Written Answers Nos. 201 - 215
201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he hopes to receive a fully co-ordinated and integrated transport sector to meet the needs of road, rail, air and sea traffic with particular reference to meeting the needs of passengers and ensuring minimum delays and cost effectiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37370/14]
View answerMy Department and I constantly monitor our national transport facilities to ensure that, given the resources available, they are achieving their greatest potential. An integrated and co-ordinated transport system is an important consideration when it comes to future decisions on transport investment. In making decisions as to future expenditure, my Department has been active to ensure that a co-ordinated approach is taken and that we do not look at land, maritime or aviation transport in isolation from each other. In previous times, this was a legitimate criticism of transport investment but I believe that, in recent years, this has been addressed.
At a European level, my Department continues to actively engage with the Trans European Network for Transport (TEN-T) and to ensure it is integrated into Irish transport policy-making. The TEN-T regulations set out a multi-modal transport network across the European Union and aim to ensure integration between the various modes. This multi-modal EU policy is supported by domestic policy such as the new National Ports Policy launched by my predecessor, Minister Varadkar, in March 2013. For example, the National Ports Policy's designation of Shannon-Foynes, Dublin and Cork as Ports of National Significance (Tier One) and Rosslare Europort and Waterford as Ports of National Significance (Tier Two) mirror the TEN-T designations of these ports as Core and Comprehensive ports on the TEN-T network. These designations are then taken into account by the National Transport Authority and the National Roads Authority when decisions are being made in terms of future planning.
Other policy work is ongoing in my Department and I expect to publish two significant new transport policy papers before the end of 2014. An aviation policy is now approaching completion while, in relation to land transport, a draft strategic framework for investment in land transport has been published and is out for public consultation until mid-October. Both the framework for investment and the aviation policy will help clarify transport priorities and will help to ensure that there is appropriate co-ordination and integration between modes. In a similar vein, the National Transport Authority have a statutory remit to develop an integrated transport plan for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and they are currently in the process of completing their implementation plan for transport investment in the GDA for the period to 2018.
A new Statement of Strategy for my Department is currently being drafted which will also include the issue of a co-ordinated and integrated transport sector. This must be submitted to the Minister within six months of his appointment.
202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role he sees in the future for the regional airports with particular reference to the need to encourage and facilitate economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37371/14]
View answerAs reflected in the Draft National Aviation Policy for Ireland, currently being finalised in my Department, the importance of regional airports today lies with the level of international connectivity that they bring to a region for tourism and business. It is accepted that they should be given the opportunity beyond 2014 to grow to a viable, self-sustaining position, particularly considering the contribution that they make to their regional and local economy. As a result, Exchequer supports for the four regional airports, where appropriate and in accordance with the 2014 EU Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines, will continue beyond 2014. This decision will facilitate the airports in developing and implementing new business plans leading to self-sufficiency within a ten-year period. Central to these will be the need for regional and local business investment.
A framework (Regional Airports Programme 2015 – 2019) has also been prepared by my Department and is currently with the EU Commission for approval. That framework should provide a level of certainty around support over a multi-annual period, where regional airports can provide a business plan leading to stand-alone commercial viability. It is envisaged that future funding post 2014 will ultimately be provided from a mix of local authority, local business and exchequer sources.
203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals for enhanced road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37372/14]
View answerStrategies for improving road safety are set out in the Road Safety Strategy 2013 — 2020, issued by my Department in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority and launched last year. This contains 144 Actions to be implemented by the various agencies involved in order to build on the previous Strategies with the objective of making Ireland among the safest countries for road safety.
Aside from the Strategy, the Road Traffic Act 2014, was signed into law by the President on 25th February. This legislation introduces measures which will further contribute to road safety in the years to come. The Act provides for further Graduated Driver Licensing measures, adjustments to the penalty points system and increasing demerits for the most dangerous offences such as speeding and operating a mobile phone while driving.
My officials are also in the early stages of drafting the Road Traffic Bill 2014 which will contain further measures to improving safety on our roads. The principal focus of this Bill will be on testing of drivers at the roadside for the presence of drugs similar to mandatory alcohol testing which is currently in place. In addition, there will be a variety of measures to amend legislation on driver licensing, penalty points, commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing, and written-off vehicles, among other matters.
I meet regularly with all of the bodies and agencies that have responsibility for road safety, including the Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to ensure that all necessary measures are identified and taken to improve safety on our roads.
