Written Answers Nos. 76-91
76. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the DART expansion project; if he views this project as being central to meeting transport demands in the greater Dublin area in the future; and when the review of the project will be completed. [22479/16]
View answerThe estimated cost of the overall DART expansion programme is €4bn of which the tunnel element, as originally designed, was to cost €3bn. As the Deputy will be aware, the business case for the DART underground was reviewed in 2015 and the National Transport Authority (NTA) recommended that the project be redesigned to provide a lower cost technical solution, whilst retaining the required rail connectivity. The Government accepted the NTA's recommendation and announced in September 2015 that the tunnel element would not proceed as originally designed but would be redesigned.
The DART underground remains a key element of integrated transport for the GDA and implementation of the overall DART Expansion programme is proposed in the NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035, which was approved and published earlier this year. As required under the Dublin Transport Authority Act, 2008, the NTA is now drawing up an integrated implementation plan to outline how they will go about delivering upon the Strategy's objectives over the first 6 year period. This plan will be subject to a consultation period and will then be submitted for my approval before the end of the year.
Funding has been provided under the new Capital Plan for redesign and planning for the revised lower cost DART Underground. In addition, the Government agreed to proceed with other elements of the overall DART Expansion Programme which bring significant benefits in themselves, including, in particular, electrification of the Northern line to extend the DART to Balbriggan and other works to increase the frequency of existing services and funding has been provided for this in the Capital Plan.
Funding for the remaining elements of the DART Expansion programme will be examined under future capital funding reviews and in line with the NTA's Integrated Implementation Plans for delivery of the Transport Strategy for the GDA.
77. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the recent Luas drivers' industrial dispute and ongoing talks in the Labour Court between CIE and transport unions, his plans to manage public transport services should another industrial dispute take place in 2016 on the public transport services, be that rail or bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22488/16]
View answerI have been consistently clear that issues relating to pay and conditions are a matter for agreement between the relevant employer and their employees. In addition, the Deputy will be aware of the important role played in recent months by the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court as they have assisted and are continuing to assist the various parties in the CIE subsidiary companies in their discussions.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has a statutory role as regards the organisation and provision of public transport services. In that regard the Deputy will be aware of the efforts it made during the recent Luas industrial dispute whereby it ensured that commuters were kept informed of developments and of their transport options to assist them in their travel planning.
Obviously all efforts need to be taken to avoid industrial disputes and resulting travel disruption. Such issues should best be resolved by both parties without recourse to industrial action, assisted as appropriate, by the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court.
78. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a detailed report on any United States preclearance difficulties at Dublin Airport; if there is any risk to preclearance as the projected growth in passenger numbers is realised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22527/16]
View answerI am not aware of any difficulties with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) services at Dublin Airport. All flights wishing to avail of preclearance during the 2016 Summer Season have been facilitated. This has been achieved though effective co-operation between the relevant parties aimed at improving efficiency and throughput in the facilities.
However, given the significant increase in transatlantic passenger numbers in recent years and the projected growth into the future, the Department considers it prudent to plan for this future growth and any additional resources that may be needed.
In this regard, my Department has been engaging with the US Department of Homeland Security’s Custom and Border Control office on the need for, and the terms governing, enhanced levels of service at preclearance facilities in Dublin and Shannon Airports. In November last year, my predecessor, Minister Donohoe wrote to Secretary Johnson in order to open negotiations in relation to establishing a framework for securing enhanced services in the longer term by way of an amendment to the Ireland – US Aviation Preclearance Agreement of 2008. The US side responded to this letter, stating that they are moving through their own internal approval processes in order to engage in negotiations on the Agreement. It is understood that that approval process is nearing completion, with the intention that negotiations will commence in the near future.
79. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has a strategy in place for dealing with the consequences of Brexit on overseas tourism to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22481/16]
View answerGreat Britain has consistently been Ireland's most important source market for visits to Ireland, with just over 3.5 million visits in 2015. This represented 41% of our total overseas visits.
CSO figures for the period January to May 2016 show further strong performance from the GB market with growth in visit numbers of over 15.7%, when compared with the same period of 2015.
Tourism Ireland, the agency responsible for marketing the island of Ireland as a visitor destination in overseas markets, has an extensive marketing programme in place for the second half of 2016 which is under way in 23 markets including Great Britain.
