Written Answers Nos. 547-568
547. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the mobile telephone coverage taskforce; the extent of public consultation it will employ; the timeline for the stated objectives; if coverage providers are obliged to guarantee a certain level of coverage in rural Ireland, given the low levels available and the increase in mobile telephone bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15584/16]
View answerThe 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 is engaging with the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht in relation to the terms of reference for the taskforce to ensure delivery of the Programme for Government commitment within the timelines set out. It is likely that the taskforce will involve a number of Government Departments and agencies, as well as engagement with telecommunications operators. My Department has already conducted a number of meetings with vendors and mobile operators to help inform the process and identify what tangible measures can be taken. The Taskforce will consider what form of public engagement is appropriate and I intend to set a challenging timeline for delivery.
The provision of mobile telephony services is undertaken by telecommunications service providers operating in a fully liberalised market under licences provided by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). It is subject to a requirement to secure access to the required radio spectrum by way of licence. The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of ComReg and 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.
4G offers potential to deliver better services to people, particularly in rural areas, where the fixed broadband network has not yet been upgraded. There are several ways in which improved wireless broadband and mobile voice services can be achieved. This includes the Government and Local Authorities working to reduce barriers to the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure through better planning laws and processes; and working with telecommunications operators to improve information on various aspects of their activities, including upgrades and changes to their networks.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and other relevant 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 rollout 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. ComReg is also planning the further release of spectrum to assist in the rollout of mobile services, particularly in rural areas.
548. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of chief executive officers in semi-State companies, under the aegis of his Department, who are employed or not employed on a Hay contract. [15676/16]
View answerThe remuneration of CEOs in Commercial State Bodies had historically come within the remit of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector (established in 1969). A major feature of the Review Body’s Report No. 37 (December 1996) was their recommendations for the introduction of new remuneration arrangements and the introduction of a fundamental change in the nature of the contracts for such positions.
Hay Management Consultants were commissioned to carry out the evaluation exercise and submit a report to the Minister for Finance. In July 1999 the Government approved the new approach to the determination of the remuneration of the CEO’s of Commercial State Companies. A further review, again carried out by Hay Consultants, was undertaken and implemented in 2007.
In June 2011 the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced the terms of a Government Decision for the introduction of pay ceilings for higher posts across the public service and for CEO posts in Commercial State Companies.
All directions issued by the Government in relation to remuneration of CEOs in Commercial State Companies are brought to the attention of the relevant State Companies under the aegis of my Department. All contracts are concluded in line with current government pay policy as set out by the Government Decision of June 2011 and are subject to relevant statutory approvals.
549. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 835 of 31 May 2016, if he will address a matter (details supplied). [15932/16]
View answerIn accordance with EU State Aid Guidelines for Broadband, Member States are required to thoroughly evaluate any commercial plans so as to ensure that State Aid is confined to those areas where commercial investment in high speed broadband services is unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future. The Department has had extensive engagement with operators to identify those areas where there are concrete plans to roll out high speed broadband on a commercial basis. Such areas will be excluded from the proposed State intervention.
In October 2015 the Department published the process it proposed to adopt in order to assess commercial high speed broadband investment plans. Plans received from commercial operators were subsequently assessed under technical, deployment and financial criteria, in line with the EU State Aid requirements. This resulted in the publication of the High Speed Broadband Map in December 2015. No additional commercial plans have been submitted since the map was launched in December 2015.
The Map is a critical aspect of EU State Aid compliance and the mapping process remains open, in accordance with terms that have been published on the Department's website (www.broadband.gov.ie) so as to ensure that existing plans are realised and that any new developments can be managed.
As noted in previous replies to Parliamentary Questions, the Department continues to monitor commercial operator deployment plans of high speed broadband in the BLUE area. In March/April of this year the Department issued a detailed questionnaire to those operators whose coverage is represented BLUE on the High Speed Broadband Map. Submissions received in response to the questionnaire are currently being analysed and I expect that a key component of this analysis will be concluded over the coming months.
From a preliminary analysis of submissions received, areas such as Myrtleville and Fountainstown in County Cork are of particular concern to the Department, as services have not yet been delivered. In the event that commercial plans do not materialise as anticipated in the BLUE area or where no alternative operator is present, the Department has reserved the right to include these premises as part of the State Intervention. As soon as I have more specific information in relation to these two areas, I will contact the Deputy directly.
550. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to establish a national dialogue on climate change including the format, scale and methodology he will adopt and timeline for this process, given the commitment in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15951/16]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a National Dialogue on Climate Change. This builds on the commitment in the Energy White Paper to establish a National Energy Forum to maximise and maintain consensus on the broad policy measures set out in the White Paper required to ensure the transition to a low-carbon energy future.
It is my intention that the National Dialogue on Climate Change will encompass the role envisaged for the National Energy Forum but with a wider focus to include the examination of key infrastructural, land use and economic issues that need to be addressed in our long-term transition to a low-carbon future.
It is important that the National Dialogue on Climate Change reflects the views of all stakeholders including businesses, communities and citizens. This will require careful consideration in terms of the membership of the dialogue, its format and how it engages with the wider public. We are currently considering these matters and I hope to bring proposals to Government in the coming months with a view to the first meeting of the National Dialogue on Climate Change being held later this year.
551. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the fibre broadband capacity in Brittas, County Kilkenny; the provisions in place to improve this; the status of its further planned roll-out there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16045/16]
View answer552. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to prioritise and expedite the roll-out of fibre broadband in Brittas, County Kilkenny under the national broadband plan to reflect the need for a reliable broadband service for residential and business purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16046/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 552 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming. The formal procurement process for the State Intervention commenced in December 2015.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area, which is the subject of procurement. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area to ensure that those services are delivered. The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention. The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county.
Based on information previously provided by commercial operators, 14% of the townland of Brittas, County Kilkenny will be covered by commercial operators with the remaining 86% of premises of the townland of Brittas being part of the State Intervention. Members of the public can view whether their premises in Kilkenny are in the BLUE or AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
Over 750,000 premises are the focus for the procurement process, which formally commenced in December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire ( 'PQQ') and Project Information Memorandum. Five responses were received from prospective bidders to this stage of the competitive procurement process by the deadline of 31 March 2016. The second stage in the procurement process will be a formal invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders. I expect that my Department will move to this stage in the next month. The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation which follows the dialogue process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract which will comprise one or two lots as set out in the NBP Intervention Strategy. The Department will then enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s). It is expected that contract(s) will be awarded by June 2017.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys will lead on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces, 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.
553. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt an bhfuil sé i gceist aige maoiniú a chur ar fáil d’Iarnród Éireann le gur féidir leo dul ar aghaidh leis an bhforbairt bogearraí atá ag teastáil don Chóras Faisnéise do Chustaiméirí le go mbeidh ar a chumas aschur dátheangach a dhéanamh chomh luath agus is féidir ar na cláracha leictreonacha faisnéise mar a mhol an Coimisinéir Teanga an 19 Bealtaine 2010; cén chúis atá le gan an t-airgead a bheith curtha ar fáil go dtí seo d’Iarnród Éireann don chúram seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [15315/16]
View answerMar an tAire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt táim freagrach as beartais agus maoiniú ar an iomlán maidir le hiompar poiblí. Ach, níl baint agam leis na gnóthaí laethúla de seirbhisí Iarnród Éireann nó lena tionscnaimh seirbhíse do chustaiméirí – is ábhair iad le haghaidh an comhlacht féin.
Dá bhrí sin, tá do litir curtha ar aghaidh agam chuig Iarnród Éireann, agus d’iarr mé orthu fiosrú a dhéanamh faoi seo agus freagra a chur chugat laistigh de thrí seachtaine. Mura bhaigheann tú freagra taobh istigh den achar ama seo téigh i dteaghmháil liom arís faoi.
554. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the circumstances under the Road Traffic Acts or regulations in which young children are allowed to cycle on footpaths due to the danger of mixing with motorised traffic on roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15348/16]
View answerUnder road traffic legislation, it is an offence to cycle on a footpath. However, An Garda Síochána may use discretion in enforcing this offence. Following consultation with An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority, the previous Minister decided not to include this offence in the first phase of fixed charge notices for cycling offences.
Furthermore, while road traffic legislation does not specify exemptions for children, I understand that the Children Act 2001, as amended in 2006, provides that no child under the age of twelve may be charged with an offence. There are exceptions to this rule which relate to serious violent offences and are not relevant in a road traffic context.
