Written Answers Nos. 15-21
15. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide regulations for the operation of non-traditional private for hire transport, such as Uber or rickshaws, in towns and cities here given recent local and international concerns about the security of passengers and the standards applied to such services. [31948/15]
View answerI have been advised by the National Transport Authority (NTA) that Uber is licensed as a taxi dispatch operator, which is essentially a booking service. I understand that Uber has given an assurance to the NTA that it will use only licensed vehicles and licensed drivers and the NTA will monitor this position. On this basis the NTA are satisfied that the Uber model in Ireland is compliant with the prevailing legislation.
At present, there is no legislation in place to regulate the carriage of passengers by rickshaws. Rickshaws fall within the definition of 'pedal cycle' for the purposes of the Road Traffic Acts, as defined in section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. As such, they are obliged to obey the Road Traffic Acts and any regulations made under them, in the same way as other cyclists.
Rickshaws by their nature operate at a local level. Local authorities regulate many activities at local level through bye-laws made under local government regulation. In response to concerns, primarily health and safety, Dublin City Council (DCC), following a consultation process with relevant stakeholders, have prepared draft bye-laws under the Local Government Act 2001 to regulate the operation of rickshaws. It is my understanding that DCC, subject to receipt of certain legal clarifications, intend to bring the draft bye-laws, which would provide for a licensing regime for rickshaws, before the next meeting of the Strategic Policy Committee of the Council for their consideration.
16. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the increasing cost of renting hotel rooms; if he intends to address these increased costs given their possible negative impact on tourism figures and given the special low rate of value added tax for the hospitality industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31807/15]
View answerThe improved viability of the hotel sector is very welcome not least because it is a large employer and significant contributor to the economy. Giving the tourist a good value for money product has been key to the turnaround in tourism performance. Having survived difficult times, accommodation providers are entitled to a fair return on investment and, overall, Fáilte Ireland analysis indicates that our hotel prices still compare favourably to those of our international competitors. However, increasing returns must be done at an appropriate rate and in a sustainable way that visitors perceive as reasonable and does not jeopardise the recovery.
The Government has introduced a range of measures to enhance and sustain Irish tourism's competitiveness and help regain our reputation internationally as a good value destination. Encouragingly, Fáilte Ireland research shows a very significant improvement since 2010 in overseas visitors' perception of value for money in Ireland. However, we cannot become complacent about this improvement in the tourism sector and in hotel performance.
It took the combined efforts of Government and the tourism industry to rebuild competitiveness and consequently grow business. We must be constantly aware of how badly our visitors' view of value for money deteriorated over the past decade. To keep on growing in a sustainable way, we must continue to offer memorable, good quality, good value hospitality to our tourists. If the sector does not strive to remain competitive and offer value to the visitor, it will not only risk losing the gains it has made but also make it very difficult for Government to continue to support tourism the way it has, when so many other sectors also seek support.
As regards recent rises in room rates, the hotel industry is no different to other sectors regarding the economics of supply and demand. Rates tend to rise at times of high demand, when supply is constricted, whereas the best value tends to be secured off-peak, mid-week or when booking well in advance. In this context, I am aware of emerging accommodation capacity constraints, in particular in Dublin, which will need to be addressed over the coming years if we are to remain competitive.
17. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he recognises the great socio-economic benefits that would derive from the construction of the new N22 Cork-Kerry road; if he is aware of the appalling rate of fatalities and serious injury on the stretch of road in need of replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31920/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual national road projects is a matter for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Due to the national financial position, there have been very large reductions in roads expenditure over the past number of years. Funding in 2008 was €2.3 billion while funding this year is around €764 million for the national, regional and local road network. The reality is that available funds have fallen well short of the amount of work that could be undertaken.
The Government will publish a new Capital Plan shortly. This Plan will take into account the maintenance and strengthening needs of the national, regional and local road network in order to ensure that the existing network is fit for purpose in meeting the needs of the travelling public and of industry and businesses. It will also take account of the need to upgrade certain roads to improve access to poorly served regions, for large scale employment proposals, to complete missing links and to address critical safety issues. I am happy that the Plan will represent a positive response to meeting these various needs.
18. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to the exemptions granted by his Department regarding civil aircraft used by foreign militaries under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, if his Department undertakes any particular measures to ensure that, with regard to aircraft which secure exemptions to carry unloaded weapons on board, any weapons carried on board are indeed unloaded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31811/15]
View answerAbout 90% of the exemptions granted under the 1973 Order in 2014 were granted to US commercial airlines for flights carrying the unloaded personal weapons of the US troops on board. From time to time exemptions are also granted to European airlines for flights carrying the personal weapons of European troops on board. When applying for such exemptions the airlines specify that the weapons are unloaded at all times and that there is no ammunition on board the aircraft.
The airlines concerned and the defence forces using such aircraft have strict rules regarding the carriage of weapons, which specify that they must be unloaded at all times.
I have no reason to doubt that these rules are being complied with by these airlines. Any information that suggests otherwise should be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
19. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the interconnect rail link between Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31938/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my response to Priority Question No. 1.
20. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his officials have been briefed or have been party to any formal or informal meetings with either trade unions or the management of the Dublin Airport Authority regarding problems with the newly established defined contribution pension scheme following the closure of the Irish airlines superannuation scheme, a process in which his Department had been involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31810/15]
View answerIn accordance with Section 32(1) of the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998 (as amended), my Department conveyed my approval, with consent from the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform, to daa for the establishment of a new defined contribution scheme.
My Department receives periodic briefings from daa and these sometimes include matters in relation to pensions. My officials were informed of some challenges that the Trustee Board is encountering in concluding the required standard procurement processes for an investment adviser to the trustees which has regrettably delayed the selection of new investment strategies and funds. I understand that the Trustee is working with daa and the unions to resolve this matter.
Ultimately, the resolution of any issues in relation to the scheme referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the Trustees, daa and the scheme members.
21. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the new Bus Éireann buses, which reportedly cannot navigate some streets of a major Irish town and have led to concerns by staff and trade unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31808/15]
View answerBus Éireann is in the process of upgrading its fleet with more modern and higher capacity vehicles, across the route network. Some of the new double deck coaches are slightly longer than older fleet, and provide additional capacity and legroom for passengers, over existing coaches.
These new High Capacity LD 300 Double Deck Coaches coaches are part of an overall €25m investment project, funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA). To date, 12 of these buses have been purchased for use on services in the East, and were added to the fleet earlier this year.
I am advised by Bus Éireann that the company regularly carries out route risk assessments with new vehicles, to identify any hazards or pinch point locations where new buses will be operating and that these assessments have been carried out on Route 133 Wicklow/Dublin route and Route 109 Dublin – Navan – Kells - Cavan. Further route assessments on the remaining commuter corridors are also taking place.
The company has confirmed to me that contrary to recent media reports, the new high capacity coaches are suitable for operation on these routes.
Bus Éireann recently commenced driver training with these vehicles, and the coaches will be introduced on routes across the Greater Dublin Area in the coming weeks.
