Written Answers Nos. 804-828
804. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29162/14]
View answerThe total amount spent on external IT consultants by this Department in 2010 was €23,556.28, under the last government. There has been no further expenditure on IT consultants by this Department since this current Government came to office.
805. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29181/14]
View answerMy Department has not engaged in any external IT consultancy contracts since the change of government in March 2011.
806. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publicly advertised since March 2011 to date; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [29199/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being updated and will be forwarded as soon as possible
807. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current legal maximum overall width of an agricultural trailer or piece of towed equipment weighing more than 3.5 tonnes that is being towed by a tractor and the changes to the widths that are proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29224/14]
View answer808. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the type of agricultural trailer or piece of towed equipment being towed by a tractor to which an overall width of 3 m applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29225/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 807 and 808 together.
Under regulation 17 of the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2014 (Weights and Coupling) (S.I. No. 253 of 2014), which I signed on the 10th June last, the overall width of an agricultural trailer or piece of interchangeable towed equipment with a Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) exceeding 3.5 tonnes is being increased from 2.5 to 2.55 metres with effect from 1st January 2016. This is to align it with the requirement that is already applicable to goods trailers.
The following items will be disregarded in the calculation of the overall width of an agricultural trailer or piece of interchangeable towed equipment:
– the projecting part of flotation tyres and associated mudguards protruding beyond the bodywork on each side of the vehicle up to a maximum of 100 millimetres, and – devices associated with hydraulic rear door opening mechanisms.
An exemption from compliance with the 2.55 metre default maximum width requirement applicable to agricultural trailers and pieces of interchangeable towed equipment applying from 1st January 2016 has been included for any equipment mounted on a tractor’s three point linkage. This is in addition to the exemption already in force for equipment used for grass-cutting, hedge trimming or forestry operations being transported during the day time. From the 1st January 2016 date, this exemption will apply all year round whereas currently it applies during the months of July to October only. However, if such equipment is being transported at night time, it must comply with the requirements of the Lighting Regulations contained within Statutory Instrument 249 of 2014 – Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.
809. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Bills his Department has published since March 2011; the number of regulatory impact assessments that his Department has published since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29301/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
Bills Published
Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011
Road Safety (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2011
Road Traffic (No.2) Bill 2013
Road Transport Bill 2011
Taxi Regulation Bill 2012
The National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011
Transport (Córas Iompair Éireann and subsidiary companies borrowings) Bill 2012
Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013
Roads Bill 2014
Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014
State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014
RIAs Published
RIA on Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2011
RIA on Road Safety (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2011
RIA on Road Transport Bill 2011
RIA on Taxi Regulation Bill 2012
RIA for consultation purposes on proposed changes to the Harbours Acts
RIA consultation purposes on a proposal for an EU Regulation establishing a framework on market access to port services and financial transparency of ports
RIA on the new regime for the registration of ships in Ireland.
RIA on Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014
RIA on draft general scheme of Sport Ireland Bill
RIA State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014
810. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department or agencies under its auspices have engaged the services of a debt collection agency in pursuing money owed to his Department or its agencies; if his Department has guidelines regarding hiring such agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29338/14]
View answerMy Department has not engaged the services of any debt collection agency and does not have guidelines regarding hiring such agencies. I will forward your query to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for them to reply to you directly, if you do not receive a reply within ten working days please contact my private office.
811. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the clubs in Dublin that have yet to draw down moneys from previous rounds of sports funding; the names of the clubs; and the amount each club is to draw down. [29347/14]
View answer812. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the clubs in Cork that have yet to draw down moneys from previous rounds of sports funding; the names of the clubs; and the amount each club is to draw down. [29348/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 811 and 812 together.
There are 529 Sports Capital Programme (SCP) grants still to be drawn down in Dublin. Some of these grants are fully outstanding while others have been partially paid. Included in this number are 187 allocations which I made last week under the 2014 SCP.
Given the large amount of information sought by the Deputy I will send the information requested under separate cover.
813. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding legislation in relation to disabled drivers' parking cards (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29382/14]
View answerThe disabled parking card is issued on behalf of my Department by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. The parking card is issued in accordance with regulations, and terms and conditions are agreed between my Department and the two issuing bodies.
In 2010, my Department conducted a comprehensive review of the disabled parking scheme, which led to a number of changes. Among the issues considered in the review was eligibility for the permit. Previously, the position was that diagnosis with certain conditions led to automatic grant of a permit. Following extensive consultation as part of the review, it was agreed that the conditions for eligibility would be revised to focus specifically on the level of mobility involved rather than on a given condition which might or might not involve mobility impairment. I subsequently amended the regulations to give effect to this.
