Micheál Martin
Question:177. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had meetings with his officials to discuss the Transport Omnibus 2018 published on 24 October 2019. [45499/19]
View answerCentral Statistics Office Reports
Questions (177)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I welcome the publication of the Transport Omnibus 2018 by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and note its findings. I have not met with my officials to discuss it but they will review the statistics and trends contained in it as standard.
Human Trafficking
Questions (178)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:178. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to use detectors to examine large trucks entering or leaving ports in view of the recent deaths at Grays, Essex, UK. [45627/19]
View answerWritten answers
Primary responsibility for prevention and detection of migrant smuggling/human trafficking rests with An Garda Síochána. As such, the introduction of the use of detectors falls under the responsibility for the Minister for Justice and Equality.
Driver Licences
Questions (179)
Catherine Murphy
Question:179. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make changes to legislation to include small commercial vehicles as a specific category on licences; the reason the category was excluded; if his attention has been drawn to problems that have resulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45641/19]
View answerWritten answers
The categories of vehicles are set out in the EU Driving Licences Directives which form the framework for our national legislation. Small commercial vehicles fall into either Category B or C depending on the weight of the vehicle. Category B covers vehicles with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) not exceeding 3,500kg. This is the average car category. Category C covers vehicles, other than buses, with a MAM exceeding 3,500kg and can be combined with a trailer where the MAM of the trailer is no greater than 750kg. Category CE covers Category C vehicles where the trailer is greater than 750kg. Category C1 covers Category C vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 7,500kg and can be combined with a trailer where the MAM of the trailer is no greater than 750kg. Category C1E covers Category C1 vehicles where the trailer is greater than 750kg but the combined MAM of the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 12,000kg.
Vehicle are grouped into categories as it is not possible to have categories for every individual type of vehicle.
Separately you may be interested to know that one of the proposals in the Mobility Package currently being finalised at European level is to bring vehicles with a permissible laden mass in excess of 2.4 tonne (i.e. light commercial vehicles) into scope for road transport operator licensing for international road transport. Currently only vehicles with a permissible laden mass in excess of 3.5 tonne are licensed for international road transport of goods for hire or reward.
Vehicle Testing
Questions (180)
Catherine Murphy
Question:180. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a retrospective test or tests are required in situations in which a commercial vehicle has been off the road and missed the annual commercial vehicle test; his plans to bring forward changes to alter same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45642/19]
View answerWritten answers
The frequency of periodic roadworthiness testing for commercial vehicles is governed by Article 5 of Directive 2014/45/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014. Member States cannot exceed the testing intervals for different categories of vehicles laid down by the Directive.
The testing intervals for commercial vehicles registered in Ireland are set by Regulation 6 of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (as amended). The Vehicle Testing Regulations transpose into Irish law, many of the obligations set by Directive 2014/45/EU.
The roadworthiness standards for a vehicle can deteriorate when it is declared off the road as not only can the vehicle continue to be used on private property, some components such as tyres will degrade naturally over time. For these reasons it is not anticipated that vehicles that are declared off the road will have their due dates for periodic roadworthiness testing extended in any way.
Air Safety
Questions (181)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:181. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to steps being taken by Ireland and its EU partners in terms of the tragic deaths of citizens in crashes involving an aircraft (details supplied) to ensure accountability by the owners and management of the company. [45660/19]
View answerWritten answers
The overriding concern of my Department and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), which has responsibility for aviation safety regulation, is to ensure that aviation safety is a priority. Concerns with regard to aviation safety, arising from the two tragic accidents involving Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines, has resulted in the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. It is of paramount importance that any and all aviation safety concerns are addressed, and time must be permitted for this very important work to be completed. This is a matter for the Aviation Safety Authorities worldwide, including the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the United States and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), of which Ireland is a Member.
My Department and the IAA are actively monitoring the ongoing work by Boeing, the FAA and EASA and the aircraft will only be returned to service when all safety concerns have been comprehensively addressed and resolved.
Public Transport Fares
Questions (182)
Seán Sherlock
Question:182. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to an inconsistent pricing policy in respect of a route (details supplied). [45667/19]
View answerWritten answers
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, including fares, are matters for the operator concerned, subject to the licensing arrangements of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The NTA has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to PSO public passenger transport services. I have, therefore, referred that part of the Deputy's question relating to PSO services to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
Road Improvement Schemes
Questions (183)
Willie Penrose
Question:183. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to finance the construction of realignment works along the N55 between Ballymahon, County Longford, and Athlone, County Westmeath; when Transport Infrastructure Ireland will be in a position to fund developments and improvements on this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45685/19]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing capital funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the upgrading, improvement and development of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
Cycling Facilities Provision
Questions (184, 185)
Seán Sherlock
Question:184. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be an expansion of the Cork public bike scheme to the north side of Cork city. [45693/19]
View answerSeán Sherlock
Question:185. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be an expansion of the Cork public bike scheme to the Douglas and Blackrock areas of Cork city. [45694/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 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 expansion of existing and proposed bike schemes fall under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Noting the NTA's statutory responsibilities in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
Noise Pollution
Questions (186)
Michael McGrath
Question:186. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to implement noise attenuation measures along the N28 on the south side of Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45704/19]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management, including noise abatement measures, for individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
Public Service Obligation Services
Questions (187)
Catherine Murphy
Question:187. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual amount of subvention granted to each public transport provider in each of the past ten years to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45708/19]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The PSO funding provided to Iarnród Éireann, Bus Eireann and Bus Átha Cliath in 2009 is as follows:
|
IÉ (€000) |
BÉ (€000) |
BÁC (€000) |
|
|
2009 |
170,624 |
49,365 |
83,199 |
Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). 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 part of the Deputy’s question which relates to 2010 onwards to the NTA 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
Rail Services Provision
Questions (188)
Marc MacSharry
Question:188. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the purchasing of additional rail carriages for Iarnród Éireann; and the date by which he expects these carriages to be delivered. [45730/19]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, I announced last week Government's approval for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann to proceed with the proposed purchase of 41 additional InterCity Railcars to increase capacity across the Greater Dublin Area rail network.
This project, which will increase capacity by around 34% on the Kildare, Maynooth and Northern lines in the morning peak time, will cost approximately €150 million and the first of the carriages are expected to commence entry into service by end 2021.
Obviously, expenditure of this nature involving the investment of considerable taxpayer resources, must comply with the Public Spending Code which sets out the roles and responsibilities of public authorities in relation to public expenditure generally. For this project, Iarnród Éireann is the Sponsoring Agency and the National Transport Authority (NTA) exercises the role of the Sanctioning Authority.
Noting the responsibility of the agencies, I have referred the Deputy question to the NTA for further details and direct reply on the specific issues raised. Please advise my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
Rail Services
Questions (189)
Marc MacSharry
Question:189. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated length of time it would have taken to refurbish the 28 unused rail carriages that Irish Rail considered reintroducing into use. [45731/19]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The procurement and or refurbishment of rolling stock is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance who, in consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), continue to examine how best to source additional rolling stock as efficiently and effectively as possible and ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.
In this regard and as the Deputy is aware, an option considered by Iarnród Éireann / NTA to increase fleet capacity was the proposed refurbishment and reintroduction of older train sets back into service. This option was ruled out following market consultations which returned costs far in excess of those originally expected and which meant the option did not represent value for money.
Noting the responsibility of the agencies, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA, for direct reply regarding the issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A