Clare Daly
Question:256. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 will be commenced; and the reason it has not been commenced to date. [21710/16]
View answerVehicle Clamping
Questions (256, 257, 258, 259, 260)
Clare Daly
Question:257. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the National Transport Authority will publish a code of practice in regard to parking controllers and clamping operators as provided for under the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015. [21711/16]
View answerClare Daly
Question:258. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations in place governing disputes regarding clamping in private estates managed by management companies. [21712/16]
View answerClare Daly
Question:259. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the National Transport Authority will publish regulations governing non-statutory clamping places as provided for in the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015. [21713/16]
View answerClare Daly
Question:260. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the complaints procedure currently operated by the National Transport Authority in regard to the conduct of clamping operators. [21714/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 to 260, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy knows, the Vehicle Clamping Act was enacted in May 2015.
The Act conferred the responsibilities of regulating vehicle clamping upon the National Transport Authority (NTA). This conferral of additional responsibilities resulted in a requirement for allocation of additional resources to the NTA in order to allow it carry out its new functions in this area. Sanction for these additional resources was secured for the NTA's budget for 2016.
In addition the NTA also requires a period to make and prepare the necessary regulations provided for under the Act as well as ensure appropriate training and administrative supports are in place to allow for commencement of regulatory activities.
This very necessary preparatory work is well under way and I expect to decide on an early Autumn commencement date soon.
Road Projects
Questions (261)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:261. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the street works at Main Street, Buttevant, County Cork will be completed in full. [21725/16]
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 N20 at Buttevant) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with Cork County Council.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
Driver Licences
Questions (262)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:262. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider putting in place a provision for Irish persons living abroad who hold a full Irish driver licence which they can use in the country in which they are residing, such as Australia, and where they need to replace their driver licence but will not be returning to Ireland during the period when the licence is due for renewal. [21726/16]
View answerWritten answers
Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law which sets a number of requirements in relation to the issuing of driving licences. Driving licences issued by one Member State are inter-exchangeable between EU States. An Irish licence holder, living temporarily in another EU country can renew their existing licence by post, without returning to Ireland to appear in person at an office of the National Driver Licensing Service, or if taking up permanent residence may exchange their existing Irish licence for the local equivalent.
Under EU law, Member States issue driving licences to persons 'normally resident' in their jurisdiction. When a person travels to a non-EU country and is resident there temporarily for work or study purposes, they are still considered to be normally resident in their national State and may therefore renew their licence. In such specific instances Irish regulations reflect this, and allow persons in non-EU countries, such as Australia, to renew their licence from abroad by post.
For persons who have taken up residence in non-EU countries, EU Member States may reach bilateral agreements on the exchange of driving licences. Ireland in fact has such an agreement in place with Australia. An Irish licence holder taking up residence in Australia can therefore exchange their Irish licence for an Australian one. If they later move back to Ireland, they may exchange the Australian licence for an Irish one.
Local Improvement Scheme Funding
Questions (263)
Brendan Griffin
Question:263. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will provide local improvement scheme grant aid to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21776/16]
View answerWritten answers
As I outlined in my reply to the Deputy in PQ No. 852 (Ref. 12810/16) on 31 May 2016 the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) remains in place. This Scheme provides funding for private roads and laneways, the maintenance and improvement of which is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. While the LIS does not have a ring-fenced allocation in 2016, local authorities may use a proportion of State grant funding (15% of the Discretionary Grant) for LIS should they wish to do so. In addition Councils can also provide monies from their own resources towards LIS.
The Programme for a Partnership Government provides that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for Local Improvement Schemes, on an annual basis. A major objective for the new Government will be to prioritise new investment in local and regional road maintenance and improvements, and LIS funding will be promoted in that context.
National Transport Authority
Questions (264)
Robert Troy
Question:264. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will approve the final transport strategy for the greater Dublin area. [21887/16]
View answerWritten answers
My predecessor approved the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 - 2035 on 24 February 2016 pursuant to section 12(13) of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.
Section 13(1) of the Act requires the National Transport Authority (NTA) to then prepare an integrated implementation plan which must be submitted for Ministerial approval within 9 months of the approval of the Strategy. The Act also requires the NTA to engage in a public consultation period in relation to its preparation of any such plan.
I can inform the Deputy that the NTA has commenced work on the plan and I look forward to its receipt in due course.