Written Answers Nos. 473-491
473. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if under the lobbyist register it is expected that calls from lobbyists are recorded; if this is now the practice in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17992/18]
View answerIn accordance with the Lobbying Act, it is the responsibility of registered lobbyists to make returns to the Standards Commission in relation to lobbying activity. Lobbying returns must state:
- The Designated Public Officials who were lobbied and the relevant public service body
- The subject matter of the lobbying and the results it was intended to secure.
- The type and extent of the lobbying activities carried on
- The name of the individual who had primary responsibility for carrying on the lobbying activities.
- The relevant information about their client (s) where they were lobbying on behalf of another person or other people
- The name of each person who is or ever has been a Designated Public Official and who is employed by, or providing services to the lobbyist and who was engaged in carrying on the lobbying activities for which the return is being made.
- Any change which occurred in the relevant period in respect of the information supplied for the purposes of registration.
- That the information contained in the return is correct.
In addition, the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) has published best practices for persons undertaking lobbying activity, which includes reviewing arrangements for recording of relevant communication and putting in place processes to record information for the relevant lobbying period.
Not all civil servants are Designated Public Officials (DPOs) under the Act. DPO’s include Ministers and Ministers of State, TDs and Senators, Special Advisors and certain senior Public Servants as prescribed.
In relation to the Civil Service the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has made regulations which provide details of the positions which are prescribed as DPOs for the purposes of the Act. A public servant in a position of Secretary General, Second Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Assistant Secretary or Director in a public service body specified in Schedule I of the Regulations is prescribed as a Designated Public Official. A public servant in a position specified in Schedule 2 of the Regulations is also prescribed as a Designated Public Official.
Public bodies are obliged to publish the names of their employees who are Designated Public Officials and a brief description of their roles and responsibilities for the purposes of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. This information is available on the websites of the relevant public bodies. It is important to note that not all public bodies have Designated Public Officials.
In accordance with the Act, my department publishes a list of Designated Public Officials. In addition, the Department makes available the Act itself by linking to the Standards in Public Office Commission lobbying.ie website, containing all relevant information regarding the Act, requirements for public bodies, list of public bodies and Designated Public Officials, and the Transparency Code. DCCAE’s information on Lobbying and list of Designated Public Officials is accessible on the Department website at:
www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/about-us/compliance/regulation-of-lobbying-act-2015/Pages/Regulation-of-Lobbying-Act-2015.aspx.
My Department's protocol and procedures are fully in accordance with the relevant legislation.
It is not the practice of the Department to record phone calls.
474. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the negative impact on the environment through overuse of plastic packaging; his plans to implement policies that will reduce Ireland's carbon footprint by reducing reliance on plastic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18022/18]
View answerOur use of plastic has increased exponentially in recent decades. Plastics feature across a wide range of applications and products, such as packaging, construction, electrics and electronics. The effects of plastic on the environment have been well publicised.
In terms of plastic packaging, Repak, the producer responsibility scheme tasked with managing packing in Ireland, has been working with its members (including all the major retailers) to identify ways to reduce or optimise packaging. Repak members pay fees based on the amount of packaging they place on the market and this incentivises them to reduce packaging.
A lot of work has been done by Repak members to prevent and minimise the amount of packaging they require. With the assistance of the EPA, Repak’s Prevent and Save initiative has worked with Irish business to reduce packaging and to promote packaging improvements across industry. Under the initiative, specialist packaging technologists look for ways to optimise the packaging used and to minimise any resulting packaging waste.
At European level, I recently wrote to the European Commissioner with responsibility for the environment to welcome the recently published plastics strategy. I assured him Ireland fully embraced the ambitions of the new strategy. I asked the Commission to focus, in particular, on the most difficult non-recyclable plastics such as soft wrapping, film and single use items such as coffee cups and plastic straws. I am determined to make sure these products, if they come onto the market here or elsewhere in Europe, will be recycled or biodegradable and that they will not go into landfill sites.
I am looking forward to the Commission proposing within the next month EU-wide actions to tackle single use plastic items. I believe that working proactively with our European colleagues will achieve a major environmental benefit in a coordinated manner.
475. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason Ireland's third biennial report to the UNFCCC was three months late. [18100/18]
View answerThe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) requires that Parties submit regular reports on the steps they are taking to implement the Convention. These reports set out a Party’s historic and projected emissions, climate polices, measures taken and under consideration, and major policy developments in the reporting period.
