Written Answers Nos. 1-19
11. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on a proposed project (details supplied); his views that this project has potential to unlock significant tourism sector employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39055/15]
View answerUnder the National Cycle Network funding programme 2014-2016 Meath County Council submitted a proposal to my Department for the development of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands County Greenway.
While it was recognised that the proposal had considerable merit it was not possible to provide funding at that time given the number of applications received far exceeded the resources available.
I met with a delegation from Meath County Council earlier this year to discuss progress on this project since the application was submitted in 2013. I was glad to learn that in the meantime the project team had progressed the detailed design and preparation of contract documents for the project while continuing to explore potential funding sources.
The cost of delivering the entire greenway is estimated to be in the region of €2.4 million. I understand from my meeting with the council delegation that the project can be delivered in 2 phases - Phase 1 could run for a distance of 8 km from the town park in Navan to Wilkinstown which would represent a valuable amenity in itself.
Phase 2 will run from Wilkinstown to Kingscourt. Cavan County Council are also keen to commence this section of the greenway and the planning and design elements are at an advanced stage.
Given all Department funding for the purpose of delivering greenways is now fully committed up until 2016 I would urge the Council to continue to progress this project is so far as their own resources allow with a view to submitting an application to my Department under the next funding call which I would anticipate will be announced in 2016.
I would like to remind my colleague however that in light of my decision to pause planning for the Galway to Dublin greenway I have stated that construction will commence on the Meath and Kildare sections of that route in 2016. It is expected that this section will open in 2017 and a complete route from Maynooth to Athlone will provide a superb amenity for everyone to enjoy.
12. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the status of the Marconi site at Derrygimlagh in Connemara, County Galway, for which funding was announced in late 2014 as a capital project and key focal point on the Wild Atlantic Way, to commemorate the Marconi wireless station and the Alcock and Brown transatlantic flight; if planning permission has been secured; the construction timeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39236/15]
View answerWhile my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism projects such as the Wild Atlantic Way, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these projects. The role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. I have asked the agency to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard and I would ask you to contact my private office if you do not hear from Fáilte Ireland within ten working days.
However, I am informed by Fáilte Ireland that in December 2014 funding of €990,000 was allocated by the agency towards the development of this project. Planning permission has been granted and works commenced in July 2015. The works programme, which is being implemented by Galway County Council, is now well advanced and full completion is expected in advance of the 2016 tourist season.
In addition to a new car park and related infrastructure, the project involves presenting for visitors the remarkable stories of the Marconi wireless station and the Alcock and Brown first transatlantic flight as part of an interpreted looped walk on the actual site where the events happened.
I look forward to the completion of this project in 2016 which will add substantially to the tourism assets of Galway and the Wild Atlantic Way.
13. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the A5 road; and on his recent engagement with his Northern Ireland counterparts in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39238/15]
View answerImplementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. The quashing by the High Court in 2013 of the Minister for Regional Development's approval for the construction of two sections of the road has resulted in significant delay. Since the High Court decision, the Northern Ireland authorities have been working on the additional evaluations needed in relation to the project. The Department for Regional Development has completed public consultation exercises on four reports intended to address impacts on all areas with Environmental designations, including Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites, together with proposed mitigation measures. Work on the new draft Statutory Orders and new Environmental Statement is complete and, when published, will be subject to public consultation which may lead to a further Public Inquiry.
As set out in "Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021", the Government remains supportive of the project. The timeframe for the project is dependent on planning issues which are currently being addressed by the Northern authorities. Once the planning, timing and costs related to the project are settled, consideration will be given to the funding implications.
The North South Ministerial Council Transport meeting scheduled for November was deferred and will be re-arranged for a suitable future date.
14. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the success of the Wild Atlantic Way; the investment timelines over the next few years, in terms of initiatives in the Galway area; the boost to the hotel, bed and breakfast, and hospitality sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39237/15]
View answer2015 is set to be a record year for Irish tourism with overseas figures showing growth of 12.5% for the first nine months of the year over the same period last year. The Wild Atlantic Way, now coming to the end of the second full season in operation, is contributing to the increase in both visitor numbers and spend in the West. Domestically, awareness of the Wild Atlantic Way is very high but internationally it is still a developing brand. The operational development of the Wild Atlantic Way is a matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland and I have asked them to provide further detail directly to the Deputy.
However, the Deputy may be interested to note that the agency delivered the Wild Atlantic Way Expo in Galway in October, at which 60 overseas buyers participated in Familiarisation Trips along the Wild Atlantic Way and convened in Galway for two days of business meetings and workshops with over 100 Irish tourism suppliers.
Fáilte Ireland is also investing over €4.5M in developing the Wild Atlantic Way in Galway. Investment includes the development of the Signature Discovery Point at Derrygimlagh, the Connemara Cultural Centre at Pearse's Cottage in Rosmuc, Phase 1 of the Connemara Greenway, remedial works at Mainland Discovery Point and Embarkation Points, installation of Photo Points and Branding at all Discovery Points, including the four island locations and the Connemara Interpretation Plan.
