Written Answers No. 247 -257
247. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if studies on congestion projections have been made for the M50; if reviews have been conducted on the way to relieve the pressure on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21218/17]
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 operation of individual roads (including the M50) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
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.
248. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that transport infrastructure projects in north Dublin will consider access to and from Beaumont Hospital in the future including projects such as the bus rapid transport and metro north; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21221/17]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and the NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the region over the next two decades.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed reply in relation to access to and from Beaumont Hospital under future transport infrastructure projects in north Dublin. 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.
249. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request that Dublin Bus includes pregnant women on the signs which reserve seating for the elderly and disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21228/17]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
250. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will halt all construction on the new Luas stop during evening hours due to the negative effect it is having on students preparing for exams at Trinity College, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21229/17]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area, including the Luas Cross City project.
I have been informed by the NTA that an agreement has been reached between Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the agency tasked with the construction of the Luas Cross City project, and Trinity College Dublin Student Union on behalf of their students. A significant amount of proposed works has been rescheduled to minimise the impact on student accommodation closest to the work areas. The project is still on schedule and will be complete and in service by the end of 2017.
251. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is data to support the perception that the average age of intoxicated drivers is getting younger; the average age for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21231/17]
View answerThe collection of information and statistics relating to road safety is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. Accordingly, I have forwarded your request to the Authority for direct reply to you. If a reply is not received within 10 days please contact my office.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
252. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of time after a person has ingested and or inhaled cannabis before the technology being used for roadside drug testing will return a negative result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21285/17]
View answer253. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of time after a person has ingested cocaine before the technology being used for roadside drug testing will return a negative result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21286/17]
View answer254. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of time after a person has ingested opiates before the technology being used for roadside drug testing will return a negative result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21287/17]
View answer255. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of time after a person has ingested benzodiazepines before the technology being used for roadside drug testing will return a negative result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21288/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 252 to 255, inclusive, together.
The Medical Bureau of Road Safety has the statutory responsibility for testing and approving preliminary drug testing devices. As these are technical question relating to the devices, I have referred them to the Bureau for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
256. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will investigate with the National Transport Authority's CEO, the provision of new bus shelters nationwide; the expected start date for the planning application process with Sligo County Council for delivery of the already identified and approved new bus shelters at John Street, Sligo, and IT Sligo (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21310/17]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, etc in the State.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
257. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a date will be scheduled in Dáil Éireann to have an opportunity to debate the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21174/17]
View answerOn the 30th October 2016, the EU – Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed by representatives from Canada, the EU and its Member States. On the 15th February 2017, the European Parliament voted in support of the provisional application of CETA.
The process of ratification can now commence in some 43 national parliaments and regional assemblies across the EU according to their constitutional requirements. In Ireland’s case, the Dáil will be part of the final decision to ratify the Agreement.
I fully support provisional application of the Agreement. I am of the view that there should be no impediment to Irish companies immediately taking advantage of the provisions of CETA including eliminating tariffs on almost all of key exports, access to the Canadian procurement market, easing regulatory barriers and ensuring more transparent rules for market access.
Canada is currently finalising its internal implementation procedures to allow for its ratification of the Agreement, therefore CETA is yet to be provisionally applied. I believe that it is important to wait to see the benefits of CETA come into being, before CETA is put before the Dáil for ratification. Then we can have a fully informed, evidence based debate on the value of the Agreement to Ireland.
My Department is already working with our agencies and Business Groups to ensure that Irish firms take early advantage of the terms of the Agreement. I will be leading a trade mission to Canada in late May to promote the opportunities provided by the Agreement.
An Taoiseach is meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau today to discuss the ties between Canada and Ireland and in particular how to take advantage of the opportunities created by CETA.