In the longer term, the Programme for Government commits to implementing the policy objectives in the Tourism Policy Statement "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025" and achieving the targets for Irish tourism contained therein. The UK vote does not change this.
While the GB market contributed 41% of overseas visits in 2015, the share of overseas visitor revenue from British visitors is approximately 23%. There is a commitment in the Tourism Policy Statement to prioritising tourism marketing efforts towards those markets providing higher revenue returns.
In the short term, there are no changes to how people can travel between Ireland and the UK and the Government will be doing its upmost in future discussions to maintain the Common Travel Area. In terms of the relative reduction in the value of sterling and the implications for the cost of a holiday here, this has similar implications for all eurozone countries, many of which compete with us for these tourists.
The Great Britain market will remain of significant importance to Irish tourism in the future and I believe that Ireland's excellent tourism offering will ensure that we continue to perform strongly. Tourism Ireland is closely monitoring the situation and is due to meet with tourism industry representatives later this week to plan ahead in this new market environment. In the longer term, we will work closely with other Departments and our agencies and respond to any changes as necessary. I remain confident however, that our overall long term ambitious targets for Irish tourism will be achieved.
80. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has discussed with senior management in CIE the wage claim that has been lodged by the National Bus and Rail Union on behalf of Dublin Bus workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22519/16]
View answerI recently had an introductory meeting with the Chairperson and Chief Operating Officer of CIE and we discussed a wide range of issues relating to the challenges and opportunities facing the CIE Group.
Obviously the fact that there are currently a number of pay related discussions under way involving the CIE subsidiary companies was raised at that meeting as one of the issues facing the CIE Group. However it is clearly a matter for the companies themselves to negotiate with the trade Unions on such pay claims. The Deputy will be aware of my firm belief that these issues are a matter for resolution between the employer and the employees. The State can assist the parties in their discussions through the offices of the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court and I know that both bodies are continuing to facilitate discussions involving the CIE subsidiary companies and their employees.
81. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of US soldiers who have passed through Shannon Airport to date in 2016, including the monthly breakdown; the number of requests his Department received in 2016 from civilian aircraft to land at Shannon Airport or to pass through Irish airspace while carrying munitions; the number of permits issued for both; the number of requests that were rejected; the reason for rejecting the requests for which permits were not granted; if he will provide a breakdown of the countries from which the requests were made and to which the permits were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22137/16]
View answerShannon Airport has informed my Department that the number of soldiers of the United States of America who have passed through Shannon Airport to end June in 2016 is 25,890. The monthly breakdown is January - 5,999; February - 3,679; March - 3,668; April - 4,182; May - 3811; June - 4,551.
The number of requests my Department received to date in 2016 from civilian aircraft to land at Shannon Airport or pass through Irish airspace while carrying munitions was 475. 447 permits were issued. Seventeen requests were refused. In ten of these cases the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had advised against granting the permits and in seven cases the requests were refused at my discretion. Cancelled or duplicate applications account for the remainder.
The breakdown of the countries from which the requests were made is as follows - Ireland - 10; Ethiopia - 2; Spain - 1; Azerbaijan 1; Switzerland - 4; Turkey - 5; UK - 2; USA - 450.
The breakdown of the countries to which the permits were granted is as follows - Ireland - 10; Ethiopia - 2; Spain - 1; Switzerland - 4; Turkey - 5; UK - 2; USA - 423.
82. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with the Dublin Airport Authority regarding the cost of mitigation measures consequential on its decision to develop the second runway, with particular reference to reducing the impact of noise and the impact on the transport network in the area. [21982/16]
View answerThe daa has statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport. In line with this responsibility, it is a matter for daa to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to facilitate the development of the airport and that there is sufficient capacity to meet existing and future demand.
I recently met with senior officials of daa to discuss a number of issues, one of which was the North Runway project. The daa advised me that it expects to invest in the region of €320 million in this multifaceted project which includes associated aprons, taxiways, drainage network, changes to the road network system and mitigation measures to reduce the impact of noise. The daa also advised me that it is very conscious of balancing the national needs in delivering an essential piece of infrastructure while minimising impacts on local communities.
