Written Replies Nos. 75 to 82
75. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether there is no strategy to promote the midlands and Shannon region as a tourism brand; when the lake lands initiative brand will be operational; if he will address concerns that Fáilte Ireland is not in favour of promoting this regional brand identity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22124/17]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
I am aware that, in regard to the River Shannon and Midlands region, in the final quarter of 2016 and in line with the Programme for Government's commitment to develop the 'Ireland's Lakelands' brand, Fáilte Ireland commissioned a consortium of Colliers, Red C and DKM to conduct a Destination and Feasibility Study to ascertain the potential growth and best mechanism to unlock those areas that lie between the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East. The consortium assessed the region and met with industry and stakeholders. Fáilte Ireland will consider the study from the consultants before deciding how best to facilitate tourism growth in the midlands and Shannon region.
76. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed tendering of the Bus Éireann Waterford city service. [22094/17]
View answerIt is the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to conduct the current public procurement process relating to the tendering out of 10% of the PSO bus network. NTA is undertaking this by way of three separate competitions; Dublin Metropolitan, Dublin Commuter and Waterford.
It is my understanding that full tender documentation has been issued to pre-qualified bidders in the Waterford competition and the NTA expects to receive bids over the coming weeks and following tender assessment appoint a preferred bidder over the summer period.
The tendering processes underway should allow us to capture potential benefits as regards value for money in terms of the use of taxpayers' money in securing the provision of public services, and I look forward to the NTA's successful progression of all three competitions.
77. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had recent engagement with the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, regarding the development of the new runway at Dublin Airport with particular reference to its plans to seek to overturn the restrictions in the An Bord Pleanála planning permission regarding night flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22105/17]
View answerDAA holds statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport, which includes the provision of necessary infrastructure like the North Runway Project which it announced last April. Since then, my officials receive regular updates from daa about progress being made on the project. In addition, I met with the Chairman and the CEO of daa in June 2016 and more recently with the Chairman on 5 April 2017 during which the North Runway project was discussed.
Following their decision to proceed with the project, daa made it clear that two of the conditions attached to the planning permission were of particular concern to them in that they would result in operating restrictions across the entire airport (not just the new runway). daa has stated its intention to seek to have these planning conditions, which they consider restrictive, altered. This position was also conveyed to me during my discussions with the daa.
The process to alter these conditions will involve the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. I understand that daa have consulted widely on the content of this EIS and that feedback reports on these consultations are available on the Dublin Airport website.
As the Deputy is aware, EU Regulation 598/2014 came into force in June last year and introduces procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports employing a "balanced approach" that takes account of land-use planning and noise mitigation measures.
This is of significant interest in the context of the development of the North Runway at Dublin Airport and potential interfaces with existing environmental and planning legislation. A statutory instrument is now being finalised to implement it into national law to provide for the designation of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) as the competent authority to assess the noise situation at Dublin airport, to implement the balanced approach to manage noise and to undertake monitoring and enforcement actions.
Provision will be made for appropriate collaborative working arrangements between the competent authority and other relevant statutory bodies, for robust consultation with stakeholders including local residents, and for an appropriate appeals mechanism. The Department continues to work with the Office of the Attorney General to complete the legislative arrangements in order to give full effect to Regulation 598/2014. This will require primary legislation as well as a Statutory Instrument under the European Communities Act 1972.
78. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for selecting a device (details supplied) as the roadside kit for drug testing drivers; if there are restrictions on the use of this kit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21966/17]
View answerThe statutory responsibility for testing, approval and supply of devices for preliminary drug testing rests with the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. I have therefore referred the Question 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.
80. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the impact the lack of a local improvement scheme is having on the roads and laneways in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21969/17]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) remains in place this year. This Scheme provides funding for private roads and laneways, the maintenance and improvement of which is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. While the LIS does not have a ring-fenced allocation in 2017, local authorities may use a proportion of State grant funding (15% of the Discretionary Grant) for LIS should they wish to do so. All available grant funding for this year has been allocated. In light of the provision in the Programme for Government indicating that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for Community Involvement and Local Improvement Schemes, I will review the scope for making a separate grant allocation once the planned Review of the Capital Plan is completed.
81. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to ensure that permanent park and ride facilities are provided as a matter of urgency to both the east and the west of Galway city (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22135/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a transport strategy for Galway City was prepared by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in partnership with Galway City Council and Galway County Council during 2016. That Transport Strategy set out an overall framework for the development of transport infrastructure and services in Galway City and its environs over a twenty year period. It includes a range of measures including the development of park and ride sites at suitable locations in the city. The Strategy has been included in the new City Development Plan which was adopted by the City Council and came into force on 7th January 2017. It is now primarily a matter for the local authority to pursue its implementation.
A mid-term review of the Government's Capital Plan is currently underway and I will be seeking to improve the funding available for public transport over the remaining years of the Plan in order to meet increasing demand, tackle congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and in our regional cities including Galway and to help deliver on meeting our climate obligations by reducing emissions from the transport sector.
I consider that one of the most important methods of tackling congestion over the short to medium term is to radically improve the bus system to deliver a step change in performance across the GDA region and in our regional cities and to complement that improved public transport system with a network of park and ride sites and I will be seeking to improve the funding available for this in the mid-term review of the Capital Plan.
82. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding his Department's capital plan and the provision of the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21970/17]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority. 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. The transport element of the Capital Plan "Building on Recovery" makes provision for several roads projects to commence which are targeted at removing critical bottlenecks or upgrading inadequate sections of road, including the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin upgrade scheme. As the implementation of the scheme is a matter for TII, I have referred the Question to TII for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my Office.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
