Written Answers Nos. 317-329
317. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding options available to local authorities to formally apply for moneys to construct dedicated pedestrian infrastructure projects such as footbridges should such a project represent a road safety benefit to road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44568/17]
View answerThe 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 with works on those roads funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants.
The economic reality of recent years has meant significant reductions in roads budgets across the board and this resulted in some grant programmes being curtailed, including the Specific and Strategic Grant Programmes, in order to protect funding for road maintenance and repair and this remains the position.
The Capital Plan does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network it will take some years yet to reach the level required for the adequate maintenance and renewal of the network. There is, therefore, limited scope at present for funding for projects under either the Specific or Strategic Grant Programmes.
Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under those Grant Programmes are assessed by my Department on a case-by-case basis, with particular consideration given to higher cost Bridge Rehabilitation Works, significant safety schemes and improvement works that promote employment. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Department's Capital Appraisal Framework and it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
318. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 509 of 3 October 2017, the date on which the RSA commenced the review of the way in which a place of birth is recorded on licences; the scope of this review; the engagement that has taken place with counterparts in other parts of the island; when the findings of this review will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44570/17]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) is considering this matter, and my officials have also engaged with the Authority on how to address these cases.
As consideration is ongoing, it is not possible to be precise as to when the matter will be resolved, but I am keen to see a satisfactory resolution of this issue as soon as possible.
319. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to bring forward an amendment to section 96 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 to provide that traffic wardens can be provided not only on public roads but also on roads which are intended to become public roads in the future and on other private roads open to the public and used to access primary schools. [44578/17]
View answerSection 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 relates to the patrol of places where school children cross public roads. Any change to those provisions would require an amendment to the Road Traffic Acts. Consideration of this particular proposal will be given in the context of a future road traffic Bill. My priority at this time is to ensure the passage of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 through the Houses of the Oireachtas by the end of this year.
320. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding tunnels on the N71; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44587/17]
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 implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. 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 deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
321. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 27 of 11 October 2017, the safeguards, protections and considerations that have been built in as part of Ireland's bid for the hosting of the Rugby World Cup in 2023 in the context of Brexit; if there have been discussions at European level regarding same; the way in which north-south cohesion will be maintained post-Brexit in the event the island of Ireland is the host venue for the tournament; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44595/17]
View answerThe Government's contingency work on Brexit is examining all scenarios and, in that regard, it should be noted that tournaments have taken place across more than one country in the past, and will do so again in the future, e.g., Switzerland and Austria co-hosted EURO 2008, and similarly EURO 2012 was co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. Accordingly, I am confident that Brexit will not affect the operation of the tournament.
If the island of Ireland is successful in its bid, then the close co-operation between both administrations that has been a core part of the bid will continue in place to deliver the tournament. In that regard, the Deputy may have noted the support of UK Prime Minister for the bid.
Furthermore, while the eventual shape of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union is not known at this stage, both the United Kingdom and Ireland Governments have made clear their desire to maintain the Common Travel Area and achieving this objective is a priority of the ongoing Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK.
322. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding in the capital budget 2018 earmarked for metro north; the way in which these funds will be spent in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44597/17]
View answer335. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans to construct metro north; if the €2.4 billion in funding will be allocated in the upcoming mid-term capital review; if a public-private partnership model will be used; the expected timeframe for planning and construction, respectively, to commence and be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44877/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 335 together.
The Capital Plan, Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021, was published in September 2015 and set out the Government’s budgetary framework for public capital investment in Ireland over the period 2016-2021. The Capital plan confirmed a €9.6 billion capital envelope for transport over seven years and provided funding of over €700 million for planning, design and to begin construction of new Metro North.
Following the mid-term review of the Capital Plan, the Government’s recently announced allocation of additional capital expenditure in Budget 2018 and a 4-year capital envelope over the period 2018-2021 confirms progress of Metro North by the National Transport Authority (NTA); construction work on this project will start in 2021, with passenger services starting in 2027.
The NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have commenced preparatory work on the planning and design of new Metro North and a dedicated project Steering Group has been established which is meeting on a regular basis. The NTA, in collaboration with TII, is 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 expect that this process will be complete by the end of 2017, after which a public consultation process will be undertaken in 2018.
The 10-year National Investment Plan to be published in the coming months will include the funding for the period to complete this significant addition to public transport. I understand that the outcome of the current review of the proposed future role of Public Private Partnerships will be included as part of the National Investment Plan.
323. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will engage a suitably qualified independent sports mediator to arbitrate in the ongoing dispute between the board of directors and the central council of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44648/17]
View answerNational Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs), including the National Governing Body (NGB) referred to by the Deputy, are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own governance procedures and competition rules for their sports. Notwithstanding that, Sport Ireland is the statutory body responsible for the promotion, development and coordination of sport, including the allocation of funding to NGBs and associated governance procedures.
