Written Answers Nos. 36-42
36. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that Tourism Ireland and Bord Fáilte are promoting all tourism areas equally; his views that a fresh approach should be taken to highlight some of the less well known areas of natural beauty, particularly our offshore islands, in conjunction with the usual tourist hot spots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31937/15]
View answerI have no direct role in this matter. These are decisions for Tourism Ireland Limited as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas and Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, and are not subject to my approval.
I have referred the Deputy's Questions to both agencies, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
37. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the report on Transitioning to a Wheelchair Accessible Licensed Bus Sector; if it has been published; and if he has an indicative timeframe for consideration of the report's recommendations. [31923/15]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the licensing of the Bus and Coach sector under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. The NTA recently finalised a report on Transitioning to a Wheelchair Accessible Licensed Bus Sector and submitted it to me. The recommendations of the report are currently being considered by my Department.
38. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to the proposed N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin scheme, which is at an advanced stage of planning, if the previously agreed reintroduction of the good will payment will be retrospectively applied to landowners for works already carried out along this route, such as on the N4 Ardloy scheme; and his views that this Deputy is advised by both Sligo County Council and the National Roads Authority that this is ultimately a ministerial decision. [31936/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual road projects, including communication with landowners, 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.
39. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to provide the necessary resources to upgrade local road networks, in line with the requirements set out by the various local authorities; the degree to which he expects to be in a position to meet a substantial part of such requirements in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31926/15]
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.
In February this year, my Department announced the €294m investment programme for regional and local roads. These grants are mainly focused on the maintenance of the existing road network and it is open to Councils to prioritise its works programme each year.
In July this year, an additional €24 million in Stimulus funding was announced for road maintenance. This additional funding will potentially see a further 280kms of regional and local roads improved/maintained in the current year under the Restoration Programme. Local authorities were also permitted to use up to 10% of the their additional allocation for Local Improvement Schemes and 20% towards Community Involvement Schemes if they so wish.
All available funding for this year has now been allocated and no further funding is available. It is a matter for the local authority concerned to prioritise works and to select projects that are in line with available resources.
40. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the proposals of the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council, contained in the Dublin city transport study, to restrict access to private cars and reduce the number of parking spaces in Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31941/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my response to Priority Question No. 1.
41. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the resulting increase in vehicle emissions arising as a result of the cancellation of the Dublin Area Rapid Transit underground has been estimated; if it will factor in to his Department’s ongoing preparation of its contribution to the national mitigation plan under the forthcoming Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill; his views that his Department can possibly meet its proportionate emissions reduction objective in the timeframe envisaged; if he will publish the advice he has received on this matter to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31956/15]
View answerMy Department is fully committed, as part of a national policy and legislative programme, to ensuring that Ireland can effectively and equitably contribute to EU emissions reduction objectives.
As the Deputy will be aware, it is proposed to address greenhouse gas emissions through a National Mitigation Plan, which will incorporate input from the key sectors of electricity generation, built environment, agriculture and transport. Further to early stakeholder engagement in 2014 and an information exchange with stakeholders in May 2015, my Department is currently examining a suite of measures aimed at delivering cost effective emissions reduction in the transport sector.
These measures will have a particular focus on policy development, smarter travel and modal shift, supports for alternative fuels and certain fiscal and taxation incentives to target behavioural change. Public transport projects and investment will be considered within the wider context of developing a multi-faceted, mitigation response from the sector. However, the responsibility for emissions reduction is a collective one and, when all sectoral inputs have been co-ordinated, the draft Plan will be available for extensive public consultation before being submitted for approval to Government.
In relation to the publication of advice on emissions, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compiles and publishes Ireland's annual greenhouse gas emission inventories and projections. This helps to inform policy development and to allow the Government to assess progress in terms of meeting key targets.
42. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he accepts the vital beneficial economic impact of the proposal in respect of the Naas-Newbridge bypass-Newhall interchange-Sallins bypass-Osberstown interchange with a view to early approval, thereby facilitating a vital economic hub, alleviation of traffic congestion and improved health and safety features; if he expects to be in a position to respond favourably in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31925/15]
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.
