Written Replies Nos. 281 to 300
281. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent during 2016 by his Department and by each named public body under his Department’s remit on legal services, by reference to each firm or individual engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8033/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the expenditure on legal services during 2016, for this Department, is outlined in the following table.
In relation to the State Bodies, under the aegis of this Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves and they have been requested to forward the relevant information directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
|
Name of firm engaged/ Individual engaged |
Amount spent on legal services for 2016 € |
|
McAveety/McKenna, Solicitors |
56 |
|
PP Ryan and Co, Solicitors |
3,165 |
|
Eileen Finn BL |
431 |
|
P OConnor & Sons ,Solicitors |
8,049 |
|
T Dorgan |
5,904 |
282. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of assurances given to households that use disposable continence products for medical purposes that they will exempt from waste charges for these products following the introduction of pay-by-weight refuse collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7772/17]
View answerThe charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
The waste management industry had committed to providing a full weight allowance for the disposal of non-infancy incontinence wear to patients supplied with such products by the HSE if a mandatory pay-by-weight per-kilogramme charging system was introduced for household waste collection.
However, as the waste industry began releasing, in June 2016, its proposed prices under the introduction of a mandatory pay-by-weight charging structure, the Government relayed its concern to the industry regarding the reported escalation of waste bills for customers of certain companies and ultimately mandatory pay-per-kilogramme charging for household waste collection was not introduced in June 2016. However, it remains open to a company to continue to offer waste collection on a pay-by-weight basis. Many companies already had a pay-by-weight element to their charging structure before the agreement was reached and many of their customers had opted for this approach.
My Department is currently reviewing, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives, the introduction of an incentivised pricing system for household waste collection. Incentivised pricing aims to encourage householders to prevent, reduce and segregate their waste, to reduce our reliance on landfill for waste disposal in light of the landfill capacity emergencies that occurred in 2016, and also facilitates the industry in providing householders with a range of options to manage their waste costs. The issue raised by the Deputy will be considered as part of the review.
283. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the roll-out of high speed broadband under the rural broadband scheme will include a village (details supplied) in County Mayo; the timeframe for the upgrading of broadband in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7955/17]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed 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 private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in 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 High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE on the High Speed Broadband Map represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention, which are the subject of the current procurement process.
Individuals can check whether their premises are in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
The townland of Kilmovee falls within an AMBER area and will therefore be included In the State Intervention procurement process under the NBP.
A formal procurement process is in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. My Department will shortly update the High Speed Broadband map to finalise the Intervention Area for the Procurement process, taking into account industry investments that have not materialised in Blue areas, together with new industry investments within the proposed State Intervention Area, along with concrete and credible commitments by industry for further new investments within the 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, I and Minister Humphreys established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce in July 2016. The findings of this Taskforce recommends practical actions that can be taken to remove barriers to and improve mobile phone and broadband access in Ireland. The Taskforce report is available at the following link: www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
Minister Humphreys has established two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to unlock barriers to investment in mobile and broadband services. Since July, there has been significant progress made in discussions with the key stakeholders including local authority management representation, Government Departments and State agencies, as well as interaction with ComReg and telecoms operators.
I have 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.
284. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of premises forecast to be covered by the national broadband plan and by commercial high speed broadband services, by county, in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8028/17]
View answerThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the commercial rollout and the State Intervention area. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area where commercial operators have committed to providing services, to ensure that those services are delivered. The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention.
Information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county is available on my Department’s website at www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Broadband/Pages/County-and-Townland-Maps.aspx and I will arrange for a single summary table to be included at this link with the total number of premises in each individual county.
My Department will shortly update the High Speed Broadband map to finalise the Intervention Area for the Procurement process, taking into account industry investments that have not materialised in Blue areas, together with new industry investments within the proposed State Intervention Area, along with concrete and credible commitments by industry for further new investments within the Intervention Area.
285. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent during 2016 by his Department and by each named public body under his Department’s remit on legal services, by reference to each firm or individual engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8036/17]
View answerThe total amount spent by my Department on legal services during 2016 was €554,824 and is outlined in the following table.
|
Name of Firm |
Amount |
|
Arthur Cox |
€12,956 |
|
Matt Hayes Solicitors |
€1,876 |
|
Mason Hayes and Curran |
€539,992 |
|
Total |
€554,824 |
The information regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
286. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected date for the opening of the M17-M18 motorway from Gort to Tuam; if he has had discussions with Transport Infrastructure Ireland regarding sanction of an extension of this motorway from Tuam to Ireland West Airport, Knock; his views on whether such a motorway is integral to the goals of balanced national development and the development of the Atlantic economic corridor pledged in the programme for a partnership Government; if he is planning to hold discussions with the European Investment Bank with a view to having such a motorway financed from that source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7800/17]
View answerThe 7 year transport element of the Capital Plan published in September 2015 sets out transport investment priorities to 2022. The Plan includes provision for expenditure of €6 billion on the road network. €4.4bn of this funding is earmarked for essential maintenance and strengthening works on the network. A further €600m relates to PPP projects, including the Gort to Tuam Scheme, and €860m is targeted at progressing a limited number of new roads projects. The overall funding envelope meant that it was not possible to include a range of projects in the Plan. In this context there are no plans at present to extend the M17/M18 scheme to Ireland West Airport Knock.
As regards the expected opening date for the M17/M18 Scheme Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, 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.
287. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether, in the context of a compulsory purchase order, CPO, by the National Roads Authority, NRA, the authority pays professional legal costs. [7847/17]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question regarding professional costs during the CPO process 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.
288. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide figures on the volume of cargo goods that are transported by truck and ship via the UK to a third destination on an annual basis; the percentage of overall cargo transport by freight this represents; and if his Department is developing a contingency plan for the way to buffer the impact of Brexit on the movement of such cargo through the UK to other destinations. [7854/17]
View answerThe available data in this area is collected by the Central Statistics Office and relates to aggregate freight movements. My Department is consulting with stakeholders in the freight industry to identify how information in this area might be captured and also to examine the possible implications of Brexit and how its effects can be mitigated.
289. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects that an overall freight policy for Ireland will be developed by his Department. [7855/17]
View answerThe fast, efficient and safe movement of freight is essential to the Irish economy. The Irish freight sector is competitive and very responsive to customer needs.
My Department is currently reviewing how it intervenes in the various freight modes of road, rail, maritime and air. The purpose of the review is to identify how we can best support all involved in the logistics chain, including producers, retailers, importers, exporters and transport providers.
Brexit may have a significant impact on the movement of goods to and from the UK and to and from continental Europe via the UK landbridge. This is currently the focus of the Department's review.
290. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects the review into the feasibility of establishing Cork Airport as an independent airport to be completed; and his views on whether Cork Airport could benefit from a separation from the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, in terms of increased traffic and revenue and decreased debt. [7856/17]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, policy in relation to the future of Cork Airport was decided by Government in 2012 in the context of the decision that year to separate Shannon Airport from daa. The Government decided at that time that the existing ownership of Cork Airport by daa would be maintained for the present. However, it is also Government policy that, should it make financial sense both for Cork Airport and daa, separation could take place and the necessary legislative mechanism for this has been made in the State Airports Act 2004 (as amended by the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act, 2014). This is reflected in the National Aviation Policy (NAP), published in August 2015, which also provides that the position of Cork Airport will be reviewed again in 2019 in the context of an overall review of the ownership and operational structure of all State airports.
I was pleased to note that, after seven straight years of declining passenger numbers, Cork Airport put in a strong performance last year and saw passenger numbers grow by 8% to more than 2.23 million (2.07m in 2015). This turnaround in passenger numbers is a reflection of the success of a number of initiatives undertaken in recent times and which have been encouraged and supported by all the stakeholders in the region working together to make Cork Airport the success it can be. Among the new routes that will be on offer this year from Cork are both the direct and indirect services to North America by Norwegian Air and WOW Air respectively.
