Written Answers Nos. 562-583
562. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional resources that will be provided to Tourism Ireland in 2018 to increase the number of tourists coming from the UK market following the 5% decrease in UK visitors in 2017 compared to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6778/18]
View answerI welcome the overall growth in visit numbers to Ireland in 2017. However, the decline in the numbers visiting from Great Britain remains a concern. The fall in the value of sterling against the euro following the Brexit vote in the UK has been the primary factor in this.
Tourism Ireland has a programme of marketing activity in place for 2018 to keep Ireland front of mind for British visitors. That marketing effort will continue throughout the year. In addition, I recently joined Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to launch an initiative, specially designed to boost tourist numbers from Britain to the Wild Atlantic Way. A €1.35 million marketing campaign in Britain will be complemented by a Fáilte Ireland €500,000 programme to support businesses along the Wild Atlantic Way to position themselves to benefit from the campaign, as well as to boost its own marketing campaigns in Northern Ireland.
In Budget 2018 €2m in capital funding was secured for Tourism Ireland to invest in strengthening its digital infrastructure, deepening its understanding of the all-important overseas consumer and developing new creative, for roll out from 2019, that will give Ireland real stand-out and inspire and motivate people across the world to ‘book now’.
563. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of phases 1 and 2 of a construction project (details supplied) in County Mayo; when the construction of the running track around the development, which is part of phase 2, will commence; the date on which phase 2 of the project, including the construction of the running track, will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6814/18]
View answerPhase 1 of this development, in which Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology is a partner, comprises a Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre together with a Training Centre for Outdoor Pursuits at Lough Lannagh. Mayo County Council's estimated cost of this phase is €11.095m. Castlebar Swimming Pool is in the 2000 round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) and in October 2015, Mayo County Council was given a formal allocation of €3.8m for the replacement swimming pool. In addition, a Sports Capital Programme allocation of €3.9m was approved for dry facilities including a Training Centre for Outdoor Pursuits adjacent to Lough Lannagh. Construction commenced in 2016 and is ongoing. To date a total of €5,043,709 has been paid by my Department to Mayo County Council for completed work. My understanding from Mayo County Council is that Phase 2, which comprises a running track, playing pitches and associated facilities, will not commence before Phase 1 is completed. Phase 2 has received no allocation from my Department to date.
564. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for sports capital grant applications in 2018; and when this scheme is likely to be announced. [6829/18]
View answerAllocations in respect of applications submitted under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme were announced in November and December last. Full details of these allocations are available on my Department's website. The priority in the medium term will be on advancing these projects.
In relation to future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme, my Department is undertaking a review of the 2017 round with a view to making recommendations on how to improve the process for future calls. This work is also examining what is feasible in terms of the scale and timing of the next round. I expect this review to be complete in the coming months and an announcement regarding the next round will be made at that stage.
565. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of additional ticket validators that have been provided at Luas stops as a result of the increased capacity that is being provided since the launch of the Luas cross-city service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6836/18]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure including ticketing technology.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
566. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of additional security personnel who have been provided on the Luas green and red lines as a result of the additional capacity being provided; the number of additional security personnel who will be provided pending the launch of the longer trams on the Luas cross-city line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6837/18]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the Luas operator Transdev and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
567. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the recent appointment of Fingal County Council as independent noise regulator for Dublin Airport; the parameters of this role; the way in which the role will be executed and monitored; the consultation with and involvement of the local community in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6844/18]
View answerThe Government has recently approved my proposal to designate Fingal County Council as the noise regulator for Dublin Airport in order that Ireland fully complies with EU Regulation 598/2014, which came into effect in 2016. That designation will be formalised through primary legislation, and I will be publishing a draft Bill later in the year.
The Government is required under EU law to have a noise regulator in place for Dublin airport, and it has now agreed that Fingal County Council is best placed to carry out that function. The Bill will reflect the airport noise regulatory regime as set out in the EU regulation, which applies to all major airports across each Member State and which is based on best practice noise management measures agreed at the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation. The parameters of the role and the approach to implementation will fully reflect what is set out in the Regulation, which came into effect in 2016.
Regarding consultation, in the first instance the legislative process will of course provide an opportunity for members of the House to raise matters, but it is also the case that the EU Regulation includes a requirement for public consultation during the regulatory process and, importantly, a separate appeal process.
568. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the decision was made to appoint Fingal County Council as the independent noise regulator for Dublin Airport; the international noise pollution standards that are to be adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6845/18]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, it was previously proposed that the Irish Aviation Authority would be designated as the Noise Regulator for the purpose of EU Regulation 598/14. However, as I explained in the Dáil before Christmas, when this approach was subject to final legal review it was found to be difficult in light of emerging EU case law. These legal advices forced a re-examination of options for the full implementation of the EU Regulation, which involved discussions between my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Climate Change and Environment. Having examined the requirements of the EU Regulation it was considered, on balance, that Fingal County Council, with An Bord Pleanála as an independent appeals body, offered the best way forward.
The Government has endorsed that proposed course of action, and I now intend to get on with implementing it.