In this regard, daa briefed me on its engagement with residents on the project and outlined the various strands of work under way on the project, which include the discharging of pre-commencement planning conditions relating to noise mitigation measures, such as the voluntary insulation and house buyout schemes which will be available to residents whose houses are most impacted.
In addition, they spoke about the substantial public consultation and communications programme they have commenced which will continue as the north runway project develops.
In this regard, 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 operating restrictions foreseen for Dublin Airport under the existing planning permission for the North Runway and have recently gone to public consultation on this matter. This consultation provides an opportunity to contribute to the content of and approach adopted in the EIS.
83. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the effort and work he is undertaking to progress Ireland’s Ancient East route; the work and consultation being undertaken to ensure all of the relevant stakeholders will benefit from the associated rise in tourism in these areas as a result of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22167/16]
View answerThe role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. The development of the Ireland's Ancient East brand is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. The Department is not directly involved in its development or promotion.
Accordingly, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply to the Deputy directly in this regard. Please contact my private office if you have not received a response within ten working days.
84. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans his Department and the National Transport Authority have to deal with the increasing numbers of rail passengers, increasing from 36.74 million in 2013 to 39.66 million in 2015 according to the NTA, given that many routes are very overcrowded, particularly at rush hour, including on the Dundalk to Dublin route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22487/16]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
85. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to establish a rail link between County Donegal and neighbouring rail networks which operate in counties in Northern Ireland and here; and if he has considered the possible economic benefit which such a project would accrue for both the north-west region and the all-island economy as a whole. [22171/16]
View answerThe current position regarding the funding of the railways in Ireland is that the bulk of funding is provided to Iarnród Éireann for the maintenance and renewal of the heavy rail network. Analysis has shown that the Exchequer contribution for the heavy rail network per annum is considerably below the amount required to maintain the existing network.
In an environment where funding remains constrained, it is not possible to make exchequer funding available to open new rail links in the North West, or anywhere else on the network and no such funding has been provided in the Capital Plan.
86. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe he envisages for the transfer of Dún Laoghaire Harbour in line with the Harbours Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22476/16]
View answerThe Harbours Act 2015 provides the legislative basis for one of the key recommendations in National Ports policy, namely that governance of five ports of Regional Significance should vest in more appropriate local authority led governance structures. Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, as a port of Regional Significance, is designated under the policy for transfer to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
The process of transferring governance is on-going. The future governance and operational structures of the port are primarily matters for agreement between the local authority and the port company.
The port and local authority are working together on due diligence which I understand is well advanced. When the due diligence is completed, I expect that substantial progress will be made towards finalising the preparations for transfer.
87. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he has decided not to extend the derogation permitting a maximum weight limit of 42 tonnes over five axle vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22482/16]
View answerThe maximum weight limits and dimensions of goods vehicles in the European Union (EU) are set by EC Directive 96/53/EC and were incorporated into Irish law by the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, S.I. No. 5 of 2003. While Directive 96/53/EC sets maximum limits for vehicles moving between jurisdictions within the EU, it does not impose an absolute weight limit for national vehicle movement. This allowed Ireland to set its own internal gross vehicle weight (GVW) limits.
To allow the haulage industry renew their then fleets, a derogation allowing an increase in the gross weight of 5 axle articulated vehicles from 40 tonnes under EU Directive 96/53/EC to 42 tonnes was conceded by the then Minister in 2003, to end in 2008. This deadline was extended seven times, as a further concession to the industry.
Given the ongoing challenges in maintaining our critical roads infrastructure with constrained resources, the derogation was ended on 30 June 2016. This was necessary to permit a decrease in road and bridge infrastructure damage caused by such vehicles and to thereby reduce the costs to the public finances in terms of maintaining and repairing vital road and bridge infrastructure.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I must have regard to the overarching need to maintain national transport infrastructure in as cost effective manner as possible. It is primarily for this reason, as well as the extensive period of over 13 years given to the industry to adjust, that the previously existing derogation has not been renewed.
88. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the pay claims being discussed for transport workers, considering the time since these workers received a pay rise and the number of cost cutting deals these workers agreed over the past decade, alongside the substantial cuts to transport funding by governments over the same period which had serious consequences for those working in the State's transport companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22485/16]
View answerI am of course aware that the three CIE subsidiary companies 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.
