Robert Troy
Question:608. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the funding available from Fáilte to the Midlands-Lakeland district. [14257/16]
View answerTourism Funding
Questions (608)
Written answers
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply.
Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
Cross-Border Co-operation
Questions (609)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:609. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the State bodies under his remit that have developed memorandums of understanding with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on the efficient delivery of services on the island of Ireland; if he has carried out a cost-benefit analysis of the development of further memorandums of understanding; the details of the cost-benefit analysis; and the new memorandums of understanding he will create between State bodies under their remit through the lifetime of this Government. [14290/16]
View answerWritten answers
Since my appointment as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have not yet been notified of any new Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) being developed or considered between bodies under my Department's remit and their Northern counterparts so there has been no necessity for me to carry out a cost/benefit analysis. Should the matter arise I will consider these on a case by case basis and carry out any analysis needed.
Not all bodies under my Department's remit operate MoUs with their Northern Counterparts. The Commission for Railway Regulation (CRR – Railway Safety Commission at the time) established and agreed an MoU with the Department for Regional Development of Northern Ireland (DRDNI) as the National Safety Authorities (NSA) in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland respectively. The MoU sets out the principles for effective liaison, communication and co-operation between these parties so that supervision activity on the railways on the island of Ireland can be undertaken in a thorough and co-ordinated way.
The MoU recognises that all parties have duties to perform in relation to supervision and that each party in fulfilling these duties should appropriately take into account the respective roles and responsibilities of the other parties.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Transport NI are currently in the process of putting in place a MoU for cross-border mutual support in the event of severe winter weather. This is being coordinated by TII's Winter Maintenance manager and his counterpart in Northern Ireland.
The objective of the MoU is to ensure that procedures are in place such that, if requested, resources, including staff and winter equipment such as snow ploughs and blowers, can be made available to the neighbouring jurisdiction in a severe weather event. From a TII perspective, this involves coordinating arrangements with local authorities along the border and with TII's MMaRC (Motorway Maintenance & Renewals) Contractors. The MoU will be operational for the commencement of the 2016/2017 winter season.
Tourism Ireland is responsible for the overseas marketing of the entire island of Ireland as a tourist destination and receives funding from both my Department and the Department of the Economy in Northern Ireland. It works closely with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland to deliver its remit. The company was established on foot of the Good Friday Agreement and formally incorporated on 11 December 2000. Tourism Ireland's operations are governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association and is accountable to the North South Ministerial Council.
Public Transport
Questions (610)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:610. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide further clarification from the National Transport Authority with regard to the provision of a new bus shelter at John Street in Sligo town, given that both Sligo County Council and Bus Éireann management are in favour of its development; when works will commence on the new site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14304/16]
View answerWritten answers
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure including bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, etc in the State. I understand that the Authority has recently updated the Deputy on the position regarding the provision of a bus shelter in John Street in Sligo.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Sports Organisations
Questions (611)
Clare Daly
Question:611. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will raise the matter of a person (details supplied) with Athletics Ireland, specifically them not being selected for the three-man marathon team to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. [14313/16]
View answerWritten answers
The selection of team members to represent Ireland in athletics events at the Olympic Games is a matter for Athletics Ireland as the National Governing Body for Athletics. All National Governing Bodies of Sport are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own governance procedures and competition rules for their sports. I have no role in relation to team selection by Athletics Ireland or any of the sporting bodies and it would be inappropriate for me to intervene in this matter.
Driver Licences
Questions (612)
Clare Daly
Question:612. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the difference between the identity validation process engaged in by a company (details supplied) on behalf of the National Driver Licence Service , NDLS, and the identity validation process used by motor taxation offices, on behalf of the NDLS between January and September 2013, when the latter administered the issuing of the new credit-card size plastic licences; and if there are sufficient differences between the two to justify the fact that licences issued between January and September 2013, are not now regarded as valid for the purposes of renewal by the NDLS, meaning individuals with licences issued between January and September 2013 by motor taxation offices must now present, in person, at an NDLS centre to have their licences renewed. [14325/16]
View answerWritten answers
From January 2013, the provision of driving licences in Ireland was centralised as the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) under the Road Safety Authority (RSA). At the same time, and in accordance with EU requirements, Ireland introduced the new plastic card format of driving licence.
The NDLS operates through a central unit in the RSA, with three outsourced providers - a front office to engage with the public, a back office to process applications, and a card-producer for the plastic licence.
In January 2013, when the system first came into operation, the front office facility was not ready. As a result, local authorities continued to provide front office facilities on behalf of the NDLS from January to October 2013.
Between January and October 2013 photos of licence applicants were provided by applicants and scanned by the local authorities and uploaded. After October 2013, a statutory requirement was introduced for people to be validated in person by the NDLS and signature and photo captured in person.