Children under twelve years of age cannot therefore be charged with any offence under the Road Traffic Acts, and this includes cycling on pavements.
555. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the assumptions in relation to global action to reduce greenhouse gases he has relayed to the Dublin Airport Authority in predicting future passenger demands and in deciding on increasing runway capacity. [15351/16]
View answerPlanning permission for the North Runway project has been in place since 2007. Given the increase in passenger numbers over the last two years and projected passenger growth, I welcome the fact that daa has decided to commence the project.
daa has a statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport including the provision of infrastructure necessary to meet existing and future demand, such as the North Runway project. Therefore, the assumptions to be made in predicting future passenger demand is a matter for daa, having regard to all relevant national and international factors, including those related to the reduction of greenhouse gases.
I have been informed by the daa that they are committed to the successful management of impacts on the environment, and that they will work effectively with key stakeholders such as the IAA and airlines in this regard. It should be noted that no assumptions are made in relation to aviation emissions under the Paris Agreement (COP21). The challenge of mitigating aviation emissions is dealt with through the international body ICAO, which plans to bring forward measures later this year designed to ensure carbon neutral growth in international aviation emissions from 2020.
556. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the analysis he has carried out of the cap of existing airport infrastructure other than in Dublin Airport to meet passenger demand; the economic and cost-benefit analysis of these options. [15352/16]
View answerThere is no cap in place in relation to the development of airport infrastructure.
The National Aviation Policy (NAP) acknowledges the importance of ensuring sufficient capacity at Irish airports, and Dublin Airport in particular, to enable connectivity and the operation of services to existing and emerging markets, to support our tourism industry, trade relationships and connections with the rest of the world. While initiatives are underway to ensure adequate capacity for existing and future demand at Dublin Airport, no capacity issues exist at Shannon or Cork airports at present.
The NAP also commits to regular reviews to ensure that all of the main airports are well placed to accommodate passenger growth and changing passenger, air-cargo and carrier needs. The NAP envisaged my Department commissioning a high-level strategic capacity review of Irish airports with the Shannon, Cork and Dublin airports being mandated to carry out their own capacity reviews at five yearly intervals. While it had been planned that the reviews would commence in 2018, my Department may review this timeline, given the higher than expected passenger growth trends.
557. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a bypass for a town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15393/16]
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 road projects (including the N69 Listowel 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.
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 position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
558. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money his Department spent on purchasing copies of the Public Sector Times magazine in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15424/16]
View answerThe Public Sector Times is a complimentary magazine and therefore there is no cost to the Department.
559. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money spent on daily newspapers in 2015; if this is an appropriate expenditure given the available and far cheaper online alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15440/16]
View answerIn 2015 the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport spent €13,234 on daily newspapers. Daily newspapers are only supplied to Ministers, Minister's Advisors, the Press office and the Department's Press Cutting service which distributes articles relating to the Department on the internal website. The expenditure is in my view appropriate to ensure effective monitoring of the print media.
560. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff working in his human resources section. [15456/16]
View answerThere are 16 staff in the Human Resources Division in my Department providing HR, workforce planning, Learning and Development, strategic and change management services. A further 14 staff also report to the HR manager providing accommodation facilities management services including telephony, reception and internal post services.
561. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff who work exclusively on constituency matters for him. [15472/16]
View answerI currently have one staff member working exclusively on constituency matters.
562. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes in the numbers employed in his human resources section following the introduction of PeoplePoint. [15488/16]
View answerThere was a reduction of six staff in the Human Resources Division in my Department following the transition of my Department to PeoplePoint in August 2013.
563. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the problems persons (details supplied) living along the Border and whose general practitioner is based in Northern Ireland have in receiving medical clearance to renew their driver's licence, due to the doctor having being accredited with the British Medical Council only; his plans to rectify this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15496/16]
View answerSection 41 of the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 (as amended) sets out when an application by a person for a driving licence shall be accompanied by a report completed by a registered medical practitioner. A registered medical practitioner is defined as a person whose name is entered in the General Register of Medical Practitioners established under section 43(1) of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007.
It is not my intention to amend this requirement at this time.
564. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of and the countries which made requests under the Air Navigation and Transport Act (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973 for permits to transport munitions through Ireland or Irish airspace in 2016 to date; the information they provided on the destination of these aeroplanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15524/16]
View answerThe number of requests made under the Air Navigation and Transport Act (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973 Order to date in 2016 is 351. Requests were made by airlines of the following countries - USA - 331; Ireland 8; Turkey 5; Switzerland 3; UK - 2; Spain 1; Ethiopia 1.
The next destinations after landing in Ireland or overflying Irish airspace were as follows - USA 146 flights; Germany 115; Kuwait 34; Afghanistan 16; Ireland 10; Romania 9; UK 4; Finland 3; United Arab Emirates 2 and; Holland, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Ethiopia , Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Poland, Spain, Ukraine and Azerbaijan 1 each.
565. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of permits and the countries to which his Department granted permission to transport munitions through Ireland or Irish airspace in 2016 to date under the Air Navigation and Transport Act (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973; the information they provided on the destination of these aeroplanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15525/16]
View answerThe number of permits issued to transport munitions through Ireland or Irish Airspace in 2016 to date under the Air Navigation and Transport Act (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973 is 335.
Permits were issued to airlines of the following countries - USA 315; Ireland 8; Turkey 5; Switzerland 3; UK 2; Spain 1; Ethiopia 1.
The next destinations after landing in Ireland or overflying Irish airspace for which permits issued were as follows - USA 145 flights; Germany 112; Kuwait 33; Afghanistan 8; Ireland 9; Romania 9; UK 4; Finland 2; United Arab Emirates 2; and Holland, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Ethiopia, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Poland, Spain and Ukraine, 1 each.
566. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to reduce car dependency and usage and to incentivise greener modes of transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15526/16]
View answerMy Department supports a shift to more sustainable transport modes through investment in a number of programmes under the Smarter Travel Policy introduced in 2009 and also through our ongoing funding of Public Transport. The goal of the Smarter Travel policy is to reduce private car use by increasing the numbers who walk, cycle or use public transport. Funding under Smarter Travel has provided infrastructural improvements and supported behavioural change measures which enable and support a change to more sustainable transport modes. Details of these programmes can be viewed at www.smartertravel.ie.
Significant investment in public transport will be continued under the Capital Plan which provides €3.6bn in capital funding for public transport over the period 2016-2022.
Investment is paying dividends in terms of modal shift as is evidenced by the results of the recently published 2015 Canal Cordon Count in Dublin. Half of all people travelling into Dublin City Centre in the mornings are now arriving by public transport (bus, rail, Luas) – an increase from 45.9% in 2010. A further 9.4% walk into the city centre and 5.4% cycle. Fewer than a third – 32.6% - of people travelled into the city centre by car, down from 39.8% in 2010.
In addition to this investment in public transport infrastructure and services, my Department is currently developing a new National Policy Framework to support the uptake of alternative fuels through the development of infrastructure and incentives aimed at increasing the number of greener, alternative fuelled vehicles being used in Ireland. Within this context, and as reflected in the White Paper on Energy Policy which was published last year, it is proposed to establish a green bus fund to support the purchase of cleaner and greener public transport vehicles in the period to 2020.
567. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his discussions with the Department of Finance on the recent hike in car insurance prices; the measures he is planning to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15527/16]
View answerI would like to clarify, in the first instance, that my Department has no role regarding the legal framework for insurance regulating, or for the regulation of insurance companies. These are matters that fall under the remit of the Minister for Finance and the Central Bank, respectively. However, my main concern arising from the recent increases in the costs of motor insurance premiums is that if motor insurance becomes unaffordable, there is a risk of more instances of uninsured driving.
As a first step in an overall review of Insurance in this country, a Joint Working Group was established by the Minister for Finance and my predecessor to review the framework for Motor Insurance Compensation in Ireland. The recommendations of the Group are currently being finalised and are expected to be presented to Minister Noonan and me for our consideration in the near future.
568. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to investigate the selection criteria used to pick the marathon team that will represent Ireland in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; if he is satisfied that Athletics Ireland reserve the right to change the policy on an ongoing basis; if he has concerns that a runner who had one of the top three qualifying times was overlooked for selection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15535/16]
View answerThe 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.
