Thursday, 9 Oct 2014

Written Answers Nos. 267-278

Heavy Goods Vehicle Levy

Questions (267)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

267. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on discussions he has had with his counterparts in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom in respect of the heavy goods vehicle road user levy; if he will ensure that Republic of Ireland hauliers who use the A5 are exempt from the Northern Ireland road user charge that was implemented on 1 April 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38767/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The introduction of the U.K. HGV road user levy in April is an unwelcome additional charge on Irish hauliers, particularly for those operating in the Border areas.  The Irish Government, with the support of the Northern Ireland authorities, initially lobbied the U.K. Government to exempt all of Northern Ireland from the levy.  When this was rejected, the Government sought to have the A5 from Derry to Aughnacloy exempted from the levy, as it is a significant transit route from Donegal to Monaghan and then onto Dublin and Rosslare Port.

The issue was raised both in correspondence and at meetings with the U.K. Minister for Transport and with the Prime Minister.  Unfortunately, the U.K. Minister for Transport rejected our proposals for an exemption of the A5, as is his right under EU law.  The U.K. authorities have however granted an exemption to approximately 7 km of roads which repeatedly criss-cross the Border.

I have instructed my officials to explore options with their U.K. and Northern Ireland colleagues to mitigate the effect of the levy on Irish hauliers.

Road Projects Expenditure

Questions (268)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

268. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of funding for roads and road services provided to each local authority in each of the past ten years. [38797/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Details of the regional and local road grant payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas.  Details of the 2014 regional and local road grant allocations to each county council are also available in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas.  

With regard to national roads, details of the allocations to each local authority are also available in the Dáil library.  However, details of the actual drawdown of funding for these roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority.  

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.

Bus Éireann Services

Questions (269)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

269. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a bus shelter will be provided at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38573/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The functions of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to public transport infrastructure 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.

Tourism Promotion

Questions (270)

Billy Timmins

Question:

270. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding spent on overseas advertising by statutory bodies on tourism; the breakdown for the years 2011 to date in 2014; the products, areas or attractions it was promoting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38574/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Tourism Ireland, a cross-border body established under the Good Friday Agreement, is the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination in overseas markets.  Tourism Ireland is jointly funded by my Department and by the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and thus its overall budget for marketing in a given year is the total of the allocations from both sponsor departments.  In addition, Fáilte Ireland also has a role in relation to overseas promotion as it relates to niche, product and regional marketing.  The amounts allocated to the Tourism Marketing Fund (which is shared between Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland) by my Department over the period 2011-2014 are as follows:

2011: €46,083,000

2012: €39,354,000

2013: €37,245,000

2014: €35,476,000

My Department's role in relation to tourism is concerned primarily with national policy, and decisions in relation to the key messages to be used in the marketing of Ireland as a visitor destination are a day-to-day operational matter for the tourism agencies.   Therefore, I am referring the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland for further information. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Tourism Promotion

Questions (271)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

271. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that the anti-social behaviour in Dublin city centre is having a negative impact on the tourism industry here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38581/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

When compared to the number of tourists entering the country, Ireland is a very safe destination and the rate of crime against tourists is quite low.  However, I am naturally concerned if anything impacts negatively on the experience of visitors to our country. Research has shown however, that the vast majority of our overseas visitors are more than happy to subsequently recommend Ireland as a holiday destination. With regard to tackling the specific issues raised by the Deputy, obviously responsibility in this regard does not come under the remit of my Department. In this regard, I understand that the Deputy has submitted similar questions to my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality and that my colleague is responding in relation to Garda actions on the matters in question.

Question No. 272 withdrawn.

National Car Test

Questions (273)

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

273. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the validity of a national car test certificate, NCT, on a car which has been proven to be off the road for a period of time must be backdated to the anniversary of the last test date, which in some cases could be a substantial length of time, instead of from the date of the test going forward, particularly as the new rules for the voluntary early testing of a car allows the NCT certificate to be valid from the date of the test rather than the anniversary of the previous test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38692/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has overall responsibility for the delivery and oversight of the National Car Test.   

