Written Answers Nos. 29-35
29. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date on the development of the section of the inter-urban greenway between Athlone and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31921/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, a structured consultation process is ongoing between representatives of the project team tasked with the delivery of the Western section of the Dublin to Galway Greenway and landowners affected by the current preferred route.
The consultation process is being led by representatives of Galway County Council and I am expecting a report on this process to be submitted to me by the end of September. I hope that some resolution can be found around the issues that are concerning a number of the affected landowners.
In pursuing this project, the Department is seeking to create a valuable tourism and leisure product, one that is likely to bring significant benefit to all members of the community along the route. The objective of the consultation is to achieve consensus around addressing the concerns of affected landowners and the wider farming community.
Once I have received the report, I will consider the associated findings and, together with my officials, we will ascertain if there is indeed potential for developing the remainder of the greenway to Galway. I will communicate the findings to you and other local representatives in due course.
30. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected capacity and frequency for the proposed Luas link to Swords, County Dublin via Dublin Airport; if such capacity and frequency levels are appropriate for a region where the population is expected to increase by 400,000 and given that Dublin Airport intends to dramatically expand passenger numbers; his views on concerns that the route, as presently envisaged, does not interchange with the Connolly-Blanchardstown rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31957/15]
View answerDecisions in relation to public transport infrastructure to serve the Swords/North Dublin corridor will be announced shortly in the context of the Government's new Capital Plan. This will include a major programme of transport investment for the coming years. In particular, the Plan will set out a comprehensive response to the public transport needs of the Greater Dublin Area, based on the updated analysis carried out by the National Transport Authority over the past year or so, including the North Dublin Transport Study.
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 such as Fingal will be properly served by public transport. I am confident that the new capital plan will provide the investment required to meet these objectives.
31. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of any discussions he has had with the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justice and Equality and-or Defence in relation to the system of oversight regarding the landing at Shannon Airport of civil aircraft used by foreign militaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31812/15]
View answerThe Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order, S.I. 224 1973, as amended, provides that no munitions or weapons of war may be carried by an aircraft in Irish airspace without an exemption granted under the Order.
The Order applies to civil aircraft. Where such a civil aircraft is being used to carry munitions or weapons of war the airline is required to apply for such an exemption under the order.
For all such applications my Department seeks the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to foreign policy issues and the Department of Justice in relation to security issues. If the munitions involved are also classified as 'dangerous goods' the views of the Irish Aviation Authority are sought in relation to aviation safety issues. Should any of these bodies object, an exemption will generally not be granted. A copy of the application is also sent to the Department of Defence for information.
In addition my Department would be in contact with these Departments from time to time in relation to policy and administration matters related to the 1973 Order.
Most recently my Department liaised with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to the petition before the Oireachtas Petitions Committee regarding the use of Shannon Airport and Irish airspace by the US military. Both I and the Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed hearings of the Committee earlier this year and outlined clearly our respective roles in relation to the matter.
32. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in consideration of the welcome allocation of €4 million in funding this year, the reason for the delays in upgrading and realigning the N59 between Oughterard and Maam Cross; and if he will outline the level of consultation he has had with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Roads Authority. [31924/15]
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), (formerly the National Roads Authority) 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.
33. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the provision of a public swimming pool for Kildare North, particularly considering the long delays to date and the recent closure of the pool at the National University of Ireland Maynooth; his views that all efforts need to be made to provide sporting facilities, such as public swimming pools, to local communities to encourage a more active lifestyle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31806/15]
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.
At a recent meeting with Kildare County Council and local representatives, Kildare County Council agreed to write to me in this matter.
I certainly believe that encouraging and supporting participation in sport for all is most important and have a proud track record on investing in facilities.
34. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to encourage and develop historical tourism interest, focusing on the revolutionary periods of Irish history during and following on from the 1916 Easter Rising centenary year. [31950/15]
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 historical tourism is an operational matter for the Boards and managements of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. 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.
The development of the national commemorative programme in 2016 is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and I am acutely aware of the commemorative, solemn and respectful nature of many of these events. I believe that it is fundamental to ensure that this is not compromised. However, given the wealth of events planned, many of which will be of interest to international visitors, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland will work closely with the 2016 Project Office to integrate information about appropriate events into their promotion activities and make them accessible to overseas tourists, as well as identifying further opportunities to work together where appropriate. This will ensure that visitors to Ireland are well informed of the opportunities to experience these events.
35. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support the reinstatement of the Coast Guard Unit Cliff Rescue Service in An Bun Beag; the other supports he will make available to communities along the Wild Atlantic Way to ensure a high standard of safety is established within the tourism sector, as tourist numbers are set to increase in County Donegal and other counties along the Wild Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31946/15]
View answerThe Coast Guard, a Division of my Department, has monitored the level of cliff rescue call outs responded to by the Bunbeg Coast Guard Unit (CGU). Since the establishment of a cliff rescue service in the late 90s, the Unit has not been called upon to intervene in any lifesaving cliff recovery incident. This level of response does not justify the maintenance of a cliff rescue service, having regard to the risk associated with this activity.
Within County Donegal three volunteer CGUs are trained and equipped to provide cliff rescue services. While in Co. Mayo, the Coast Guard is working with the Office of Public Works with a view to commencing construction of a new purpose built Station in Westport in early 2016, and active consideration is being given to the construction of a new station to replace the existing CGU in Ballyglass. In addition, the Sligo based Coast Guard helicopter is equipped to provide a day and night response to coastal emergencies, in addition to RNLI capabilities.
I am aware of local concerns, on the matter of Bunbeg and of the welcome growth of tourism and the increased level of adventure activities in the area. However, you will appreciate that where a rescue service is provided; every effort must be made to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks. It is in this context that the maintenance of a cliff rescue team has been de-prioritised. The primary duty to ensure the safety of people taking part in adventure activities rests with the provider of these activities.
The Bunbeg Unit continues to be a well-resourced unit and is well equipped to fulfil its designated roles as a shoreline search team and rescue boat unit. I should also clarify that while the Coast Guard will use its best endeavours to coordinate the response to any coastal emergency, the remit of the volunteer Coast Guard service does not extend to being a designated safety provider to adventure and risk taking sports or commercial providers of such services.
