Written Answers Nos. 201-206
201. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form by country and by month for each of the years 2011 to 2014 and for 2015 to date the number of unauthorised foreign military aircraft incursions into Irish airspace; the response of his Department to each incursion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22597/15]
View answerPursuant to the provisions of the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993, the Irish Aviation Authority has responsibility for, inter alia, the provision, operation and management of air navigation services in Irish and other airspace. I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
202. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce a free national car test every second year for vehicles over ten years, for which a yearly test is compulsory, as many persons cannot afford to get a new car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22616/15]
View answerWith effect from June 2011 all cars older than 10 years, other than vintage cars, must undergo annual roadworthiness testing.
The effects of wear and tear on a vehicle become more evident as it ages. Prior to the introduction of annual testing, road traffic collision statistics showed that a significant proportion of fatal collisions and serious injuries arose from collisions that involved vehicles that were 10 years old or over. Annual testing of such vehicles is a valuable safety measure.
The NCT service is delivered on a self-financing basis through the collection of a test fee with no additional cost to the taxpayer. The current test fee of €55 has not increased since February 2012. It represents the per test cost of carrying out the testing service and I have no proposals to grant any exemptions from this fee.
203. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when details of successful applications under the 2015 sports capital programme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22675/15]
View answerI expect to announce allocations later this year.
204. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of providing satellite imagery to his Department during the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22984/15]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for the safety of Maritime Transport services and the provision of emergency response services. Satellite imagery is used to discharge these responsibilities, and extensively in the SafeSeas Ireland system, which is a monitoring and information system used to enhance maritime safety and security and assist in the protection of the marine environment.
The costs were as follows:
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Google Earth |
2,112.66 |
388.41 |
0 |
0 |
|
Google Maps API |
10,381.80 |
10,553.40 |
10,553.40 |
10,548.28 |
205. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will reinstate the Arts Council funding which funded extremely successful and noteworthy projects such as the Guth Gafa International Documentary Film Festival (details supplied). [22539/15]
View answerThe Arts Council operates under the provisions of the Arts Act 2003, which provides, inter alia, that the Council is independent in the performance of its functions in funding the Arts. As Minister, therefore, I have no role in relation to any decisions of the Arts Council in relation to funding.
It may be noted that the Arts Council operates an appeals and complaints procedure, and, like other agencies under the aegis of my Department, is subject to the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012.
206. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost of providing satellite imagery to her Department during the past four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22979/15]
View answerMy Department has not incurred any costs for acquiring satellite imagery during the past 4 years.