The intention behind the ID validation system in the NDLS is that once a person's identity has been authenticated, they should not need to visit an NDLS office to have their ID validated in person again. However, this depends on the introduction of an online applications system which the RSA has advised is in development and is expected to be introduced in 2017.
Departmental Agencies
Questions (613)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:613. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the year in which two persons (details supplied) were appointed to the regular staff of CIE-Irish Rail; the year in which the two named persons were accepted into the pension scheme which was available as part of their employment with CIE-Irish Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14337/16]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised is a matter for CIÉ and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Swimming Pool Programme Data
Questions (614)
Catherine Murphy
Question:614. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what counties responded to the request in January 2016 for expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations, and the criteria or pre-conditions which were set for response to such expressions of interest; the timeframe which was set for the response; if there will be further limited rounds; the counties, if any, which were turned down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14341/16]
View answerWritten answers
On 20th January this year, my Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations for the construction of new swimming pools and/or the refurbishment of existing pools, subject to funding becoming available from other projects where those projects would not be progressed.
The local authorities were informed that they would be required to show inter-alia that they would have chargeable title to the proposed facility, would be able to progress the project without delay and that they would also need to show that the pool would serve an existing need for such a facility. They were also advised that:
- Local authorities would only be allowed to apply in respect of one pool project.
- Local authorities were required to indicate the expected realistic timeframe for drawdown of the grant.
- It was envisaged that only a modest number of grants will be allocated.
- Local authorities were asked to provide a written undertaking to meet any shortfall between the total project cost and any grant allocated.
The closing date for expressions of interest was 5 February. Local authorities from the following counties submitted expressions of interest:
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Local Authorities/Counties |
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Kilkenny |
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Limerick |
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Waterford |
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Kildare |
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Roscommon |
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Cork City |
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Monaghan |
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Clare |
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Sligo |
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DLR |
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Kerry |
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Tipperary |
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SDCC |
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Wicklow |
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Cork County |
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Meath |
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Cavan |
Of the expressions of interest received, only three were for new pools, two of which were valid and both in Dublin, one in Lucan and the other in Ballyogan. Having assessed existing commitments and the funding available, it was considered prudent to progress one additional new pool project at this time. Following consideration of the expressions of interest, and the two valid proposals for new pools, it was decided to include the proposal from South Dublin County Council (SDCC) for a new swimming pool in Lucan in the LASPP.
Tourism Industry
Questions (615)
John Deasy
Question:615. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department or another Government agency monitors the often elevated prices for accommodation, food and drink at and around major events such as concerts and sporting fixtures, given the negative perception it can create among overseas visitors. [14343/16]
View answerWritten answers
While neither my Department nor Fáilte Ireland has any function with regard to monitoring pricing for the services mentioned around major events, I do recognise that higher rates at times of high demand are a feature of competitive markets, including the accommodation market. It is important to note that hotels must operate within the maximum rates set as part of the accommodation registration process and any customer who feels that they have been overcharged may make a complaint to Fáilte Ireland.
While I welcome the improved viability of the tourism sector, not least because it is a large employer and a significant contributor to the economy, I would encourage the industry to make every effort to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. If the industry does not continue to provide value for money, the growth it is now experiencing would be undermined. I am also conscious of the need to address the capacity constraints within the accommodation sector which has witnessed low levels of investment over recent years. Finally, I will be closely examining the recommendations of the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Accommodation Report.
Road Projects
Questions (616)
James Lawless
Question:616. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional sound abatement measures can be put in place at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14348/16]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 road projects (including the N7) 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.
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.
Noting the above I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Legislative Measures
Questions (617)
James Lawless
Question:617. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislation, if any, in place or planned to regulate and monitor the alleged import of designated end-of-life vehicles from the UK and elsewhere, which subsequently return to our roads via a re-sale and repair, and which may pose a safety hazard to drivers and other road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14349/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Road Safety Authority previously carried out a public consultation on the subject of regulating written-off vehicles, following which draft provisions were developed for consideration. Due to the complexity of the issues involved, the Department, working together with the RSA, agreed that legislation could only be progressed following legal advice and also careful examination of how robust and effective any measures would be. There are a range of complex legal and technical measures required if we are to prevent such vehicles circulating. Any such provisions will also need to build upon existing arrangements governing written-off vehicles. My Department is currently developing a range of practicable approaches and will be progressing them at the earliest possible opportunity, subject to the necessary legal clarity.
It should be noted that there is already relevant legislation in place in both road traffic and consumer protection law. It is an offence to drive a dangerously defective vehicle in a public place under Road Traffic legislation.
At present, car dealers are obliged, under the Consumer Protection Act, 2007, to give full disclosure of the history of a second hand vehicle to potential buyers. Also, under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 a vehicle being sold should be free from any defect which would render it a danger to the public. The prosecution of alleged offences under Consumer Protection legislation relating to the sale of second hand vehicles is a matter for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, who come under the remit of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.