Tuesday, 17 Jan 2017

Written Answers Nos. 1534-1553

Integrated Ticketing

Questions (1534)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1534. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of users of the Leap card in each year since its launch; and his views on whether the card is a success. [41193/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development, operation and maintenance of the Leap Card system.

The Leap Card has been a tremendous success since its launch in December 2011 with over 2 million cards sold to date. The card which was launched initially in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) on bus, heavy rail and light rail services has now been extended to other cities and is being rolled out nationally on a gradual basis.  

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Public Service Vehicles

Questions (1535)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1535. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the volume of local hackney licences that have been awarded since their launch, including a breakdown of the locations they have been awarded. [41194/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The regulation of the small public service vehicle industry, including the granting of local area hackney licences, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this regard, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Fáilte Ireland Staff

Questions (1536)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1536. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff and management in Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland; the breakdown of their allocations by grade; if they are full-time employees or contract; and his views on whether the organisations have adequate human resources and provide excellent value for money. [41195/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Matters regarding staffing numbers and grades are operational matters for the two tourism agencies.  Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Regarding the adequacy and value of the agencies' staffing resources, I believe the tourism results indicate their strong performance, despite the constraints of recent years.  In keeping with the reforms and economies that took place across the public sector, the tourism agencies reconfigured and prioritised the services they provide in order to ensure delivery of core services and strategic priorities.  

Fáilte Ireland's support for the tourism industry and its efforts to sustain Ireland as a high-quality and competitive tourism destination, coupled with Tourism Ireland's strong marketing of Ireland in key overseas markets, have supported the creation of thousands of new jobs in the sector.  In the new more challenging environment for tourism that arises as a consequence of the UK Referendum on EU membership, I will be advocating strongly in the coming years for increased resources for the tourism agencies to ensure that the employment gains in the sector can be maintained and increased.

The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.

Departmental Properties

Questions (1537)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1537. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the sale of the lease of the former head office of Bord Fáilte in Baggot Street, Dublin; his views on whether it was value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41196/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The disposal of the asset referenced by the Deputy required and received the consent of the Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003.  Appropriate processes were undertaken to satisfy the then ministers that the disposal provided value for money given the market circumstances that pertained at that time. 

I have referred the question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply with any further information on the details of the sale that the agency may wish to provide.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (1538)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1538. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times and dates he has met with the CEO or chairperson of every organisation under his remit, in tabular form. [41197/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Since my appointment as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have met with the following CEOs or Chairpersons from various Agencies under the remit of my Department:

Date	Agency	Official Met
30/5/16	National Transport Authority	Chair & CEO
30/6/16	Dublin Airport Authority	Chair & CEO
4/7/16	Córas Iompair Éireann	Chair & COO
25/7/16	Road Safety Authority	Chair & CEO
8/8/16	Transport Infrastructure Ireland	Chair & CEO
9/8/16	Sport Ireland	Chair & CEO
25/8/16	Irish Aviation Authority	Chair & CEO
30/8/16	Dublin Bus	Chair & CEO
1/9/16	Medical Bureau of Road Safety	Director
5/9/15	Dublin Port Company	Chair & CEO
8/9/16	Iarnród Éireann	Chair & CEO
12/9/16	Bus Éireann	Chair & CEO
16/9/16	Dublin Bus	Chair
14/10/16	Tourism Ireland	Chair
14/11/16	Fáilte Ireland	Chair
21/11/16	Irish Aviation Authority	Chair
21/11/16	Dublin Airport Authority	Chair
5/12/16	Bus Éireann	Chair
5/12/16	Córas Iompair Éireann	Chair
16/12/16	Iarnród Éireann	Chair
12/1/17	Bus Eireann	Chair

There are a number of agencies for which I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with the Chair or CEO but I am planning to do so during 2017.

Fáilte Ireland Staff

Questions (1539)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1539. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there is no director of marketing currently in Fáilte Ireland. [41198/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.

Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for further information and direct reply.

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (1540)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1540. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with the Rural Transport Network; and if so the details of the discussions they had. [41199/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I have not met with the Rural Transport Network since my appointment as Minister. As the Deputy will be aware, since 2012 the National Transport Authority (NTA) has been assigned responsibility for the management of the Rural Transport Programme funded by my Department.

Patient Transport

Questions (1541)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1541. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any discussions with the Minister for Health regarding creating economies between transport services and health services, in view of the volume of taxpayers' money that is being spent by the HSE on taxis. [41200/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As the Deputy will be aware, since 2012 the National Transport Authority (NTA) has been assigned national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme funded by my Department.

As I have advised the House previously, the NTA is preparing a report for my Department, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, regarding the potential for integration with other transport type services such as the HSE transport services. I anticipate that the Report will be submitted to the Oireachtas Transport Committee shortly.

Sports Organisations

Questions (1542)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1542. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met representatives of an organisation (details supplied); and if he plans to meet representatives of the organisation. [41201/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I have not had a meeting with the Gaelic Players Association nor am I in receipt of a request from them in relation to arranging a meeting.

Departmental Meetings

Questions (1543)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1543. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of ministerial management advisory committee, MinMAC, meetings he has held and attended in his Department since he was appointed. [41202/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Ministerial Management Board (MMB) comprises Minister of State O'Donovan and myself, members of the Management Board of the Department, my advisers and officials. It usually meets on the third Thursday of each month, with the exception of August. Since my appointment as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the MMB has met on four occasions, all of which I attended, as follows:

- 16 June 2016

- 21 July 2016

- 13 September 2016

- 17 November 2016.

MMB meetings scheduled for 20 October 2016 and 15 December 2016 were cancelled due to a family bereavement in October and my attendance in the Dáil for the Road Traffic Bill on 15 December 2016.

The next meeting of the MMB is scheduled for 26 January 2017.

Departmental Properties

Questions (1544)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1544. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to consolidate the number of buildings that are currently used by his Department. [41203/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Department has withdrawn staff from 44 Kildare Street, its former headquarters, and has established its headquarters at its Lesson Lane offices. While there are ongoing discussions with the OPW, there are no plans for further consolidation.

Tourism Policy

Questions (1545)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1545. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it is appropriate that there are three national tourism bodies on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41204/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Each jurisdiction on the island of Ireland, that is Ireland and Northern Ireland, has its own tourism development authority responsible for tourism matters within their jurisdiction, including: the development of quality tourism product; domestic tourism marketing; tourism standards; enterprise support and capability building for the tourism industry.  Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority for Ireland, established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003.  The equivalent body in Northern Ireland is known as Tourism Northern Ireland, which is an agency of the Northern Ireland Executive, and the Irish Government has no role with regard to it. 

Additionally, Tourism Ireland was established under the Good Friday Agreement to market the island of Ireland as a tourism destination in overseas markets, on behalf of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.  It is accountable to the North South Ministerial Council and is meeting objectives that are aligned with the wider peace process ambitions of the Good Friday Agreement.

Taxi Licences

Questions (1546)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1546. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of taxi drivers who have had their licences withdrawn in 2014, 2015 and 2016. [41205/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As the Deputy will be aware, the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including licensing issues, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. 

I have referred the Deputy's Question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (1547, 1548, 1549, 1550)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1547. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met Dublin Bus management since he became Minister. [41206/16]

Alan Kelly

Question:

1548. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met Bus Éireann management since he became Minister. [41207/16]

Alan Kelly

Question:

1549. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met Irish Rail management since he became Minister. [41208/16]

Alan Kelly

Question:

1550. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met CIE management since he became Minister. [41209/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1547 to 1550, inclusive, together.

