Written Answers Nos. 1610-1629
1610. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for projects within the South Dublin County Council administrative area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38589/17]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the administration of the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme. This rolling programme of measures facilitates investment in various QBCs, cycling/walking, safety and traffic management projects throughout the seven local authority areas in the Greater Dublin Area, including South Dublin County Council.
Noting the NTA's responsibility for the STMG Programme, I have referred your question to the Authority for a more detailed reply in relation to sustainable transport projects in South Dublin. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
In relation to regional and local roads in the South Dublin area, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on regional and local roads are funded from the relevant local authorities' own resources supplemented by State grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts the four Dublin Councils became self-funding for regional and local roads under the main road grant categories from 2015. Provision was made in the Capital Plan for the upgrade of roads in the vicinity of Grange Castle Business Park and the Department is providing grant assistance for that strategic scheme at present.
Furthermore, the 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February and a number of applications have been received from within the South Dublin County Council administrative area. All of the applications received are currently being assessed by officials in my Department. Given the record number of applications and the detailed information submitted, it will take a further number of weeks to complete this process. I expect that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in the coming month.
1611. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will fill the vacancies on the boards of Irish Rail, Bus Éireann, the National Transport Authority, the Road Safety Authority and Fáilte Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38611/17]
View answerAppointments to State Boards under the aegis of my Department are made in line with both the Government Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards and my Departments Principles and Procedures for State Board Appointments both of which are available to view on my Departments website through the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/state-board-membership-and-approved-fees. Information regarding current board membership can also be found on the Department’s website through this link.
In relation to CIÉ, Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority, the filling of existing Chair level vacancies is being arranged in line with the Guidelines and Principles and Procedures above.
In relation to the current Chair vacancy at Bus Éireann and impending Chair vacancy at Bus Átha Cliath, those vacancies have been considered in line with the Guidelines and Principles and Procedures and those processes will be finalised very shortly with announcements to follow.
In relation to the Road Safety Authority and Fáilte Ireland my Department are again working in line with the Guidelines and Principles and Procedures to finalise campaigns to fill these vacancies.
As Minister I do not necessarily have to fill all of the vacancies on each Board and I am currently considering the size of boards under my remit and the need or otherwise to fill each vacancy. In my view some of the Boards are unnecessarily large for the size of the State Body in question and it is something that I am reviewing within the flexibility of the underlying statutory provisions.
1614. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated amount it would cost in 2018 to increase the tourism marketing fund by 10% for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38648/17]
View answerThe Tourism Ireland share of the Tourism Marketing Fund for 2017 was €26,706,000. A 10% increase would cost €2,670,600. The Fáilte Ireland share of the Tourism Marketing Fund for 2017 was €9,147,000. A 10% increase would cost €914,700.
1615. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has formally met with the CEOs of all of the regional airports to discuss the impact of Brexit on tourism and the aviation industry here; if so, the dates of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38660/17]
View answerI met with representatives of Waterford and Farranfore Airports while visiting the regions on 13 February 2017 and 19 April 2017 respectively, during which a range of issues were discussed. I did not specifically meet with those airports to discuss Brexit matters.
Issues arising as a result of the UK's plans to leave the EU are being managed on a whole-of-government basis, with overall responsibility resting with the Department of An Taoiseach. My Department is represented on the Economy and Trade Group and also on the Aviation and Tourism sub-groups under these structures. Officials of my Department are in close liaison with the aviation sector, including airlines and airports, to assess the implications of Brexit on that sector.
Airlines and airports, including representatives of the regional airports, among other aviation stakeholders, as well as my Department are represented on the National Civil Aviation Development Forum Working Group on Regulatory Affairs. This Group has extensively considered the aviation implications of Brexit and has met with the Department's representative on the Interdepartmental Group of Senior Officials to discuss the concerns of the aviation industry. Representatives of the Group have also met with senior officials in the Department of the Taoiseach in relation to those concerns. The outcome of these consultations informs the analyses of the Department and feeds into the overall analyses of Government.
