Written Answers Nos. 32-41
32. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his statutory relationship to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board; his role in appointing members of the board; his views on whether it is appropriate to appoint persons to the board who have no marine experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23241/15]
View answerThe Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) was established on 5th June 2002 under Section 7(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act, 2000. The purpose of the MCIB is to investigate and to establish the causes for marine casualties, with a view to making recommendations to the Minister for Transport for the avoidance of similar casualties.
Section 8 of the Act provides that the Board shall be independent of the Minister in the performance of its functions and shall be independent of any other person or body whose interest could conflict with the functions of the Board.
The Board consists of five members and under Section 9(1)(a) of the Act the Minister has power to appoint three of those members. My predecessor, Minister Varadkar, made three appointments to the Board in 2013. The Chairperson of the Board was appointed for a period of 5 years, and two other Board members were each appointed for a period of 4 years. Those appointed have a range of skills and experience which are relevant to the MCIB's role and responsibilities, including legal, accountancy and emergency management skills.
The Chief Surveyor of my Department's Marine Survey Office is also a member of the Board (under Section 9(1)(b) of the Act), and has considerable marine experience. The Secretary General of my Department also has power to nominate a person to the Board (in accordance with Section 9(1)(c) of the Act), and his nominee is the Chief Inspector of the Air Accident Investigation Unit, who has significant experience of conducting investigations in the transport sector.
Furthermore, under Section 26(2) of the Act, the Board may appoint persons suitably qualified to undertake or assist in the undertaking of marine casualty investigations.
I consider that the Board has the appropriate range of skills and experience available to it in order to act independently and to discharge its statutory functions effectively.
33. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the planned roll-out of a public swimming pool in the north Kildare area; the timeline for completion of the construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23484/15]
View answerUnder the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million is provided to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme was closed to new applicants on 31 July 2000. My priority now is the completion of the projects in the existing Programme. No decision has been taken on any new round of the Programme. If the Programme re-opens it would be open to each Local Authority, including Kildare County Council, to submit an application under the terms that would apply at that time.
34. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans his Department has in place to develop tourist amenities at Fanad lighthouse in County Donegal; if he will support the recent application for funding received by Fáilte Ireland in respect of the lighthouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23487/15]
View answerWhile my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism offerings such as at Fanad Lighthouse, Co. Donegal, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these projects. This is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days. The Deputy will be interested to know that on 20th May I launched a new all-island initiative called - Great Lighthouses of Ireland - an EU INTERREG IVA funded tourism initiative. Featuring twelve lighthouses in stunning coastal locations, Great Lighthouses of Ireland will create a greater appreciation of the role of lighthouses, past and present, and in the maritime and seafaring story of the island of Ireland. The initiative includes newly refurbished visitor facilities and self-catering accommodation at Fanad Head Lighthouse in Co. Donegal. This project is being completed with support from the Special EU Programmes Body under the INTERREG programme via Fáilte Ireland.
35. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on meetings with workers in Aer Lingus and their trade unions concerning the sale of the State's share of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23477/15]
View answerI had constructive engagement with trade union representatives whom I met with on a number of occasions in the course of consideration of the IAG proposed offer for Aer Lingus. The Government's decision to support IAG's offer was based on careful consideration of all the issues of concern and independent expert advice.
36. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that aspects of the master plan of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company in County Dublin do not fall under the heading of commercial shipping activities for which the company needs ministerial consent, his views that his Department was adequately consulted with regards to plans for the development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23478/15]
View answerThe objects of a State port company are clearly set out in section 11 of the Harbours Act 1996. However, as the Deputy will note from section 11, these objects are not restricted to purely commercial shipping matters, but may include, for example:
to promote investment in its harbour;
and to engage in any business activity, either alone or in conjunction with other persons, that it considers to be advantageous to the development of its harbour.'
The Harbours Acts do require Ministerial consent in relation to certain specific activities, including the establishment of any subsidiary company (section 17(3)(g)), certain investments in undertakings (other than a subsidiary) greater than £1 million (section 17(3)(h)) and borrowings (section 23(1)).
