Written Answers Nos. 591-612
591. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met officials from Cork City Council regarding planned transport provisions following the expansion of the city in June 2019. [6307/19]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure and services in the regional cities, including Cork.
The Deputy may be aware that the draft Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy is currently being finalised by Cork City Council and Cork County Council, in partnership with the NTA. The strategy will provide a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services across the Cork Metropolitan Area, for the period up to 2040.
I understand that the draft Strategy will shortly be published for public consultation and I look forward to its finalisation and adoption by the relevant local authorities.
My Department will obviously engage with the NTA and other relevant bodies, including the local authorities, with regard to implementation of the finalised Strategy.
592. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal holds a valid driver licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6327/19]
View answerIt is not appropriate to answer the Deputy's question due to data protection laws. The person concerned may contact the Road Safety Authority directly to enquire about the status for their driving licence.
593. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the upgrade to the northern commuter Connolly-Drogheda line (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6371/19]
View answer594. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the plans in the short-to-medium term to alleviate the congestion on the northern commuter rail line, including an increase in extra direct bus services to the city centre; if the necessary physical infrastructure and funding are in place to provide for the upgrade; the timeline and delivery regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6372/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 593 and 594 together.
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 responsibility for ensuring the development and delivery of public transport infrastructure, both bus and rail, in the Greater Dublin Area.
In light of the NTA's responsibility on this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
595. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of tourists that visit County Tipperary annually by nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6378/19]
View answer596. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the value of tourism to County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6379/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 595 and 596 together.
The collection and dissemination of official statistical information, including information relating to tourist numbers and expenditure, is a matter for the Central Statistics Office. The CSO does not publish tourism performance figures for individual counties. However, I understand that Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, does estimate individual county performance based on CSO data. I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply directly to the Deputy with any further information it may have on this matter. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
597. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether there should be an extraordinary review of Ireland’s TEN-T infrastructure; if so, if he has made representations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6400/19]
View answerThe 2013 EU TEN-T Regulation states that a review of the TEN-T network is to take place no later than the end of 2023.
I refer the Deputy to my recent response to this question provided on 22 January 2019, in which I stated that my Department will make a submission to the European Commission calling for an early review of the TEN-T Network, taking into account our National Development Plan, our National Planning Framework, and the implications of Brexit. This was also outlined at last week's Joint Oireachtas Committee on Brexit and the implications of Brexit for the transport sector.
I am very concerned about the implications of Brexit for Ireland's transport connectivity and trade and am of the view that it is timely for the EU to now consider an early review of the TEN-T network.
598. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of users of the LocalLink service in each of the areas it is in operation in each of the years 2016 to 2018. [6428/19]
View answerAs 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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. It also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme, which now operates under the Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's Question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
599. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the 2018 sports capital grant application decisions will be made in the case of a club (details supplied). [6437/19]
View answerThe 2018 round of the Sports Capital Programme opened for applications on Friday 7 September and the application period closed on Friday 19th October. By that deadline, a record 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding.
186 of these applications were for projects that were deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the programme that subsequently submitted corrected documents. These applications were assessed first and €7m in allocations to 170 projects were announced on the 17th January.
For the first time, applicants who have submitted incorrect documentation under this round will be given the opportunity to correct their application during the assessment period. While there will be no undue delay in completing the assessment process, in view of the opportunity to correct documentation, the record number of applications received and the detailed information contained in each application, it is likely to take a number of months to have all applications assessed. Accordingly, I expect that it will be at least the second quarter of this year before the full set of allocations under this current round of the programme are announced.
600. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it is appropriate that Rosslare Europort has a different ownership structure to other Irish ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6444/19]
View answerRosslare Europort is unique among the State-owned ports, as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts but is instead operated on commercial basis as a division of Iarnród Éireann. Technically, the port forms part of the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours Company, which is a 19th-century joint-venture company, consisting today of Iarnród Éireann on the Irish side and Stena line on the Welsh (Fishguard) side.
The status of the port, and whether its current status potentially inhibits its development, was considered in a strategic review, commissioned by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants. Their report concluded that the creation of an independent port authority would be extremely difficult, given the port's complex legal structure. Instead, it was recommended that the port remain in public ownership and that the possibilities for increased private sector involvement be investigated.
In order to assist Iarnród Éireann's overall consideration of how best to move forward, the company then engaged consultants to assess market interest. The assessment was largely positive in terms of the potential for increased private sector investment in the port; however, it did identify possible implementation issues due to the complicated legislative basis of the port.
Following that assessment, the Department sought and received detailed advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the matter. That advice identified a number of legal issues with any such proposal and those issues remain under consideration by the Department.
I am satisfied that Rosslare Europort as a division of Iarnród Éireann is effectively managing operations at the port and looking at the potential of the port to develop further and take advantage of any new opportunities. The port is targeting growth and new business opportunities and recently received the approval of the Iarnród Éireann Board for a strategic plan to grow the port’s business.
This includes investment plans for up to €25 million in customer facilities and port infrastructure, port assets and new technology. The port is engaging with a number of potential new shipping customers to supplement existing operators and offer greater choice to freight and passenger business. Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort briefed my Department late last year on the company's plans for strategic development of the port over the coming years.
Finally, Brexit will have implications for a number of key ports and airports and Rosslare continues to work closely with my Department and a range of other relevant Government Departments and Offices in preparing for the additional border controls that will arise from Brexit.
In this context, my Department has met Rosslare Port management on a number of occasions over the past year, most recently last month, about the infrastructural requirements of the port in connection with Brexit. My Department has also been meeting ferry and shipping companies regarding their plans for dealing with the challenges of Brexit.
601. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the request from an organisation (details supplied) that consideration be given to the provision of dedicated bus corridors along the arterial routes into Dublin; if the project could be funded from the Climate Action Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6462/19]
View answerMy Department is aware of the views of the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
Following recent meetings at which this matter was raised, my Department committed to liaising with both Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority and reverting directly to the organisation on the matter.
In line with that commitment, my Department will revert to the organisation in due course.
602. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a HGV test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6492/19]
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.
603. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to carry out a noise survey at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6542/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
604. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of advisers and special advisers employed by his Department in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019; the areas of expertise covered by such advisers; the annual salaries associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6579/19]
View answerI have appointed two advisers, a Special Adviser and Press Adviser, since I took up office. Both advisers are remunerated on the Principal Officer standard pay scale (PPC) in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on the appointment of Ministerial advisers.
605. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that will be taken to ensure that persons who need assistance boarding and exiting trains using ramps and so on will still do so safely and conveniently in view of the new proposals to remove staff from stations nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6583/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the public transport operator, Irish Rail. I have therefore forwarded her question to Irish Rail for direct reply to her. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
606. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passengers per hour on the new Bus Éireann Ballincollig-Carrigaline route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6584/19]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
607. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the categories of staff that are considered a risk and-or subject to physical security checks by private security firms when entering Dublin Airport and buildings at the airport for work; the categories of staff that are not considered a risk and are not subject to physical security checks by private security firms when entering the airport and its buildings for work; the number of civil servants permanently assigned to duties at the airport by Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6595/19]
View answer609. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of authorised officers assigned to Dublin Airport; the details by number of authorised officers, rank and or grade by the authority and or Department they originate from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6612/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 609 together.
The only authorised officers at Dublin Airport are the airport police and members of An Garda Síochána, who are designated as such under Section 48 of the Air Transport Navigation Act, 1998. The Deputy will appreciate that information in relation to the number of An Garda or airport police serving at Dublin Airport as she has sought is an operational matter and is security sensitive.
The principal regulation in Europe for setting out the standards for civil aviation security is Regulation (EC) No. 300/2008, and Ireland is required to adhere to the baseline requirements laid out in this Regulation, including a requirement that:
“All persons other than passengers, together with their items carried, shall be screened upon entering critical parts of security restricted areas in order to prevent prohibited articles from being introduced into these parts.”
As such, all categories of persons are subject to security screening. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) conducts an annual risk assessment concerning the status of exemptions from security screening held by all categories of persons in Ireland. The specifics of this risk assessment are highly confidential and will not be revealed, but I can assure you that they are robust. The results of this IAA assessment were put to the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) and subsequently endorsed by its members. The NCASC is comprised of Government Departments - including Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Defence - and State agencies including the Revenue Commissioners, An Garda Síochána and the Irish Aviation Authority. The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Minister and Government on aviation security policy.
As regard security searches at Dublin Airport, these are carried out by the Airport Search Unit (ASU). The ASU are staff hired specifically for the purpose of security screening and are trained and certified in accordance with EU regulations. They are members of the daa staff and are not provided by a private security firm.
608. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of grant funding provided to each national sport governing body in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6609/19]
View answerSport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport and the allocation of funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
In addition, National Governing Bodies of Sport have benefitted from funding under the Sports Capital Programme during the period in question. Details of all allocations and payments to all clubs and organisations under the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) since 1998 to 2018 are published on the Department's website, http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme.
To date in 2019 two payments have been made under the Sports Capital Programme to National Governing Bodies of Sport and these are set out in the table below.
|
National Governing Body |
Amount |
|
Irish Clay Target Shooting Association |
€28,500 |
|
Fencing Ireland |
€11,000 |
610. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of boards or agencies his officials have been appointed to; if there are guidelines or protocols for members of staff being appointed to boards or agencies; if so, when same were last updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6654/19]
View answerOfficials of my Department are appointed to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) in compliance with the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000.
Section 9 (1) of the Act defines the composition of the Board of the MCIB. It comprises three persons appointed by me, the Chief Surveyor and the Secretary-General of my Department or his nominee.
Subject to legislative requirements, appointments to the other State Boards under the aegis of my Department are made in accordance with the Department of Expenditure and Reform (DPER) "Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards" and my Department's "Principles and Procedures for State Board Appointments". The DPER guidelines were updated in 2014 and my Department's "Principles and Procedures" in 2017.
611. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to date on implementing the governance code of community, voluntary and charitable organisations in the context of sports bodies; the engagement he has had with an association (details supplied) in respect of same in 2018 and to date in 2019; if he has had engagements with Sport Ireland in the context of withholding funding to bodies that fail to subscribe to the code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6660/19]
View answerThe governance of National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) is a matter for the NGBs themselves and Sport Ireland as the statutory body with responsibility for governance oversight of NGBs.
Minister Ross and I have made it very clear that all sporting bodies in receipt of public funding must work towards compliance with the Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charity Sector. The Government’s National Sports Policy 2018-2027 recognises the importance of good governance for the effective and efficient running of sport and it includes an action that Sport Ireland will oversee a process to have all NGBs and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) adopt the Governance Code by the end of 2021. My Department and Sport Ireland have underlined that future funding for NGBs and LSPs will be conditional on compliance with the Governance Code.
I have had no engagement with the association mentioned by the Deputy regarding its compliance with the Governance Code. However, I understand that the association is on the journey to adoption of the Code and I welcome the recent changes it has made regarding term limits for Board members as a positive step on that journey.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to progress made by supported sporting bodies in implementing the Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charity Sector. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
612. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of inspections for cabotage activity of foreign HGV operators carried out by the RSA and An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the number of prosecutions arising from such inspections; the countries of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6732/19]
View answerThe enforcement of cabotage regulations is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. This question has been forwarded to the RSA for their direct attention and reply. An Garda Síochána is under the authority of the Minister for Justice and Equality.