1616. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations in place with regards to frontal protection systems commonly known as bull bars; and the person or body that is in charge of enforcing these regulations. [38672/17]
View answerFrontal protection systems, either fitted by a vehicle manufacturer or supplied as a separate technical unit and intended for fitting to new passenger cars and light goods vehicles, must meet the requirements of EC Regulation 78/2009, which was transposed into Irish law in the Road Vehicles Entry into Service Regulations (S.I. No. 157 of 2009) and the Mechanically Propelled Vehicle Entry into Service (S.I. No. 448 of 2007).
Systems for fitment to these vehicles must satisfy a number of tests before they can be type-approved for use on new vehicles. Also, type-approved frontal protection systems can only be distributed, offered for sale or sold when accompanied by a list of vehicle types for which the frontal protection system is type approved, as well as clear assembly instructions. The proof that it meets with the requirements is the presence of an e-mark. All systems fitted or made available for fitting to new vehicles at registration or before entry in to service since 21 May 2007 must bear an e-mark. If it does not, then the vehicle should not be registered or allowed entry into service.
Once vehicles are in service they must adhere to the requirements set out in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment & Use of Vehicles) Regulations (S.I. No. 190 of 1963). Regulation 32 states that vehicles “shall not have any inessential object in a position where it is likely to strike any person involved in a collision with the vehicle, unless injury is not likely to be caused by reason of the projection of the object”. Furthermore Regulation 96 states that “every vehicle while used in a public place shall be such, and so maintained and used, that no danger is likely to be caused to any person”. Owners or drivers of vehicles breaching these regulations may be found guilty of an offence under Section 11 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
Enforcement of the Road Traffic Regulations is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
1617. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the development of sectorial response plans to Brexit, the publication date of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38701/17]
View answer1618. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the issues identified for consideration in the context of Brexit including opportunities and their prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38717/17]
View answer1619. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of issues identified for consideration in the context of Brexit including threats and their prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38733/17]
View answer1620. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the scenario planning that has been conducted by his Department for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38749/17]
View answer1621. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the methodology employed in the prioritisation of responses to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38765/17]
View answer1622. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funds that have been requested in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38781/17]
View answer1623. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funds have been allocated in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38813/17]
View answer1625. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's priorities for risk mitigation in response to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38845/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1617 to 1623, inclusive, and 1625 together.
The comprehensive document “Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union: The Government’s Approach” published on 2 May 2017 outlined in detail the structures put in place by the Government to ensure a strategic and whole-of Government response to Brexit that ensures a coordinated approach to the identification of key priority issues for the EU-UK negotiations and the wider domestic response.
Since the publication of the comprehensive document, the Government has sought to further increase its strategic oversight of Brexit through the addition of a dedicated responsibility for Brexit matters to the role of the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade. The Cabinet Committee structures have also been reformed and a new Cabinet Committee has been established to deal with EU Affairs including Brexit.
The Government’s National Risk Assessment 2017, which provides a systematic overview of strategic risks facing the country, was published on 29 August following a public consultation process. The National Risk Assessment acknowledges the significance of risk arising from Brexit, and that Brexit represents an overarching theme that could have far-reaching impacts on nearly all aspects of national life. It identifies areas where Brexit poses a specific risk, particularly in relation to the economy.
As set out in the comprehensive document of 2 May, the Government’s continuing work to ensure that Ireland’s interests are reflected in the EU’s approach to the ongoing EU-UK negotiations is a central dimension of Ireland’s strategic response to Brexit.
Work is also continuing across Government on Ireland’s wider response to the challenges and opportunities posed by Brexit, building on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders and encompassing the following themes:
- sustainable fiscal policies to ensure capacity to absorb and respond to economic shocks, not least from Brexit;
- policies to make Irish enterprise more diverse and resilient, to diversify trade and investment patterns, and to strengthen competitiveness;
- prioritising policy measures and dedicating resources to protect jobs and businesses in the sectors and regions most affected by Brexit;
- realising economic opportunities arising from Brexit, and helping businesses adjust to any new logistical or trade barriers arising;
- making a strong case at EU level that Ireland will require support that recognises where Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy.
