Written Answers Nos. 66-72
66. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the role and reporting duties and the remuneration of the special adviser appointed to the Minister with effect from 1 August 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36032/14]
View answerThe role of a Special Adviser as outlined in the Public Service Management Act, 1997 is to provide advice and monitor, facilitate and secure the achievement of Government objectives. The appliable payscale agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is the Principal Standard payscale.
67. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend the Finance Act 2001 to comply with the Donegal District Court case of September 2014 (details supplied); and the judgment in the European Court of Justice case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36082/14]
View answerI am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the requirement to register a vehicle is provided for in Part II, Chapter IV of the Finance Act 1992. Section 131(4) of this legislation provides that unregistered vehicles may only be held by authorised persons (usually motor dealers) or where the vehicle is the subject of an exemption. Section 139 of the legislation provides for a range of offences and penalties including fines and forfeiture of the vehicle. Where a person imports an unregistered vehicle into the State, Statutory Instrument No. 318 of 1992 provides that that person has 30 days within which to register the vehicle. Other than in these circumstances, possession or use of a vehicle that has not been registered in the State is not permitted.
I am aware of the District Court judgment to which the Deputy referred, but have no plans to amend these legislative provisions. The Deputy should be aware that an effective system of registration is essential for a variety of reasons, including insurance of vehicles, roadworthiness checks, motor taxation and enforcement of the law in relation to motoring offences.
I am also aware of the European Court of Justice ruling referred to by the Deputy, but following correspondence with the European Commission I am satisfied that it does not impact our existing legislation concerning registration of vehicles.
70. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update with regard to the Skibbereen flood relief scheme; the commencement and completion dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35997/14]
View answer71. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an up date with regard to the Clonakilty flood relief scheme; the commencement and completion dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35998/14]
View answer72. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update with regard to the Bandon flood relief scheme; the commencement and completion dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35999/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 70 to 72, inclusive, together.
The current position with regard to the Bandon and Skibbereen Flood Relief Schemes is that they are both at the stage of procurement of civil works contractors. In both cases, contractors will be appointed after a two stage process, with both processes currently at the pre-qualification stage to produce a shortlist of contractors to be invited to tender. The second stage of the process for both schemes is currently expected to commence shortly and it is hoped to be in a position to appoint contractors early in 2015.
The proposals for the Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme are to be Publicly Exhibited later this year.
All three Schemes are being advanced under the Arterial Drainage Acts, with the Office of Public Works (OPW) as the Contracting Authority for the Bandon Scheme and Clonakilty Scheme, and Cork County Council being the Contracting Authority for the Skibbereen Scheme.
It is expected that works will commence on both the Bandon and Skibbereen Schemes early in 2015, subject to satisfactory completion of the procurement process and to formal Confirmation i.e. statutory approval of the scheme by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required under the Arterial Drainage Acts. In the case of the Clonakilty Scheme, commencement of works, which is currently expected to be in late 2015 would also depend on satisfactory completion of the Exhibition process. It is expected that both the Bandon and Skibbereen Schemes will take approximately 18-24 months to construct, while the Clonakilty Scheme is expected to be completed early in 2017. The OPW has provided for the cost of the three schemes in its multi-annual budget profiles for the period 2014-2017.
