Mary Lou McDonald
Question:62. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress and completion date of the Luas cross-city project; and when it will come into operation. [15619/16]
View answerLight Rail Projects Status
Questions (62)
Written answers
Delivery of Luas Cross City is currently on time and within budget with operations scheduled to commence in quarter 4 2017.
The rate at which the project is progressing will be evident to anybody who has been in the city centre in recent weeks and months. This is a major infrastructural project and the scale and complexity of it naturally means that there will be some disruption during the construction period but I believe the public and businesses in the city centre recognise that the completed project will bring significant benefits to the city.
As regards the physical works, the utility works have been completed and the contract for the main infrastructure track-laying works is well advanced. Works to facilitate the Red line tie-in have recently commenced. With effect from 22 May until the last week in July, Red line services will terminate at the Jervis Stop with replacement bus services operating from Jervis to the Point. A very effective communications campaign was launched well in advance of these temporary changes to Red line services to advise passengers of the changes and the alternative transport arrangements that would operate during this period.
Once completed, Luas Cross City will significantly enhance accessibility and integration of public transport in Dublin. The project will provide an interchange between the existing Red and Green Lines in the City Centre and will serve the new Dublin Institute of Technology campus at Grangegorman.
It will also connect Cabra, at Broombridge Rail Station, to the existing Luas at St. Stephen's Green. This will allow for integration of Luas services with rail services from Maynooth & Dunboyne and the majority of the Quality Bus Corridor schemes which enter or cross Dublin City Centre.
Question No. 63 answered orally.
National Transport Authority Data
Questions (64)
Catherine Connolly
Question:64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the report the National Transport Authority carried out in the past 12 months on traffic congestion and possible solutions thereto in Galway city; if he will provide this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15608/16]
View answerWritten answers
I understand from the National Transport Authority (NTA) that it has been assisting Galway City Council and Galway County Council since 2015 on the development of a transport strategy for the city.
This work recently culminated with the publication a draft Galway Transport Strategy (GTS), which is currently on public display until 1st July and the general public has an opportunity to submit their views and comments by that date. A link to the relevant documents can be found on the Galway City and County Council websites. The proposed Strategy was presented to Galway City Council's Transport Strategic Policy Committee on 19 April.
The draft Galway Transport Strategy outlines emerging proposals for revised traffic and public transport networks to better meet the city's needs. Completion of the proposed Galway outer orbital road will support and complement implementation of the draft Strategy.
I understand that the objective is to secure the incorporation of the agreed Strategy into the draft Galway City Development Plan 2017-2023. This, of course, is a matter for the Council itself.
With regard to funding for public transport for Galway in general, my Department provides funding under the Regional Cities Programme to the NTA for the development of bus lanes, green routes, other bus priority measures and safety measures for pedestrians & cyclists in the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Overall funding for this programme in 2016 is €13.5m of which Galway has an allocation of €2.14m.
Public Transport Provision
Questions (65)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:65. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities on public transport services; and the resources he will put in place to provide for these improvements. [15620/16]
View answerWritten answers
I would refer the Deputy to Priority Question No [15825] regarding plans to improve accessibility on Public Transport for persons with disabilities, which is also for answer today, 14 June 2016.
Fáilte Ireland
Questions (66)
Gerry Adams
Question:66. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support the provision of specific Fáilte Ireland offices in tourism hubs which are not in close proximity to the existing office for that region, such as the County Louth coastline, which is served by an office in Mullingar, County Westmeath. [15617/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy, whereas the tourism agencies have operational responsibility for the implementation of this policy. In line with the functions as set out in legislation, the management of the Tourist Information Office network is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
I am advised by Fáilte Ireland that it currently operates 30 tourist offices in areas of high tourist traffic around Ireland. Furthermore, the agency also supports a network of 40 community-run tourist information offices in locations of lower tourist footfall, which are operated under licence to Fáilte Ireland. In such locations, Fáilte Ireland provides the community tourist information offices with staff training, online information support and tourism promotional literature (such as maps, accommodation guides and tourist information guides). All official tourist information and promotional material is produced centrally and disseminated through Fáilte Ireland's national distribution service to all its supported tourist information offices, including the community-run offices.