A NCT is due when a vehicle is four years old and every two years thereafter until it reaches 10 years when it becomes subject to annual testing.  Periods of non-use of a vehicle or periods of not having to pay motor tax are not relevant in relation to determining NCT test due dates. The test due date is determined by reference to the date of registration and subsequent anniversaries of that date.  

NCT certificates are not back dated.  As a test certificate reflects the condition of the vehicle at the time the test was carried out, it would not be possible to issue a test certificate with an effective start date other than the date of execution of a successful test. Where a vehicle is presented late for its NCT inspection, the NCT certificate is valid from the date of the successful test to the next test due date. This can result in a certificate of less than 1 or 2 years duration, depending on the age of the vehicle.  No provision exists to permit an extension of the period covered by an NCT certificate beyond the next test due date.  

Voluntary early testing refers to vehicles presented for test more than 90 days in advance of their test due date.  Subsequent test due dates are re-set to anniversaries of the voluntary test date and this would result in subsequent test due dates being brought forward.   

National Car Test

Questions (274)

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

274. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a used car which has recently undergone an MOT in the United Kingdom requires an national car test when it is imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38693/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test.  The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements.  

Directive 2009/40/EC sets down the minimum requirements with regard to roadworthiness testing in EU Member States. However, there are differences in the test between countries.  

In Ireland, passenger cars are required to undergo a roadworthiness test when they are 4 years old and every two years thereafter until they reach 10 years of age when they become subject to annual testing. Where a vehicle is imported and re-registered as an Irish vehicle it becomes subject to the same requirements i.e. if it is four years old or more it must undergo an NCT. The test certificate issued is valid for 1 or 2 years (depending on the age of the car) from the date of registration in Ireland.  

In the UK passenger cars must undergo a roadworthiness test when they are three years old and annually thereafter.  If an Irish car is imported into the UK it becomes subject to UK requirements and must undergo an MOT there if it is more than three years old, even if it holds a current NCT certificate.  

Public Transport Provision

Questions (275)

Joe Costello

Question:

275. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for public transport in the Dublin area in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38698/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).   

The NTA’s Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 sets out a programme of investment and development in the GDA for the next five years based on the priorities and funding set out in the  capital plan to 2016 and  on an indicative allocation for 2017 and 2018. This plan will be updated when a revised capital plan is finalised.    

My Department currently provides in the region of €150 million annually  to the NTA to support public transport improvements in the GDA.  This funds light rail improvements,  of which the current  priority is the delivery of Luas Cross City,  heavy rail enhancements such as the  city centre re-signalling project, level crossing removals on the Maynooth line, automatic ticketing machines and other  station improvements, purchase of replacement  buses and the provision and upgrading of bus stops and bus shelters; development of quality bus corridors, cycling routes , pedestrian crossings, safety improvements; and  the continued development and rollout of a range of integration measures such as the Leap Card, real time passenger information and journey planner.  

Funding is also provided for ongoing research and planning for future requirements. This  includes planning for the re-opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel link, for design of a possible Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Network and a review of existing large projects postponed in recent years.  

These reviews include a technical consultancy (Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study) to assess the rail transport requirements of the North Dublin/Fingal corridor, extending from Finglas to Malahide and including Dublin Airport and Swords and  the updating of the 2010 DART Underground business case. The NTA advise that these  will be available early next year.  In addition I expect to have a report and business case for the Swords/Airport BRT proposal.  

I will then consider the options for addressing key public transport deficits in the GDA having regard to the outcome of the reviews as regards costs and benefits, affordability, and funding options with a view to finalising a position by mid-2015.  

The key priority over the coming years is to protect investment made to date and to maintain safety standards. If additional funds are available, which is not certain, there will be many competing projects from all transport modes in all regions.  I will prioritise any additional funds for projects for which there is a clear need, which are affordable, have a sound business case and add value to existing infrastructure.