I would encourage all stakeholders in the region to continue their support to ensure the future sustainability of all services operated out of Cork Airport.
291. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has prepared or is preparing a strategy to deal with the possibility that the UK will no longer be covered under the EU Open Skies agreement; his views on whether the EU Commission will have to negotiate a new aviation transport agreement with the UK Government on removing restrictions on capacity, routing and other limits and creating a free market for services between the parties to that agreement. [7862/17]
View answer292. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the UK exiting the EU will have a negative impact on the ability of Irish registered airline carriers, such as a company (details supplied) to operate domestic routes within the UK; and if he has had any discussions with industry stakeholders in relation to this threat. [7863/17]
View answer293. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it is necessary to draft a revised national aviation policy in view of threats posed to connectivity due to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7864/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 291 to 293, inclusive, together.
Brexit is the foremost strategic risk for my Department, and I and my officials are engaged in consultations with all transport stakeholders in order to plan for and mitigate the risks associated with Brexit and to identify opportunities arising. On 23 January, I hosted an All-Island dialogue on Brexit and implications for Transport and Tourism, with the objective of getting viewpoints from various stakeholders on how the UK decision will affect them and what can be done by both industry and by Government to mitigate these adverse effects.
As an island nation, the aviation sector is critical to Ireland. It is essential for our trading relationships, for all our industries especially tourism, manufacturing and retail. The UK is by far the most important origin and destination for international passengers to and from Ireland. The current extent of air traffic between the UK and Ireland is approximately 11 million passengers and in excess of 100,000 aircraft movements each year. I am very concerned about the potential impacts of Brexit on Irish aviation and the implications for tourism and for the wider economy. These concerns have been conveyed to the European Commission's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and his team. The Department of the Taoiseach remains in constant contact with the Barnier team and will continue to engage with them on these and other Irish concerns.
Aviation services between the UK and Ireland and within the EU operate under the traffic rights afforded under the Single European Aviation Area. The British Prime Minister's recent announcements on the UK's negotiating position made it clear that a 'hard Brexit' is likely. It will be necessary therefore to negotiate a new aviation transport agreement between the EU (27 Member States) and the UK.
In the absence of a replacement arrangement, the existing traffic rights of Irish licensed airlines to fly between the UK and Ireland, the UK and the rest of the EU, within the UK, and between the UK and a range of other third countries, could be negatively impacted.
The overall connectivity objectives outlined under the National Aviation Policy (NAP), remain unchanged by the UK's decision to exit the EU. Obviously, Brexit presents a major challenge to the maintenance of current connectivity levels as well as our future growth objectives. The National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF), which was established under the NAP, has provided a platform for key stakeholders from the Irish aviation sector to discuss the potential impact of Brexit. Along with the outputs of the recent All-Island Dialogue, these discussions will guide any future actions deemed necessary under the National Aviation Policy in the context of the Brexit negotiations as they evolve.
There will be no negotiations with the UK until Article 50 has been triggered. However, in preparing for those negotiations, I am seeking to ensure that aviation will be a top negotiation priority for Ireland.
294. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the proposed project that would connect Dublin Airport to Clongriffin rail station via a spur has any merit as a heavy rail link to the airport; his further views on whether this link would fulfil Ireland's EU obligations as part of the TEN-T network to link all major airports by heavy rail; and if he will consider requesting the National Transport Authority, NTA, to undertake a revised business case analysis of the rail link in view of new growth expectations at the airport. [7865/17]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
The Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study commissioned by the NTA, and which concluded in 2015, examined all existing proposals as well as other possible options to meet the transport needs on the Swords/Dublin Airport/City Centre corridor in the long term. Following the identificiation of an initial 25 options, a short-list of 6 alternatives was selected for comprehensive comparative assessment. This short-list included the DART spur from Clongriffin to the Airport. All the short-listed options were subject to a public consultation process.