I am satisfied that the actions set out in the Road Safety Strategy will be sufficient to allow Ireland to continue to make progress towards the objectives of reducing road deaths set out in the Strategy.
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his preferred options for the future development of air passenger transport in this country having particular regard to the existence of both Ryanair and Aer Lingus; the possibility of expanding the potential of a national air transport hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37373/14]
View answer205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects Aer Lingus and Ryanair to work alongside each other in the provision of air transport throughout Europe and across the Atlantic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37374/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.
The draft National Aviation Policy was published in May 2014 following an extensive public consultation process in 2013. The consultation process covered all elements of aviation policy and the draft policy takes account of the submissions received in the first public consultation process.
The draft National Aviation Policy outlines the actions that it is proposed will be pursued to support the growth and continued development of the whole aviation sector. In relation to air services and connectivity the draft National Aviation Policy proposes that Ireland will continue to pursue a policy based on competition between at least two airlines with significant home bases in the Irish market as the best means of ensuring a competitive aviation sector and the widest possible range of services to and from Ireland. In relation to the potential for a national air transport hub the draft policy proposes that Dublin airport will be promoted as a secondary hub airport and that the roles of Shannon and Cork airports as key tourism and business gateways for their regions will be supported.
Submissions in response to the draft policy were invited up to the end of July. More than 70 have been received and these will be fully considered in finalising the National Aviation Policy. It is my intention that the Policy will be finalised and adopted before the end of the year.
206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he hopes to encourage an increase in the number of visitors to this country over the next five years with particular reference to the targeting of specific overseas markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37375/14]
View answer207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the areas in the tourism sector that have shown the greatest potential for future development and expansion, both internally and externally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37376/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together.
Responsibility for marketing the island of Ireland as a visitor destination in overseas markets is a day-to-day matter for Tourism Ireland, a cross-border body established under the Good Friday Agreement.
The current Tourism Ireland Corporate Plan 2014-2016 links resource allocation to promotional revenue potential from both geographic markets and consumer segments, based on a thorough assessment of potential return on investment.
As the Deputy will be aware, our recent tourism performance has been impressive. The most recent CSO figures for overseas visits to Ireland show that visitor numbers grew by 9.4% in the period from January to August 2014 when compared to the corresponding period of 2013. 2014 looks set to be the fourth consecutive year of growth in overseas visit numbers and the total number of international visitors coming to Ireland is likely to exceed 7 million this year.
In view of the ongoing work of the tourism agencies, increased air access to Ireland and other measures already introduced by this Government such as the 9% VAT rate for tourism services, the reduction of the air travel tax to zero and the joint visa initiative between Ireland and the United Kingdom, I am confident that the prospects for Irish tourism remain positive.
With regard to longer term priorities, I am currently completing a review of tourism policy, which is intended to set out the overall direction for tourism up to 2025. A draft of the new Tourism Policy Statement was published by my predecessor in July. I expect to publish the finalised Tourism Policy Statement in the coming weeks.
208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which business tourism may be expanded here with particular reference to the potential use of this country as a unique location for business conferences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37377/14]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism relates primarily to the area of national policy.
The promotion and development of individual tourism sectors is the responsibility of the tourism agencies. Failte Ireland is responsible for the development of the business tourism sector. Tourism Ireland is responsible for overseas marketing of Ireland as a destination for business tourism.
In relation to the expansion of the business tourism sector, it continues to grow and indeed it increased in size by 9% in 2013. Fáilte Ireland estimates that business tourism, including conferencing, is now worth €579 million a year and supports 19,000 jobs.
I have asked the agencies to provide the Deputy with additional information. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to use sport as a means of promoting tourism and investment here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37378/14]
View answerSport is widely enjoyed across Irish society and is beneficial to our economy, health and culture. The performance of Irish sports people and teams not only boosts the morale of the country but almost promotes a positive image of the country overseas with the potential to generate inbound tourism.
The hosting of major sports events can also deliver additional international visits and helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination. The Giro D'Italia and the American Football match between the University of Central Florida and Penn State earlier this year shows that the island of Ireland can successfully host large international events.
I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the Tourism Agencies and the National Governing Bodies of Sport to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved in any State financial support. In that context, I was delighted to see that the FAI and Dublin City Council recently won their bid to host part of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament at the Aviva stadium, a bid which had my strong support and indeed the support of the Government as a whole.
