about measures to allow south of Ireland-based hauliers compete with their Northern counterparts. [26983/14]
View answerWritten answers
Both my Department and I are well aware of this issue. Considerable discussion have been held with my UK and Northern Ireland counterparts on the issue of the HGV road user levy, which came into effect in the UK and Northern Ireland on April 1. Arising from the representations and discussions to date, approximately 7 km of roads that criss-cross the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic have been exempted from the levy. I believe there is a compelling case for the exemption of further significant sections of the Northern Ireland roads infrastructure, particularly the A5. However, recent correspondence from the UK Minister has indicated that he is not inclined to make provision for additional exemptions. While it is accepted that the UK Government is within its rights under EU legislation to introduce the levy, the Irish Government is unhappy with the UK authorities' position on the exemption of the A5. I will request that they reconsider this decision. I believe that for a successful resolution to this issue we need unity of purpose between the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive and in that regard I am supported by my colleague Minister Mark Durkan.
Furthermore, a cross-Departmental working group chaired by my Department has been established, following consultation with my colleague Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, to examine the feasibility of introducing a similar pay-as-you-go road tax scheme for HGVs in Ireland. The group is due to report to me at the end of July with its recommendations. One of the options under review is a common road charging regime, where a single charge is applied but payers can use roads in more than one country. There is precedence in Europe with the Eurovignette for a common road charging regime to be established. We may look to this example and seek to establish a common regime between the UK and Ireland. While there are many issues surrounding the introduction of a common regime and it requires the support of the UK Government, I believe that such a regime may have merit given our circumstances. Therefore, my officials have begun exploratory discussions with their UK counterparts on this potential long-term solution. A common regime would be of benefit to HGV operators north and south of the border, rather than having two different regimes that would impose significant regulatory burdens on them.
Tourism Project Funding
Questions (682)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:682. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the network of greenways across the country; and if there will be an opportunity for the application by Counties Sligo, Leitrim and Cavan for funding to be considered again in any future programme. [26984/14]
View answerWritten answers
Given the great success of the greenways delivered to date, it is my intention to continue to source funding for the ongoing development of such infrastructure. Under the recent funding call for the National Cycle Network (NCN) Programme, the applications submitted by Sligo and Leitrim (with the support of Cavan) County Councils for the development of a greenway along the disused Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) were of a very high standard and it was unfortunate that funding could not be awarded to either authority on this occasion.
While these proposals were not successful, I look forward to the participation of both authorities in future funding initiatives. It is likely, given the popularity of greenways already delivered, that funding may become available from other sources over the coming years.
In particular, it is also worth noting that the EU Structural Funds Programme 2014 to 2020 is currently being finalised and there may be significant opportunities for cycle infrastructure development under Interreg and the Rural Development Programmes. I understand that many local authorities are already positioning themselves to avail of such opportunities and my officials are working closely with border region authorities to help facilitate this process.
State Airports
Questions (683)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:683. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has considered a meaningful role for Sligo Airport in relation to the delivery of further emergency services for the west and north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26985/14]
View answerWritten answers
Sligo Airport plays an important and meaningful role in Ireland's marine emergency services as it is one of four helicopter bases for the Irish Coast Guard, which is part of my Department. CHC Ireland Limited are under a long-term contract to provide search and rescue services to my Department. As part of this, it is required to provide a helicopter base at Sligo, as well as at Dublin, Waterford and Shannon. This contract was signed in July 2010 and came into force in July 2012. The cost of the contract is €63 million per annum. I am advised by my officials that the contract is operating satisfactorily and there are no plans to seek to provide any additional marine emergency services beyond what is provided in this contract.
Tourism Promotion
Questions (684)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:684. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department and Fáilte Ireland will consider any application locally to bring forward a marketing initiative for the Sligo region following the re-opening of Lisadell House, Sligo for this summer season; and if he will consider a visit to Lissadell House this season to meet with the local tourism providers. [26986/14]
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I very much welcome the re-opening of Lissadell House to the public, which should assist in attracting more visitors to Co. Sligo and look forward to visiting Lissadell over the summer. However marketing initiatives are a decision for the boards and managements of the State tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the two agencies for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
Proposed Legislation
Questions (685)
Timmy Dooley
Question:685. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will bring forward legislation with the objective of introducing strict regulations governing the use of sulkies in the practice known as sulky racing; when such legislation may be expected; if he will ensure that any such regulations will be centred on the welfare of the horse and the protection of road users from injury and even death; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26997/14]
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Officials in my Department, in consultation with An Garda Síochána are currently examining whether the law governing the use of animal drawn vehicles, including the use of sulkies, on public roads needs to be strengthened. Depending on the outcome of these discussions, I will address this matter either in the context of the Road Traffic Bill 2014 or, if possible, through regulations.
The priority in all road traffic legislation is the safety of road users. The safety of animals used in drawing vehicles will of course be a consideration in the development of any proposals. The wider issue of animal welfare is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.