With specific regard to County Louth, I understand that Fáilte Ireland currently licences three community tourist information offices in the county - in Carlingford (Cooley Peninsula), Drogheda and Dundalk and does not service the county or its coastline from its Mullingar office. In the case of an area that wishes to expand its information provision to tourists, Fáilte Ireland can provide guidance and advice on the establishment of a community tourist information office.
EU Membership
Questions (67)
Seán Crowe
Question:67. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he met or will meet his counterparts in the Northern Ireland Assembly and in the British Parliament to discuss the fall-out from a British exit from the European Union on cross-Border co-operation and on issues relating to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15621/16]
View answerWritten answers
I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with Minister for Infrastructure Chris Hazzard or any of his Ministerial colleagues in the Northern Assembly since their appointment. I wish them all well in their Ministerial roles and look forward to working constructively with them through the North South Ministerial Council and bi-laterally where appropriate. I have recently met with my counterpart from the UK government informally in Luxembourg.
While the referendum is a matter for UK voters to decide, the Government's preference is for the UK to remain in the EU. Should the electorate instead vote to leave the EU, a period of two years is provided for under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union during which its exit terms would be negotiated between the UK and the other Member States. The structure of such negotiations is unknown. It is only as they mature that the shape of a future EU-UK relationship would begin to emerge and the full extent of the likely impact on Ireland would be clearer.
As part of wider Government preparations, my Department continues to work with other Government Departments through an inter-departmental committee to identify the strategic and operational risks that may arise from a 'leave' vote and to prepare contingency planning. As matters evolve I will be reviewing any potential impacts on functions relating to my Department, including in particular co-operation with Northern Ireland, and will engage with my counterparts in the Northern Executive and Westminster as required.
Question No. 68 answered orally.
National Transport Authority Administration
Questions (69)
Bríd Smith
Question:69. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the tendering process for public bus routes will take account of the record of a company in upholding labour law, in its obligations to its workforce and in conducting negotiations with its workforce on pay and conditions, prior to the awarding of any contracts (details supplied); and if he will ensure that the National Transport Authority or any other agency responsible for awarding these contracts is seen to acknowledge the importance of any company tendering for State contracts upholding labour law and the standards of the State. [15605/16]
View answerWritten answers
It is the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to conduct the current public procurement process relating to the tendering out of 10% of the PSO bus network. The NTA requires any transport operator who operates public transport services under existing contracts to it to act within the law, including relevant employment legislation. Consistent with this approach, the forthcoming tendering process conducted by the NTA will require any transport operator who is awarded a contract to comply with relevant employment legislation.
Questions Nos. 70 and 71 answered orally.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland Funding
Questions (72)
Pearse Doherty
Question:72. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans to allocate capital funding for the projects outlined in the capital plan; and when each of these projects will commence. [15618/16]
View answerWritten answers
The previous Government agreed a Capital Plan for 2016 to 2021 for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport of over €10bn. Given the fiscal assumptions at the time, the initial years show incremental increases with much new project investment towards the latter half of the plan.
Our capital envelope this year is €1.075 billion. By 2021, our capital envelope will have increased to €2 billion.
At €720 million, the largest portion of this year's capital envelope is allocated to national, regional and local roads. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland and I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply on such projects.
As regards regional and local roads, implementation is the responsibility of road authorities. My Department is liaising with the relevant authorities to finalise an implementation programme for projects in the Capital Plan. An initial allocation has been made to South Dublin County Council to upgrade roads into Grange Castle Business Park.
This year's Public Transport Investment Programme has a capital budget of €347 million. Most is delivering existing commitments, including LUAS CrossCity. Construction of Metro North will commence around 2021 to be operational around 2026/27. The Plan also provides for further progress in DART expansion.
The Capital Plan also includes:
- €285m for local and national sports facilities;
-€131m for tourism product development,
- €100m for smarter travel and sustainable development including Greenways, and
- €28m for the Regional Airports Programme.