National Communications are submitted every four years, and form a significant part of this process. National Communications from developed country Parties (such as Ireland) include information on emissions and removals of greenhouse gases, policies and measures in place, vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, and education, training, and public awareness initiatives. Additionally, developed country Parties set out details of assistance provided to developing country Parties.
In addition, developed countries submit Biennial Reports every two years. These reports outline the progress made towards the achievement of emissions reductions and the provision of financial, technology, and capacity-building support to non-developed countries.
Parties were invited to submit their Seventh National Communications no later than 1 January 2018. Ireland advised the UNFCCC in December 2017 that this submission would be delayed, which was necessitated by a number of factors, including the desirability of taking account of recent policy developments and revisions to UNFCCC guidance on the preparation of National Communications. Ireland submitted its Seventh National Communication and Third Biennial Report to the UNFCCC on 30 March 2018.
476. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he plans to respond to the Citizens' Assembly report on climate; and if he will seek to establish a similar committee to the one established in view of the Citizens' Assembly report on the eighth amendment to the Constitution. [18102/18]
View answerI welcome the submission to the Oireachtas, on 18 April, of the final report of the Citizens' Assembly on how the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change.
The final report includes a total of 17 recommendations which address a range of Government policies and activities across a number of sectors and Ministerial functions. The report reflects the deliberations of the Citizens Assembly over two weekends last Autumn informed, in turn, by a public consultation and by the contribution of a range of expert presentations to the Assembly.
As I have previously indicated, I was pleased to note that many of the recommendations adopted by the members of the Assembly, as reported on during the conclusion of this module of the Assembly’s work, are already being addressed in the National Mitigation Plan and in the implementation of the Energy White Paper, but I have also acknowledged that other recommendations will need further consideration by Government.
It will now be a matter for the Oireachtas, in the first instance, to consider how it will take forward consideration of the Assembly's report. The Government will study the Assembly’s report and recommendations and will provide its response in the context of the agreed mechanism in the Oireachtas for further consideration of the report.
477. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied that the interests of consumers of broadband in the State have been protected in the procurement process for the roll-out of the national broadband plan under the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014. [11307/18]
View answerThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. Since this Government came into office almost 400,000 additional premises have access to high speed broadband. This will increase to nearly 8 out of 10 premises by the end of this year and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
I assume the Deputy’s question refers to matters of competition and equal access for consumers on the high speed broadband network that is to be built in the State intervention area. The network that will be built by the successful bidder in the State intervention area will be a fully open access network providing wholesale telecommunications services. The contract will mandate that all retail service providers have open access to the infrastructure required to deliver services to premises in the intervention area, which should result in consumers having access to a range of providers. The terms and conditions of this access will be monitored through the contract.
478. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the unsuitability of road conditions (details supplied) for HGVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17931/18]
View answerThe 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded from these monies is a matter for each local authority.
I understand that the Castletownbere Transportation Study has been commissioned by Cork County Council and is the subject of public consultation at present. It will be a matter for the Council and its consultants to assess the outcome of the consultation process before finalising the study.
479. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the PSO funding provided to Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and other operators in 2017, in tabular form. [17388/18]
View answerSince 2010 there is no subvention paid directly by my Department for public transport services. The award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). As is normal, the allocations to the companies are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
480. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the profitability of the Navan to Dublin Bus Éireann NX route in comparison with other routes. [17407/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Expressway services are operated by Bus Éireann on a commercial basis in a similar fashion to any other commercial licensed bus service. Commercial licensed bus services do not receive any taxpayer funding, in contrast to those socially necessary but financially unviable services which make up the Public Service Obligation (PSO) network. Decisions regarding commercial licensed bus services are matters for the operator concerned, subject to the licensing arrangements of the National Transport Authority.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
481. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the proposed price increases on the Navan to Dublin Bus Éireann NX route can be justified in the absence of a rail track in the future for commuters in Navan which unfairly penalises commuters who do not have use for a Leap card. [17408/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day to day operations of public transport or decisions on bus fares in any part of the country or the operation of the Leap card. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA is the statutory body with responsibility for the regulation of fares charged by the public transport providers.
