Written Answers Nos. 484-498
484. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) concerning the Dublin Airport economic impact study for the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8302/16]
View answerMy Department published the National Aviation Policy (NAP) in August last year which recognises our dependence on aviation for our links with the rest of the world and the importance of ensuring that the sector can continue to grow to underpin economic recovery and development. As you know, one of the objectives outlined in the NAP is the development of Dublin Airport as a secondary hub in order to compete effectively with the UK and other European Airports. In order to meet this objective, the NAP also recognises the need to commence the process to develop the second runway at Dublin Airport, to ensure the infrastructure necessary for the airport's position as a secondary hub and operate to global markets without weight restrictions is available when needed.
A record 25 million passengers passed through Dublin Airport in 2015, an increase of over 15%, making Dublin Airport the second fastest growing airport in Europe. The airport has developed and is successfully implementing a hub strategy which has made it the 6th most important European hub for connectivity to North America, ahead of such competing airports as Rome, Munich and Zurich. However, 80% of slot times allocated to airlines for take-off and landing between 5am and midnight will be fully utilised for summer 2016 and the airport will be full or nearly full for aircraft movements at a significant number of hours in the operational day.
In line with its statutory responsibility, it is a matter for daa to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to facilitate the development of the airport and that there is sufficient capacity to meet existing and future demand. I welcome the fact that the daa has decided to move forward in this regard.
485. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a change in status in a county development plan of a settlement from small town to moderate and sustainable growth town without an actual increase in population has an impact on the allocation of funding for roads and other transport projects for that settlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8325/16]
View answerThe planning of transport projects and services within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. The Authority recently finalised its long term Transport Strategy for the GDA and the report is currently available on the NTA website www.nationaltransport.ie.
The NTA's Transport Strategy and the Regional Planning Guidelines are required under legislation to be consistent with each other. As such, the role of the Transport Strategy is to establish the framework for the transport provision necessary to achieve the land use vision set out in the Regional Planning Guidelines. In that context, any proposed revisions to County Development Plans would have to be consistent with the Regional Planning Guidelines. Planning issues are, of course, a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Environment and Local Government.
In the case of roads, a change in status in a county development plan from small town to moderate and sustainable growth town without a population increase would not have an impact on the allocation of grant funding for regional and local roads. Grant allocations in the main grant categories are based on the length of the road network in a particular area.
486. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount a company (details supplied) has paid in compensation for not providing a service on the days of the strike action by the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union workers. [8328/16]
View answerThe issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the National Transport Authority in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the National Transport Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
487. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider providing funding for noise control or possibly consider systems used in other countries, such as the acoustic screening of railway lines in Denmark by the state-owned Banedanmark during its noise project dating back to 1986, to accommodate residents on the extremely busy stretch of railway track between Connolly Station and East Wall Road bridge. [8342/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Matters relating to noise control along railway tracks are operational issues for Iarnród Éireann and I have no function in such matters.
Noting this 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 10 working days.
488. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will publish any recent research that national tourism authorities have conducted into overseas visitors’ attitudes to the levels of littering here; and his views on the extent of the problem. [8398/16]
View answerResearch on visitor attitudes and in particular the attitudes on litter is carried out by the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, as part of their Visitor Attitudes Survey. The findings of their most recent Visitor Attitudes Survey for 2015 can be accessed at http://www.failteireland.ie/Research-Insights/Visitor-Feedback-(1).aspx.
The survey confirms that our scenery and unspoilt environment are significant factors in considering Ireland as a holiday destination. Furthermore, the survey shows that 83% were satisfied that Ireland is "litter free/pollution free".
489. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money allocated to Cork County Council to carry out repairs to roads which suffered damage during the recent winter storms; the amount drawn down to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8427/16]
View answerThe Government decided in January 2016 to allocate €106 million to assist in the repair of storm and flood damage to transport infrastructure - this decision was taken on foot of initial estimates from local authorities of the cost of repairs. Following the Government decision, my Department requested (Circular RW 3 of 2016) local authorities to submit an immediate list of proposed road repair works by the 5th February 2016. It was indicated to local authorities that funding would be allocated in 2 tranches with the initial allocation facilitating local authorities to start repairs as quickly as possible and the allocation of a 2nd tranche in May intended to allow some time for the further investigation and evaluation of proposed works, for example in relation to bridges.
