Written Answers Nos. 803-820
803. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the recently launched Wild Atlantic Way passport is bilingual, or if it is available as Gaeilge; if not, his views regarding this omission given that many parts of the Wild Atlantic Way are in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23601/16]
View answerThe role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy and it is not involved in the management of individual projects. The administration of the Wild Atlantic Way Passport is a matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland, in conjunction with An Post. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply in regard to their role. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from it within ten working days.
804. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a railway station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23665/16]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
805. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the road safety strategy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23669/16]
View answerA feasibility study on action 94 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013 - 2020 was carried out in 2013. This study concluded that the advantages of a detailed engineering investigation, by a separate engineering inspectorate, after each fatal collision, were not apparent (and in fact identified a number of potential disadvantages in relation to e.g. possible enforcement action). As part of the study, the practices in other countries were examined, including some of the top-performing countries in terms of road safety performance. The post-collision investigation practices employed by Ireland since the introduction of the Garda Forensic Collision Team compared very favourably with these.
Since August 2007, it has been standard practice for a Garda Forensic Collision Team to close a road following a fatal or serious injury collision, and to undertake a detailed investigation in respect of all relevant matters in relation to the collision and the location. Form LA16 is then completed and factual information pertaining to such collisions is recorded including establishing if there are road factors which may have contributed to the collision, and which need to be remedied. Where appropriate, a file is forwarded by an Garda Síochána to the Director of Public Prosecutions. These LA16 Forms are also then sent to the National Roads Authority (NRA) which analyses and decides whether any remedies may be necessary to address such factors. If relevant the NRA then indicates to the relevant Local Authority what remedial actions are needed.
The Action 94 feasibility study is not being released at this time until the deliberative process in relation to the matter is fully completed, including what other measures may assist in delivering its road safety objectives.
806. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department, or a body under its aegis, has undertaken any analysis of the direct benefits of the special VAT rate reduction on encouraging overseas and domestic tourism, as opposed to other factors such as the positive euro exchange rate; and if so, if he will provide estimates for the number of additional overseas visitors which his Department considers were a direct consequence of the reduced VAT rate. [23754/16]
View answerI am aware that Fáilte Ireland has commissioned two reports on the impact of the VAT reduction on the tourism industry, one in 2013 and another in 2014. I have asked the agency to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.
807. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has examined the possibility of providing a bus route serving the Knocklyon, Ballycullen, Firhouse and Rathfarnam areas and UCD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23772/16]
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.
808. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual numbers of the public using the DART in Dublin in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23773/16]
View answerThe information the Deputy seeks is publicly available through either the National Transport Authority's Rail Statistics for Ireland 2016 publication (Statistical Bulletin Number :02/2016) which is available to view on their website www.nationaltransport.ie or through the Statbank Ireland section of the Central Statistics Office's website, www.cso.ie.
809. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual total users of the red and green Luas lines in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23774/16]
View answerMy Department produces an annual publication known as Transport Trends which, among other information, provides a breakdown of the annual usage of both the Red and Green Lines over the period 2007 to 2014 and which is publicly available to view via the 'Publications' section on my Department's website, www.dttas.ie.
Unfortunately at the time of publication of this year's edition, the breakdown of Red and Green line usage for 2015 was not yet available and I have therefore referred your question to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for direct reply on this aspect.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
810. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Luas extensions and the detailed timeline for completion. [23775/16]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
In this regard, the NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA(comprising the counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow) for the period 2016-2035, provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades. It includes proposals for extensions of the existing Luas lines. Following approval of the Strategy, and in accordance with its statutory mandate, the NTA has now commenced work on a six year Integrated Implementation Plan.
The capital funding for public transport for this period is set out in the new Capital Plan, 'Building on Recovery' Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021. Funding is being provided under the Capital Plan for completion of the Luas Cross City project. The project is well advanced and is on time and within budget with operations scheduled to commence in Q4, 2017.
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.
The timeline for additional extensions of the Luas will be determined in the context of future Integrated Implementation Plans brought forward by the NTA for implementation of the Strategy and future Government Capital Reviews. Such projects would also be subject to appraisal and evaluation (including review of a detailed business case) under the Public Spending Code as well as the availability of funding.
811. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of private bus operators utilising public bus routes in Dublin, that is, those who are contracted to provide a service along public routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23776/16]
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.
812. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the development of rapid bus transport in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23777/16]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035 was approved by my predecessor, Minister Donohoe, in February 2016. It includes proposals for two specific bus rapid transit (BRT) schemes, Blanchardstown to UCD and Clongriffin to Tallaght.
In addition, the Strategy indicates that the public transport needs on the Swords/Airport to City Centre corridor may require a higher level of public transport capacity than the existing provision, both in advance of the delivery of new Metro North which is scheduled for operation in 2026/2027 and also to serve areas south of the M50 subsequent to the implementation of new Metro North. The NTA indicates that this additional capacity may take the form of a BRT service or a BRT type service. Any final arrangement will be designed to be complementary to the new Metro North scheme.
