Written Answers Nos. 264-276
264. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deal with overcrowding on Dublin Bus especially for persons living nearer to the city in view of the fact that the vast majority of buses commence in outer suburbs and therefore are completely full on approach to the inner suburbs. [7780/18]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus 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.
265. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he can address the issue of the 10,000 active members of the two CIÉ pension schemes, their need for independent legal advice and the need for an independent investigation into the governance of the schemes; and his plans to actively engage with the 10,000 members of the schemes. [7781/18]
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.
I have referred this question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
266. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter regarding incursions by a club (details supplied) onto roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7782/18]
View answerWhile road traffic legislation does not provide for a specific requirement in respect of such events, Article 49 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (as amended) state 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.
Operational responsibility for individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
267. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the electrification of the national railways in line with commitments made to tackle emissions and phase out diesel trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7783/18]
View answerPublic Transport, including rail, will, have to play a significant role in the national mitigation effort and investments being made in public transport and sustainable transport measures in order to promote modal shift will be critical in this regard. As part of Ireland's effort to contain emissions and mitigate climate change, I am dedicated both to increasing the capacity of our public transport system and to facilitating the uptake of low-emission vehicles and technologies within the public transport sector.
The Government is committed to furthering the progressive development of electric fuelled public transport, particularly along high demand routes in the GDA where capacity requirements make such investment cost-effective. Rail already plays an important role in meeting increased passenger demand while also providing an energy-efficient mode of transport. The rail sector accounts for only 1.1% of transport emissions. Electrified rail use, in particular, is capable of achieving low emissions through utilising renewable sources of energy. Rail operators are also already playing an active role in emission reductions on existing services, introducing a range of technical measures including automatic engine shutdown, configuring train length to match passenger demand and installing traction control software.
Considerable progress has already been made on increasing capacity on the electrified light and heavy rail networks through the Luas and DART networks. In terms of future investment plans, the Metro system is due to commence construction in 2021 with passenger services starting in 2027 while funding of the DART Expansion Programme will allow substantial progress on electrification of the Northern rail line as far as Balbriggan - now expected to be delivered in 2022 - and commencing work on the Maynooth line. The DART Expansion Programme also has a key role to play in delivering an efficient transport system that will deliver a very substantial increase in peak-hour capacity on all lines from Drogheda, Maynooth, Greystones and Hazelhatch on the Kildare line while also contributing to the overall aim of combating climate change.
268. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific funding will be allocated in 2018 for a road improvement programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7790/18]
View answerProposals to deliver an upgraded East-West route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo.
As regards the regional road aspect of the proposal, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.
My Department provided funding to Cavan County Council (acting as lead authority with Monaghan and Louth County Councils) with over €2m in the period 2007-2014 to progress the regional road element of the project to preliminary design.
This year I have given an allocation of €25,000 to Cavan County Council to enable the Council to undertake a preliminary appraisal, in line with the current requirements in the Public Spending Code and the Capital Investment Framework, of the Cavan to Dundalk section of the route. The aim of this appraisal would be to assess the extent to which the scheme or elements of it can be justified in terms of appraisal and advanced for further consideration in relation to schemes for development post 2021.
269. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that provision is made in the capital plan to provide for the upgrading of an arterial route (details supplied) in view of the importance of this route for a large portion of the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7791/18]
View answerProposals to deliver an upgraded East-West route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo.
As regards the regional road aspect of the proposal, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.
My Department provided funding to Cavan County Council (acting as lead authority with Monaghan and Louth County Councils) with over €2m in the period 2007-2014 to progress the regional road element of the project to preliminary design.
This year I have given an allocation of €25,000 to Cavan County Council to enable the Council to undertake a preliminary appraisal, in line with the current requirements in the Public Spending Code and the Capital Investment Framework, of the Cavan to Dundalk section of the route. The aim of this appraisal would be to assess the extent to which the scheme or elements of it can be justified in terms of appraisal and advanced for further consideration in relation to schemes for development post 2021.
270. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 22 November 2017, the updated subscriber and usage figures for 2017 for Galway, Cork and Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7795/18]
View answer271. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 22 November 2017, the cost and location of the eight new bicycle docking stations in Galway city; the agency that bore the cost; the cost and location of new docking stations in counties Limerick and Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7796/18]
View answer272. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 22 November 2017, the key performance indicators in relation to the scheme for Galway, Limerick and Cork cities; the extent to which each has been met, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7797/18]
View answer273. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 22 November 2017, the number of docking stations in Galway, Limerick and Cork cities which required relocation; the original location of each; the new location of each; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7798/18]
View answer274. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 22 November 2017, the number and location of all docking stations in Galway city; the number and location of those in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7799/18]
View answer275. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 22 November 2017, the review mechanism in place in advance of exercising the option to extend the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7800/18]
View answer276. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 22 November 2017, if there was a subsequent substitution of one or more of those companies following the award of contract on 24 April 2014 to a consortium comprising three companies; if so, the name of the company; when the change took place; the process involved in the substitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7801/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 to 276, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycle and public transport infrastructure. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, including the management of public bike schemes.
Decisions regarding contracts, operation and any proposed expansions of the bike schemes are matters falling under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for consideration and direct response. If you have not received a reply within 10 working days please contact my Office.