For 2016 the focus will be on developing compelling visitor experiences, encouraging an increased length of stay and on extending the season into the shoulder months. This will involve working with tourism businesses, local communities and other key stakeholders to develop experiences to sell internationally.
15. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on reports that just 40% of cases result in a conviction; what his Department is doing to revise and reform legislation on drink driving penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39247/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority PQ 4.
16. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the public transport alternatives being considered for the North Kildare region; the rail options that will be prioritised to alleviate the commuter congestion on the existing roads network; his views that without such investment, in tandem with essential motorway and dual carriageway upgrade works at Naas, in County Kildare, such road upgrades will be at maximum capacity, once they are built; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39243/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), recently published a draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area for the period 2016-2035. The draft strategy provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA for the next two decades, including along two transport corridors serving North Kildare. The draft strategy is currently open for public consultation.
The long term strategy includes proposals for the expansion of Dart services to Celbridge/Hazelhatch and other measures along the Kildare corridors. Delivery of projects prioritised in the final GDA Strategy will be dependent on the availability of funding under the next capital plan post-2022, including from non-Exchequer sources.
As regards short term priority measures for commuters in North Kildare, the Phoenix Park Tunnel project which will cost approx. €13 million will be completed in late 2016. The project will see commuters on the Kildare to Dublin Heuston line have the option of direct trains to Connolly, Tara St, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock Stations from late 2016. The new rail services will provide an attractive alternative for private motorists who currently commute into the city from Kildare along the busy N7 and N4 road corridors.
Funding of €300,000 is also being provided this year for the construction of a public transport hub on Naas Main Street - Dublin Road corridor, to encompass redesigned bus stopping areas, new bus shelter, real time passenger information signs, seating, planting, cycle stands, transport/tourism information panels, paving and street furniture improvements.
These short term measures will complement the major new roads projects for North Kildare, as recently announced under the new Capital Plan, namely Naas-Newbridge bypass widening on the M7 and the construction of the Sallins bypass.
17. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that the ratio of spending on roads infrastructure to public transport investment over the past ten years has been 3.1 to 1; that the ratio in 2014 has increased in 2015; his views that if this ratio is maintained or increased in the coming years, it will not deliver the investment badly needed in public transport, and will fail to accommodate projected population growth in urban centres, to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39242/15]
View answerUnder the Government's recently published capital plan, 'Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021', the ratio between exchequer capital investment on roads infrastructure and public transport infrastructure between 2016 and 2022 (the transport element of the plan covering a 7-year period) is projected to be 1.6:1.
Decisions on the transport elements of the capital plan in the period to 2022 were framed by the conclusions reached in the Department's Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. This report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with targeted investments to enhance the existing network through improving connections to seaports, to poorly served regions, to large-scale employment sites, and addressing critical safety issues.
Based on the findings in that report, maintenance and renewal of the road network will continue to be the main priority over the next period and the bulk of the roads capital budget under the new Capital Plan - over €4 billion - is earmarked for such essential work. Similarly, a large portion of the capital funding for Public Transport - €2.6 billion - will be required for investment in essential 'steady state' maintenance and asset renewal across the national public transport network.
The capital budget for Roads also includes a further €600 million allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway. Where new road investments are proposed they are directed at addressing specific issues on the road network, for example, alleviating bottlenecks such as the Dunkettle roundabout and the Naas Bypass.
On Public Transport, a further €1 billion on top of the 'steady state' requirement of €2.6 billion, will be invested under the new Capital Plan to address growing congestion resulting from economic recovery and population growth.
18. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has requested any changes in procedures regarding permits for transiting troops or munitions through Shannon Airport, given the escalation of appalling atrocities carried out by the Saudi Arabian authorities, with the support of the United States, in Yemen, and the fact that previous permits issued by his Department included munitions on flights to Saudi Arabia from the United States of America. [39053/15]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to foreign policy considerations, which are not my responsibility. My Department consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to foreign policy issues for all applications for permits issued under Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973. As outlined in my response to the Deputy's question on 3 November last, no applications for permits have been received under the 1973 Order to date in 2015 for flights landing at Shannon or flying through Irish airspace en route to Saudi Arabia from the US.
19. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the third payment option for the payment of fixed charge notices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39050/15]
View answerSection 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 provides for the introduction of a "third payment option" within the Fixed Charge Notice System. Under this mechanism a person who is served with a summons for a fixed charge offence will have a final opportunity to pay a fixed charge, of an amount 100% greater than the original penalty, not later than seven days before the Court date on which the charge is to heard. If a person takes up this option, proceedings are discontinued and the person need not attend.
The introduction of the "third payment option" is a complex project involving An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the Department of Justice & Equality, my Department, and the Attorney General's Office. The project involves the merging of two totally different systems – the Fixed Charge Notice System operated by An Garda Síochána and the summonses issuing system operated by the Courts, in essence creating a hybrid system. It entails tens of thousands of cases being processed through the system each year. The project needs to be very carefully specified to deliver, inter alia, an automated system dealing with the receipt of monies, and the cancellation of the Court appearance or not, depending on whether the money is paid or not. The project is currently at the detailed design stage and the implementation date is expected to be mid to end of 2016, as I have previously stated.