As regards the standards, the EU Regulation - which came into effect in 2016 - provides Member States with a common framework for applying internationally agreed best practices in the area of aviation noise management. With reference to methodology agreed at the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation, the Regulation seeks to ensure that airport capacity is developed in a measured and balanced way, with due regard to economic growth, jobs, prosperity and the mitigation of environmental impacts.
The Regulation will now be implemented by way of primary legislation, which will set out how airport noise is to be measured, managed and monitored at Dublin Airport into the future.
569. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request TII to carry out a further safety audit on all motorways to prevent incorrect access (details supplied). [6974/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
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.
570. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an exemption in toll charges for blood deliveries (details supplied) to hospitals will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6987/18]
View answerThe statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll by-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority (now operating as Transport Infrastructure Ireland) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
Section 62 of the Roads Act 1993 specifies the categories of vehicles which are exempt from the payment of toll charges - the categories are ambulances and fire brigade vehicles together with vehicles used by the Garda Síochána or the Defence Forces in the performance of their duties. The exemption does not extend to other categories of vehicles.
571. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of new signs for the M18 motorway signalling Kilcolgan and Clarinbridge; when these signs will be completed and installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7025/18]
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 operation of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Following your representations, and our recent meeting on the subject, I understand that TII has reviewed the position in respect of providing additional signage for Kilcolgan and Clarinbridge and has prepared designs for such signs and is in the process of procuring the provision of those additional signs.
Noting the above position and the query regarding timescales, 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.
572. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to revise the five-axle haulage derogation which was signed into law on the basis that the haulage industry has been under sustained pressure over the past number of years with regard to overheads; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the transition period that was envisaged in 2008 to move to five axle-trucks has been financially unviable for many hauliers who have to change their entire fleet due to the economic downturn; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, since SI 5/2003, vehicles have been developed to the highest technical standard, which far outweighs that envisaged in 2003. [7050/18]
View answerThe derogation referred to was conceded by the then Minister in 2003, to end in 2008 in order to allow the haulage industry renew their then fleets. Subsequently, this deadline was extended seven times as a further concession to the industry to move to more road friendly articulated vehicle combinations, such as the 6-axle articulated (3+3) combination.
Given the ongoing challenges in maintaining our critical roads infrastructure with constrained resources, the derogation was ended on 30 June 2016. This was necessary to permit a decrease in road and bridge infrastructure damage caused by such vehicles and to thereby reduce the costs to the public finances in terms of maintaining and repairing vital road and bridge infrastructure.
While I understand the concerns raised by the road haulage industry, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I must have regard to the overarching need to maintain national transport infrastructure in as cost effective a manner as possible. It is primarily for this reason, as well as the extensive 13 year period given to the industry to adjust, that the previously existing derogation has not been renewed. While my Department and I obviously review our legislation on a regular basis, I do not believe that the position today has changed materially so as to cause me to reconsider this necessary measure to protect our roads.
573. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 553 of 6 February 2018, his plans to introduce more school-friendly timetables for the school-going population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7070/18]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the transport operator 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.
574. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the noise pollution parameters as set out in the original 2007 planning permission for the north runway at Dublin Airport will be changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7076/18]
View answerI understand the Deputy to be referring to operational restrictions which An Bord Pleanála attached to the 2007 planning permission for the new runway at Dublin airport. These restrictions, which will have the effect of imposing strict limitations on night-time aircraft traffic at Dublin Airport between the hours of 23:00 and 07:00, shall apply upon completion of the second runway.
Since that decision, a new EU Regulation (598/14) has come into effect which sets out how Member States should regulate noise at major airports. This regulatory framework provides for the measurement, management and on-going monitoring of airport noise.
My obligation as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is to put in place the structures to make sure that Ireland fully complies with the Regulation, which I will be doing by way of primary legislation. As part of that, provision will be made to allow the Regulator to determine the most effective way of managing noise at Dublin airport into the future in accordance with international best practice, including in the context of the new runway.
575. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the rail review which was compiled on foot of the 2016 NTA rail review and after a public consultation process will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7175/18]
View answerThe Rail Review Report was undertaken jointly by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann and was published in 2016.
The public consultation process held by the NTA following the publication of the Review contributed to an informed discussion about the current and future role of rail transport in Ireland. Over 300 submissions were received in response to that consultation process. The NTA has prepared a report of those submissions, which it is currently updating to reflect the additional funding which has been made available for rail infrastructure and services in Budget 2018. Once I have received and reviewed the NTA’s updated report on the consultation, it is my intention to bring it to Government for consideration. I expect that it would be published shortly thereafter by the NTA.
576. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which the non-executive chairman position of Córas Iompair Éireann will be filled; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the vacancy is impacting on the way in which CIÉ operates; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that spending limits for projects are in force while the role remains vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7214/18]
View answerThe process for appointment of a new non-executive chairman for Córas Iompar Éireann is currently under way. As with all public appointments to State boards, the campaign is being run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and the extended closing date for applications was 8 February 2018.
The applications received for the position will now be considered, in line with Government Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards and my Department’s protocol on Board appointments "Department Principles and Procedures for State Board Appointments", and I hope to make an appointment soon afterwards.
