Written Answers Nos. 282-294
282. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which taxi drivers were informed of the need to recalibrate and seal their meters for the new fare regime which will come into force from 1 February 2018; when taxi drivers were informed of these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5057/18]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including those relating to equipment (such as taximeters) and the setting of maximum fares, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
In order to be of assistance, I have referred your correspondence to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
283. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if correspondence (details supplied) will be examined regarding the CIÉ pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5075/18]
View answerIssues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.
In a Topical Issues debate in this House on 6 December 2017, I outlined the challenges faced in addressing the solvency of the schemes and the process underway to address the deficit which involves detailed discussion between CIÉ and employee representatives, facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). I said that CIÉ was on record at the WRC that it will not impose any change that it proposes without the agreement of the active members of both schemes and that it will continue to contribute to both schemes in accordance with the rules of the schemes. I am informed that this remains CIÉ's position in order to bring about a set of proposals that could form the basis of the trustees' submission to the Pensions Authority and that it continues to engage with the WRC.
I recently received the correspondence referred to by the Deputy and I will be responding in due course. In the meantime, I have referred the Deputy's question to CIÉ 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.
284. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the income and profit on parking at Dublin Airport for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5085/18]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy in relation to income and profit on parking at Dublin Airport is an operational matter for daa which has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop the Airport. I am aware however that private operators also offer parking facilities in the environs of Dublin Airport and the information sought may be commercially sensitive. Nevertheless, I have forwarded the Question to daa for direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, please advise my Private Office.
288. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has completed an external quality assurance assessment of its internal audit function as required by the Institute of Internal Audit standards that were introduced in 2012 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5118/18]
View answerThe last external quality assurance assessment of the internal audit function in my Department was carried out in late 2008 with the resulting report being adopted by the Department's Audit Committee in March 2009. This exercise was conducted in accordance with the standards of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
A further external quality assessment has been scheduled to take place in 2018.
292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a replacement French driver’s licence or international version thereof can be provided in case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5186/18]
View answerI cannot comment on individual cases.
As a matter of law, Ireland, like France, operates within an EU framework of driver licensing. Among other matters, EU law prescribes that each Member State issues driving licences only to those normally resident in their jurisdiction. If a person who holds a driving licence from one Member State takes up residence in another, they should exchange their licence for the equivalent issued by their new state of residence.
If a person holds a driving licence from a Member State and resides temporarily in another Member State for a fixed period of work or study, they may still be considered to be 'normally resident' in the state which issued their licence, and may therefore renew it.
The holding of a US driving licence has no relevance, and neither does an International Driving Permit, which is simply a restatement in an internationally agreed form of the person's national driving licence.