On sport, we expect completion of Phase 1 of the Indoor Arena in November. An allocation of €30m has been ringfenced for Pairc Uí Chaoimh, subject to EU state aid approval. Much of the remaining sports funding relates to demand-led schemes such as the Sports Capital Programme. These grant allocations are published and available. Smarter Travel and Sustainable Development projects are also demand-led and are largely committed in the short term.
For tourism, the Capital Plan includes a 7 year allocation of €131m. The existing Experience Brands, the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East and Dublin: A Breath of Fresh Air will be developed. In addition, a new Grants Scheme for Large Tourism Projects was launched on 8th June last.
The Capital Plan earmarks €28m towards the Regional Airports Programme and I expect this year's allocation of €3.8m to be spent by year end. This funding supports the four airports in Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford in key safety and security enhancements.
Questions Nos. 73 and 74 answered orally.
Road Projects
Questions (75)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:75. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the A5 and his recent engagement with his Northern Ireland counterparts in relation to it; his funding commitment and that of the Northern Ireland Government to the project; when the project will be completed; the status of the funding allocated under the St. Andrews Agreement; if it is still available for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15307/16]
View answerWritten answers
The planning and implementation of the A5 road project, including the project budget, is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities.
As the Deputy is aware, the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an additional £25 million to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the necessary planning issues have been resolved by the Northern Ireland authorities.
Under the Agreement it is envisaged that construction of Phase 1 of the A5 will start in 2017 with a view to completion in 2019. In keeping with the revised project timeline, the Government funding is to be provided in three tranches of £25 million in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively. I have no function in relation to funding commitments of the Northern Ireland Executive.
Light Rail Projects Provision
Questions (76)
Jack Chambers
Question:76. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to consider the provision of a light rail transport system to serve the west County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15306/16]
View answerWritten answers
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including metro and light rail projects.
As funding remains constrained at present, the only new metro or light rail projects that have been allocated funding under the Government's Capital Plan Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021 are the Luas Cross City and the new Metro North.
In the longer term, proposals for the future development of an east-west Luas line, commencing in the residential areas of Lucan and connecting into Dublin City Centre have been included in the NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA for the period 2016-2035. This would provide a high capacity radial service from this area to the City Centre, sufficient to cater for the high transport demand along this corridor, and would serve Lucan, Liffey Valley and Ballyfermot along its route.
The Strategy also envisages the development of a Core Bus Network, which would include a range of radial and orbital routes serving Dublin West, and a Bus Rapid Transit scheme linking Blanchardstown with UCD.
Industrial Relations
Questions (77)
Mick Barry
Question:77. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the justification of the pay claim of Irish Rail workers, given the industrial norms and the pay freeze they have experienced in recent years. [15626/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware that Irish Rail and the trade unions have been, and are currently engaged, in a number of processes facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court with a view to reaching agreement on different issues including pay. Those processes will I am sure take cognisance of the particular circumstances of each individual case.
In the case of Irish Rail it is important to realise that the Company had incurred accumulated losses of €135m at end 2014 and that any negotiation on pay claims has to take into account what is affordable and sustainable for the company's future. The issues can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the Company and its employees.
Of course the State can assist where needed through the WRC and Labour Court and I am glad that both Irish Rail and trade unions are currently availing of the services of those bodies with a view to reaching agreement.
Harbours and Piers
Questions (78)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:78. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will meet a delegation of different interest groups from the greater Dún Laoghaire area to discuss plans for the future governance of Dún Laoghaire Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15610/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Harbours Act 2015 provides the legislative basis for one of the key recommendations in the National Ports Policy, namely that governance of the five Ports of Regional Significance should vest in more appropriate local authority led governance structures. The process of transferring governance, and the future governance and operational structures of the port, are primarily matters for agreement between the local authority and the port company. The Act provides that the two entities should work together in driving the process of transfer, including the necessary due diligence. In the case of Dún Laoghaire, I understand that this process is now well advanced.
