Written Answers Nos. 222-230
222. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the renaming of Howth DART station as Asgard station Howth in view of the forthcoming centenary of the Asgard landing in Howth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27655/14]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail 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. I have no strong views on the matter.
223. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding a bus shelter. [27680/14]
View answer224. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding a bus stop and shelter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27681/14]
View answer225. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding a bus shelter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27682/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 223 to 225, inclusive, together.
In accordance with the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 (Public Service Contracts) (Commencement) Order 2013, which came into effect on 1st January 2014, the functions of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to public transport infrastructure have been extended to include securing or providing bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, stands and bus fleets in the State. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
226. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Cromane, County Kerry, is not on the Wild Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27683/14]
View answerI have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects. The route of the Wild Atlantic Way 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.
227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the necessary appraisal and approval is forthcoming in respect of wheelchair taxi modification submitted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose licence may expire unless the case is approved before 24 June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27702/14]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the setting of vehicle standards, and licensing of, wheelchair accessible vehicles is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
228. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans through Bord Fáilte or any other funding body to provide funding to develop tourism infrastructure at Ireland's most northerly point, Malin Head, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27723/14]
View answerWhile my Department provides capital funding for investment in tourism attractions through Fáilte Ireland, neither I not my Department are involved in the development of specific tourist attractions and locations. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland, while the development of tourism facilities associated with the route is a matter for local stakeholders with the support of Fáilte Ireland where appropriate. In this regard, I am aware that Fáilte Ireland has offered to meet with the local community group in the coming weeks to discuss the development of Malin Head.
I have referred the Deputy’s question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
229. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the costs of developing service areas have been factored into overall motorway project costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27731/14]
View answer230. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costs associated with developing online service areas as proposed by the National Roads Authority in its draft policy NRA service areas on the national road network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27732/14]
View answer241. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected costs of constructing an overbridge and ancillary roundabouts at the proposed service area on the M9 at Kilcullen between junctions 2 and 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27766/14]
View answer242. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costs associated with developing online rest areas as proposed by the National Roads Authority in its draft policy NRA service areas on the national road network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27767/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 229, 230, 241 and 242 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, including service areas, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In particular, Section 54 of the Roads Act 1993 specifically provides for the National Roads Authority or a local authority to provide and/or operate service areas.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s questions to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
