Written Answers Nos. 1053-1080
1053. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to hold meetings with the Minister for Justice and Equality regarding reviewing eligibility for tourism visas in view of Brexit. [34114/17]
View answerEase of access is an important consideration for visitors from developing tourism markets. Tourism into Ireland has benefitted from initiatives such as the visa waiver scheme and the British Irish Visa Scheme. In respect of Brexit, one of the priorities from a tourism perspective is that joint visa arrangements with the UK are maintained. My Department has emphasised the importance of maintaining the existing arrangements at various formal inter-departmental groups and groups that include stakeholders from outside the public service. The visa arrangements matter has been discussed at the External Trade Council, the Cabinet Committee on Brexit, the Brexit Economy and Trade Work Group, the Brexit Common Travel Area Work Group as well as the Brexit Tourism Work Group. Officials from my Department and officials from the Department of Justice and Equality attend these fora.
As the Deputy is aware, eligibility for travel visas is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and Equality. My officials are in regular contact with that Department in respect of visas from a tourism perspective. For example, on July 11th, officials from my Department and Tourism Ireland attended a working group meeting on visas at the Department of Justice and Equality, with particular emphasis on visa arrangements for China. Further meetings of this Working Group are planned to discuss issues in respect of visas.
1054. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projects that TII have shovel ready; the budget needed for each; and the timeframe for completion of same. [34115/17]
View answer1055. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget that TII has to do preparatory work; and the schemes that are going through initial stages. [34116/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1054 and 1055 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to roads. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects on national roads are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority.
Noting the above position, I have referred the matter to TII for direct 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.
1056. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to forward the necessary legislation to give the NTA the authority to regularise the use of rickshaws. [34119/17]
View answerFollowing consideration of proposals from the National Transport Authority (NTA) and legal advice which I received, I am proceeding with the drafting of Heads of a Bill to provide for a new Part to be inserted to the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 exclusively for the regulation of rickshaws. The approach will, amongst things, ensure that the relevant interactions with the existing legislative framework under the 2013 Act for small public service vehicles (taxis, hackneys and limousines) are properly integrated; the definition of 'rickshaw' will encompass all known types of rickshaw, in particular the most prevalent type of rickshaw in operation which has an electric motor which provides assistance to the person pedalling the rickshaw, and the principles and policies will be set out in primary legislation as to the matters which the NTA may provide for in regulations, thereby giving the NTA the necessary powers to regulate.
To inform the detailed drafting process I have also tasked the NTA with conducting a public consultation, as the views of key stakeholders and the public will be important in devising an appropriate regulatory regime for rickshaws. The consultation will, amongst other things, seek to elicit information on existing rickshaw operators in relation to the scale and type of operations and users experience of rickshaws including fares charged and issues they have experienced, as well as operators'/drivers' and the public's views on how operators/drivers and vehicles should be regulated. The NTA intends to initiate the consultation process this month. Early consultation on proposals to legislate will mean that feedback can be used constructively and a broad consensus secured.
I share the concerns which have been raised about the need for regulation of rickshaws and it is my intention to progress the drafting of the Heads of a Bill without delay.
1057. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the profit made by Rosslare Europort; and his future plans for the port. [34122/17]
View answerThe most recently available audited financial accounts for Iarnród Éireann is for 2015 and shows that Rosslare Europort division made a surplus after tax of €2.345m.
In relation to the future of the port, the Deputy is aware that Rosslare Europort is unique among the State owned ports as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann. The status of the port, and whether its current status potentially inhibits its development, was most recently considered in a strategic review, commissioned by my Department, and carried out by by Indecon economic consultants. Their report concluded that the creation of an independent port authority would be extremely difficult given the Port's complex legal structure. Instead, it was recommended that the Port remain in public ownership and that the possibilities for increased private sector involvement be investigated.
In order to assist Iarnród Éireann's overall consideration of how best to move forward, the company then engaged consultants to assess market interest. The assessment was largely positive in terms of the potential for increased private sector investment in the port; however, it did identify possible implementation issues due to the complicated legislative basis of the port.
Following that assessment my Department sought and received detailed advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the matter. That advice identified a number of legal issues with any such proposal and those issues remain under consideration by my Department.