Following consideration of the study and the recommendations of the NTA arising from this study, the Government decided that a light-rail link - the new Metro North project - is the optimum long term public transport solution on the corridor. Considerations around the TEN-T regulations for the core network corridor were included in the Fingal/North Dublin Transport study.
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA for the period 2016-2035 was approved by my predecessor last year and published. This now provides the statutory framework for the development of public transport infrastructure in the GDA over the next two decades. The new Metro North project is included in the Strategy; the DART spur from Clongriffin to the airport is not.
Funding for the development of new Metro North is provided under under the Capital Plan which will facilitate construction starting in 2021 with a view to delivering the project by 2026/2027. The Programme for Partnership Government also commits to proceeding with the project.
295. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the proposed revision to the metro north project means that the progress made on designing and planning the previous project, in addition to the €190 million spent to date, will be wasted; when he estimates the new business case analysis for the revised project will be completed; and if the progression of the revised metro north project is dependent on the results of the new cost benefit analysis. [7866/17]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the new Metro North project.
The decision to proceed with new Metro North followed consideration of the Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study and the NTA's recommendations on the study, which identified the light-rail link as the optimum long term public transport solution on the Swords/airport/city centre corridor.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to proceed with the new Metro North project and funding is provided in the Capital Plan "Building on Recovery Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021" to facilitate construction of the link commencing in 2021 with a view to delivery by 2026/2027.
The NTA, in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), are currently undertaking an option analysis and selection study of possible metro alignments and station locations. Arising from this work a final route and station configuration will be established. It is my understanding that the NTA and TII anticipate that this process will be complete by the end of 2017, after which a public consultation process will be undertaken in 2018. A preliminary business case will then be prepared and it is expected that the detailed business case would be developed in 2019.
Of the previous expenditure of €170 million incurred on the original Metro North Scheme, it is anticipated that a significant proportion of this investment will be of value in the finalisation of the new Metro North project; however, the extent of that will only be determined when the current option analysis and selection work has been progressed significantly.
296. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funds provided to each regional airport under the operational expenditure and the capital expenditure programmes, State support via the public service obligation, PSO, and any other operational capital funding from the State for 2016; and the passenger numbers for the year. [7891/17]
View answerThe Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019 provides for Exchequer support towards safety and security related projects and activities at the four regional airports in Kerry, Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) and Waterford under four separate Schemes:
- Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Grant Scheme;
- Operational Expenditure (OPEX) Grant Scheme;
- Public Policy Remit* Capital Expenditure (PPR-C) Grant Scheme; and
- Public Policy Remit* Operational Expenditure (PPR-O) Grant Scheme.
*Public Policy Remit (PPR) covers projects and operations at airports which are generally obligatory under national or international aviation requirements and which involve costs for the airports that generate no economic return (e.g. ATC, fire services, security services, etc.)
The Programme also provides Exchequer funding to support the subsidised PSO air services linking Kerry and Donegal Airports with Dublin.
Details of passenger numbers and Exchequer support to the four regional airports under the above Schemes in 2016 are set out in the following table.
|
- |
Kerry |
Donegal |
IWAK |
Waterford |
Total |
|
2016 Passenger Numbers |
325,670 |
44,156 |
734,031 |
15,171* |
1,119,028 |
|
*Up to June 2016 |
|||||
|
2016 Exchequer Grants to the Regional Airports |
Kerry |
Donegal |
IWAK |
Waterford |
Total |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
CAPEX |
181,440 |
231,290 |
1,201,045 |
- |
1,613,775 |
|
OPEX |
- |
- |
- |
594,493 |
594,493 |
|
PPR-C |
129,262 |
220,022 |
764,609 |
18,381 |
1,132,274 |
|
PPR-O |
626,855 |
356,597 |
967,765 |
425,722 |
2,376,939 |
|
TOTAL |
937,557 |
807,909 |
2,933,419 |
1,038,596 |
5,717,481 |
|
2016 Exchequer Support for PSO Air Services |
|||||
|
(one contract for both services) |
€7,582,518 |
||||
|
Kerry/Dublin |
|||||
|
Donegal/Dublin |
297. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide information on alcohol related road deaths (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7897/17]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority published its Report on Fatal Collisions 2008 - 2012 where alcohol was a factor in June 2016. This report examines 867 of the 983 fatal collisions which occurred during this time specifically focusing on the role of alcohol as a contributory factor in fatal collisions.