Therefore, I have forwarded your query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The Deputy’s question also refers to the Navan Rail Link Project, which was originally included under the Transport 21 Initiative and was to be developed in two phases. Phase 1, comprising the Dunboyne Rail Line project was completed in 2013. Phase 2 was to provide for the extension of the Dunboyne line onwards to north Navan. This development together with a number of other transport projects was postponed in 2011 due to the economic and fiscal crisis.
In 2016 the NTA published its Transport Strategy for the GDA for the period 2016-2035. All the main transport corridors in the GDA were examined in the Strategy including the Navan to City Centre Corridor. The NTA concluded that based on current population and employment forecasts, the level of travel demand between Navan, Dunshaughlin and various stations to the city centre is insufficient to justify the development of a high-capacity rail link at this time. Instead it is proposed that an enhanced bus service will be provided along the corridor in conjunction with the development of a bus hub in Navan.
The NTA has indicated that the position will be reassessed as part of the next review of the GDA Transport Strategy and this will take account of the level of development in the catchment area over the next six years. The NTA has also indicated that the corridor identified for a rail link to Navan should be protected from development intrusion in the meantime. Should the planned future review of the Transport Strategy conclude that a rail link is justified at that point, then funding can be pursued then, in the context of developing future Capital Investment Plans.
482. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the review of the operation of Bus Éireann route 52 between Ballina and Galway. [17464/18]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann 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.
483. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the locations in which the records of driver tests and licences granted are kept; if these records can be accessed if required; the length of time the records are kept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17470/18]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
484. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grant aid being made available to agencies under his remit to assist with necessary infrastructure improvements to help mitigate against effects of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17505/18]
View answerThe implications of Brexit for Ireland’s transport and tourism agencies will become clearer once the EU-UK negotiations have been completed and the future relationship between the EU and the UK has been settled. As with all other Government Departments and agencies, my Department and its agencies are preparing for the different potential outcomes, including contingency planning for a ‘no-deal’ scenario.
The Government is already taking action in preparing for Brexit. Dedicated Brexit measures were announced in Budget 2018, including a new €300m Brexit Loan Scheme for Business and a €25m Brexit Response Loan Scheme for the agrifood sector as well as additional supports for capital investment in the food industry and Bord Bia marketing and promotion activities. €2m in capital funding was specifically secured in Budget 2018 for Tourism Ireland to invest in strengthening its digital infrastructure, deepening its understanding of the all-important overseas consumer and developing new creative content, for roll out from 2019.
In relation to infrastructural requirements, the Government’s recently published Project Ireland 2040 recognises the role and infrastructural plans of ports and airports in supporting continued enhancement of Ireland’s high-quality international connectivity. Key actions planned include a new runway for Dublin Airport, continued development of Cork and Shannon Airports, investment in Ireland West Airport Knock, and for smaller airports under the Regional Airports Programme. There will also be major development of Dublin, Cork, Shannon-Foynes and other ports, as well as investment in transport connectivity to ports.
My Department’s work and planning with key agencies and stakeholders will continue to be kept under review as the negotiations further progress.
485. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether there may be a reluctance by Fingal County Council to make necessary preliminary arrangements in order that it will have the expertise and resources when legislation is enacted making it the competent authority for noise regulation at Dublin Airport (details supplied); his further views on whether the IAA, Irish Aviation Authority, should be compensated for moneys spent; and if he has met with the chief executive of Fingal County Council to ensure concerns regarding the issue will be addressed. [17506/18]
View answerIt has been made very clear in what has been conveyed directly to the CEO of Fingal County Council by my senior officials, and in what I have said publicly on the matter, that Fingal County Council will be provided with the necessary resources to carry out this additional function. All appropriate steps that can be taken will be taken to facilitate Fingal's preparations in this regard.
As for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), it is a highly profitable commercial State company which will be paying the State a considerable dividend for the financial year 2017. Any costs that it may have incurred in the context of exploring its role in implementation of the Noise Regulation, I expect, would have been very marginal relative to its financial position. The Company has not raised the matter with me, or with my Department, and I do not expect it to do so.
486. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget Fáilte Ireland sought to establish and promote the new Hidden Heartlands brand. [17507/18]
View answerFáilte Ireland sought total funding (current and capital) in the order of €3.36m for 2018 to establish and start promoting the new Midlands/Lakelands brand - Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
As set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) 2018, I secured an initial €2 million in Exchequer funding this year (€1m capital and €1m current funding) to allow Fáilte Ireland start the development stage of the brand - across tourism infrastructure, product, services and marketing. Further Exchequer allocations for subsequent years will be decided in the context of the annual Estimates process between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
487. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action that has been taken to increase marketing to help mitigate against the effects of Brexit and diversify into other markets. [17508/18]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
488. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the list of pinch points or amended signalling as identified by public transport operators; if this list has been costed; and the timeline established for the commencement and completion of these works. [17510/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that in June 2015 the Dublin City Centre Transport Study, published jointly by Dublin City Council and NTA, recognised that a rebalancing of the available road space would be required on various streets to facilitate the introduction of additional capacity for public transport, cycling and walking. Through a multi-agency approach by NTA, DCC, and TII working in conjunction with the various Public Transport Operators, the measures set out in the 2015 Study are being progressed so as to ensure that Dublin City transport system is capable of operating efficiently and reliably, with consistent journey times, and that it is facilitating the City's continued development and growth.
In 2016, the NTA published its Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035 which provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services for Dublin over the next two decades. The measures proposed in the strategy are linked to an analysis of current and projected levels of travel demand across the region.
Recent investment in public transport, allocated through the NTA was targeted to provide additional capacity and alternative choice for private car users. This included investment in new cycling routes and expansion of public bicycle share schemes, integrated ticketing and Real time passenger information (RTPI), renewal and expansion of the bus fleet, commencement of city centre rail re-signalling, opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel, progressive and on-going introduction of city centre traffic management measures, reorganisation of bus services and the introduction of Luas Cross City.
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 recently published National Development Plan (NDP), which was launched earlier this year by Government as part of Project Ireland 2040, also confirms a number of key investment priorities that will be delivered progressively and steadily over the short, medium and long term, to match transport demand, alleviate congestion and deliver a range of benefits over the next decade.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in the matters raised, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
489. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Bus Éireann will be allowed use the hard shoulder at restricted speeds to enable the avoidance of traffic congestion; and his plans for a pilot project to examine the way in which this could reduce journey times and improve efficiency with the potential to attract greater numbers to use the service. [17511/18]
View answerHard shoulders are generally not designed or constructed to the same standards as adjoining carriageways on the basis that it was not envisaged that they would be utilised by traffic on a regular basis.
On motorways, vehicles are prohibited from using hard shoulders, except in the case of a breakdown or following a collision. On non-motorway roads, hard shoulders provide a possible escape route in an emergency situation, are used by cyclists and slow moving vehicles, facilitate overtaking of vehicles by faster moving traffic if the slower moving vehicle partly or fully utilises the hard shoulder, allow a vehicle to pass on the inside where a right turning vehicle is stopped in the centre of the road and facilitate the stopping and parking of vehicles for drivers to pull over to check maps, use a mobile phone and other tasks.
In light of this, I have no plans to permit the use of hard shoulders by buses, even on a pilot basis, for the purposes of examining possible journey time reductions.
490. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the situation in which CIÉ owns all properties used for the provision of public transport but does not maintain them (details supplied) will be addressed. [17512/18]
View answerThe issue raised is an matter for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) and I have forwarded 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.
491. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if multi-annual budgets for public transport service providers will be introduced in order that companies can better plan (details supplied). [17513/18]
View answerFor some years now, Exchequer capital expenditure has been budgeted on a multi-annual basis through a series of 5-year capital envelopes. This has helped to improve the management of capital expenditure and reflects some of capital's particular attributes, including the one-off, non-repetitive nature of most capital spending and the fact that, at an overall level, capital accounts for less than a tenth of the total Voted spending by Departments.
By contrast, current expenditure accounts for the vast bulk of Voted spending, and it is budgeted by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on an annual basis as part of the annual Estimates process, with indicative future year allocations at Vote level specified for the following 2 years.
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding to transport operators for providing subvented public transport (i.e. bus and rail) services is paid by the National Transport Authority from the current expenditure monies that are made available to the Department's Vote annually as part of the Estimates process. Decisions on the PSO allocations to particular operators are made annually by the NTA having regard to the Authority's statutory role and the PSO contracts that it has in place with each of the individual providers.
