Written Answers Nos. 155-161
155. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Iarnród Éireann to paint and repair the main railway bridge that runs through the town of Athlone, over the Shannon (details supplied). [32449/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Issues relating to maintenance on the rail network are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. Exchequer funds are made available each year for investment in railway safety, asset renewal and maintenance. Since 2014 these funds are governed by the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) a requirement under EU rules. The works covered by this contract are prioritised by Iarnrod Eireann based on appropriate risk assessments. Therefore works relating to bridges may be funded under this contract if so prioritised.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnrod Eireann for a direct reply. If you do not receive a response within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to progress integrated transport plans across the entire country, with particular reference to the potential use of the rail system for commuter transport to a greater extent that has been found possible heretofore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32455/15]
View answerThe Government's Capital Plan will be published shortly. This will include a major programme of public transport investment for the coming years covering all modes including rail.
It is imperative that we invest in our transport system to ensure that we can meet growing demand and tackle congestion to support economic growth. It is also important that in planning our investment strategy, we plan appropriately so that areas which will see major development and population growth in the future will be properly served by public transport. I am confident that the new capital plan will provide the investment required to meet these objectives.
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to have discussions with the major sporting organisations with a view to encouraging the use of this country as an international venue for sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32456/15]
View answerThe hosting of major sports events can generate additional international visits and help put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination. The hosting last year of the Giro D'Italia on an all-island basis showed that the island of Ireland can successfully host such events and the FAI and Dublin City Council also recently won their bid to host part of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament at the Aviva stadium.
Accordingly, I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the Tourism Agencies and the National Governing Bodies of Sport, in conjunction with their colleagues in Northern Ireland where appropriate, to attract international events, and subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs and benefits involved.
The Government assisted the IRFU in its successful bid to host the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2017 and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive announced our support last December for the preparation of a joint bid for the Rugby World Cup in 2023. The bid has the full support of both Governments and we will be working very closely with the IRFU to ensure that the best possible bid is lodged with World Rugby to bring the Rugby World Cup to Ireland in 2023.
Our tourism and sporting infrastructure are amongst the finest in Europe and are well capable of providing the modern facilities required by participants and spectators alike. We will continue to look for opportunities to both grow tourism and develop sport in Ireland by hosting major events with real overseas revenue-generating potential.
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which regional airports are expected to continue to play a major part in the national transport network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32457/15]
View answer159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to review the debt affecting any of the regional airports with particular reference to the need to ensure their viability in the future and their place within the national transport infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32458/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
My Department's recently published National Aviation Policy acknowledges the role played by the regional airports of Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford as being important because of a level of international connectivity that they bring to a region for the tourism and business sectors. That connectivity is seen as being a significant contributory factor underpinning Ireland's economic recovery and sustainable development into the future.
This Policy confirms that these four regional airports are being given the opportunity to grow to a viable, self-sustaining position, particularly considering the contribution they make to their regional and local economy. As a result, the Policy provides that Exchequer support (CAPEX and OPEX) will be continued, where appropriate. Such supports will be in accordance with the 2014 EU Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines and Ireland's 2015-2019 Regional Airports Programme. It is up to the airports being supported to exploit all opportunities to expand their level of connectivity to other regions.
The issue of the airports' debt is a matter for the regional airports themselves.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the tourism sector has contributed to national economic recovery; if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the provisions already in place to facilitate the future development and expansion of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32459/15]
View answer163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which any particular sectors of the tourism sector in 2015 have shown particular potential for growth with consequent economic benefit in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32463/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 163 together.
Tourism is contributing significantly to Ireland's economic recovery. CSO overseas tourism figures for the first seven months of 2015 show that there were over 4.8 million overseas visits to Ireland, an increase of 12.2% on the same seven-month period of 2014.
This growth in overseas visits has been accompanied by strong growth in overseas tourism revenue from all the main markets. The most recent CSO Quarterly Tourism and Travel publication shows that spending in Ireland by overseas visitors (excluding air fares or ferry charges) for the first half of 2015 increased by 16.2%, compared to the same 6-month period of 2014. There was 8.4% growth in revenue from Great Britain, 33.7% growth in revenue from North America, and 14.9% growth in revenue from Mainland Europe. Other long-haul markets recorded growth of 2.6% in revenue.
The Government’s Tourism Policy “People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025” acknowledges that generating increased levels of overseas revenue is key for the future of Irish tourism and the Government’s ambition is that overseas tourism revenue will reach €5 billion by 2025 net of inflation, compared to €3.5 billion in 2014.
I have recently appointed a Tourism Leadership Group, to put in place a Tourism Action Plan that will set out the actions required in the period to 2018 in order that the overall objectives in "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025" can be achieved. I intend to publish the Tourism Action Plan in the first quarter of 2016.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has examined the potential growth for business tourism here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32460/15]
View answerThe role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. The development of business tourism is an operational matter for the Boards and management of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Fáilte Ireland is responsible for the development of the business tourism sector. Tourism Ireland is responsible for overseas marketing of Ireland as a destination for business tourism.
Accordingly, I have asked the Agencies to reply to the Deputy directly in this regard. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.