State Bodies

Questions (276)

Arthur Spring

Question:

276. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Kerry technology park is considered a subsidiary of the Shannon Group. [38705/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Kerry Technology Park is one of the property portfolios owned and managed by Shannon Commercial Enterprises (trading as Shannon Commercial Properties), formally Shannon Development.  Shannon Commercial Enterprises is a subsidiary of the newly formed Shannon Group.

National Car Test

Questions (277)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

277. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that drivers who fail to display their national car test disc, but who are awaiting a NCT appointment due to a backlog, are not issued penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38707/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test.  The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements.  

While demands for NCTs are heavy in the early part of the year, there is no reason why anybody requesting a test at other times of the year should not receive a booking on time.  An NCT may be undertaken up to 90 days in advance of the test due date without affecting the expiry date of the new certificate. This advanced booking is to ensure that owners have sufficient time to have their vehicle tested before their current NCT certificate expires. A public awareness campaign is currently underway to ensure that the public is aware that using a vehicle without a valid NCT is becoming a fixed charge offence with effect from early December and advising them to book early.

NCTS is in a favourable position to deal with the demand.  Plans are currently in place to extend testing facilities at Mullingar, Blarney and Portlaoise and longer opening hours, in the form of a third shift, are planned for four NCT Centres in Galway, Killarney, Enniscorthy and Ballina. NCTS has been testing record numbers of vehicles this year with the numbers tested each month being approximately 11-12% higher than in the corresponding months in 2013.  

Enforcement is a matter for An Garda Síochána.  While An Garda Síochána have previously advised motorists awaiting a NCT test to carry proof of their test appointment with them at all times, the responsibility rests with the driver and vehicle owner to ensure that a vehicle being driven in a public place has a valid NCT certificate and that the disc is displayed.

Superannuation Schemes

Questions (278, 283)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

278. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Irish airlines superannuation scheme. [38761/14]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

283. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he or his Department are taking to ensure that the interests of deferred members of the Irish airlines superannuation scheme are adequately protected in any amended pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38819/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 283 together.  

Resolution of the funding difficulties of the IASS is primarily a matter for the Trustee, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme’s members and the Pensions Authority. The process currently underway involves all of these stakeholders, including the deferred members.  

I can assure the Deputy that I fully understand the  concerns of the deferred members in relation to the funding of the scheme.  However, such matters are governed by the Pensions Acts, which fall under the responsibility of my colleague, Joan Burton T.D., the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection. Pension schemes are closely regulated under Irish and European pension law and the Pensions Authority is the national statutory regulatory authority in Ireland.  There are prescribed procedures and limitations in place governing any reductions in pension rights introduced to address funding difficulties in a scheme such as the IASS.   

It has been clear for a long time that any solution to the complex problems of the IASS requires significant contributions from both employers and members of the scheme.  The Expert Panel established earlier this year was tasked with finding the fairest way to distribute the burden, while addressing a range of other impediments. As a result of that Report, there was an uplift in the monies to be provided by the employers outside of the IASS, a significant proportion of which is intended for the deferred members.  

The IASS Trustee and the principal employers have recently issued documents in respect of the proposed changes in pension arrangements.  These communications mark the commencement of the formal consultation process which the Trustee is required by the Pensions Act 1990 to undertake in respect of the reductions in benefits that it is proposing.  Each member will also shortly receive a personalised illustration of future pension benefits.  All members have been invited to send their views on the proposals to the IASS Trustee by 27 October 2014.  The target date for implementation of the proposals remains 31 December 2014.  

Huge efforts have been put in by all concerned over many years in an attempt to resolve the scheme's funding problems.  A set of clear proposals has now been put forward which offer the best chance to resolve the long-standing problems of the scheme and resolve members’ uncertainties about their future pension entitlements.  I would urge all parties to accept them.   

On the basis that the Trustee decides to proceed with changes to the IAS scheme following the consultation process which is underway, I will sign the Ministerial Orders enabling the IAS scheme trustees to amend the scheme.