The original purpose of the scheme was to provide for people with mobility impairments. For this reason, disabled parking bays are wider than standard parking bays, and are generally located in optimal positions, for example next to shops. There was a widespread view at the time of the review that many people with mobility impairments were unable to find parking, and that a significant reason was the issue of permits to people who did not suffer from actual mobility impairments.
While I sympathise with the individual in the case mentioned by the Deputy, and other similar cases which have come to my attention, there are no plans to reverse the earlier decision, which was taken in light of the original purpose of the disabled parking scheme.
814. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 is not being allowed to change the name on a taxi plate due to new regulations on transfers despite the fact that plate was purchased before these regulations came into force. [29421/14]
View answerAction 14 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report, 2011, recommended the prohibition on the transferability of small public service vehicle (SPSV) licences with effect from 1st October 2012. The underlying principle for the recommendation was that a licence should determine a person's suitability to carry out a function and it should have no monetary value or be traded on the open market. The Report's recommendations were widely publicised to the industry, including through the National Transport Authority (NTA) website, and industry updates, as well as on the various taxi forum websites.
It was intended that the measure would be introduced with effect from 1st January 2013 by way of regulations to be made by the NTA who have statutory responsibility for the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector. However, it was concluded that it would be more appropriate to include such a provision in primary legislation.
The measure was therefore included in Section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013 which was commenced with effect from the 6th April 2014.
In regard to the particular case raised by you, 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.
816. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport following recent improvement works to the Athlone bypass, if this road will be incorporated into the M6 motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29480/14]
View answerAs regards the classification of the Athlone Bypass, in 2008 the National Roads Authority (NRA) made an application to my Department for the re-designation of the N6 Athlone Bypass as a motorway. This application was carefully considered but was ultimately turned down for various reasons, including the fact that this would result in pedestrians, cyclists and agricultural vehicles being prohibited from using the bypass which includes a bridge over the River Shannon. Given the lack of suitable alternative crossing points over the Shannon and that it would be undesirable to force large agricultural vehicles back into Athlone Town, I have no plans to re-designate this road at present.
818. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will detail the scheduling of pavement improvements to a section of the N71 in west Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29498/14]
View answerAs 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.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects, such as the N71 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 question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
819. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the driver licence transfer arrangements that exist between this State and individual Canadian provinces; his plans to expand this to cover Alberta where a fully licensed Irish driver staying more than 12 months wishes to continue driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29501/14]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA), which takes responsibility for the negotiation on mutual recognition of driving licences with other jurisdictions, has been engaged for some time with the Canadian provinces with the assistance of the Irish Embassy in Ottawa.
It was decided to prioritise negotiations with Ontario due to the large number of Irish living there. I understand from the RSA that agreements have been reached on virtually all details with Ontario, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Difficulties that arose in relation to some aspects of the agreement have now been resolved and I expect that agreement with these provinces will be signed off shortly.
Negotiations have also commenced with the province of Alberta.
820. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will list the driver licence transfer arrangements that exist between this State and other non-EU countries; if any transfer arrangements are yet to be agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29502/14]
View answerUnder EU law, Ireland and other EU Member States have mutual driver licensing exchange arrangements under which a person holding a driving licence from another EU State, who is resident in this country, may exchange the licence for an Irish one without the requirement to undergo driving testing processes.
Similar arrangements exist, for licence exchanges, in relation to a number of non-EU States with which Ireland has concluded bilateral exchange agreements. We currently have such arrangements with the following countries:
- Australia
- Gibraltar
- Iceland
- Isle of Man
- Japan
- Jersey
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- New Zealand
- Republic of China (Taiwan)
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Switzerland
At present, negotiations are under way with the Canadian provinces with a view to reaching agreement on driver licence exchange.
826. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will instruct the National Roads Authority to immediately review the traffic flow arrangements at Owenahincha junction on the N71 at Rosscarbery, County Cork, noting the multiple road traffic accidents over many years which are frequent and which have unfortunately been fatal for some motorists and passengers; if will further note the willingness of adjoining landowners to facilitate any planned road improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29561/14]
View answerAs 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.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects (including traffic flow arrangements on the N71) 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 question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
Separately, traffic management in its area is a matter for the relevant local authority, in this case Cork County Council, under the relevant Road Traffic Acts.
827. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding his Department provides for library services for persons with a visual impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29584/14]
View answerThe responsibility for funding library services for persons with a visual impairment does not fall within the remit of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
828. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [29611/14]
View answerMr. Brian Murphy is my Special Adviser. His salary is €99,370. This was granted on an exceptional basis as provided for in the government decision on salary scales for special advisors, as he came from a position in the private sector in which he was considerably better paid than now.
Mr. Nick Miller is my Press Adviser. His salary is €84,706.
As the Deputy is aware, both Advisers had their pay cut last year as part of the Haddington Road Agreement.