In the interim, I understand that the Board continues to function with each Board meeting being chaired by a member of the Board as determined by those Board members who are in attendance. I am advised that the current vacancy does not impose a spending limit for projects.
577. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grant aids available for underwater search and recovery groups; his plans to update these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7288/18]
View answerDirect grant aids are not presently available for underwater search and recovery groups. My Department administers an annual grant to mountain rescue teams and community rescue boat organisations which are listed as 'declared resources' to the State for the purpose of search and rescue. At present, underwater diving groups are not a declared resource. However, my Department is engaging with the relevant tasking authorities to determine what criteria and standards are required to become a declared resource for this purpose and then to consider what funding may be available within my Department's grant schemes.
578. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to EU COM(2017)548, a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on rail passengers' rights and obligations (details supplied); if a plan of action regarding the legislative implications relating to the implementation of this proposal has been prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7309/18]
View answerI am aware of the EU Proposal for recasting and repealing the existing Regulation (EC) No. 1371/2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations. The draft proposal, EU COM (2017) 548, is under negotiation by the Member States at Working Party level at present. Many of the provisions of the Regulation, once adopted, will have direct effect so no national transposition legislation will be required in those cases, however some legislation to underpin implementation is expected to be required. When the new recast EU Regulation is adopted in due course, a statutory instrument will be made to underpin national implementation and the two existing statutory instruments will be revoked.
579. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the general review of all invalid applications under the 2017 sports capital programme will be completed and organisations informed as to whether their applications have now been approved; when the decisions will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7313/18]
View answer580. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of invalid applications under the 2017 sports capital programme that are being reviewed by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7315/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 579 and 580 together.
The 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received. Allocations were announced in November and December last and full details are available on my Department's website.
All applications that were deemed invalid or partially invalid were invited to appeal the Department’s decision if it was felt that an error had been made in the assessment process. The deadline for the submission of appeals from applicants for local projects was 20 December 2017 and in relation to regional projects the deadline was 19 January 2018. 149 appeals were submitted prior to the deadlines and these submissions are now being processed. I expect that this review will be fully complete in the coming weeks and all relevant applicants will be informed at that stage. The following table shows the number of appeals received per county.
|
County |
Number |
|
Carlow |
3 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Clare |
10 |
|
Cork |
11 |
|
Donegal |
9 |
|
Dublin |
29 |
|
Galway |
15 |
|
Kerry |
4 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
|
Laois |
2 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
|
Longford |
2 |
|
Louth |
2 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
|
Meath |
7 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Sligo |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
|
Waterford |
4 |
|
Westmeath |
6 |
|
Wexford |
9 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
149 |
I have also requested a more general review of the 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme to include an analysis of all invalid applications. I expect this work to be complete in the coming months and the outcome of this review will help to further improve the application process for future rounds of the programme.
581. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to an incident on 5 February 2018 when a number of hounds from a club (details supplied) ran onto the M3 resulting in the death of four dogs and creating a significant danger for motorists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7326/18]
View answerArticle 49 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (as amended) states that a person in charge of an animal which is being conducted along or on to a road shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that the animal does not obstruct traffic or pedestrians. Enforcement of the Regulations is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
582. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he is taking to improve traffic congestion in Dublin in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7350/18]
View answerThe 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 for Dublin 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.
In 2015, Dublin City Council and the NTA jointly published the Dublin City Centre Transport Study which sets out the various measures proposed for Dublin's city centre to ensure the efficient functioning of transport within the city centre. Those two bodies, in collaboration with Dublin Bus and TII, are progressively implementing the measures set out in that document to enable the continued development and growth of the city. Over the last six months, changes have been made throughout the city centre to accommodate the introduction of new Luas services. The most significant changes were the introduction of the additional bus lanes along the North and South Quays last August. In addition, a host of other junction and traffic signal changes has been implemented. In the case of College Green - and in advance of a determination of a proposal for a civic plaza at College Green developed by City Council - the NTA, in collaboration with Dublin Bus and Dublin City Council, have proceeded to reduce bus vehicle volumes passing through the area, which would allow the junctions and signals to function more effectively. These parties continue to keep the situation under review.
As Minister for Transport I have secured increased funding for both public transport services and infrastructure in Budget 2018 which will allow us to address congestion and emerging capacity constraints on our public transport system across our cities including Dublin. This includes an 8% increase in funding for PSO services across the bus and rail networks in 2018 to support the delivery of these socially necessary but financially unviable public transport services.
Following the mid-term review of the Capital Plan, Budget 2018 provides for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for Ireland's public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021. 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 the new Metro North.
583. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the Dublin Bus fleet is adequate to meet passenger demand in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7351/18]
View answerIn the past four years Dublin Bus has received funding of €132 million for the purchase of new buses. In 2017 alone 102 new buses were purchased by the National Transport Authority (NTA) for Dublin Bus. The NTA will be funding the purchase of a further 76 buses for the company this year.
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. This substantial multi-annual envelope 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.
Given the NTA's role in relation to the provision of public transport services and renewal of the bus fleet in respect of Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus services, I have also 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.