1058. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of taxi enforcement officers employed by the NTA; and the locations of their employment. [34123/17]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle industry, including issues relating to enforcement, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have therefore referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1059. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of convictions for illegal activity each year for past five years; and the type of activity the convictions were for in tabular form. [34124/17]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to convictions for offences relating to small public service vehicles (SPSVs) arising from enforcement by the National Transport Authority (NTA). As the regulation of the SPSV industry, including issues relating to enforcement, is a matter for the NTA under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1060. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the persons who he appointed to the various State boards under his remit since assuming office; and the number of vacancies that remain on the various State boards under his Department's remit. [34125/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy relating to State Boards is available on my Department's website at the following link www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/state-board-membership-and-approved-fees.
1061. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a HGV driver apprentice programme. [34126/17]
View answerI understand that an HGV apprenticeship is currently in development; however development and expansion of apprenticeships are a matter for the Apprenticeship Council and Department of Education and Skills.
1062. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of consultation that he or his officials have had with the relevant stakeholders regarding drawing up the necessary legislation to enable the EU package travel directive; and the timeframe for this directive to be implemented into law. [34128/17]
View answerAs part of the preparations for the transposition of the Package Travel Directive, Directive (EU) 2015/2302, the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) has commenced a project to consult with the travel trade, representative bodies and other stakeholders to help ascertain the requirements of the Directive as they relate in particular to the CAR's current statutory functions and duties in the areas of licensing of the travel trade. The directive is due to be transposed into Irish law by 1 January 2018 and effective from 1 July 2018. The outcome of the CAR consultation will help inform the next steps in the transposition process.
1063. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the strategic plan for high-performance sports to be published. [34129/17]
View answerUnder Sections 8(b) and 8(c) of the Sport Ireland Act 2015, Sport Ireland has the specific function to encourage the promotion, development and coordination of, and the achievement of excellence in, competitive sport. It also has statutory responsibility to support elite athletes in achieving excellence in sport. Accordingly, Sport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of a strategic plan for high performance sport. As this is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1064. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions that he had with the Minister for Finance with a view to ring-fencing part of revenues generated through betting tax for sport. [34130/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a new National Sports Policy is under development within my Department. A key issue that requires to be considered in that context is the financing of future activities and programmes in the important area of sport and physical activity. It is my aim to publish the new sports policy in early autumn 2017. While the Deputy will be aware that fiscal policy is a matter for the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I am not aware that the matter raised by the Deputy has been aired during the consultations on the development of the Sports Policy.
1065. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be made available to complete the next phase of the sport grounds in Abbotstown. [34131/17]
View answerOn 11 July 2017, I conveyed approval for the commencement of construction on the second phase of the National Indoor Arena. This phase, projected to take two years to complete, will comprise of covered synthetic pitch facilities and ancillary facilities designed primarily for rugby and soccer but capable of accommodating all field sports. Funding will be provided from my Department's capital budgets for 2018 and 2019. Construction activity will commence in the coming weeks. In relation to further facilities at the National Sports Campus, I would like to inform the Deputy that funding for the development of a Velodrome and Badminton Training Facility has been sought as part of the mid-term review of the Capital Plan.
1066. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for deciding if secondary or primary legislation will be needed to give the IAA the authority to regulate noise at Dublin Airport; his views on whether this uncertainty is delaying the progress of the second runway at the airport; and the timeframe for same. [34132/17]
View answerAs previously outlined to the House, I have been advised that a Statutory Instrument is the appropriate legislative means by which to designate the competent authority for noise management at Dublin airport. Officials in my Department continue to engage with the Office of the Attorney General on the finalisation of the SI and this matter is being treated as their top priority. I am still awaiting the legal advices in the context of what, if any primary legislation is required. Once I have received clarity on this matter, I will be happy to provide more details on the entire legal framework that will underpin the effective administration of Regulation 598/2014. On the issue of the second runway, the daa has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including progressing the North Runway Project. I understand that the North Runway is scheduled to be operational early in the next decade.
