Written Answers Nos. 32-37
32. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to promote and develop the tourism sector in the areas of the country that are not included in the Ancient East area or in the Wild Atlantic Way area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39197/15]
View answerThe role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. The Department is not directly involved in the development or promotion of tourism in particular regions of the State, which is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have asked Fáilte Ireland 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 Deputy may be interested to know that, in addition to the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East, Fáilte Ireland is pursuing the implementation of "Destination Dublin: A Collective Strategy for Tourism Growth to 2020", and I launched the new brand for Dublin - "Dublin - A Breath of Fresh Air" - and associated marketing campaign last month. I understand that Fáilte Ireland is also partnering with Waterways Ireland and the relevant local authorities to develop tourism along the Shannon waterways and associated wetlands.
33. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider including a specific category for Dún Laoghaire in the Harbours Bill, given Dún Laoghaire's historic and cultural importance, and given that it is not purely a commercial port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39252/15]
View answerThe Harbours Bill 2015 was published on 1st July and Oireachtas debates on the Bill have commenced with Committee stage scheduled for this morning, 11th November.
The Bill will provide the legislative basis for one of the National Ports Policy's key recommendations, namely that governance of the designated Ports of Regional Significance should vest in more appropriate local authority led governance structures. As the Deputy is aware, Dún Laoghaire is one of these five Ports of Regional Significance.
The Bill is designed to provide maximum legislative flexibility. It will not prescribe the model of transfer for any of the five ports including Dún Laoghaire.
Instead the Bill will allow for the most appropriate model of governance to be chosen in respect of each individual company. The two possible models of transfer provided in the Bill are:
1. Retention of the existing company structure and transfer of the Ministerial shareholding in the company to the local authority; or
2. Dissolution of the existing company structure and transfer of all assets, liabilities and employees into local authority structures, where the port will be administered as a functional area of the local authority.
The manner of transfer selected in each case will be the one that finds broad consensus and agreement between the parties.
Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council have established an engagement team to discuss the practical issues associated with the transfer and consultants have been appointed to undertake a due diligence process, with the funding support of the Department. This exercise may assist in the decision as to the most suitable model of transfer.
It is important that a secure and acceptable plan is developed for the future of Dún Laoghaire. The enactment of the legislation, and the process I have outlined above, will be essential to this.
34. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his assessment of the Dublin - A Breath of Fresh Air tourism marketing campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39240/15]
View answerIn line with its regional tourism development functions, Fáilte Ireland has operational responsibility for the development of tourism in Dublin. In this context, it is pursuing the implementation of "Destination Dublin: A Collective Strategy for Tourism Growth to 2020" through the Grow Dublin Tourism Alliance (GDTA).
Last month, I launched the "Dublin - A Breath of Fresh Air" brand and associated marketing campaign. In addition to highlighting Dublin's many great culture and heritage offerings, the new campaign also aims to make potential overseas tourists aware of the magnificent natural surroundings, from the mountains to the sea, all within short and easy access of the city centre. This is a very attractive and unique combination of attractions for a capital city. I am confident that the "Dublin - A Breath of Fresh Air" campaign will help to reposition Dublin city and county so that the message about its unique appeal is clearly delivered in an impactful manner in the international marketplace. Such a message, delivered clearly and with impact, will facilitate the continued attraction of visitors and allow the city to compete strongly with other competitor city destinations overseas. I have asked Fáilte Ireland to provide the Deputy with further operational detail about the "Dublin - A Breath of Fresh Air" campaign. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
35. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the measures, and follow-up, being taken by his Department to ensure that driver licence numbers are being recorded in courts for penalty point offences, in particular in cases of drink-driving, dangerous driving and disqualification from driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39051/15]
View answerThere is a legal obligation to produce a driving licence in court when summonsed for a road traffic offence under section 22 of the Road Traffic Act 2002. In addition, it is a legal requirement for the court to record the licence details. This applies in ALL cases - whatever the alleged road traffic offence, and whether or not the cases result in conviction, penalty points, or disqualification.
The implementation of the legislation is a matter for the Courts Service in the first instance. While I have no authority to issue directions to the Courts Service, I understand from recent correspondence with them that they are well aware of and fully appreciate the legal position which I have stated.
Where drivers do not produce their licence in court, they commit an offence. The bringing of prosecutions in such cases is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
36. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline those regions, residential areas, communities, towns and villages most likely to benefit from an improved and enhanced rail service, arising from provisions to be made in the context of the capital programme which he announced recently; when he expects tenders to be invited and work to commence on these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39195/15]
View answerRail services provide essential connectivity for all regions, communities and towns located within the catchment area of the various intercity and suburban routes operated by Irish Rail. Exchequer funding is provided by my Department for the maintenance and renewal of the rail network on a nationwide basis under a multi-annual contract with Irish Rail. Capital funding under this contract amounted to approx. €126m in 2015 and funding for this purpose will be broadly similar in the early years of the new Capital Plan (2016-2021). In addition to ongoing maintenance to ensure the safety and efficiency of the rail network a number of enhancements to the rail network are also proposed under the new Capital Plan.
The first phase of a multi-phase DART expansion programme will begin, with the extension of the DART line to Balbriggan and with design and planning to progress for expansion of DART services to Maynooth in the west and Hazelhatch in the southwest. The Dart Underground Project, which remains a key element of integrated transport for the GDA over the longer term, will be redesigned to provide a lower cost technical solution, whilst retaining the required rail connectivity.
The Capital Plan will also see the completion of the Dublin City Centre Resignalling programme, the reopening of the Phoenix Park tunnel and the construction of a new Central Traffic Control centre for commuter and intercity rail.
The detailed planning design and procurement of these projects is a matter for Irish Rail in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and is subject to business case approval and availability of funding.
37. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the establishment of the transport co-ordination units to replace the former structure of the rural transport programme, and the timeframe in this regard. [39268/15]
View answerResponsibility for the management of the Rural Transport Programme was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 1st April 2012. This includes responsibility for implementing the restructuring of the Programme announced in July 2013, involving the establishment of 17 Transport Co-ordination Units.
I have therefore forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