Under the directive of Sport Ireland, external auditors conducted an audit into the NGB referred to by the Deputy, which concluded in June 2017. This audit was tasked with reviewing the governance and financial administration of the organisation. The Sport Ireland Audit Committee has established an Audit Liaison Group to closely monitor and support the NGB's implementation of the recommendations set out in the audit report. I understand that the NGB has expressed their commitment to implementing the recommendations in full. This audit, combined with the Rio Review, provides the NGB with clarity on actions needed to return to NGB best practice.
In June 2017, the NGB referred to by the Deputy approved and published a new Rule Book. I understand that, to support this, the NGB has sought the expertise of a consultant to ensure its Constitution is aligned completely with the new Rule book. I also understand that, at the NGB’s recent Convention, a new President was elected as well as a number of new board members.
It is not my role or intention to intervene in any internal disputes in NGBs. However, as indicated above, Sport Ireland has taken a proactive approach to ensure that appropriate governance shall prevail in this organisation, as required in all funded NGBs.
324. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to amend section 39 of the Harbours Act 2015 to enable an employee director to serve in excess of two five-year terms. [44651/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware Section 30 (6) of the Harbours Act 1996 as substituted by Section 39 of the Harbours Act 2015 provides that a person shall not serve as a director of a port company for a period that is longer than 10 years in total.
This applies equally to all directors. I have no current plans to change this position.
325. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the electrification of the Maynooth commuter rail service; the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44655/17]
View answer329. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding allocated to the DART expansion programme for the Maynooth line out of the additional capital funding of €680 million announced recently; the precise works that will be carried out on the Maynooth line up to 2021 in relation to the DART expansion programme; when he envisages that the DART will operate on the Maynooth line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44747/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 329 together.
Building on the Government’s budgetary framework set out in Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021 published in September 2015, the Government's recently announced Budget 2018 provides for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021. This includes funding of c. €230 million for mainline rail and DART capacity enhancement. This will enable acceleration of the initial stages of the DART Expansion programme, focussing on additional fleet and extending the electrified DART system. It will allow further progress to be made on the electrification of both the Northern rail line to Balbriggan and the Maynooth line.
In light of the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the NTA for further information on the issues raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
326. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the planning work which has been carried out on a new orbital motorway for Dublin to relieve the growing congestion on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44656/17]
View answerInsofar as congestion issues in Dublin are concerned, the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services over the next two decades. Addressing urban congestion on both the strategic road network and locally in certain locations is an important theme in the Strategy. The measures proposed are linked to an analysis of current and projected levels of travel demand across the region.
The Strategy does not include the implementation of the Leinster Outer Orbital during its lifetime.
Following the mid-term review of the Capital Plan, Budget 2018 provides for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021. The increased funding will allow roll-out of a number of key programmes to address congestion and emerging capacity constraints on our public transport system across our cities including an investment of over €400 million next year.
This substantial multi-annual envelope will allow investment in a number of key programmes to ease congestion and increase capacity on our public transport network. This includes funding of over €770 million for the BusConnects programme to fundamentally transform Dublin’s bus system, so that journeys for bus passengers will be fast, reliable, punctual, convenient and affordable.
Over €685 million capital investment will also be provided for additional rail infrastructure between now and 2021 to provide additional Luas capacity, improve mainline rail infrastructure and progress DART expansion and new Metro North.
327. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of 11 October 2017, when this amendment will be brought forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44667/17]
View answerIn my response to the Question referred to and the discussion which followed, you may recall that I made it clear that I intend to deal with this issue and strengthen the law with regard to learner drivers driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver.
Subject to legal advice, I intend to bring a memo to Government on this matter shortly, with a view to introducing an amendment to the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 at Committee Stage, in order to address the issue.
328. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital projects to be advanced in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44733/17]
View answerFull details on the allocations for each of my Department's subheads for 2018 will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV). In the meantime my Department is in discussion with relevant agencies regarding the details of allocations. The Government has also proposed that a ten year national investment plan will be set out which will take account of the National Planning Framework. My Department will also take that into account when setting infrastructure investment priorities over the coming years.
On Thursday 12th of October, I outlined my view of what our current priorities for investment are to the Dáil and I have also published further details in a separate speech which is available at
http://www.dttas.ie/speeches/2017/minister-ross-budget-2018-speech
I would ask the Deputy to note that the information detailed in those speeches is for a four year period of capital investment, between the year 2018 and the year 2021, rather than out to 2020 as requested by the Deputy. We have planned our investment on the basis of resources available to us out to 2021. I think it is more helpful and that the Deputy will get a greater appreciation for our ambition for these projects and programmes if the detail is viewed in that context.