Since my appointment as Minister, I have met with the Chairs of each of the CIÉ companies on the following dates -

- Córas Iompair Éireann: 4 July and 5 December 2016

- Bus Átha Cliath: 30 August 2016 and 16 September 2016

- Bus Éireann: 12 September, 5 December 2016 and 12 January 2017

- Iarnród Éireann: 8 September and 16 December 2016

In addition to these meetings I am of course briefed by my Department on any relevant issues which arise during the course of normal administrative and corporate governance related contact between my Department and the companies in question.

European Council Meetings

Questions (1551)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1551. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of European Council meetings he has attended to date; and the details of the matters discussed. [41210/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

There have been 2 Councils of Ministers for Transport since my appointment as Minister. I attended the Council of Ministers on 7th June 2016, and an Assistant Secretary and officials from the Permanent Representative Office in Brussels attended in my place for the Council meeting of 1 December 2016.

The main issues discussed at June Council are outlined below.

- The Council adopted mandates which will enable the Commission to launch negotiations on comprehensive air transport agreements with four key partners: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey.

- The Council also agreed on a general approach on new rules concerning the recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation.

- There was a policy debate on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel cars and the Council considered that efforts should be made to clarify the application of existing legislation on defeat devices in order to reduce NOx emissions from vehicles.

- In addition, the Council discussed the contribution of the EU to the ongoing talks in ICAO on a global market-based measure to cut CO2 emissions from international aviation, in preparation of the next ICAO Assembly. The Council also took note of progress made on a proposal to revise the current regulatory framework on aviation safety, which includes the first-ever EU-wide rules on the use of drones and important new provisions on safety-related security matters.

Full details of the outcome of the June Council meeting can be found on the website of the Council of the European Union at http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/tte/2016/06/06-07/. The outcome of the Council meeting on 1 December 2016 can also be found on the website at the following link: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/tte/2016/12/01-02/.

Official Engagements

Questions (1552)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1552. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the sporting events, including the dates of the events, he has attended in an official capacity since becoming Minister, in tabular form; and the costs to the Exchequer for his attendance at any of these events. [41211/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The information requested by the Deputy is being collated and will be provided directly to him within 10 working days. 

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A:

I refer to your Parliamentary Question above which was submitted to my Department for written answer by myself on Tuesday 17 January 2017 and to which you received a holding reply.

The information you requested in this Parliamentary Question has been collated by officials in my Department and is furnished in the table.

I trust that this clarifies the position satisfactorily.

Date	Event	Sport	Venue	Cost to Exchequer (€)
27/5/16	Ireland V Holland	Football	Dublin	N/A
18/6/16	Ireland V Belgium	Football	Bordeaux	784.72
26/6/16	Ireland V France	Football	Lyon	654.51
30/7/16	Celtic V Barcelona	Football	Dublin	N/A
14 – 18/8/16	Olympic Games	Various	Rio	7098.45 *
4/9/16	Mens' Senior All-Ireland Final	Hurling	Dublin	N/A
18/9/16	Mens' Senior All-Ireland Final	Football	Dublin	N/A
25/9/16	Ladies' Senior All-Ireland Final	Football	Dublin	N/A
1/10/16	Mens' Senior All-Ireland Final Replay	Football	Dublin	N/A
6/10/16	Ireland V Georgia	Football	Dublin	N/A
5/11/16	Ireland V New Zealand	Rugby	Chicago	1532.65 *
12/11/16	Ireland V Canada	Rugby	Dublin	N/A
19/11/16	Ireland V New Zealand	Rugby	Dublin	N/A
26/11/16	Ireland V Australia	Rugby	Dublin	N/A

* The figures shown represent the cost of flights ONLY. Costs for accommodation have not yet been finalised.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (1553)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1553. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has visited the Killarney office of his Department and the reason for the visits. [41212/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I have not yet had the opportunity to visit my Departments' offices in Killarney but I am planning to do so in 2017. The Department's staff in Killarney deal with sports and tourism matters. Minister of State O'Donovan, who has responsibility for sports and tourism functions, has however visited the Killarney offices during 2016.