Written Answers Nos. 194-201
194. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the re-opening of Dunleer railway station, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4229/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and the overall funding of public transport. Matters relating to the re-opening of railway stations, such as at Dunleer, are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
I understand from Iarnród Éireann that there are no current plans to re-open Dunleer station and no proposal in that regard has been made to my Department. Under the current capital plan the key priority is to protect investment made to date and to maintain safety standards. This will remain the focus for the foreseeable future with existing funding levels.
195. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the taking over of Drogheda port by Louth County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4230/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, National Ports Policy recommends the transfer of control of the five designated Ports of Regional Significance to more appropriate local authority led governance structures. As one of the five Ports of Regional Significance, Drogheda Port Company will transfer to the control of Louth County Council through a transfer of the current Ministerial shareholding in the company to the local authority.
These transfers require amendments to the current Harbours Acts and my Department is working with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to bring forward a new Harbours (Amendment) Bill. I expect to seek Government approval for the text of the finalised Bill within Q1 2015. The Bill itself will not the be the legal instrument of transfer, but it will provide the necessary power to allow for later transfer by Ministerial order.
The draft General Scheme of the Bill, the associated Regulatory Impact Analysis, submissions made during consultations, together with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport's report thereon and my response to that report, are all available on my Department's website.
The Company and the Council have been working together on a joint Steering Group established to oversee the necessary operational arrangements under the new governance model. Since publication of the initial Regulatory Impact Analysis in summer 2013 my Department has maintained regular contact with representatives of all relevant companies and local authorities and I look forward to publishing the Bill in due course.
196. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total number of representations in written or oral form he or his officials or advisers have received from a person (details supplied) seeking persons to be appointed to positions that fall under his remit since March 2011; if he will provide the details of these persons regarding whom the individual made representations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4281/15]
View answerMy Department has no records of representations received since March 2011 in relation to appointments of persons to any position under the remit of my Department from the member of the Oireachtas referred to by the Deputy.
197. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when Killarney House, County Kerry, will open to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4086/15]
View answerThe final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works at Killarney House is ongoing. A contract for the interpretation phase had been awarded and this is now advancing. Work is continuing apace with the landscaping works to the grounds and ornamental gardens too.
I expect that the various elements of works will be completed at different stages during the year and it is intended that these amenities will be open to the public as soon as possible afterwards.
198. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the protocols and processes in place to enable the National Roads Authority resolve detailed design issues with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, as outlined in An Bord Pleanála's decision on the compulsory purchase order for the road from Uachtar Ard to An Teach Dóite, County Galway; if she will ensure, on the one hand, that the development of this project does not cause ecological damage and, on the other, that it goes ahead expeditiously; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4133/15]
View answerThe granting of consent for this road project was subject to a number of conditions by the relevant planning authority, including the requirement for the Construction Stage Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and all method statements to be approved by Galway County Council and agreed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, as well as Inland Fisheries Ireland. My officials have agreed a process with Galway County Council in this regard and to date one method statement has been submitted and subsequently agreed. It is expected that there will be a substantial number of method statements developed over the lifetime of this project and my Department will engage with the process as expeditiously as possible, having regard to our obligations under European law. It is important that the project proceeds in a manner that is fully compliant with Ireland’s obligations under EU law and all of the authorities involved, including, Galway County Council, have a responsibility in this regard.
199. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the input the NPWS has had into the development of the proposed new road across Galway city and if her Department is satisfied with the consultation initiated by the national roads office of Galway County Council with her Department to date in relation to this development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4134/15]
View answerAs this project is at preplanning stage, it would not be appropriate to comment on specific matters at this time. However, my Department is engaging with the relevant authorities on an ongoing basis with regard to ecological matters.
200. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if agreement has been reached between her Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Roads Authority and Galway County Council regarding the development of the road from An Teach Dóite to An Clochán, County Galway; if not, the outstanding issues that need to be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4135/15]
View answerIt is my understanding that this portion of the development of the N59 is presently before An Bord Pleanála. As such, this matter falls under the responsibility of that authority and it would not be appropriate for my Department to comment on the issue.
201. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of representations in written or oral form she or her officials or advisers have received from a person (details supplied) seeking persons to be appointed to positions that fall under her remit since March 2011; if she will provide the details of these persons for whom the Member made representations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4268/15]
View answerMy Department has received no representations seeking persons to be appointed to positions on boards or elsewhere from the Member referred to by the Deputy.