1067. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken since assuming office to promote connectivity between Dublin Airport and east bound air traffic. [34133/17]
View answerThe Government has taken various actions to support the introduction of a direct air service between Ireland and China in recent years. On the 26th of September 2016, I met with the Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China and signed a new Memorandum of Understanding between our two countries to further assist with the facilitation of future services. The Department, the Irish Embassy in Beijing and various agencies (daa/Tourism Ireland) have all been working to achieve this goal. However, any decision to operate services between Ireland and China will ultimately be a commercial decision for airlines. In the broader context of furthering connectivity with the "east", the European Commission is in the process of negotiating a comprehensive air services agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which encompasses ten South East Asian countries: Brunei, Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Officials from my Department will be engaged in these negotiations via the Aviation Working Group of the European Council. While my Department endeavours to facilitate services and enhance connectivity by means of providing the appropriate bilateral/multilateral frameworks under which air operations would be conducted, any decision to operate services between Ireland and Asia would be a commercial one for the airlines themselves. The Deputy will be aware that Qatar Airways recently commenced a new daily service between Dublin and Doha. Alongside the existing services operated by Etihad and Emirates to Abu Dhabi and Dubai and by Turkish Airlines to Istanbul this adds to the connectivity options through these relatively new but increasingly important aviation hubs.
1068. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his European counterparts he has met to discuss Brexit; and the date on which he met them. [34134/17]
View answerI have had a number of meetings with my EU counterparts, UK counterparts and the European Commissioner on Brexit, most recently at the Transport Council in Luxembourg in June 2017. These meetings were extremely useful in promoting an understanding of transport and tourism Brexit implications for Ireland and are summarised in the following table.
|
Date |
Name of Minister/Other |
Role/title |
Country/Institution |
Subject of meeting |
|
12/12/16 |
Minister Chris Hazzard |
Minister for Infrastructure |
Northern Ireland Executive |
NSMC matters and Brexit |
|
04/04/17 |
Prof. Péter Balázs |
European Coordinator for the North Sea Med Corridor Connecting Europe Facility Core Corridor |
EU: European Commission |
Implications of Brexit on TEN-T |
|
25/05/17 |
Minister Anna Johansson |
Minister for Infrastructure |
Sweden |
Brexit, Road safety |
|
26/05/17 |
Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling |
Secretary of State, Department for Transport |
UK |
Brexit |
|
08/06/17 |
Commissioner Violeta Bulc |
European Commissioner for Transport |
EU: European Commission |
Brexit and European Issues |
|
08/06/17 |
Jörg Leichtfried |
Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology |
Austria |
Brexit and Road Safety |
1069. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to implement the recommendations from the Seanad Brexit committee regarding open skies policy. [34135/17]
View answerI welcome the recent work carried out by the Seanad Brexit Committee, including its recommendations regarding open skies policy. However, the agreed Brexit Negotiating Guidelines indicate that the future relationship of the UK with the EU, including in sectorial areas such as aviation, will not be negotiated until the terms of the UK's exit are finalised. Therefore, the future status of the UK's involvement in the Open Skies agreement and the possible impact of Brexit on open skies policy will depend on the outcome of the future relationship negotiations with the UK. In the course of these negotiations Ireland will be seeking to ensure the existing liberal arrangements for aviation are not constrained in any way.
1070. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the applications for funding that his Department has made through the EU innovation partnership procurement route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34136/17]
View answerThe innovation partnership is a procurement procedure introduced under an EU Directive 2014/25 to enable contracting authorities to run a tender competition for both the development and the purchase of innovative products, services or works in a single award process. My Department has not sought tenders through this innovation partnership procurement procedure.
1071. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons employed in aircraft maintenance here; the size of the industry; and the way in which it compares with industry in Europe. [34140/17]
View answerMy Department chairs the Steering Committee of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF), which comprises senior aviation personnel drawn together to develop proposals designed to improve the competitiveness of the sector to promote growth. Among other topics, the Forum examined issues relating to the aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and associated enterprises sector. The Forum's MRO Working Group paper is available on the Department's website at www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/content/aviation/English/general/National%20Civil%20Aviation%20Development%20Forum/ncadf-mro-related-services-working-group-position-paper-approved-sc-9-september-2016.pdf. The paper shows that there are over 2600 in direct employment in the sector. It also indicates that Ireland accounts for a 1.7% share of the European market and that the value of the turnover of the MRO sector is €301 million per annum.
1072. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of training apprentice programmes in aircraft maintenance; the number of participants; and the locations in which apprenticeships are offered. [34141/17]
View answerMy Department does not hold the information requested by the Deputy. I understand that the provision of apprenticeships, their location and the numbers undergoing apprenticeships is a matter for the commercial entities themselves, in this instance, the aircraft maintenance companies.