Policy decisions in support of these objectives also arise across a wide range of areas, including the annual budgetary process; the forthcoming National Planning Framework 2040; the new 10-year National Capital Plan; the Review of Enterprise 2025 Policy, and sectorial policies and investment decisions in areas such as agriculture, enterprise, transport, communications and energy.
Brexit has been identified as the major strategic risk facing my Department, and I and my officials are continuing to prioritise work on identifying and planning measures to mitigate these risks.
Any physical or regulatory barriers to the ease of the existing access links within the Island of Ireland, and between Ireland and our international markets could hinder the current arrangements for aviation, maritime and international road transport services. The weakness of sterling is also, and will continue to, impact on business, international transport and travel and on the competitiveness of Ireland’s tourist offering.
Based on our engagements with stakeholders and on our internal and cross-governmental analyses, my Department has identified and the priority potential threats and risks facing the transport and tourism sectors. These include:
- minimising the impact of Brexit on the tourism industry by preserving the Common Travel Area, avoiding a hard border on the Island of Ireland, and maintaining a liberalised aviation regime to protect and promote access.
- maintaining in so far as possible the existing common standards and regulatory regimes (e.g. international haulage, maritime).
- the avoidance of a hard border between North and South,
- the protection of the fully liberalised and deregulated aviation market and current aviation traffic rights with respect to the various air transport markets.
- the treatment of EU and UK airlines as well as EU and UK nationals in terms of ownership and control rules.
In response to these analyses, my Department is undertaking contingency planning by examining a number of scenarios, including a no-deal scenario, and this work will evolve in line with the negotiations. The sectorial response plans that will emerge from this will identify actions and funding that may be required in response to threats from Brexit. The tourism sector has already identified additional funding requirements in particular for tourism marketing and these will be considered by Government in the context of the forthcoming budget.
The analyses to date suggests that the opportunities arising from Brexit in the transport and tourism sectors will be limited. We have seen some interest in a number of transport related activities establishing in Ireland from the UK, but these have been relatively limited to date. The Department will continue to actively monitor for further opportunities that may arise.
The matter and timing of publication of the sectorial response plans will be considered when the Department’s contingency planning is complete.
1624. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of vacancies in his Department for Brexit-related roles; the expected date for these roles to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38829/17]
View answerAll relevant areas of the Department are actively engaged in Brexit related work and consultations with stakeholders. Overall responsibility for the preparation and coordination of the Department's response to Brexit has been assigned to the Head of Function of the Policy, Governance and EU Division. Brexit issues relating to Tourism are managed by the Head of Function of the Tourism Marketing Policy and Impact Assessment Division. Both Heads of Functions are at Principal Officer level.
The Minister and Management Board members are actively involved in reviewing the implications and response to Brexit. The Management Board keeps under review the Department's internal organisation and structures for Brexit to ensure that they remain robust in addressing the evolving Brexit situation. As part of the Department's Workforce planning, one further position at Executive Officer level has been identified within Policy, Governance and EU Division, part of which is related to Brexit duties. The filling of this position is subject to overall decisions on the Workforce plan.
1626. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the membership and role of all Brexit-related stakeholder engagement groups working with his Department on Brexit issues; the number of times each stakeholder group has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38861/17]
View answerBrexit is a key strategic risk for my Department and there are ongoing consultations and meetings between my officials, other Government Departments and agencies, and other public and private key stakeholders in order to plan for and mitigate the risks associated with Brexit and to identify opportunities arising.
My Department engages with a range of stakeholders across the various sectorial areas on an ongoing basis. In addition, an internal Departmental Committee on Brexit meets on a monthly basis to oversee the Department's analyses and implications as the negotiations progress.
