Tuesday, 24 Mar 2015

Rail Services

Questions (962)

Robert Dowds

Question:

962. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are moves to privatise Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11200/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

There are no plans to privatise Iarnród Éireann, which will remain a subsidiary of CIE.

Traffic Management

Questions (963)

Finian McGrath

Question:

963. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce heavy goods vehicle permit systems other than in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11245/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Under the Road Traffic Act 1994 (Control of Traffic – Exemptions Permits) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 639 of 2006), any local authority may introduce a permit system in respect of the driving of heavy goods vehicles in its functional area. I have no role in relation to this matter.

Regional Airports

Questions (964)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

964. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a submission regarding airport policy has been submitted to the European Commission in respect of Ireland West Airport in Knock in County Mayo; if a response has been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11286/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Exchequer provides funding supports to four regional airports, Donegal, IWA Knock, Kerry and Waterford under the Regional Airports Programme. Reflecting the recommendations of the IWA Knock Study Group and the draft National Aviation Policy in respect of future funding supports for the regional airports, the 2015 - 2019 Regional Airports Programme provides for the continuance of Exchequer supports, where appropriate, to the four regional airports. The Programme will establish a definitive framework for the future development of Ireland's regional airports, including IWA Knock, and is currently with the EU Commission for consideration and approval.

There have been a series of extensive and detailed consultations over the past number of months between the Commission and the Department and my officials met with the Commission regarding this matter as recently as 24 February 2015. While it is hoped that the ongoing clarification process will be concluded shortly, the approval of the Programme is a matter for the Commission.

Sports Facilities Provision

Questions (965, 974)

Derek Nolan

Question:

965. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allocate funding to establish a national ice arena in view of the increase in popularity of sports played on ice, both recreationally and at competitive level, in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11313/15]

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Noel Grealish

Question:

974. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to a statement by the Minister of State at his Department with Special Responsibility for Tourism and Sport that funds are not available to support a facility to cover ice sports, if he will reconsider this position in view of the fact that such a facility could be used for commercial and sporting use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11544/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 965 and 974 together.

There is no funding at the present time for a national ice arena.

On Tuesday 10 March I was delighted to announce the opening of the 2015 round of the Sports Capital Programme.

I would advise all those who are interested to ensure that they are registered on the online system before 5pm on Friday 10 April 2015 (if not already registered) and to submit their online applications well in advance of the deadline of 5pm on Friday 24 April 2015.

Taxi Licences Renewals

Questions (966)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

966. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is any provision by which a taxi driver, who cannot afford a replacement car and is off the road for a period, can subsequently renew his licence without incurring a late payment penalty being from the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11338/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including licensing, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

Environmental Policy

National Roads Authority Projects

Questions (972)

Jim Daly

Question:

972. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department and the National Roads Agency have a policy for adopting roundabout schemes throughout the country; if so, if he will provide the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11542/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Any decision on whether or not to install a roundabout on a road is a matter for the relevant road authority. In the case of national roads decisions are made in conjunction with the National Roads Authority (NRA).

Guidance on the general principles regarding where it is appropriate to install roundabouts is set out in the Traffic Management Guidelines which are available on the Department's website.

Information on the detailed design of roundabouts is available in the NRA's Design Manual for Roads and Bridges which is on the NRA's website under standards. Information on the design of cycle friendly roundabouts is contained in the National Transport Agency's National Cycle Manual which is available on www.cyclemanual.ie.

Road Projects

Questions (973)

Noel Grealish

Question:

973. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any land or houses were purchased during the route selection for the original proposed Galway City Outer Bypass, which was rejected by the European Court of Justice in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11543/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As I outlined to the Deputy in my reply to PQ 9055/15 of 3 March 2015, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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, including the N6 Galway City Outer 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, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Question No. 974 answered with Question No. 965.

Public Transport Provision

Questions (975)

James Bannon

Question:

975. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on undertaking a midlands transport assessment study; and his further views on the linking up of major midland towns by rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11602/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I am committed to supporting a well-funded public transport system into the future to ensure the public transport sector is better placed to address the transport demands of our economic recovery. I ensured that PSO funding for bus and rail services was maintained at current levels in the last Budget, the first time this has happened since 2008.

I should state that it is the policy of my Department, given continued budgetary constraints, to prioritise the maintenance of our existing infrastructure rather than embark on new projects for which funding is, unfortunately, not available.

Given the significant funding requirements, it is important that rail users and policy makers are consulted on how best to ensure that rail services continue to meet the needs of users and the contribution of rail to an efficient and effective public transport system generally. A public consultation on the role of rail is under preparation and I expect that this consultation will commence shortly.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the statutory body with responsibility for overseeing the delivery of bus and rail services and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply in relation to public transport services generally in the midlands area. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Road Projects

Questions (976)

James Bannon

Question:

976. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the proposed construction of the Mullingar to Rooskey motorway as part of the Government's capital expenditure budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11603/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects (such as the N4 Mullingar to Longford (Rooskey) referred to by the Deputy) 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 do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Sports Funding

Questions (977)

James Bannon

Question:

977. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve the adventure sports industry in counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11604/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The 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. The Council also has responsibility for the allocation of funding for the National Governing Bodies of Sport.

As this question is a matter for the Irish Sports Council, I have referred it to the Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.