Written Answers Nos. 204-211
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the function retained by his Department in respect of the encouragement of investment in mobile telephone infrastructure here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42380/14]
View answerAs Minister for Communications, one of my key objectives is to ensure that Ireland is best placed to avail of the emerging opportunities provided by the commercial telecommunications sector through the promotion of investment in state of the art infrastructure and the provision of a supportive legislative and regulatory environment. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband services, and are facilitating the rollout of 3G and 4G mobile services. These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
While investment in communications infrastructure and services is primarily a matter for the private sector, Government recognises that it has a role in ensuring that barriers to investment are removed where possible. The National Broadband Plan commits to a range of actions that will facilitate the more efficient investment in the rollout of communications infrastructure. These include addressing planning and road opening challenges, assisting in getting citizens and businesses online, measures relating to spectrum policy and maximising the use of State assets where possible.
Since publication of the Plan in 2012, a working group has been established to address infrastructure issues which were identified by industry as creating barriers to deployment of services. The group is chaired by the Department of Transport and includes representatives from my Department, the Local Government Management Agency, the National Roads Authority (NRA) and Local Authorities. The Group is currently reviewing issues relating to the location of telecommunications infrastructure on public roads, particularly motorways, with a view to reducing blackspots and enhancing services. Consultation between the NRA and industry is ongoing on a range of issues relating to the citing of telecommunications infrastructure. Local Authorities also have an important role in assisting the rollout of supporting infrastructure. My Department has worked closely with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to raise awareness of the role of the planning process in facilitating the delivery of telecommunications infrastructure and services.
My Department is also in the process of reviewing national spectrum policy and is currently considering the outcome of a recent public consultation on spectrum policy. Current spectrum policy needs to be revisited as a matter of course and in light of the rapid technological changes and the increased demands on this limited and valuable resource. An important element of this review is to ensure that our legal and regulatory environment supports continued investment in mobile telecommunication infrastructure, which is dependent on access to radio spectrum. It is expected that this review will be completed in the first quarter of next year.
205. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is a list of applicants for positions on boards of State bodies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42457/14]
View answerThis Government, almost immediately on establishment, made important changes in relation to appointments to State Boards with new arrangements widening the opportunity to participate on such Boards by extending a wide invitation for people to submit expressions of interest to serve on the boards of public bodies. In accordance with the Government Decision of 12 April 2011, my predecessor commenced a process of seeking, on the Department’s website, expressions of interest from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of this Department. To date, 191 applications have been received under this process, all are retained in my Department, and this information has been used to inform decisions for board appointments. I would stress, however, that such applications have been sought in order to extend the range of suitable persons from which a Minister might make appointments, not to constrain it. While appointments are made by the relevant Minister, I would add that appointments to Boards also include nominations, provided for by statute, by Committees of the Oireachtas, worker directors and ex-officio positions. While the precise structure varies from body to body, in total this can amount to a significant proportion of the Board in certain instances.
On 30 September, the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform announced further steps to strengthen the process of Board appointments and my Department will be liaising with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that procedures are in line with the new measures proposed.
206. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has further updates on a proposal (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42303/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 such as the Macroom Bypass is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
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.
207. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to create special terms of exemption for classic car enthusiasts with regard to the need to have road insurance when taxing vintage and classic cars even though they may not be roadworthy at a given time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42317/14]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) is in the process of conducting a public consultation into the operation of classic and vintage cars. I expect to receive a report from the RSA when this process is completed.
However, there will be no change to current and long-term legislation under the Road Traffic Acts and the European Union Motor Insurance Directives which requires all mechanically propelled vehicles to have a valid policy of motor insurance when driven on public roads.
208. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he anticipates the application process will be open for the next round of sports capital grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42425/14]
View answerI was delighted that we were able to announce a new round of the Sports Capital Programme in the Budget. This will be the third round of the Programme since this Government took office.
My officials and myself are presently working on the details of the new round and when that work is completed I will be in a position to announce a decision on the timing.
209. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position in relation to the nomination of a person (details supplied) as the new chair of the Road Safety Authority; the criteria for their selection; where the position was advertised; when and where they applied; the person who interviewed them for the position in question; the number of persons that were considered and interviewed for this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42450/14]
View answerAll vacancies for State Boards for which this Department has responsibility are available to be viewed on the Department's website at www.dttas.ie
A number of individuals were considered before Ms. Liz O'Donnell was selected to fill the post of Chair of the Road Safety Authority, vacated by Mr. Gay Byrne. Ms O'Donnell came to attention having expressed an interest in serving on a State Board via the Board Diversity Initiative. The Initiative provides a bridge between Boards and women candidates. It was established in 2010 to address a perception that there was, and is, a shortage of talented women candidates for non-executive director positions in Ireland.
Arising from the initiative, a panel of suitably qualified women was created and is available to chairpersons, nominating committees and others involved in the appointment of directors. Since the launch of the initiative, more than 30 women on the panel have been appointed to Irish boards.
Before deciding to appoint Ms.O'Donnell as Chair of the RSA, I met with her to determine her suitability for and interest in the role.
210. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a list of applicants for positions on boards of State bodies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42468/14]
View answerMy Department maintains a list of expressions of interest for positions on State Boards compiled from a public invitation to submit these. To date, over 470 expressions of interest have been received.
New procedures for the appointments process were announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 30th September 2014.
These procedures came into effect on 1st November 2014 and consequently now all positions for State Board appointments can be viewed through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) portal at www.stateboards.ie.
211. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is a list of applicants for positions on boards of State bodies in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42455/14]
View answerMy Department has, from time to time, sought expressions of interest from members of the public for vacancies on various boards of bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group by advertising on my Department's website. While to date, applications may have been retained on file in some cases, I can advise the Deputy that no formal list of applicants for positions on boards is held within my Department.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has recently agreed on a Revised Model for Ministerial Appointments to State Boards which complements the current system with a more structured approach to ensure that vacancies on State Boards are populated in a transparent way by the high-calibre personnel required to successfully perform their mandates. I am now working to implement this revised model.