Following receipt and consideration of the returns received from local authorities, on 18 February the Department announced €85 million in grant allocations to assist local authorities in commencing repairs on regional and local roads. Local authorities were informed that the Department of Public Expenditure, in approving the additional funding for repair works, has stipulated that the monies involved have to be drawn down this year and that for that reason works listed in returns for implementation in 2017 could not be considered for funding. Local authorities were also informed that it is very important for them to plan their work programmes so that funding can be fully drawn down by the 30th November 2016. I understand that local authorities have already started the repair works to remedy damage arising from the recent severe weather and I expect the severe weather allocations to be fully drawn down during the course of the year. Cork County Council was allocated €11 million under the Tranche 1 severe weather allocations and to date, €140,612 has been drawn down.
Local authorities have until the 29th April 2016 to submit a second return in relation to additional works on regional and local roads. Following the second submission, the Department will again assess the proposals received from Councils across the country and follow up as appropriate with a top-up severe weather allocation. The amount available for allocation in the 2nd tranche is of the order of €5 million.
As regards the €8 million allocation provided to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for works on national roads damaged as a result of the storms and flooding, details of payments to local authorities is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
490. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be provided to complete the repairs on the Fota Road, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8464/16]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area (including the R624 Cobh Road project), is a statutory function of Cork County Council in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded from these monies is a matter for each local authority.
Given the cutbacks since the financial crisis in State funding for regional and local roads, it has been necessary to curtail the grant programme for major new regional and local road schemes and for major realignment schemes in order to protect the funding available for the maintenance of the existing network. It has not, therefore, been possible to provide funding for a range of major road improvement schemes such as a proposed upgrade of the R624 Cobh Road. A submission to my Department in 2010 on this project put the cost of the construction of a new road and bridge at €57.5 million.
When allocating grant funding my Department has emphasised that the commitment of local authorities to contribute significantly from their own resources towards the cost of improving and maintaining the regional and local roads network is essential and that full consideration needs to be given to utilising the Local Property Tax to boost own resources expenditure on regional and local road maintenance and renewal.
491. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will implement action 105 of the Road Safety Authority’s Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020, which states that all cars should carry compulsory breakdown emergency packs for vehicles, including a glass-breaking hammer. [8492/16]
View answerAction 105 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013 - 2020 envisages making it compulsory for all vehicles to carry an emergency breakdown pack including a first aid kit, a high visibility vest, a breakdown triangle and a torch. There is no reference to a glass breaking hammer in Action 105 in the Strategy.
The Road Safety Authority carried out a public consultation on this Action during 2015 and submitted a report to my Department in November 2015. The report indicates that, based on the public consultation, an Emergency Pack in cars could include a Hi-vis vest, warning triangle, torch and possibly a first aid kit.
Following a request for additional information from my Department, the RSA have now submitted data on how a requirement to carry emergency packs in vehicles is dealt with in other European countries. That information is now at hand, and while it would appear that a glass-breaking hammer is not a requirement in any other country, consideration is currently being given to determine whether or not legislative provision might be included in a future Road Traffic Bill.
492. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next smarter travel scheme round of grants will be made available; and if there is a possibility of including an expanded dublinbikes scheme into the Drumcondra and Glasnevin areas under the auspices of this funding. [8495/16]
View answer493. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the initial intended sequence of dublinbikes scheme expansions, as there have been clear changes in the demographics and transport needs of the city since this was first drafted; and his views that there would be a clear tourism and transport rationale to expanding it to the Glasnevin area. [8496/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together.
My Department has provided funding to a number of local authorities under the three Smarter Travel Programmes currently underway. The National Cycle Network and Active Travel Towns programmes will be completed at end 2016 with the Smarter Travel Demonstration areas programme finishing in 2017. At present I cannot say how future smarter travel funding will be directed only that efforts will continue to be made by my Department to support initiatives which increase walking, cycling and public transport as sustainable modes of transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the body responsible for the administration and expansion of the Dublin public bikes scheme in cooperation with the relevant local authority. Given the success of the scheme to date I am confident that the range of the service will be expanded over time as funding becomes available. The timing and sequencing of expansion will be a decision for the NTA in conjunction with the local authorities.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in relation to the administration of the Dublin public bikes scheme, I have forwarded your query to the NTA for attention and direct response to you. If you have not received a reply within 10 working days please contact my office.
494. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects work to commence on the upgrading of the N4 from Collooney to Castlebaldwin, County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8499/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
The transport element of the Capital Plan "Building on Recovery" makes provision for several roads projects to commence which are targeted at removing critical bottlenecks or upgrading inadequate sections of road including the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin upgrade scheme. In this context, TII is in the process of drawing up an implementation programme in relation to the projects included in the 7 year Capital Plan taking into account annual budget allocations.
495. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of meetings that have been held between her departmental officials, including those working for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the national roads office of Galway County Council on the development of a method statement for the upgrading of the N59 road from Maam Cross to Oughterard; the dates of these meetings; when a full draft method statement regarding this road was submitted to her Department for agreement; the proposed date of the next meeting between her Department and the national roads office; when it is expected there will be sign-off on this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8114/16]
View answerMy Department has been proactive in its engagement with Galway County Council from the outset of this process and has invested a significant amount of resources in assisting the Council to meet its obligations under the EU Habitats Directive. My officials and the National Roads Office of Galway County Council have met five times on these matters, as well as being in touch by phone and email, since September 2013. The first meeting took place at my Department’s request on 2 September 2013 and subsequent meetings occurred on 27 February and 27 June 2014, and 2 February and 10 March 2015.
A full draft method statement has not been submitted to my Department for agreement. The Council submits method statements for discrete elements of the works. The length of time that it takes for my Department to consider method statements is determined primarily by the quality and robustness of the method statements provided by the Council, and the number of clarifications or level of further information required to ensure Ireland meets its obligations under EU law.
Accordingly, it is not possible to give a timeframe for sign-off of the project. My officials intend to further engage directly with the Council on a number of occasions over the coming weeks. It is a matter for the Council to produce the required method statements such that the statements are in keeping with the legal obligations and having regard to the conditions of the planning permission.
496. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé na pleananna atá aici maidir le reachtaíocht a chur faoi bhráid an Oireachtais lena chinntiú go mbeidh deis ag daoine a n-ainmneacha, sloinnte agus seoltaí a úsáid go hiomlán i nGaeilge agus iad ag plé leis an Stát agus lena chinntiú nach mbeidh sé dleathach, ar fhoirmeacha leictreonacha Stáit, na téarmaí Béarla “Mr., Mrs. agus Ms” a dhéanamh éigeantach roimh ainm; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [8119/16]
View answer497. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici reachtaíocht a thabhairt isteach lena chinntiú go dtagann gach comhlacht poiblí faoi réim Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, Uisce Éireann san áireamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [8120/16]
View answerTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhreacha 496 agus 497 le chéile.
Dréachtaíodh Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2015 mar thoradh ar an athbhreithniú a rinneadh ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Tá foráil sa Bhille atá dréachtaithe maidir le taifeadadh agus úsáid leaganacha Gaeilge d’ainmneacha agus de sheoltaí daoine ag comhlachtaí poiblí. Tá foráil sa Bhille freisin d’uasdátú comhlachtaí poiblí atá le háireamh chun críche Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla.
Beidh cinneadh maidir le foilsiú agus achtú an Bhille seo le tógáil ag an Rialtas nua in am trátha.
498. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of works undertaken to date on the Ulster Canal restoration project; if said works are on schedule; the programme of works intended in 2016 and the funding secured for same; if a greater urgency will be applied to the roll-out of the overall project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8229/16]
View answerGovernment approval to restore a 2.5 km stretch of the Ulster Canal from the Shannon-Erne Waterway to the International Scout Centre at Castle Saunderson, Co. Cavan, was granted on 24 February 2015. The project, which comprises three work phases, is being undertaken by Waterways Ireland. Phase 1, the site investigation work, has been completed. Phase 2, dredging of the River Finn, is in progress. I have been informed by Waterways Ireland that completion of this phase has been delayed as a result of contractual issues but that efforts to resolve these matters are ongoing. It is intended that Phase 3 of the restoration work, the construction of a new bridge and canal section, will proceed following completion of phase 2.
Waterways Ireland has an allocation of €2.7 million in its 2016 budget for the Ulster Canal project. This is comprised of €1 million from my Department's capital allocation to Waterways Ireland of €2.689 million for 2016, with the balance coming from the organisation’s own resources.
I remain fully committed to the completion of this section of the Canal, for which I secured Government support, and indeed I am committed to working with all authorities to explore how we can fund further restoration of the Canal route to Clones.
