Written Answers Nos. 168-174
168. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the potential repercussions for the Irish motor industry, and the action his Department will take, as a result of allegations made against the Volkswagen company regarding the falsification of emissions in new model cars. [33484/15]
View answerThe recent disclosure by Volkswagen pertaining to the emission testing of their vehicles is a matter of serious concern. In order to determine how many vehicles certified in the EU may have been affected the EU Commission will be liaising with national type approval bodies in the coming days. Issues surrounding the recent revelations will also be discussed by the relevant Member State Ministers at tomorrow's meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council.
Once more clarity has been received on the matter, the RSA will input, if required, into any investigation deemed appropriate.
169. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the pass and failure rates in each driving test centre in Dublin; and if the price of a re-test will be re-evaluated. [33485/15]
View answerI have no plans to change the regulations setting fees for driving tests, including repeat tests, at the present time.
In regard to the figures requested by the Deputy, the operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
170. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that Carrickedmond Gaelic Athletic Association club in Longford will receive funding under the Sports Capital Programme 2015 (details supplied). [33502/15]
View answerI can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme and the Deputy's support for the project is noted.
I expect to announce allocations later this year.
171. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine an application for a sports capital grant by CastleIsland Athletic Football Club in County Kerry to enable it to upgrade the senior and junior pitches (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33512/15]
View answerI can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme and the Deputy's support for the project is noted.
I expect to announce allocations later this year.
172. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter regarding car insurance premiums (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33565/15]
View answerCSO statistics show that, as at August 2015, the cost of motor insurance remains 6% below the prevailing level in 2003. However, the increase over the past year has been 24%. This appears to reflect the end of a period of intense price competition between insurers which may have resulted in underwriting losses in some cases.
The insurance market is a competitive market and it is a commercial matter for individual insurance companies to decide what products they will offer or not as the case may be. The EU framework for insurance prohibits Member States adopting rules which require the prior approval or systematic notification of certain matters, including general and special policy conditions and scales of premiums. Insurance companies consider a number of risks when determining the premiums for proposed insurance policies. A premium is based on the actuarial calculation of risk, which can take into account the age of the vehicle.
In the event of not being able to secure a motor insurance quotation, Insurance Ireland operates a free Insurance Information Service for those with queries, complaints 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.
173. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there are no scheduled bus routes using the Quincentenary Bridge over the Corrib river in Galway city, given the number of persons who reside to the west of the city but who work to the east of the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33589/15]
View answer174. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce or enhance city bus services to serve population centres such as Barna, Moycullen, Claregalway and Oranmore in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33590/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.
The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