As part of my Department's preparations for Brexit, there has been wide engagement with sectorial stakeholders. I hosted an All-Island Transport and Logistics Sectorial Dialogue in Dundalk on 23 January 2017 as well as an All-Island Dialogue on tourism the same day. The Dialogues were attended in total by over 200 transport and civic representatives from North and South. My Department also held a stakeholder workshop in April on the possible impacts of Brexit on maritime transport regulation and on the sectors on which this impacts, including merchant shipping, national shipping, fishing vessels, recreational craft, ports, equipment suppliers, service providers and training providers.
The Department is represented at meetings of a sub-group of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum, at which Brexit is a standing agenda item. The sub-group includes representatives from the airlines, airports, regulators and my Department and meets approximately every two months. My Department also chairs a Tourism Brexit Working Group which includes representatives of the main tourism agencies. It has met three times and last met on 18 May 2017.
1627. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the planned meetings with his European colleagues and officials to address Brexit-related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38877/17]
View answerI will meet the European Commissioner for Transport, Ms Violeta Bulc, during her planned visit to Ireland this October at which I will again raise with her Ireland's concerns on the implications of Brexit. I previously met Commissioner Bulc in June of this year at the Transport Council in Luxembourg.
Since May of this year, I have also met with my UK, Swedish and Austrian counterparts with whom I discussed Brexit issues. I also met with members of the External Affairs Committee of the Welsh Assembly during their recent visit to Dublin.
I will be speaking to Mr Ken Skates AM, the Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, by phone later this week with a view to also meeting him at a later stage. I plan to meet as many other EU Ministers as is feasible over the coming months as the Brexit negotiations progress.
My officials met members of the Barnier Team in June of this year and have also met with officials of the European Commission. They will continue ongoing contact with their European, UK and Northern Ireland counterparts as the negotiations progress.
1628. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what Brexit-related research is currently being undertaken by his Department; the topics under consideration; the date this research commenced; the expected date for completion and publication in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38893/17]
View answerBrexit is a key priority for my Department and a number of Brexit-related research studies have been carried out on behalf of transport and tourism agencies and organisations in relation to Brexit.
My Department, in conjunction with the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), is commencing a study into the use of the UK Landbridge by Irish importers and exporters. The purpose of this research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK Landbridge at present, the likely consequences that Brexit will have on Landbridge usage and the various options that may be viable. I expect this piece of research to be completed in Q1 of 2018.
My Department, in monitoring the sectorial areas and the potential impacts of Brexit, will consider whether any further specific research is required to be carried out over the coming months.
1629. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38909/17]
View answerThis Department has a Capital Budget which is committed to number of programmes and projects including in the areas of Public Transport, Roads and Sports Capital Programmes. The majority of the projects are on target with some ahead, for example quicker than anticipated completion of the Luas Cross City Project.
We expect all programmes to come in on profile for 2017 by year end and do not envisage any available funding for return to the central exchequer.
The multi-annual nature of the Capital Projects Programmes, for example Sports Capital, allow for any savings achieved to be reallocated within the programme, on approved projects awaiting funding.
The Mid-Year Expenditure Report sets out the pre-Budget expenditure ceiling for my Ministerial Vote Group of €680 million for current expenditure and €1281 million for capital expenditure. This represents the spending baseline for examination of my Department's budgetary priorities for 2018.
As outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report, the increases planned in expenditure for the delivery of public services are set at sustainable levels in order to ensure that the resources allocated are affordable both now and in the future. Consequently, it is important that there is an ongoing focus on the totality of Departmental spending and not just the incremental increase each year.
Earlier in 2017 we conducted a Spending Review which will support the consideration of existing expenditure alongside budgetary proposals. If any savings are identified during the Estimates process they can be used to meet any emerging expenditure pressures without impacting on the available fiscal space. Work is ongoing in this regard.
In this overall context, there are no such savings earmarked or included in calculations for 2018 for this Department.
