Written Answers Nos. 245-274
245. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which Irish agricultural products will be marketed to other nations outside of the United Kingdom in view of the UK referendum to leave the EU; the steps he is taking in the development of plans for individual food sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3323/17]
View answerThe pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade. Indeed, this is all the more relevant after the UK’s decision to leave the EU, which presents significant new challenges for the agri-food sector in particular.
Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region. This is where our efforts will be focused for the foreseeable future, particularly given the need to diversify our markets and to reduce our reliance on traditional destinations such as the UK.
In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025, I and Minister Doyle led trade missions to China, Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea in September 2016. In November I also led a trade mission to Morocco which was extended at senior official level to include Algeria. Earlier in 2016, senior officials accompanied a Bord Bia trade mission to Iran, and travelled on to Turkey and met with officials to discuss trade of live animals.
I will lead a Trade Mission to the Gulf Region at the end of February. This will cover the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. My Department is currently working with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland to finalise the arrangements for this mission, which will include participants from across the agri-food sector and will feature extensive trade contacts as well as political discussions with my counterparts in the host countries.
The mission will serve to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It will also promote Ireland’s reputation as a producer of high quality, safe and sustainably produced meat and dairy products in the Gulf region. I am also considering a range of other destinations for the remainder of 2017, although no decision has yet been made in terms of content or timing. Again, markets in Asia, Africa and America are likely to feature prominently in these considerations, and I am of course ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.
246. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to protect agricultural producers from currency value shifts between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom following the UK referendum to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3324/17]
View answer247. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure smooth agricultural trade between the Border region, notably counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal, and Northern Ireland under the possibility of a hard Border with the Republic of Ireland following the UK referendum to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3325/17]
View answer248. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to protect farmers and other agricultural producers under the possibility of a hard Border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, especially in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal, following the UK referendum to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3331/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 to 248, inclusive, together.
I am acutely aware of the potential risks and challenges that arise in the agri-food sector from the Brexit vote, including in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal. My Department’s ultimate goal in relation to the agri-food sector is to be able to continue to trade freely with the UK in both directions. This trade should be carried out without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures.
The most immediate impact of the vote on Irish farming has been the effect of exchange rate volatility, with sectors such as mushrooms and forestry particularly exposed due to their high dependence on the UK market. In response, my Department and its agencies have implemented a range of measures, including the new low-interest agri-cash flow fund of €150m, agri-taxation measures, increased funding of Bord Bia and BIM, investment in R and D and innovation, and increased expenditure on the Rural Development Programme and the Seafood Development Programme.
A number of additional issues arise over the longer term, mainly in the context of the potential future trading relationship between the UK and the EU, but also in the related areas of standards, and veterinary and certification requirements. There is a particular North-South dimension to these issues which will need to be addressed also and there are separate, and potentially severe, implications arising from the loss of the UK contribution to the EU budget, and from future access to fisheries stocks.
I consider it vitally important that our key message of remaining as close as possible to the current trading arrangements is heard and understood across Europe, and for that reason the extensive consultations currently being undertaken with our EU counterparts at political and official levels will continue, and indeed intensify, over the coming months.
249. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3344/17]
View answerThe person named is also a participant in the Burren Programme, and because of the synergies between the two schemes the processing of his Organic Farming Scheme application could not be progressed until it was clear what his precise eligibility for payment would be in respect of both these schemes. A determination has now been made on this and I am happy to say that a letter of approval and first payment under the Organic Farming Scheme will issue shortly.
250. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reinstate area aid for a person (details supplied). [3348/17]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 20 October 2015, thus incurring 100% late penalty as per the Terms and Conditions of the 2015 Scheme. My Department has been in contact with the representatives of the person named on numerous occasions and a letter has issued to him outlining the position and informing him of his right of appeal.
251. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment has not issued under GLAS 1 to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; when payment is likely to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3357/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015.
The application has not successfully completed the 2015 prepayment checking process, due to issues identified with the Basic Payment Scheme application and issues found with the Commonage action. Department officials are examining these issues with a view to resolving and further processing the application for payment at the earliest opportunity.
Following the issue of payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year, the prepayment checks will get under way for 2016.
252. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment has not issued under the agri-environment option scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; when payment is likely to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3360/17]
View answerThe person named commenced their AEOS 2 contract on 1 September 2011. Payments have issued in respect of the 2011-2015 Scheme years.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place. As all AEOS 2 participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Officials are working through these files and payment will be made as soon as possible.
253. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin Scéim Buníocaíochta / Scéim na Limistéar faoi Shrianta Nádúrtha, don bhliain 2016, le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); cén fáth go bhfuil moill ar an íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [3362/17]
View answerFuair mo Roinn iarratas faoi Scéim Buníocaíochta 2016 ón duine ainmnithe ar an 2 Meitheamh 2016. De réir na dTéarmaí agus Coinníollacha a bhaineann leis an scéim, gearradh pionós 13% ar an iarratas seo as ucht é a bheith déanach. I mí Eanáir 2017, íocadh an t-airgead faoin Scéim Buníocaíochta go díreach isteach i gcuntas bainc ainmnithe an iarratasóra. Níl aon taifead ann gur chuir an duine ainmnithe isteach ar Scéim na Limistéar faoi Shrianta Nádúrtha. Rachaidh oifigeach ó mo Roinn i dteagmháil leis an duine ainmnithe chun an scéal a mhíniú.
254. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3445/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full entitlements in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
The 2016 prepayment checking process was not successfully completed due to issues identified with the Natura and Protection of Watercourses from Bovines actions. The cross checks with the Basic Payment Scheme found that the Crop Code/parcel usage for both the Natura and Protection of Watercourses from Bovines actions were not in accordance with scheme specifications and therefore requires further examination. Department officials are actively working to resolve these issues to allow further processing of the application for 2016 payment.
255. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the planting of forestry on a commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3446/17]
View answerCommonage land is not automatically excluded from the Afforestation Grant and Premium Schemes. However, all shareholders must be identified and each must give their consent to the application. Further information on ownership and commonages may be obtained from Section 3 the Forestry Schemes Manual.
All applications for Afforestation are subjected to a screening process to determine if an Environmental Impact Assessment is required. In some cases, applications will be screened for an appropriate assessment to ascertain if there could be a potential adverse impact on a designated Natura 2000 site. National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) may be requested to provide their observations, particularly when a proposed site is close to a SAC. Any restrictions would depend on many factors, such as the location, size and type of site, and information received during the consultation process.
256. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding planting a commonage with forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3462/17]
View answerCommonage land is not automatically excluded from the Afforestation Grant and Premium Schemes. However, all shareholders must be identified and each must give their consent to the application. Further information on ownership and commonages may be obtained from Section 3 the Forestry Schemes Manual.
All applications for Afforestation are subjected to a screening process to determine if an Environmental Impact Assessment is required. In some cases, applications will be screened for an appropriate assessment to ascertain if there could be a potential adverse impact on a designated Natura 2000 site. National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) may be requested to provide their observations, particularly when a proposed site is close to a SAC. Any restrictions would depend on many factors, such as the location, size and type of site, and information received during the consultation process.
257. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the use of biomass at Ireland's peat burning power stations, Edenderry, Loughree, and west Offaly; the percentage of biomass used in co-firing at the three peat power stations; the tonnage and percentage of biomass supplied from Bord na Móna willow plantations, Coillte Teoranta and a company (details supplied); the outlook for expanding willow production and Coillte Teoranta sourced biomass; if straw from agricultural tillage is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3308/17]
View answerWithin the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to further decrease Ireland's dependence on imported fossil fuels through the use of indigenous renewable energy resources. This commitment builds upon the recognition in the 2015 Energy White Paper of the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050. Ireland’s transition to a low carbon energy future will ultimately involve moving to lower emissions fuels (e.g. moving initially from peat and coal to gas), and ultimately towards a greater reliance on renewable energy, including biomass. It is important to note, however, that the fuel used in power stations is a matter for the operators involved and I have no role or function in this regard.
However, I am aware that there is substantial co-firing of biomass with peat taking place at the Edenderry plant operated by Bord na Móna. Currently, this plant is receiving support under REFIT 3. I have been informed that in 2016 the total biomass usage at the Edenderry Power Plant was 317,962 tonnes, of this 99,022 tonnes was imported. The two ESB operated plants cited by the Deputy are not presently receiving support under REFIT 3, yet I understand that they have been undertaking trials with different forms of biomass.
The Bioenergy Scheme administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine previously provided once-off capital grants to facilitate the establishment of willow for use in renewable energy production. However, uptake on the Scheme was poor and attracted only four applications in 2015. The continuation of a support scheme to grow bioenergy crops is now under review.
In addition, Bord na Móna and Coillte Teoranta are presently developing proposals to establish a partnership, to be known as Bioenergy Ireland, which would seek to stimulate both the demand and supply sides of the biomass market with a range of company-led initiatives.
In 2016, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) published its report ‘Bioenergy Supply in Ireland 2015-2035’ in which a number of bioenergy resources were examined in detail, including straw. This report can be downloaded from the SEAI website at http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Renewables_Publications_/Bioenergy/Bioenergy-Supply-in-Ireland-2015-2035.pdf.
258. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for extending broadband in areas (details supplied) in County Longford. [3346/17]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question Number 1481 of 17 January, 2017 in which I advised that the business referred to falls within the AMBER area, which is the target area for the State Intervention and will, therefore, be included in the State Intervention procurement process which is now underway.
259. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that waste from the former Bray town council dump at Bray Harbour is being washed into the Irish Sea; if so, the action being taken to rectify this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3399/17]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management Act 1996, the preparation and adoption of a waste management plan is the statutory responsibility of the local authority or authorities concerned, and under section 60(3) of the Act I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
However, I am aware of the former Bray Municipal Landfill which was operated by Bray Urban District Council (now part of Wicklow County Council) at North Beach, Bray. This site is located largely within the county boundary of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and has been the subject of on-going erosion by winter storms at sea over a prolonged period. The majority of this site is now in the private ownership of Woodbrook Golf Club.
At the end of January 2016 the Environmental Protection Agency advised Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to carry out an Environmental Risk Assessment, including site investigations.
On foot of this advice, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council appointed Fehily Timoney & Company to carry out the necessary work. A detailed site investigation has been carried out and a technical report is currently being considered by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Wicklow County Council and the EPA.
The purpose of this technical report is to identify any remedial measures that may be required to protect the environment in the immediate area of the former landfill. Regular monitoring and inspections of the beach are being carried out by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Wicklow County Council and Woodbrook Golf Club. In addition Woodbrook Golf Club has assigned one of their staff members to do a regular clean-up of any debris found on the beach.
260. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider instructing the appropriate semi-State companies under his Department that are engaged in electric power generation to engage with the liquidator of a company (details supplied) to determine whether any of the semi-State companies could complete this project and operate it. [3409/17]
View answer261. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will instruct his Department to engage with the liquidator of a company (details supplied) in County Mayo to determine the assistance the State could lend to ensure this project is completed in view of the fact that it will provide some much needed employment in County Mayo and assist greatly in marketing the area, in conjunction with the fibre optic cable that came on shore in Killala, as a place for technology companies and potentially data centres to locate. [3410/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.
As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have overall responsibility for several commercial semi state companies a number of whom are involved in renewable electricity generation. However, the issues the Deputy raises are an operational matter for the Board and management of each company and one in which I have no direct function.
262. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3453/17]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
Currently, approximately 1.4m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband from commercial service providers and investment by the telecoms sector is continuing to expand this footprint.
The proposed State intervention under the NBP represents a potentially very significant capital investment project for the State and the Government is firmly committed to delivering this investment, as evidenced in the National Broadband Plan itself and in the Programme for Government, the Action Plan for Jobs and the Statement of Government Priorities.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the current extent of the State Intervention area. The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The AMBER areas on the map show the target areas for the State intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process. It is intended that premises within this area will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
Under EU State Aid rules, public investment in a commercial market has to be targeted at areas where there is evidence of market failure. Therefore, the Government's proposed investment under the NBP will apply to those parts of the country that are unlikely to be served commercially.
A formal procurement process is now in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. The procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. This provides for a future proofed solution for the 25 years of the contract and beyond. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second.
The timeframe for the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders, during the procurement process. During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
In a further positive initiative, last July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. The Taskforce report which was published in December, is available at the following link:http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
I recently signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with the allocation of spectrum in the 3.6GHz band, in early 2017. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country, including Co Kerry.
263. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the surplus or deficit for the year after public service obligation payments and after exceptional items for each of the years 2010 to 2016; and the accumulated deficit or surplus at start and end of the year respectively for each of the CIÉ constituent companies. [3251/17]
View answerThe information requested is publicly available through the published accounts of the CIÉ Group and its subsidiary companies. However in order to assist the Deputy I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
264. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of Transport Infrastructure Ireland's study into the current capacity of the N4 and N7; when this report will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3311/17]
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 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. 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 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
265. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of capital sports grants allocated to local authorities and all sports capital grant payments to local authorities since 2006, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3313/17]
View answerDetails of all allocations under the Sports Capital Programme, including those referred to by the Deputy, are published on the Department's website www.dttas.ie. Details of all payment made since 2008 are also published on the Department's website. Payments prior to 2008 are contained in the Appropriation Accounts published by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General www.audgen.gov.ie.
266. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review and address the concerns of a company (details supplied) in relation to a matter; his future plans to ease the pressure on this type of business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3318/17]
View answerWith regard to the registration and entry into service of newly imported motor vehicles in Ireland, Ireland's European Communities (Road Vehicles: Entry into Service) Regulations 2009 – S.I. 157 of 2009 give effect to the requirements set out in Directive 2007/46/EC (as amended) on vehicle type approval, and to each of the separate EU Directives and Regulations in relation to same.
Currently, I have no proposals to amend the existing Entry into Service Regulations as suggested in the details supplied with the Deputy's Question.
267. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure ease of transit and continued transportation for those persons who live in the Border region, notably counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, and Donegal, and who commute to work in Northern Ireland, under the possibility of a hard Border with the Republic of Ireland following the UK referendum to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3335/17]
View answerThe Government has been very clear on Ireland's priorities in the preparing for the UK exit from the EU. These are:
- economic and trading arrangements,
- the Northern Ireland Peace Process including border issues,
- the common travel area, and
- the future of the European Union.
In her speech last week, Prime Minister May highlighted the closeness of the relationship between Britain and Ireland and indicated that her priorities include maintaining the common travel area and avoiding a return to a hard border with Northern Ireland. The challenge is to see how this can be achieved.
My Department has and will continue to undertake extensive consultations with sectorial stakeholders on the implications of the UK exit and the actions that both industry and the Government need to take to mitigate these impacts. Minister of State O'Donovan and I hosted All-Island Sectorial Dialogues for Transport and Tourism in Dundalk on Monday last in which some 200 interested parties from both sides of the border participated. The importance of the freedom of movement across the border was a major issue for all involved and re-inforced the priority that the Government is giving to this matter.
The Government has fully engaged with our EU partners, including the Barnier negotiation team, on our priorities. Our negotiation positions have been prepared while risks and mitigation measures are being identified.
268. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the review to be carried out by his Department on a submission from Kildare County Council regarding the Athy ring road before the project goes to An Bord Pleanála; if this process will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3352/17]
View answerAs you know the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, such as the Athy Distributor Road, is the statutory responsibility of Kildare County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides that a number of schemes, including the Athy Distributor Road, targeting bottlenecks in the road network will be progressed subject to necessary approvals. In this context the project has to meet the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department's Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects as well has obtaining planning approval. It is a matter for Kildare County Council to progress the scheme through the approval process.
As regards the planning approval process, the Council has advised my Department that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Screening report has been prepared and it concludes that an EIS is required. I understand that the Council has sought An Bord Pleánala's direction under Clause 50(1)(b) of the Roads Act, as amended, for the preparation of an EIS. The Council is to inform my Department when a direction from An Bord Pleánala is received.
In relation to the project appraisal process, the Council has submitted the project Business Case and Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) documentation for consideration by my Department. Consideration of the project appraisal documentation involves a number of steps. As the project has an estimated cost in excess of €20 million, my Department's Economic and Financial Evaluation Unit in liaison with the Central Expenditure and Evaluation Unit (CEEU) in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will need to review the CBA for compliance with the Public Spending Code and my Department's Common Appraisal Framework. The overall Business Case will then need approval.
The project appraisal procedure will be progressed as soon as possible taking into account available resources. I can confirm my support for this project and have made available an allocation of €1 million as part of yesterday's announcement on Regional and Local roads grants to progress this project.
269. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that funding is provided in 2017 towards the provision of necessary road improvement works on a national route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3375/17]
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 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. 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 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
270. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the provisions in the contract between Transport Infrastructure Ireland and a company (details supplied) with regard to the construction of Dundalk bypass whereby TII could instruct contract variations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3380/17]
View answer271. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated amount of compensation that would have to be paid to a company (details supplied) for any loss of income as a result of the dismantling of the Drogheda slip road tolls; the number of years the compensation would cover; if he will provide the compensation broken down by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3381/17]
View answer272. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the methods by which his Department would calculate the estimated amount of compensation in relation to any possible loss of income to a company (details supplied) as a result of the dismantling of the Drogheda slip roads; the variables and formula to be used; the rationale for the variables; the source for the information for the variables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3382/17]
View answer273. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the person or body that has the power to levy tolls on national roads to make toll by-laws and to enter into agreements relating to tolls on national roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3383/17]
View answer274. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costs of operating the slip road tolls at the Donore exit in Drogheda; the operational costs, staffing costs and all other associated costs broken down by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3384/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 to 274, inclusive, together.
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 operation of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Furthermore, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements relating to tolls on national roads is vested in Transport Infrastructure Ireland under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 as amended.
As indicated previously to the Deputy, the contractual arrangements relating to M1 tolls are, therefore, matters for TII. As part of the contract, the PPP Company is entitled to charge tolls in line with the approved toll scheme. The approved toll scheme provides for tolls on the main motorway and the Donore Interchange ramps. My understanding is that the Donore ramp toll plazas were installed to mitigate possible "rat running" with the adverse impacts that would have on local communities. In response to concerns expressed at the time about the possible impact on business in Drogheda, the approved toll scheme stipulates that where a vehicle exits the motorway, having paid a toll, and re-enters within three hours, no further charge is payable.
As the contractual provisions relating to the operation of the M1 and Donore ramp toll plazas, including the contract variation provisions, are matters for TII, I have referred the Deputy's Question to TII for reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
