Written Answers Nos. 285-292
285. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a national policy with respect to cycling races on public roads; if he is aware of the differences in approach in different counties and different Garda districts; if he is aware of the difficulties that this is causing for cycling clubs seeking to run competitive road races; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26498/15]
View answerRoad traffic management including the holding of cycle races is a matter for the relevant road authority in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. It is the responsibility of the road authority to make decisions relating to road traffic matters having regard to the convenience and safety of the general public and taking into account any observations of An Garda Síochána. I am satisfied that the local road authorities and An Garda Síochána are the appropriate bodies to address these matters and I do not believe that it would be appropriate for me as Minister to comment on the decisions of individual road authorities.
Officials from my Department have met with Cycling Ireland, the national governing body for cycling, to explain the current position in relation to the holding of cycling races and to discuss the matters raised by them on this issue.
286. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on proposals for the extension of the Luas line to Bray in County Wicklow; the preferred route for the extension; the time frame of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26501/15]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
In this regard the NTA is in the process of preparing a new transport strategy for the GDA comprising the counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow covering the period 2015 to 2035.
This will include a review of the public transport requirements for the Bray area.
It is intended that the NTA's draft transport strategy will be available for public consultation shortly.
287. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason hauliers are paying a substantial amount more in commercial vehicle road tax in the Republic of Ireland than in Northern Ireland (details supplied); his views on whether this is putting licensed haulage operators under financial strain and is putting 50,000 jobs that are dependent on the sector at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26507/15]
View answer288. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that local Irish haulage operators must now contribute £10 per day per vehicle to access Northern Ireland on routes that had no charge prior to 1 April 2014, which is putting haulage operators under financial strain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26508/15]
View answer289. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to restructure commercial vehicle road tax in the Republic of Ireland in order that it is in line with costs in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26509/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 287 to 289, inclusive, together.
I recognise the difficulties this industry has faced in recent years.
My Department is currently chairing an Inter-Departmental Group on HGV user charges, which was established in January 2014 to consider the introduction in Ireland of a 'pay-as-you-go' road tax system for HGVs. The group has been examining the technical, regulatory and economic dimensions of introducing a HGV road user charge in Ireland. The work of the group was expanded to include a full review of commercial motor tax, which has led to the group taking longer than anticipated to finalise its proposals. The group held a targeted stakeholder consultation in November 2014 which concluded in February 2015 and has held meetings with stakeholders, including representatives of the hauliers and their customers. The report of the group is currently being finalised for submission to me and to the Ministers for Finance and the Environment, Community and Local Government. I expect to receive the report shortly.
The UK HGV road user levy introduced on 1 April 2014 applies to all HGVs, both UK and foreign, using UK roads. Under EU legislation it is not permissible to discriminate against non-Irish operators by charging them differently from Irish operators for use of the roads infrastructure. This Government lobbied against the application of the charge to Northern Ireland, but the decision was a matter for the UK Minister for Transport.
290. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will grant the meeting sought with him with representatives of North Kildare Chamber; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26534/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads such as the M7 Bypass Upgrade, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The Osberstown interchange and Sallins bypass fall within the remit of Kildare County Council. Works on these roads are funded from the local authority's own resources, supplemented by funding made available by the State.
I am very much aware of the importance of these projects both locally and nationally. Unfortunately, the financial realities are that capital funding will continue to be tight for the next number of years limiting the scope for progressing additional new projects over and above the PPP programme already in place.
I know that it is important to restore over time capital funding for the transport sector to ensure that land transport infrastructure is maintained, and renewed to support economic development. While I have, I hope, stabilised the funding position, the scope for any new improvement projects depends on the availability of additional capital funding in the future. Once the new capital plan is published I will assess what can be done to address particular bottlenecks.
Requests for meetings should be made directly to the Diary Team of my private office.
291. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions his Department has had with Louth County Council and the National Roads Authority on the planned summer realignment programme for the N53; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26582/15]
View answer292. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will instruct officials from his Department to meet Louth County Council to discuss the significant disruption that the planned summer realignment programme for the N53 will cause to the local community of north Louth. [26583/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 292 together.
As 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 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the relevant local authority.
Noting this 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.
