Written Answers Nos. 241-250
241. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of mobile telephone coverage and the steps he is taking to improve it in accordance with the measures and timetable set out in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12440/16]
View answerThe management of radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions. Accordingly, I have no statutory function in this matter.
I am aware however that licences issued by ComReg apply terms and conditions on Mobile Network Operators, such as quality of service and minimum population coverage obligations. The design of the network is a matter entirely for the operator concerned although operators tend to exceed their minimum coverage requirements for commercial reasons. ComReg monitors compliance with licence requirements by means of bi-annual drive tests. I understand that current testing is designed to cover all primary and secondary national routes, with measurements being performed on all Mobile Networks.
Notwithstanding the independent role of ComReg, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the establishment within 100 days of a mobile phone and broadband Taskforce which will consider immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland. My Department will be engaging with the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht in relation to the terms of reference for the task force including its membership to ensure delivery of the Programme for Government commitment within the timelines set out.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband services including acquiring spectrum under ComReg's 2012 Multi-Band Spectrum Auction for roll-out of 3G and 4G mobile services. These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country although I understand that some temporary disruptions to service have been encountered when upgrades are taking place.
The Department is working with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government with a view to removing planning and other infrastructure barriers to telecommunications infrastructure roll-out.
242. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will continue to be the lead Minister with responsibility for all areas within his current communications portfolio, including the post office network and the roll-out of the national broadband plan, when the new rural affairs Ministry is operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12441/16]
View answerThe corporate governance of An Post will remain with my Department. The implementation of the Final Report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group will be managed by the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht. The operational details in this regard are currently being worked out between both Departments.
My Department will continue to be responsible for the existing Communications portfolio. In addition, my Department will retain responsibility for the procurement process for the National Broadband Plan. I am in discussion with Minister Humphreys on the detailed arrangements to give effect to commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government regarding her Department’s role in relation to the roll-out phase of the National Broadband Plan. That role will include leading on the establishment of county or regional broadband task forces and working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
243. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of developing the western rail corridor between Limerick and Galway and the amounts spent for the line between Limerick and Ennis, Ennis and Athenry, Athenry and Galway and on the new stations in Oranmore, County Galway and Sixmilebridge, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12290/16]
View answer245. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to commission a report on the re-opening of the rail line from Athenry, County Galway to Claremorris, County Mayo for freight and passenger services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12292/16]
View answer246. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to commission a study into the development of commuter rail services on existing used and disused rail lines serving the cities of Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12293/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 243, 245 and 246 together.
In 2006 the Government approved capital funding of €106.5m for Phase 1 of the Western Rail corridor between Ennis and Athenry. This enabled the reopening of the then closed rail line between Ennis and Athenry and the construction of new and re-opened stations at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell and Oranmore, as per the Government approved Business Case. Iarnrod Eireann has received capital funding of €102m to date out of a Budget of €106.5m.
Prior to the re-opening of the Ennis to Athenry line, commuter rail services were already in operation between Limerick and Ennis and also between Athenry and Galway on the Dublin to Galway intercity rail line.
The new Programme for Government includes a commitment to provide for an independent costing and review of a proposal to extend the Western Rail Corridor by linking Athenry and Claremorris for passenger and freight use. In the coming weeks I will be considering how best to progress this commitment. The Programme also commits that no measures will be taken to prevent the future reactivation of the corridor for rail use.
244. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the latest data his Department provided on the rail patronage on the Galway to Limerick rail line; how these statistics are collected; if they give details of the number of passengers using each section of the line; if he is aware of the findings of the study carried out in 2015 by a company (details supplied) with co-operation from Iarnród Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12291/16]
View answer247. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he asked the officials to quantify the amount of losses they were referring to when they informed him that the Western Rail Corridor is running at a considerable loss; the amount of the annual losses being referred to each year; if details were provided of passenger rail services that are running at a profit; the details of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12294/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 247 together.
The Ministerial Brief prepared by my Department and which is available on my Department's website references passenger figures on the Western Rail Corridor and clearly states those figures date from 2014. The Deputy can be assured that my Department will update me as required on relevant public transport trends, to include rail patronage data, in 2015. The Report mentioned by the Deputy will be considered by Department and we will pass it on to the National Transport Authority who compile rail census statistics.
The National Transport Authority, in conjunction with Irish Rail, is currently reviewing the overall performance of the rail network having regard to the PSO subvention paid to Irish Rail for the operation of services. As part of this, data on route costings is being updated in the context of assessing the value for money of the subvention paid and the impact on Irish Rail's finances. I expect shortly to receive the outcome of the NTA work when it is completed.
As the Deputy is aware, the new Programme for Government includes a commitment to provide for an independent costing and review of a proposal to extend the Western Rail Corridor by linking Athenry and Claremorris. In the coming weeks I will be considering how best to progress this commitment.
248. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to secure the viability of Rosslare Europort in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12333/16]
View answerRosslare Europort is unique among the State-owned ports as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann. This is due to a complicated legislative history as the port technically forms part of an Anglo-Irish company dating back to the 19th Century known as the Rosslare and Fishguard and Harbours Company.
In 2013 my Department appointed Indecon economic consultants to conduct a strategic review of the port. That review concluded that the creation of an independent port authority for Rosslare would be extremely difficult given the legal structure of the port. Instead the report recommended that the port continue in public ownership through Iarnród Éireann, but that the possibilities for private sector involvement and management of the port should be investigated. The report and its conclusions were noted by Government and Iarnród Éireann undertook to examine further the feasibility of implementing its recommendations.
In order to assist Iarnród Éireann's overall consideration of how best to move forward, it engaged consultants in late 2015 who presented interim findings to the company in early 2016. Those findings include a number of issues which require further consideration and officials from the Department are engaging with the company on those issues with a view to a speedy resolution.
As the Deputy will know, National Ports Policy categorises the port as a Port of National Significance (Tier 2) and the port also forms part of the EU Trans-European Comprehensive Network of ports. Clearly the port is an important part of our commercial port infrastructure and I aim to ensure that it can continue to develop in line with its role within that policy framework.
249. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the bridge in Kildanghan, County Kildare can be made safe and if he will provide funding, given there is no footpath and children and parents traverse it daily. [12417/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and the overall funding of public transport.
Issues relating to the maintenance of a particular bridge by Iarnród Éireann is a matter for the Company in the first instance.
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 ten working days.
250. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide enough funding to complete the Athy southern distributor road in County Kildare; and the number of car journeys travelled on the assessment of route selection, given that Kildare County Council is not supplying this information. [12418/16]
View answerAs my predecessor indicated in his reply to PQ 7165/16 of 14 April 2016, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (such as the Athy Southern Distributor Road) is the statutory responsibility of Kildare County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.
The Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides that a number of schemes targeting bottlenecks in the road network will be progressed subject to necessary approvals. Among those schemes is the Athy Southern Distributor Road. It is a matter for Kildare County Council to progress this scheme through the planning approval process. My Department has allocated a grant of €600,000 to Kildare County Council this year to fund planning work on the project.
The route selection process (including any studies regarding traffic type and volume) for this scheme is a matter for Kildare County Council.