Additionally the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requires Ministerial consent for any 'action which would extend or change significantly the nature, scope or scale of activities in which it....engages' and also where any joint venture is proposed.
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has a number of projects at different stages of conception or delivery, some of which require Ministerial consent and some of which do not.
Both my predecessor and I have previously raised concerns as regards the Company's timely adherence to their obligations in this regard. I am, however, pleased to say that I recently had a constructive meeting with members of the Board of the Company in which I outlined clearly my position in relation to these projects and I have since then written to the Company setting highlighting what is required of them with regard to their obligations in respect of these various projects.
37. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deal with overcrowding on the Dublin Area Rapid Transit during peak times; if Irish Rail has requested more funding to provide more trains and carriages during peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23233/15]
View answerThe provision of rail services is an operational matter for larnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to both the company and the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Iarnród Éireann has not applied for additional funding for new rolling stock. New projects, such as the purchase of additional rolling stock, cannot be funded within the existing level of resources available to my Department. 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. Any additional funds will be prioritised for projects for which there is a clear need, which are affordable, have a sound business case and add value to existing infrastructure.
38. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on meetings held with Aer Lingus executives concerning the sale of the State's share of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23476/15]
View answerI had constructive engagement with Aer Lingus executives whom I met with on a number of occasions in the course of consideration of the IAG proposed offer for Aer Lingus. The Government's decision to support IAG's offer was based on careful consideration of all the issues of concern and independent expert advice.
39. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport In the wake of recent sporting revelations possibly affecting the hosting of the next soccer World Cup, if he will make a submission to the relevant international sporting body promoting the possibility of hosting the soccer World Cup in this jurisdiction, unilaterally or in conjunction with adjoining jurisdictions; the degree to which the full extent of facilities required may be available here or could be, with augmentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23392/15]
View answerThe submission of a bid to host any major football event in Ireland is a decision for the FAI in the first instance. In the event of any change to the arrangements regarding the hosting of the next World Cup, it will be a matter for the FAI to consider if they wish to submit a bid to host or co-host the event.
40. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the plans for the upgrade to the Oughterard to Maam Cross section of the N59, which is the primary route into north Connemara, and for which the National Roads Authority has allocated funding for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23464/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. I will, therefore, refer 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.
41. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on his recent comments on possible legislation following on from breaches of road traffic regulations by cyclists; the strategy he is pursuing in relation to improving safety for cyclists on Irish roads and streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23244/15]
View answerThe National Cycle Policy Framework (NCPF), launched in 2009, outlines a comprehensive package of interventions to make cycling both easier and safer. My Department's strategy for promoting safe cycling involves education, infrastructure, and enforcement. The Road Safety Authority promotes safe cycling in a variety of ways, particularly through the Green Schools programme. My Department is also funding a new cycling standard "Cycle Right" that will pilot in schools this Autumn, with gradual roll-out nationally by September 2016.
All spending on cycling infrastructure is designed to impact positively on the safety of cyclists. We are working to deliver a National Cycle Network for Ireland, with an allocation of €23.5 million over the period 2012-2016, to advance routes that will provide valuable transport and recreational infrastructure. The National Transport Authority's Cycle Network Plan, published in 2013, provides the blueprint for the development of a strategic cycle network in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The Plan comprises an Urban Network, Inter-Urban Network and Green Route Network for each of the seven local authority areas of the GDA.
Cyclists, like all road users are obliged to obey road traffic legislation. As vulnerable road users, cyclists who breach the rules put themselves and other road users at risk. I shall shortly be introducing regulations extending the fixed charge notice system to certain road traffic offences committed by cyclists. It is important to emphasise that this is not about creating any new offences, but providing a new and more effective enforcement tool for An Garda Síochána. My Department is also looking at further changes to legislation that may be necessary in order to promote cycling and make cycling safer as part of the mid-term review of the National Cycle Policy Framework which is currently underway.
