Written Answers Nos. 732-46
732. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a driving licence renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37338/16]
View answerThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in individual cases. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
733. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has any planned policy or proposed legislation aimed at combatting rural isolation due to the lack of rural transportation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37438/16]
View answerMy Department provides funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for the management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP). The objective of the RTP is to provide a quality nationwide community based public transport system in rural Ireland which responds to local needs. These needs include isolation in rural areas arising from unmet public transport needs.
A major restructuring of the RTP arising from a 2011 Value for Money and Policy Review, involving the formation of 17 Transport Coordination Units (TCUs) from 35 previously existing rural transport groups, was implemented on a phased basis during 2014 and 2015. The purpose of the restructuring of the RTP is to protect the provision of rural transport services into the future by ensuring a more efficient delivery structure that maximises integration with other State transport services and by making the Programme a sustainable part of the public transport system.
The NTA, in consultation with the TCUs and other relevant stakeholders, is overseeing a number of initiatives to improve connectivity and integration of RTP services with other State funded transport services which will be of particular benefit to those at risk of social exclusion. The restructured RTP offers a structure to integrate rural transport services with other State funded local transport services, to achieve greater synergies, better meet identified transport needs and deliver increased value for money for the exchequer. The NTA is also preparing a report for my Department, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, for submission to the Oireachtas Transport Committee, regarding the potential integration with other transport type services such as the HSE transport networks.
The NTA, in its role as regulator of the taxi industry, introduced the Local Area Hackney licence in December 2013. This was recommended in the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011 as a means of providing a low cost entry to the hackney market for transport provision in rural locations which would otherwise not receive such services. It should be noted that it is not intended to replace or displace conventional hackney or taxi services.
734. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding that has been allocated to Sligo County Council towards the development of the N4 Collooney-to-Castlebaldwin road upgrade scheme by his Department since 2012 for CPOs and other works; when the overall contract for the road will be awarded; the expected completion date of the road project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37482/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), formerly the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
735. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the future of the Sligo-to-Dublin Irish Rail route has been thrown into doubt following comments by Irish Rail officials regarding the company's overall finances; if he will ensure that this essential service for the north west will not be curtailed in any way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37489/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is currently running a public consultation on rail in Ireland. It was launched two weeks ago with the publication of the Rail Review 2016 - which the NTA undertook in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann - together with an NTA consultation document "The Role of Rail in Ireland and Funding its Delivery". Both documents are available on the NTA's website.
The public consultation process will give the public and all interested parties the opportunity to give their views and contribute to the debate on the future of heavy rail in Ireland. The public consultation process will run until 18 January and the NTA will then prepare a report based on the findings; thereafter I intend to bring this report to Government. No decisions will be made about the heavy rail network before the public consultation process has concluded and been evaluated.
736. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce an NCT or MOT requirement for trikes or three-wheeled motorbikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37500/16]
View answerI understand that while Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers provides for the roadworthiness testing of three-wheeled vehicles from 1 January 2022, EU Member States who have appropriate alternative road safety measures in place can avail of an exemption from this requirement.
An issue of concern in relation to this vulnerable cohort of road users is certain driving behaviour exhibited by and towards motorcyclists, including those driving three wheeled motorbikes, on our road network. While any measures which have a positive effect on road safety are to be welcomed, it is important to ensure that the optimal road safety impact is realised.
Having statutory responsibility for vehicle testing arrangements, the Road Safety Authority will examine the requirements of Directive 2014/45/EU and will report to my Department on their recommendations shortly.
737. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be made available to urgently address the need for a bypass of Tipperary town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37511/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), formerly the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the TII for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
738. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress there has been in the implementation of section E, paragraph 1.4 of the Fresh Start-Stormont Agreement in the 12 months since it was signed on 17 November 2015, including the progress on the building of the A5 road project and investment in the Dublin-to-Belfast rail line listed separately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37534/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware implementation of the A5 project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Authorities. Since the conclusion of the Fresh Start Agreement, the Northern Ireland authorities have been moving ahead with the project planning process. A public consultation exercise on the project statutory orders and Environmental Statement was concluded earlier this year and a Public Inquiry on the proposed scheme under the aegis of the Planning Appeals Commission is underway.
As regards the Dublin-Belfast rail line, Iarnród Eireann has advised my Department that €21.3 million was invested in the refurbishment of the Drogheda Viaduct and the Enterprise Fleet refurbishment which was successfully completed by early 2016.
739. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reports commissioned by his Department since 2006 which, while completed or in final draft form, have not been published; the reason they have not been published; the expected publication date; the cost to date of each such report; if tenders were invited; if it is not intended to publish any such report, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37556/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services-2015.
740. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the concerns of a person (details supplied); if his Department will facilitate the person's requests to meet Fáilte Ireland and assist with the request for the appointment of consultants within Meath County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37573/16]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. The Deputy should contact my private office if he has not received a reply within ten working days.
I should also highlight that I have no role in the appointment of consultants within Meath County Council.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
741. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the early activities announced in relation to the M20 Cork-to-Limerick motorway project will include a review of the junction strategy that was previously in place for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37575/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects 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.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
742. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address an issue (details supplied). [37591/16]
View answerAs the question refers, my Department recently launched, for public consultation, a draft national policy framework on alternative fuels infrastructure for transport. The deadline for receipt of submissions was last Wednesday, 23 November.
Among the range of alternative fuels being considered is electricity supply for stationary aircraft through the deployment of fixed external ground power units or FEGP units.
As the policy refers, Dublin Airport already has 27 of these units installed on Pier 4 and has plans to install more by end 2016. The benefits in terms of lower local emissions and noise are recognised.
An examination of all submissions from the consultation is now underway and my Department expects to publish its review of these along with the final policy framework in the coming weeks.
743. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department, or the agencies that report to his Department, entered into any non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements with any organisation due to court action or a threatened court action; and if so, the persons or groups with which these agreements exist. [37636/16]
View answerFollowing consultation with the Department's Legal Adviser, the provision of any such information would undermine and possibly breach any confidentiality agreements that may have been entered into.
744. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37747/16]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) 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 at present, 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.
While 2017 will see a modest increase in funding for roads, it will take some years yet under the Capital Plan to restore "steady state" funding levels for regional and local roads. The primary focus will have to continue to be on the maintenance and renewal of public roads. I do, however, expect that local authorities will continue to be able to use a proportion of their Discretionary Grant for the local improvement scheme in 2017.
In light of the provision in the Programme for Government indicating that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for Local Improvement Schemes, I will be raising the issue of increased funding in the context of the planned Review of the Capital Plan.
745. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, following the opening of the Luas cross city as far as Broombridge station, the Irish rail timetable will be amended to allow the Sligo train stop at Broombridge to create inter-connectivity between the two routes, particularly for the morning service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37748/16]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Irish Rail 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.
746. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the appointment of additional special advisers by him and Ministers of State in his Department. [37895/16]
View answerNo additional Special Advisers have been appointed by me or Minister of State O'Donovan. I have appointed two Special Advisers since I took up office in line with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on the staffing of Minister's and Minister of State's Offices. No Special Advisers have been appointed by Minister of State O'Donovan.