As ports operate as commercial companies, I am not involved in day to day operational issues. Nor is it appropriate for me to meet directly with local authorities or local interest groups on these issues. However, I can confirm that a widespread public consultation process was undertaken by my officials from 2010 onwards, prior to the publication of the National Ports Policy 2013, and again during the legislative process leading up to the enactment of the Harbours Act 2015. Other public consultation processes were undertaken by the port company on a range of issues and provided an opportunity for all stakeholders and interested parties to give their views on the future of the harbour.
Since 2013, when the transfer process commenced, senior officials from my Department have met with Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, and the CE and senior officials of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, on a number of occasions, to clarify issues raised and to advise on the transfer process. My Department has also been kept apprised of developments as part of the regular communications that take place between the company and shareholder.
Public Transport
Questions (79)
Dessie Ellis
Question:79. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to invest further in public transport through the State subvention to Córas Iompar Éireann and other means in order to improve standards, increase accessibility and encourage more persons to use public transport. [15613/16]
View answerWritten answers
This year's PSO subvention is €236 million, an increase of €27 million on 2015, directed at the provision of enhanced public transport services. It is the statutory responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to allocate funding to the PSO operators, including the CIÉ companies.
The increased funding secured for 2016 will assist with the delivery of new and additional services, as well as variations and improvements to existing services. All PSO services are provided in accordance with public service contracts concluded between the NTA and the relevant operator. These contracts specify the service and quality standards expected of the operators and their performance is monitored closely by the NTA with quarterly reports published and available to view on their website.
As regards encouraging an increased use of public transport, the NTA is fully committed to continually improving the quality and attractiveness of public transport services and is also engaged in the development and deployment of technologies to make it easier to use public transport. The NTA has delivered a number of significant cross-operator initiatives such as real time information at bus stops, on Apps and online, the National Journey Planner, the Leap Card, investment in the bus fleet and on-board Wi-Fi, improved public transport maps and the reconfiguration of regional city bus services that to date includes Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. Accessibility has also been greatly improved through the addition of on-board displays and announcements of the next bus stop.
In addition, over the next 7 years, the Capital Plan provides for a range of improvement measures including new and replacement buses, completion of the Luas Cross City project and the reopening of the Phoenix Park tunnel, all of which will enhance the attractiveness of the public transport offering.
State Airports
Questions (80)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:80. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that the environmental impact study which was carried out for plans for an additional runway at Dublin Airport is completely outdated; if he will request that a new study is carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15616/16]
View answerWritten answers
The DAA has a statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport including the North Runway project. DAA received planning permission for this project in 2007.
Planning is a matter for the relevant local authority (Fingal County Council in the case of Dublin Airport) or An Bórd Pleanála, as appropriate.
I understand that DAA is in the process of examining the scope of a further Environmental Impact Statement for the purpose of seeking a review of the operating restrictions foreseen for Dublin Airport under the existing planning permission for the North Runway. They intend going to public consultation shortly on the matter.
Industrial Disputes
Questions (81)
Mick Barry
Question:81. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the settlement of the Luas dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15627/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am obviously delighted that the disruption and inconvenience caused to hundreds of thousands of commuters and taxpayers over the last few months has now ceased. It was regrettable that this disruption and inconvenience was imposed upon people in the first place.
As I have previously stated in the House, my focus at all times was to protect the interests of the taxpayer and the travelling public, and to encourage the parties to work to resolve their differences. I am glad that eventually a mutually acceptable agreement was reached between the parties.
As the Deputy is aware, I have no function in relation to either the employment of Transdev employees or their terms and conditions of employment. They are employees of Transdev, which is a private company and the settlement arrived at is a matter for that company and its employees. Each such dispute as this has its own unique characteristics and it is important to realise that agreements reached reflect those unique characteristics.
I am also pleased that the State's industrial relations institutions were able to assist the parties in coming to an agreement. There had been calls throughout this dispute for some sort of Ministerial intervention but I have consistently maintained that any intervention by me, or indeed others without a legal function or role in the dispute, would not have been helpful. The matter was ultimately resolved with the assistance of the Labour Court following discussions involving the relevant parties – the employer and the employees.