The RSA research indicates that alcohol was a contributory factor in 38% of fatal collisions in the period 2008 - 2012. In total, 250 drivers (222 motor vehicle and 28 motorcyclists) had consumed alcohol prior to the collision, which indicates 29% of collisions involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a record of alcohol consumption prior to the collision. At the time of publication of this report, toxicology data was available on 198 of these drivers; a total of 174 (70%) were deemed to have been over the prevailing legal limit at the time of collision. As a proportion of all 867 collisions analysed, 174 (20%) involved a driver over the legal limit at the the time of the collision. A further 9% of the 867 fatal collisions were caused by a pedestrian who had consumed alcohol.
To have a confirmed presence of alcohol, there must have been at least 20mg or greater of alcohol in the blood. 10% (17) of drivers had 21-50mg, 5% (8) had 51-80mg, 5% (9) had 81-100mg, 14% (24) had 101-150mg, 17% (29) had 151-200mg, 24% (42) had 201-250mg and 25% (44) had greater than 250mg.
I would like to direct the Deputy to the Road Safety Authority's website, where the full text of the 2008-2012 Pre Crash Report is available with further detailed breakdowns.
The message from the research is never ever drink and drive.
298. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address an issue with regard to a junction in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7914/17]
View answerI note the Deputy does not refer to a particular junction at Coolbane West, Killorglin, Co. Kerry and that at least two local roads intersect with the N72 in this townsland.
As 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 (such as the N72) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with Kerry County Council.
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. Noting the above position, 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.
299. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's legislative proposals to reduce the 64% of fatal road accidents that are identified as not being associated with alcohol. [7962/17]
View answerRoad safety is under constant review by my Department in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána, to inform the development of new legislation and other appropriate measures.
The main causes of fatal road traffic collisions are alcohol and excessive speed or a combination of both. I believe that, given the high incidence of alcohol-related road deaths, that it is appropriate that road collisions, and the resulting fatalities and serious injuries associated with alcohol-related road collisions are currently receiving priority.
The Road Traffic Act 2016 contains a number of legislative measures dealing with drug driving; written off vehicles; mutual recognition of driving disqualifications between Ireland and the UK; uninsured drivers; and a new optional 20km/h speed limit in built-up areas, among other measures. The immediate priority is to have the legislative provisions of the 2016 Act commenced.
During the passage of the Road Traffic Act 2016 through the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Road Safety Authority submitted proposals for "naming and shaming" disqualified drivers. This is considered to be an effective tool in dealing with the issue of drivers continuing to drive following a disqualification. While it was not possible to accommodate the necessary provisions in that Act, I hope to bring proposals on this in the forthcoming Road Safety Authority Bill, which is currently being developed by my Departmental officials.
I believe that the legislative measures I have proposed are balanced, and that together with RSA road safety campaigns in 2017 regarding alcohol and drug driving, speeding, distracted driving/use of mobile phones, and seat-belt wearing, combined with greater enforcement by An Garda Síochána, will have an impact on road safety in 2017 and beyond.
300. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent during 2016 by his Department and by each named public body under his Department’s remit on legal services, by reference to each firm or individual engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8047/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services-2015. This document is updated twice yearly. The information for January to June 2016 is currently available and information relating to the second half of 2016 will be available in the coming weeks.
With regard to the bodies under the Department's remit, this is a matter for the bodies themselves, however I will forward the Deputy's question to them for their direct response. If the Deputy does not receive a response within 10 working days please contact my private office.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