Each of the three companies face different yet challenging circumstances and each are operating with significant accumulated deficits. Any agreement reached will have to take into account what is affordable and sustainable given each company's circumstances. The issue can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the companies and their employees.
Of course the State can assist where needed through the WRC and Labour Court and as I have mentioned the companies and the trade unions are currently availing of the services of those bodies with a view to reaching agreement.
89. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has any concerns regarding his Department's role in the granting of munitions permits under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, for civil aircraft landing at Shannon Airport and for civil aircraft overflying Irish airspace, particularly in view of the findings of the Chilcot report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21983/16]
View answerThe primary purpose of national aviation policy is to provide sustainable, safe, secure and efficient air transport services in accordance with Irish and international civil aviation law and policy. The Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended, implements in Irish law the provisions of the Chicago Convention in relation to dangerous goods and munitions. These provisions are primarily aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft and those on board.
There is a well established procedure for considering applications from airlines for permits under the Order.
My Department seeks the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to foreign policy issues, the Department of Justice in relation to security issues and the Irish Aviation Authority in relation to any aviation safety issues. Following this consultation a decision is made on the application. In so far as the Chilcot Report may raise issues in relation to foreign policy, this would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department has identified the most seriously over-trafficked road and rail routes such as the M50 or other arterial routes to and from cities or large towns and strategic rail routes in similar situations; if he will include improvements in respect of such routes in the capital programme in the near future, given the urgent requirement for the continuation of the provision of modern, efficient and effective road and rail transportation and taking into account demographic changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22253/16]
View answerDecisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. Based on the findings in that report it is envisaged that maintenance and renewal of our land transport network will continue to be the main priority over the next period and the bulk of the capital budget is earmarked for such essential work.
This is the first year of the Capital Plan and my Department's capital envelope this year is €1.075 billion. By 2021, our capital envelope under the Capital Plan will have increased to €2 billion.
The Road Investment Programme has a capital budget this year of over €700 million allocated to the national, regional and local roads programme, which includes a number of existing Public Private Partnership schemes, all of which are progressing well. It is envisaged that under the Capital Plan, the maintenance and renewal of the road network will continue to be a key priority with the bulk of the roads capital budget, over €4 billion over the lifetime of the Plan, earmarked for such essential work with a further €600 million allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already under way.
The Public Transport Investment Programme has a capital budget this year of €347 million. Again, most of this is tied to maintenance of the rail network and delivering existing commitments, including LUAS Cross City, which is progressing on time and within budget. The Plan will facilitate a major upgrade to the public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area so that it has the capacity to meet growing demand which would otherwise be detrimental to competitiveness, economic growth and quality of life. Construction of a metro link between the city centre, Dublin Airport and Swords will commence around 2021 so as to be operational around 2026/27. The upgrade will also include further progress in the DART expansion programme including, in particular, the extension of the Dart to Balbriggan. The Underground element of this will be redesigned to achieve a more affordable solution.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government proposes to undertake a Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan, which will take stock of progress and provide the Government with an opportunity to consider the scope for increased levels of investment, including in the transport sector, taking economic growth and fiscal progress into account.
91. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he will take to ensure local and regional roads have adequate drainage installed before local authorities use departmental resources to overlay roads which simply get washed away again due to a lack of drainage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18457/16]
View answerI agree with the Deputy that drainage is an issue of particular importance that local authorities need to give consideration to in their work programmes.
However, it must be stated that the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
There is ample scope in the structure of the grant programme for local authorities to prioritise drainage works. In reviewing the submissions received from local authorities in connection with the severe weather events late last year and early this year, my officials were struck by the scale of the backlog in drainage works that seems to have built up and of course this does have knock-on effects when severe weather occurs. Proper drainage does help protect the road network and my Department expects local authorities to take on board their responsibilities in this respect.
When notifying local authorities of the additional severe weather funding being provided by Government this year, local authorities were advised that, in the first instance, priority would be given to works involving the repair of roads and bridges together with drainage. My officials are aware of and have expressed their support for initiatives taken, for example, by Donegal County Council to ensure that drainage works are prioritised with a view to ensuring best value for money.