Public Transport Provision
Questions (82)
Bernard Durkan
Question:82. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he can continue to facilitate efficient commuter transport by the use of co-ordination between the road and rail network in such a way as to provide the highest possible degree of transport cost effectiveness and efficiency for commuters located conveniently to such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15624/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy has raised two important issues in terms of our public transport network, namely the need for an integrated whole of system approach and also the need to ensure value for money in the provision of public transport services.
The Deputy will no doubt be aware of the considerable work undertaken by the National Transport Authority in striving toward a better integrated public transport system across not just the Greater Dublin Area, but within our regional cities, and indeed across the State generally. This work finds tangible form in the development of new commuter friendly initiatives such as the National Journey Planner, Real Time Passenger Information and of course the Leap Card, all of which provide for better integrated public transport services and aid accessibility for the commuter. There has also been considerable investment in public transport infrastructure improvements aimed at promoting better integration between different modes, such as the development of Park & Ride facilities. Funding is also being provided toward integrated bus and rail stations, such as on-going works to improve linkage between Kent Station and Cork City Centre and the completion of a Rail/Bus Plaza area at Colbert Station.
The NTA's recently published Transport Strategy for the GDA seeks to provide for the efficient, effective and sustainable movement of people and goods and includes a wide range of measures which will further improve integration between public transport modes. As required under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 the NTA is now preparing an implementation plan for the first six year period of the Strategy and I expect the Deputy will have some useful observations to make when the NTA commences its consultation period on that plan.
In terms of the value for money achieved in the delivery of our public transport services, there are now public service contracts in place between the NTA and all public transport operators providing PSO services. These contracts specify the service and quality standards expected of the operators and their performance is monitored closely by the NTA with quarterly reports published and available to view on their website.
Air Services Provision
Questions (83)
Clare Daly
Question:83. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps the Irish regulatory authorities will take to control and oversee an airline's (detailed supplied) operations particularly in regard to work practices, in the event that the airline commences services from Cork city to the United States of America. [15508/16]
View answerWritten answers
Norwegian Air International (NAI) was licensed as an Irish airline by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) in February 2014. As such it is subject to the same aviation oversight regime administered by these aviation regulators as any other Irish airline.
NAI operates out of several European bases and has several hundred people working for it, including approximately 80 people working at its head office at Dublin airport. The airline has publicly stated that it always follows the rules and regulations in all the markets in which it operates and offers employees competitive wages and conditions.
It has been well publicised that NAI would like to fly routes to the United States from Ireland and other European countries and it had hoped to start flying from the airline's base in Barcelona to Cork and onwards to Boston in May this year. However, it has been unable to commence this service pending the necessary permission from the US authorities. I support this proposed route which would benefit the Cork region and hope that NAI will be in a position to operate the route as soon as possible.
The Cork services would not involve aircraft or crew based in Ireland and I am not aware that the company has any plans to establish such a base in Ireland for the present. In terms of the oversight of the airline's work practices the new services would be no different to the other new routes that NAI operates on a routine basis around Europe.
Legislative Programme
Questions (84)
Paul Murphy
Question:84. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach the Bills relevant to his Department he intends to re-initiate from the previous Dáil Éireann; the Bills his Department is anticipating to introduce in the coming sessions; to provide a previous timescale for each Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15311/16]
View answerWritten answers
A motion restoring a number of Bills from the last Dáil to the Order Paper of the current Dáil was passed on 1 June last. My Department had no Bills before the last Dáil.
The first Government Legislation Programme of the new Partnership Government was published on Wednesday, 8 June last. This list includes titles of the Bills that the Government will seek to publish over the next few months to start to fulfil the commitments made in the "Programme for a Partnership Government".
The only proposed legislation for my Department at present is the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) Bill, which is on the list of Bills the Government plans to introduce in the longer term. When drafted, the Bill will provide for the dissolution of the NESDO and the placing of the NESC on a statutory footing.