210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to promote fitness through the medium of sport and sport-related activities throughout the country with particular reference to any promotional campaigns he may have in mind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37379/14]
View answerThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the development of strategies for increasing participation in sport.
As this question is a matter for the Irish Sports Council, I have referred it to the Irish Sports Council for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which integrated ticketing continues to be successful; if further expansion is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37380/14]
View answerResponsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the Leap Card system is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
212. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide figures, in tabular form, for the number of penalty points that were issued in each of the past five years for breach of weight restrictions, by HGVs and other vehicles, on a road (details supplied) in Dublin 20. [37409/14]
View answerThere are no penalty points details endorsed on the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) records for breach of weight restrictions, by HGV’s in respect of the location mentioned in the Question. Provided in tabular form as follows is a list of the penalty points offences currently endorsed on driving licence records on the NVDF incurred at the location mentioned and the number of drivers in respect of each offence type. Under the Road Traffic Act 2002 penalty points are required to be removed from the NVDF records upon expiry of the 3 year endorsement period.
|
Offence |
Number of Drivers |
|
Dangerous Driving Reduced to Careless Driving |
2 |
|
Use Vehicle Without NCT Certificate |
6 |
|
Driving Without Reasonable Consideration |
6 |
|
Careless Driving Contrary to Section 52(1) |
2 |
|
Exceed 80 km/h limit |
1 |
|
Breach of Duties on Occurance of an Accident |
1 |
|
No Insurance - (User) |
17 |
|
No Safety Belt - Driver |
8 |
|
Driving a Vehicle while holding a Mobile Phone |
37 |
|
Fail to Yield Right of Way at Sign/Line |
1 |
|
Fail to Obey Traffic Lights |
48 |
|
Fail to Obey Traffic Lights |
1 |
|
Adult Failing to Wear Safety Belt cat. N2 Vehicle |
2 |
|
Adult Failing to Wear Safety Belt cat N3 Vehicle |
1 |
|
Adult Failing to Wear Safety Belt cat M2 Vehicle |
1 |
|
Adult Failing to Wear Safety Belt cat M1 Vehicle |
4 |
|
Adult Failing to Wear Safety Belt cat N1 Vehicle |
1 |
|
No Cert of Road Worthiness User |
1 |
|
Total |
140 |
213. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the State body responsible for enforcement of weight restrictions on local authority maintained roads. [37410/14]
View answerEnforcement of weight restrictions on all roads, including local authority roads, is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
214. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total allocated budget for her Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the actual outturns in each of her Department subheads at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37277/14]
View answerMy Department was established in June 2011. Details of the annual funding allocation to my Department are published in the annual Revised Estimates Volume for each of the years since 2011 and are available on the website of Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
However, for the Deputy’s convenience, details of the total allocations for my Department for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are detailed in the following table.
|
€000 |
|
|
NET ALLOCATION 2011 *** |
€264,009 |
|
NET ALLOCATION 2012 |
€263,772 |
|
NET ALLOCATION 2013 |
€250,235 |
|
NET ALLOCATION 2014 |
€259,457 |
*** The 2011 Estimate figures reflect the transfer of the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht and North-South Co-operation from Vote 27, Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, with effect from May 2011.
Details of the annual funding allocation to my Department and expenditures at subhead level, including those part-funded from the National Lottery, are published in the Annual Revised Estimates Volume for each of the years since 2011 and are available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at http://www.per.gov.ie/estpubexp2013/.
Details of the actual outturn for my Department at subhead level for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, including those part-funded from the National Lottery, are published in the Annual Appropriation Accounts and are available on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General at
http://www.audgen.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=-1&CatID=3&UserLang=EN&m=6
Provisional figures in respect of my Department for 2014 show gross expenditure at 31 August 2014 was €183,325,000. This represents approximately 69% of the annual budget for my Department. Details of the actual outturn for my Department at subhead level for 2014 will be published in due course in the Annual Appropriation Account and will be available on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General as was the case for previous years.
215. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the appointment of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37367/14]
View answerIn making the appointment referred to by the Deputy, I was cognisant of the balance of talent, experience and skills amongst existing board members and the overall skills needs of the institution in question, and I am satisfied that the person was appointed on the basis of merit.
I am arranging for a copy of my recent statement in the matter to be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
