Thursday, 14 Apr 2016

Written Answers Nos. 850 - 863

Driver Licence Renewals

Questions (850, 851)

Clare Daly

Question:

850. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question Number 815 of 6 April 2016, why the National Driver Licence Service does not provide any facility on its website or elsewhere to submit applications by post or online for the renewal of driving licences issued by it since January 2013; why it does not process applications for renewal by post, but requires persons who have already presented once at one of its centres to present again in order to have their license renewed; and why it has not made provision for postal or online renewal to date. [6752/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

851. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport why holders of new National Driver Licence Service issued licences must submit applications for renewal in person at its centres, which then posts those forms to a processing centre run by Abtran in County Cork; why persons cannot post those forms to the processing centre; the source of the funding for the extra cost involved in the additional step created by the requirement that persons present their applications for renewal in person at a National Driver Licence Service centre in the absence of any postal or online facility for submission; and if this system, as it is constituted, represents a cost effective and efficient solution. [6791/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 850 and 851 together.

As I indicated in the response referred to by the Deputy, the reason for asking people to appear in person at an office of the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) is a matter of ID verification and security, and is set out in regulations. Legally, the option exists for the NDLS to introduce an online system, and I understand that the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which operates the NDLS, is examining  this. However, as this is an operational matter for the RSA, I have referred the matter to the Authority for direct reply.

In regard to the question of posting applications to the NDLS processing office rather than the NDLS front office, this too is a matter of the internal operation of the NDLS, and therefore a matter which is the statutory responsibility of the RSA. I have therefore referred this matter also 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.

Question No. 852 answered with Question No. 838.

Military Aircraft Landings

Questions (853, 858, 859)

Clare Daly

Question:

853. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of troops of the United States of America who transited through Shannon Airport in County Clare in 2015; the number of permits to carry munitions of war through Ireland or through Irish airspace requested and issued in 2015; the countries that made these requests; and the airlines that requested the permits. [6874/16]

Mick Wallace

Question:

858. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of US troops who transited through Shannon Airport in County Clare in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6977/16]

Mick Wallace

Question:

859. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of permits requested and granted in 2015 for the carrying of munitions of war through Ireland or through Irish airspace; the countries that made these requests; and the airlines that requested the permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6978/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 853, 858 and 859 together.

Shannon Airport has informed my Department that the number of US troops that transited Shannon Airport in 2015 was 63,549.

The number of requests to carry munitions of war through Ireland or through Irish airspace made in 2015 was 869. The number of permits issued in 2015 was 812.

Permits are granted to airlines from a wide variety of countries, including Irish airlines, on both scheduled commercial flights and non-scheduled charter flights. The vast majority of the permits issued in 2015 were to US airlines on charter to the US defence forces.

Airlines from the following countries made requests and were issued with permits to transit Ireland or Irish airspace carrying munitions in 2015 - USA (Atlas Air, Delta Airlines, Omni Air, United Airlines, Air Transport International), Turkey (Turkish Airlines), Ireland (Aer Lingus), UK (Virgin Atlantic Airlines), Netherlands (TUI Airlines Nederland), Portugal (HiFly Airlines), Bulgaria (BH Airlines) and Switzerland (Swiss International Airlines).

Transport Infrastructure Provision

Questions (854)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

854. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge connecting County Louth and south County Down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6884/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The 'A Fresh Start - Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan', concluded in November indicates that the Government remains committed to the concept of the Narrow Water Bridge.  Under the Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government have agreed to undertake a review of the project with a view to identifying options for its future development, for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council in June 2016.

Railway Stations

Questions (855)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

855. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the reopening of Dunleer railway station in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6885/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and the overall funding of public transport. Matters relating to the re-opening of railway stations, such as at Dunleer, are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.  

I understand from Iarnród Éireann that there are no current plans to re-open Dunleer station and no proposal in that regard has been made to my Department.  Under the current capital plan the key priority is to protect investment made to date in the rail network and to maintain safety standards. This will remain the focus for the foreseeable future with existing funding levels.  

In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibilities in this matter I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Road Projects Status

Questions (856)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

856. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed western bypass of Ardee, County Louth including the cost, the criteria and the budgetary heading under which he will supply the funding; if he has held or will hold meetings with Louth County Council and the National Roads Authority on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6886/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  Within its annual budget the planning, design and implementation of individual road projects, such as the Ardee Bypass is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

As the Deputy is aware the Ardee Bypass was not included in the Capital Plan published in September 2015. As explained previously, decisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. Based on the findings in that report it is envisaged that 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, over €4 billion, is earmarked for such essential work with a further €600 million allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway. 

In this context the Ardee bypass was one of the projects that it was not possible to include given the overall funding envelope available.  Over the period of the Capital Plan funding for land transport, including roads, will be built up towards the levels needed to support adequate maintenance and development.

Departmental Properties

Questions (857)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

857. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of vacant State properties and land, including car parks not in use, owned by his Department or by bodies and agencies under the aegis of his Department by square footage, by location, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6921/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is not a significant property owner and the Office of Public Works is responsible for the procurement of office and other (accommodation) requirements for this Department. The Department has one vacant property as outlined in the following table:-

Vacant Property	Location	Local Authority	Square Metres	Car Park
Rocket House,  Dun Laoghaire Harbour	Dun Laoghaire	Rathdown County Council	Internal Floor approx. 22.77 External floor 31.33	No

The position regarding the agencies under the remit of this Department is a matter for them.  I have forwarded a copy of your question to them for a direct reply.  If you have not heard from the agencies within ten working days, please contact my private office.

Questions Nos. 858 and 859 were taken with Question No. 853.

Sports Capital Programme Administration

Questions (860)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

860. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will open the sports capital fund for applications in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7038/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

No decision has been made on any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme.  Any interested group should register now on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie as this will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.  

Public Transport Provision

Questions (861)

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

861. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to expand the number of park and ride facilities for commuters, and, in particular, to provide these facilities in Clane, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7045/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA), has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area which includes County Kildare.  Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred your letter to the NTA for a more detailed reply.  Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

Road Signage

Questions (862)

Robert Troy

Question:

862. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to review the advertising regulations and permit all bypassed towns off motorways to erect one brown sign detailing all their services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7051/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

While my Department is responsible for general legislation in regard to traffic matters, it has no direct role in relation to the erection of road signage.

However, the recently updated 2010 Traffic Signs Manual, which constitutes a Direction of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, provides local authorities with detailed guidance regarding the design, application and placement of road signs for use on national, regional and local roads and on motorways in Ireland. Chapter 4 of the Manual provides details regarding the placement of bypassed towns and alternative routes signage.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has overall responsibility for the planning and supervision of works, including signposting, on the national road network including motorways. Sections 3.6 – Local Facilities in Bypassed Towns and Villages and Part 5 – Advertising and Commercial Signage of TII's 'Policy on the Provision of Tourist and Leisure Signage on National Roads'  publication, which is available online and from TII, gives detailed guidance in relation to tourist/leisure and advertising/commercial signage.

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government's 2012 'Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities' set out what is currently considered to be best practice in relation to the erection of roadside signage, which for road safety and environemntal reasons, includes a requirement to control the proliferation of non-road traffic signage on and adjacent to national roads. TII subscribes to these guidelines.

Public Transport Provision

Questions (863)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

863. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide funding for more rolling stock on the overcrowded commuter lines servicing counties Kildare and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7060/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Matters relating to the deployment of rolling stock are day-to-day operational issues for Iarnrod Eireann and I have no function in such matters.  

Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnrod Eireann for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.