1073. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of foreign planes that come here for maintenance on an annual basis; and the number of Irish companies that are involved in the manufacture and supply of parts to the aviation sector. [34142/17]
View answerMy Department does not hold the information requested by the Deputy. The information sought by the Deputy however may be available through the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the State enterprise agencies under its remit.
1074. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons employed by the DAA directly or indirectly with regards passenger and baggage handling. [34143/17]
View answerThe daa has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including passenger and baggage handling. I have therefore forwarded your question to daa for their attention and direct reply to you. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1075. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of consultation he has held with his Government colleagues regarding the introduction of the Road Traffic (Minimum Passing Distance of Cyclists) Bill 2017. [34144/17]
View answerThis Private Members Bill was proposed by my colleague the Minister for Employment and Social Protection. At the time, my officials met with her and others to discuss the issues raised by the Bill and suggested possible amendments - subject to legal advice - to existing legislation to address the concerns raised in a practical manner that could be introduced and enforced by An Garda Síochána without the need for primary legislation. I have not held any formal discussions with my colleagues on this matter. As with all Private Members Bills, the Government will in due course discuss and determine its stance on this Bill.
1076. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1857 of 20 June 2017, the reason his Department does not have such information readily available in view of its role in advancing policy to tackle congestion; and if he will seek this information and provide it to other interested parties. [34148/17]
View answerI refer to my previous answer to PQ1857 of 20 June 2017. Any estimation of the number of cars using our roads, either on a national basis or just in the Greater Dublin Area, whether during a particular period or not, would involve the use of traffic count surveys and is entirely a matter for each local authority, who have primary responsibility for traffic management in their respective functional areas. I have no role in the matter.
1077. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed Kildare route project to facilitate increased rail capacity and frequency between Kildare and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34194/17]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
The opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel Link in November 2016 has allowed train services on the Kildare line to directly access stations in the city centre including Connolly, Tara, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock Stations. In the initial period, peak hour services are being operated through the tunnel link. The NTA has informed me that it is hoped to extend that arrangement to include off-peak and weekend services in a second phase later this year. The NTA's 'Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035' proposes implementation of the DART Expansion Programme involving electrification of the Northern line as far as Drogheda, the Kildare Line to Hazelhatch, the Sligo line to Maynooth in the west and to the M3 Parkway and construction of the DART Underground tunnel. The Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned to provide a lower cost solution and work is underway on that at present.
Funding for some elements of the DART Expansion Programme is included in the Government's Capital Plan including funding for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan; for design and planning to progress for expansion of DART services to Maynooth and Hazelhatch; and for work on the redesign of the tunnel.
1078. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Narrow Water bridge project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34248/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under the Fresh Start Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government agreed to undertake a review of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project with a view to identifying options for its future development, for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). Following on from consultation with stakeholders, I understand that an options paper is being prepared for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council later in the year.
1079. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if car sellers are permitted to install devices commonly referred to as kill switches which are designed to immobile vehicles if borrowers fail to make payments on a car finance loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34249/17]
View answerWhile I am not aware of such devices or their use in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy, I would have concerns from a road safety perspective if such a device had the ability to be remotely utilised whilst the vehicle was in motion and without prior notification to the registered owner or the driver of the vehicle at that time. I would invite the Deputy to write to me with any specific information that he may have regarding the use of such devices and I will have the legality or otherwise of their use examined.
1080. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the up-to-date schedule for the tendering of Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus routes between July 2017 and 2019; and if the planned redesign of the Dublin Bus route network will have any impact on the tendering schedule. [34313/17]
View answerIn line with its statutory functions, the NTA is currently managing three procurement competitions in relation to approximately 10% of current PSO routes operated by Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann. These competitions are known as Dublin Metropolitan (currently Bus Átha Cliath), Dublin Commuter and Waterford (both currently Bus Éireann).The planned redesign of the bus network in Dublin, which is being developed by the NTA as part of the broader BusConnects initiative, has not impacted on the procurement schedule of the Dublin Metropolitan competition. As I previously informed the House recently, I understand that the NTA expects to announce preferred bidder status in relation to the Dublin Metropolitan competition during this summer, with the other two competitions reaching that stage by late summer/early autumn. Subject to the timing of the provision of depot facilities and other mobilisation activities the NTA expects services to commence in 2018.