Funding is being made available for initial planning and design work for the Blanchardstown to UCD and Clongriffin to Tallaght BRT schemes under the Government's Capital Plan 'Building on Recovery Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021'. I understand from the NTA that they are currently finalising tender documents to progress the design and planning of the Blanchardstown to UCD scheme and the route option selection for the Clongriffin to Tallaght BRT scheme.
813. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of the tourism budget allocated towards research and development on an annual basis from 2010 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23778/16]
View answerThe role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy.
Fáilte Ireland is responsible for the development of the tourism sector, whereas Tourism Ireland is responsible for overseas marketing of Ireland. Their expenditures on research and development are internal budgetary decisions and accordingly, I have asked both of the tourism agencies to reply to the Deputy directly in this regard.
Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.
814. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he proposes to support the IASS pensioners in view of the significant loss incurred by such pensioners through recent State dealings and inaction. [23809/16]
View answer817. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the substantial cuts imposed on members of the IASS pension scheme in advance of the sale of the State's stake in Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23828/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 814 and 817 together.
As I pointed out in my reply to Question No. 56 on Tuesday last, 19th July, the IASS pension scheme is currently the subject of on-going legal proceedings and I am unable to comment any further on the issue.
815. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to contact the National Transport Authority to re-examine the feasibility of further orbital bus routes around the Dublin region; if he will raise the possibility of the resumption of the orbital bus service across the north of the Dublin Bay North constituency from Sutton and through Kilbarrack and Coolock to Dublin Airport, such as that run by the former commercial AerDart company. [23813/16]
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.
816. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way his Department plans to use the moneys the State received from the sale of its stake in Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23827/16]
View answerOn the 26th of May 2015 it was announced that the previous Government had decided to support IAG's takeover offer for Aer Lingus. The previous Government also decided that the proceeds of any sale would be invested in a new 'Connectivity fund' as a sub-portfolio of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF).
The offer closed on 2 September 2015 and the Exchequer received €335 million in September 2015 for its 25.1% shareholding.
The Minister for Finance subsequently received Oireachtas approval for the proceeds to be paid into this fund in accordance with Section 46(2) of the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act, 2014. This further investment strengthened ISIF's capacity to support economic investment. The connectivity fund is designed to support projects which enhance Ireland's physical, virtual or energy connectivity.
I understand from the Department of Finance that the fund will operate on a commercial basis and therefore not constitute Government expenditure.
Any parliamentary questions in relation to the management of the Fund should be addressed to the Minister for Finance.
818. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current position for the application by a company (details supplied) to commence a transatlantic service from Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23842/16]
View answerOn the 15th of April 2016 the US Department of Transportation published a tentative decision to grant Norwegian Air International (NAI) the foreign air carrier permit required by the airline to operate the proposed Cork to Boston route. A public consultation on this tentative decision was completed on the 23rd of May. It is now a matter for the US Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, to decide whether to confirm that tentative decision or not.
I and my Department continue to liaise with the European Commission regarding the matter. The Commission agrees that the 2½ year delay by the US authorities in making a decision on NAI's permit application is not acceptable. The next step in resolving the issue would be for the Commission to initiate a formal arbitration under Article 19 of the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. It is hoped that by granting the permit there will be no need to take this step. However, I am confident that the Commission, if necessary, will take the appropriate action under the Agreement to help resolve this dispute.
I look forward to a decision being confirmed by the US Department of Transportation as soon as possible so that NAI can start operating the new route from Cork to Boston and other new transatlantic routes.
819. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the planned upgrade of the Dunkettle interchange; if funding is in place for the project to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23873/16]
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 N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange ) 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.
The transport element of the Capital Plan published in September 2015 provided for some targeted investment in a number of new projects in the Munster region including the N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange. In addition, a number of other schemes targeted at removing bottlenecks and upgrading port access, will commence subject to development consent.
Noting the above 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 days.
820. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for the status on the provision of reduced speed limits in housing estates to ensure the safety of children living in those estates, the role of each local authority in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23898/16]
View answerElected members of local authorities have statutory responsibility for setting appropriate Special Speed Limit bye-laws for any particular road under their remit. The Department's Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits reiterates these responsibilities and provides guidance in relation to such.
The Guidelines encourage the use by local authorities of the 30 km/h Special Speed Limit in residential areas accompanied by appropriate signage. Local authorities have also been requested to review and update all speed limits in their administrative areas in accordance with the Guidelines and this process is currently on-going. Other publications such as the Traffic Management Guidelines and the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets also detail the options available to local authorities to facilitate traffic calming measures and to promote reduced vehicle speeds.
In addition to the 30 km/h Special Speed Limit, I am also making provision for a 20 km/h limit in the Road Traffic Bill 2016 which, once passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, will be available for implementation by local authorities.
The Department continues to support local authorities in implementing speed reduction measures in housing estates and residential areas, by providing detailed advice regarding the application of Special Speed Limits and appropriate traffic calming engineering measures, as well as by providing dedicated funding for appropriate signage. These efforts have led to many local authorities making very good progress in implementing a 30 km/h Special Speed Limit in housing areas across the country. If further measures are deemed necessary to reduce speeds in local communities, it is a matter for local authorities to assess what actions can best deliver the desired safety improvements.
