Written Answers Nos. 1584-1602
1584. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding traffic in Killarney National Park, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32219/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), formerly the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
1585. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the possible introduction of speed awareness courses for first time offenders; if primary legislation will be necessary or if the measures could be achieved through regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32317/15]
View answer1669. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he and his Department are considering the introduction of speed awareness courses; if there is an indicative timeframe for the introduction of such an initiative which works very successfully in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32316/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1585 and 1669 together.
Action 107 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 states that, subject to legal advice, my Department should, with the support of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Department of Justice and Equality, legislate for rehabilitation and driving awareness courses as court-based sentencing options for specific offenders, which should then be implemented.
The RSA is developing proposals on this Action at present and I am awaiting the conclusions before considering what steps might then be taken. The idea behind alternative sentencing is to explore more effective ways of dealing with repeat offenders, but not with very serious offences such as dangerous driving causing death, where prison could still be the appropriate penalty. It is likely that these courses, if introduced in the future, would be in addition to, and not in place of, the allocation of penalty points.
1586. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow chauffeurs, who hold public service vehicle licences, to utilise bus lanes when carrying passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30427/15]
View answerThe use of bus lanes is provided for in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997, as amended. The primary purpose of providing bus lanes is to facilitate and promote bus-based public transport.
Having regard to the role of taxis in providing on-street immediate public hire services, an exemption to allow for their operation in bus lanes, when they are being used in the course of business, was provided. Bicycles are also permitted to use bus lanes. It remains my opinion that to extend the use of bus lanes to other categories of vehicles will serve to undermine their original purpose and I have no plans to amend the current policy.
1587. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to erect a bus shelter in Daingean Uí Chúis in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30438/15]
View answer1607. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a bus stop will be provided at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30876/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1587 and 1607 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). In addition, its functions have been extended to include securing or providing bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, stands and bus fleets throughout the country. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1588. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of expenditure on road safety advertising campaigns by the Road Safety Authority, from 2006 to date in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30470/15]
View answerAs this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority, I have passed the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
1589. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce legislation compelling motor insurance companies to insure vehicles that are 15 years or older and have valid national car test certification, and not to victimise persons who possess what may be perfectly sound motor cars who insurance companies are informing that they will not quote them insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30592/15]
View answer1599. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the decision by Aviva and Allianz insurance companies to cease insuring cars over 15 years of age; his further views that this will result in many car drivers being unable to insure their cars; if he will consider intervening in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30773/15]
View answer1603. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that insurance companies will no longer provide quotes for cars that are aged 14 years or older and 15 years or older, respectively; and his views on this policy. [30807/15]
View answer1638. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to meet with providers of insurance companies to discuss recent decisions by some insurers not to take on new business where a person is seeking to insure a car aged 15 years or more; if he will ask insurers to review this decision and recognise that the NCT is the statutory provision for determining roadworthiness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31897/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1589, 1599, 1603 and 1638 together.
My role in the matter of motor insurance relates to legislation under the EU Motor Insurance Directives and the Road Traffic Acts. The primary requirement in the EU Motor Insurance Directives and the Road Traffic Acts regarding motor insurance is that the driver of the vehicle is covered by third party insurance. I have no role regarding the legal framework for insurance regulation or for the regulation of insurance companies, which is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance and the Central Bank respectively.
The provision of motor insurance is a matter for the motor insurance companies operating in a competitive market. At present there are over 30 insurers writing motor insurance in Ireland, as listed on the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland website. The policies of individual insurance companies are a matter for those companies themselves. I have no powers to intervene in the conduct of insurance companies and no role in the pricing or setting of motor insurance terms and conditions.
Insurance Ireland operates a free Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance. If a person is unable to obtain a quotation for motor insurance or feels that the premium proposed or the terms are so excessive that it amounts to a refusal to give them motor insurance, they should contact Insurance Ireland, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1 Tel. 01.6761820 quoting the Declined Cases Agreement. Under the Agreement, the Declined Cases Committee of Insurance Ireland deals with any cases of difficulty in obtaining motor insurance.
1590. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a bus route (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30638/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
1591. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify the rules governing the renewal of driving licences, and the regulations which govern the ability of foreign nationals to continue driving here without the need to undergo a theory or driving test (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30640/15]
View answerIrish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU legislation, which sets driver licensing standards for Member States. As such, we have arrangements for reciprocal exchange of driving licences with all other Member States.
In the case of non-EU states, we can establish bilateral agreements on mutual recognition of driving licences. Reaching these agreements is not a simple process, and involves detailed consideration of the two licensing regimes by the licensing authorities in each jurisdiction, in order for both sides to be sure that the two systems are compatible. Where we do not have an EU or bilateral basis for recognition of foreign driving qualifications, people taking up residence in Ireland are by definition treated as learners, and required to undergo the same lessons and tests as other learners. They are, however, exempt from the normal requirement to spend six months as a learner before taking the test. In the case of the US, driver licensing operates at State rather than Federal level. There is therefore a wide variety of licensing systems with widely varying standards, and broad based mutual recognition is not possible. Under international law, a holder of a licence which is not recognised for exchange may drive in Ireland on their national licence for up to a year, as a visitor. However, if the holder of the licence proposes to become resident in Ireland for a period longer than 12 months then they are required to apply for an Irish licence. An Irish driving licence may be renewed up to 10 years after it has lapsed without the requirement to undergo a driving test.
