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Wednesday, 31 Jan 2018

Written Answers Nos. 267-277

Coast Guard Services

Questions (267)

Barry Cowen

Question:

267. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Irish Coast Guard under the 2006 framework for a major emergency event, that is, whether it is a principal emergency service; and if so, the principal agency it falls under. [4716/18]

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Written answers

The Irish Coast Guard is designated as a principal emergency service under the Framework for Emergency Management and is part of the Irish Maritime Administration of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. It does not fall under any of the three Principal Response Agencies which are An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and the Local Authorities.

Coast Guard Services

Questions (268, 269)

Barry Cowen

Question:

268. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the statutory role of the Irish Coast Guard. [4717/18]

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Barry Cowen

Question:

269. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the Irish body or agency that has statutory responsibility for search and rescue operations in waters within Ireland's jurisdiction. [4718/18]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together.

The remit of the Irish Coastguard is derived from various sources, statutory and non-statutory, as described hereunder.

The National Framework for Major Emergency Management, which was adopted by Government decision in 2006, assigns the IRCG responsibility for co-ordinating the response to marine incidents outside port limits, except in case of Search and rescue, when all marine areas including ports are under its remit.

The Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES) was established by Government Decision S. 21910 of 2nd August 1990 as a Division of the Department of the Marine. The name was changed to the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) in 2000 and the division was subsequently transferred to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in 2006.

The IRCG have a number of functions, which include Search and Rescue (SAR) and Maritime Pollution Prevention and Response. SAR functions are provided for in International Conventions promulgated by both the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Ireland is a contracting State to both organisations.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I am empowered, through National and EU Legislation, to appoint authorised officers to carry out certain functions. In relation to Maritime Pollution, there is a suite of legislation, The Sea Pollution Acts 1991-2006 under which I have appointed officers of the IRCG as authorised officers to enable them to carry out their duties.

Further powers are provided for in The Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993 whereby officers are authorised for the purposes of saving shipwrecked persons, a vessel in distress or the cargo or apparel of the vessel.

Additionally, European Communities (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System) Regulations 2010, give the IRCG powers to act in relation to Places of Refuge incidents and the monitoring of hazardous ships.  

Finally, Annexe 12 (Standards & Recommended Practices Search & Rescue) (Designation Of Authorities) Order, 1995, designated the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications as the authority responsible for execution of powers under Annex 12 to the Chicago Convention, other than in relation to Aviation Rescue Co-ordination Centres and Rescue Co-ordination Sub-Centres, which are the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority. This search and rescue function, where it relates to aviation accidents at sea, is carried out on my behalf by the IRCG.

Road Network

Questions (270)

Tom Neville

Question:

270. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget for local and regional roads in each of the years from 2007 to 2018 by county. [4722/18]

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Written answers

Details of the regional and local road grant payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. Details of the 2018 regional and local road grant allocations are also available in the Dáil library.

Public Transport Provision

Questions (271)

Jack Chambers

Question:

271. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the consideration that has been given to ensuring a Dublin Bus route (details supplied) will not be adversely affected when the new Luas trams are rolled out as part of the Luas Cross City and Green Line extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4670/18]

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Written answers

The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Swimming Pool Programme

Questions (272)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

272. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are plans to introduce a public swimming pool in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4683/18]

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Written answers

The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. 

In January of 2016, my Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations. There were three expressions of interest received for new pools, two of which were valid and both in Dublin. No request was received from Monaghan County Council for a new swimming pool.

There are four swimming pool projects in the current LASPP and the priority in 2018 will be on progressing these projects.

In relation to the future funding of swimming pools, the upcoming National Sports Policy, which I expect will be considered by Government during the first Quarter of 2018, with a view to its publication shortly thereafter, will include a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities, including swimming pools, in the years ahead.

Public Transport Provision

Questions (273)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

273. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the potential for increasing public transport options to reduce commute times in County Leitrim has been investigated in view of the fact it has been proven that the commute time is higher than the regional average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4739/18]

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Written answers

The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Tourism Promotion

Questions (274)

John Deasy

Question:

274. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Fáilte Ireland to include the Waterford Greenway among the greenways featured on the Wild Atlantic Way website. [4782/18]

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Written answers

My Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy development. It is not directly involved in the development or management of individual tourism projects, such as the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East, or the marketing and promotion of those experience brands. These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.

I am referring the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Tourism Data

Questions (275, 276, 277)

John Deasy

Question:

275. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of hits the Wild Atlantic Way website and the Ireland’s Ancient East website have received respectively since they were launched. [4783/18]

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John Deasy

Question:

276. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if statistics have been compiled to show the impact on visitor numbers the Ireland’s Ancient East marketing initiative has had since its launch. [4784/18]

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John Deasy

Question:

277. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if statistics have been compiled to show the impact on visitor numbers the Wild Atlantic Way marketing initiative has had since its launch. [4785/18]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 to 277, inclusive, together.

My 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, such as the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East and the marketing and promotion thereof.  These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.

Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy.  Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
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