1592. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will publish the environmental impact statement in respect of the Bloomfield interchange-N28 area affecting Maryborough Heights, Douglas, County Cork, which was due for publication in quarter 1 of 2015; the reason for the delay in providing this report to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30643/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 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 don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
1593. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action the National Roads Authority has taken in relation to the noise levels to which the residents of Maryborough Heights, Douglas, County Cork are subjected enduring from the Bloomfield interchange-N28 area, since it monitored the noise levels in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30644/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), also known as the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
1594. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that noise monitoring carried out in 2014 in relation to the Bloomfield interchange-N28 area affecting residents of Maryborough Heights, Douglas, County Cork showed noise levels in excess of European Union accepted levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30645/15]
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 implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), also known as the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
1595. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support a matter (details supplied) regarding sports grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30653/15]
View answerApplications received under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme are currently being assessed and I hope to announce the results shortly. No decision has been taken on the timing of any future rounds of the Programme.
While no application was received from the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme, I am aware that Dublin City Council has a proposal to improve sports facilities in Darndale Park.
1596. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to the sale of Aer Lingus to the International AG, in order to complete the sale of the Government's share in Aer Lingus, if he will make a final closure request to purchasers IAG that they would make a subscription to the IASS fund, particularly with a view to restoring some of the exceptional losses suffered by the deferred pensioners of Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30717/15]
View answerAn agreed solution was implemented to address the IASS pension funding problems earlier this year. The solution that has been implemented is a matter for the pension scheme trustee, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme members and the Pensions Authority.
Under the agreed solution the total contribution by the IASS employers aimed at resolving the IASS difficulties amounts to over €260m. This includes almost €20m in extra funding by the employers in addition to the €40m that had already been made available for deferred members, bringing the full amount for this group to €60m.
The IASS trustee has confirmed that these measures are in the overall best interest of the members of the IASS as a whole and are fully compliant with National and EU law.
The agreed solution will continue to be implemented in compliance with National and EU law irrespective of who owns Aer Lingus. For that reason, IAG's Offer for Aer Lingus, which has already closed, and the Government's decision to sell the State's 25.1% shareholding to IAG, are not relevant to the IASS pension arrangements.
1597. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional funds that were provided to the National Transport Authority for the rural transport scheme in 2014; the areas where these funds were allocated, as there was no increase in transport services provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30766/15]
View answer1598. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the total Rural Transport Programme budgets from his Department, in terms of the amount to delivery of rural transport services, the amount to delivery administration for rural transport groups and companies, the amount to Pobal for administration including PMS 1, the amount to the National Transport Authority, including intelligent transport management systems, redundancies, TUPE, accessible upgrading of fleet owning group vehicles and NTA administration costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30767/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1597 and 1598 together.
Responsibility for the management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP), was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 1st April 2012. This includes responsibility for implementing the restructuring of the RTP announced on 9th July 2013 and the allocation of funding to the 17 Transport Coordination Units (TCUs).
Despite the overall expenditure constraints the funding for rural transport was maintained in 2015 at the underlying level for 2014 of €9.746m. This is slightly lower than the overall 2014 provision for current expenditure of €10,396m which included €650k in funding to meet once-off costs related to programme restructuring. A further €300,000 is to be made available this year to meet the cost of additional RTP services as part of the replacement services for the withdrawn Bus Éireann Expressway commercial services.
I have forwarded your questions to the NTA for further response to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1600. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific improvement grants will be reintroduced to progress and complete much needed road improvement works, such as the R561 in Inch-Keel and the R550 Dale Road in County Kerry, which previously benefited in some stretches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30780/15]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
It is important to state that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement County Councils in their own resources spending in this area. While Councils could apply in the past for grant funding for certain road improvement projects, budgetary constraints mean that the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work of the road network.
The current financial realities are such that the budgets proposed for my Department for 2016 and 2017 indicate that capital funding will continue to be very tight, and the ability to increase allocations or progress new projects is limited. It is, of course, open to a County Council to fund such projects from its own resources.
1601. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a mechanism available for free travel users to have designated seats on the train; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30786/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
1602. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Dublin City Centre Transport Study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30800/15]
View answerThe Dublin City Centre Transport Study, which the Deputy refers to, is a study that was jointly carried out by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Dublin City Council (DCC) to assess transport related issues in the core city centre area in light of changes resulting from the Luas Cross City project, in particular. The study covers all modes of transport including walking and cycling as well as car and public transport.
The Study was published by the NTA and DCC in June and there was a significant public consultation process on it over the course of the summer which, not surprisingly, generated very substantial interest from stakeholders. I understand that more than 7,700 submissions were received in response to the consultation process and that a factual report on the submissions received has been submitted to DCC's Strategic Transport Policy Committee.
I am advised by the NTA that along with DCC it is now engaging on an individual basis with some of the key stakeholders concerned, notably some of the large retailers and car park operators in the city centre, and a number of meetings will be taking place with these stakeholders over the coming weeks before NTA and DCC report back DCC's Strategic Transport Policy Committee.
I welcome the comprehensive and positive engagement that is taking place on this important issue and am assured that all key stakeholders are being given the opportunity to have their views and concerns known and understood.
