Written Answers Nos. 63-82
63. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a full update in respect of completion of the pedestrian and cycle connections on all sections of the Sallins bypass; and the amount required in order to complete these works. [49153/21]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
My Department understands that all pedestrian and cyclist facilities which were included in the contract for the Sallins Bypass scheme are complete.
As the statutory road authority for its administrative area, it is a matter for Kildare County Council to consider any further works.
64. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport his plans to make any of the current bus routes in Galway city run on a 24-hour basis as has been done with a number of Dublin Bus routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49155/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the operations of public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
I have, therefore, 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.
65. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeline for the strategic rail review; if the western rail corridor forms part of the review; when he expects a draft version to be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49166/21]
View answer72. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm public comments (details supplied) made by him in relation to the Western Rail Corridor; the way those comments compare against his lack of support for specific commitments to progressing the Western Rail Corridor within the revised national development plan; and the way he intends to progress the project. [49222/21]
View answer77. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if clarity will be provided in relation to a reference (details supplied) in the National Development Plan; if this will include discussions with Iarnród Éireann on improving timetables to suit the demands of commuters on the line between Limerick Junction and Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49338/21]
View answer85. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport his vision for the way in which the communities from the south-west area, the west and on to counties Sligo, Donegal and Derry can be connected by rail; and his plans to advance this vision. [49487/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 72, 77 and 85 together.
As reiterated in the National Development Plan, the Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken to provide a strategy for the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the period to 2040 and beyond. Work has commenced on the Review and, for the information of the Deputies, a consultation exercise will form part of the review and is expected in the near future.
The Strategic Rail Review will review the rail network with regard to the following ambitions: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities (including the potential for high-/higher speed(s)), enhancing regional accessibility and supporting balanced regional development and improving rail connectivity to our international gateways including consideration of the role of rail freight.
This Review will also consider the potential scope for improved rail services along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network, including currently lightly used lines such as the Waterford to Limerick Junction line. That scope will also include the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the potential of the Western Rail Corridor, and other disused lines like Wexford to Waterford line .
It will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years and will provide a framework to develop a much-improved rail network in the years ahead. I expect the Review will be completed within 12 months.
66. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the policy for bike sharing outside of Dublin; if the NTA will continue investing in station-based bike sharing schemes for the foreseeable future in areas such as in Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49178/21]
View answer67. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the cost of the Waterford bikes and the annual operating cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49179/21]
View answer68. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if the station-based bike sharing schemes in Cork, Limerick and Galway are considered a success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49180/21]
View answer69. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the long-term strategy of the NTA for bike sharing in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49181/21]
View answer70. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the person or body in charge of making investment decisions relation to bike sharing in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49182/21]
View answer71. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the person or body that agreed to the grant of €5.25 million to electrify 50% of the Dublin Bikes fleet; the cost of the complete recall of the new batteries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49183/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel and public transport infrastructure. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the management of public bike schemes. Details regarding the investment in, operation of and expansion of existing and proposed bike schemes fall under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA), working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the NTA's responsibilities in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions relating to the various bicycle sharing schemes in our cities to the NTA for a more detailed reply . Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which projects that fall under his Department and are within the revised National Development Plan are at an advanced stage; the extent to which preliminary work has taken place or on-site works are in hand or proposed; the expected delivery date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49264/21]
View answerI am pleased to have secured €35 billion in the revised National Development Plan to support our transport objectives over the years ahead. This is the largest investment in transport in the history of the State. It will transform how we travel, connect communities and help us to halve our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. 500,000 extra daily walking, cycling and public transport journeys will be delivered by 2030, making it easier for people to travel in a sustainable way.
In terms of information on the progress of particular investment programmes and projects in the National Development Plan, I would like to advise the Deputy that information can be found in the Investment Projects and Programmes tracker on the Gov.ie website. The tracker is available at this link www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/96bb35-investment-projects-and-programmes-tracker/
74. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the current regulations regarding the use of bicycle lights; if there is a minimum or maximum flash rate that these lights must adhere to (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49278/21]
View answerAll bicycles used on public roads are required to comply with the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations 1963, as amended. During lighting-up hours, cyclists are required to have fitted and to make use of:
- One front light, showing to the front a white or yellow light visible for a reasonable distance; and
- One rear light, fitted to the rear of the bicycle and showing a red light that is visible for a reasonable distance.
It should be noted that the use of flashing front and rear lights on bicycles is currently permitted under law. Section 29 (5) of the Regulations, as amended by the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 487 of 2009 ), defines a flashing light as one that flashes not less than 60 times per minute. A maximum flash rate is not specified by the Regulations.
In addition, I would advise the Deputy that as Minister for Transport, I do not have a role in the provision of guidance to manufacturers of consumer goods and my Department therefore has not issued any such guidance in respect of flashing bicycle lights. However, I have noted the concerns expressed by the Deputy. I was not aware of these concerns and my Department and I would be interested to hear directly from Epilepsy Ireland on the matter, noting that we have to operate within the context of the Single European Market for goods.
75. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49315/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government 2020 contains a commitment to an average of a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions year-on-year from 2021 to 2030 and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The transport sector currently accounts for 20% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions levels and a reduction in emissions levels in the sector, through a combination of taxation and incentivisation, will form a key part of achieving that target. Private car usage represents 50% of those emissions. In this regard, the CO2 based motor tax system for private cars, which comprise the bulk of the vehicle fleet, is structured in such a way as to incentivise the uptake of electric and lower CO2-emitting vehicles, with these attracting lower motor tax rates than higher emitting vehicles.
There were changes to the motor tax system in Budget 2021 to provide for the transition to a new vehicle emissions test procedure, the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) for vehicles registered in the State on or after 1 January 2021. Cars in the existing CO2 fleet continue to be taxed on the same banding structure that has been in effect since 1 January 2013, while there were some modest increases to rates in the higher emitting Bands C to G, the first increases in motor tax since that date.
As set out in the recently published National Development Plan, the Government is committed to strengthening rural economies and communities and enhancing regional accessibility, with a range of investments proposed in new and existing public transport infrastructure. The Plan commits to significant investment in the land transport network and the upcoming National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland will set out the priorities for investment in the land transport network.
The Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, Our Rural Future, also contains over 150 commitments to the improvement of the quality of life in rural Ireland, to be delivered by central Government Departments, State agencies and local authorities. These include commitments to providing improved rural transport services, piloting new transport initiatives to enhance the quality of life for people in rural areas, and ensuring that public transport services in rural and regional areas are accessible to those with disabilities or reduced mobility. The Policy aims to develop expanded Local Link Services and to further integrate Local Link Services with other existing public transport services through the rollout of the National Transport Authority’s Connecting Ireland Plan. There is also a commitment to develop a grant-aided Community Transport Service Scheme through Local Link, as well as to running a pilot to examine the potential for hail-riding services to improve rural connectivity and to develop a subsidised Local Area Hackney Scheme in designated areas that are too small to support a full-time taxi or hackney service. The Policy also commits to investing in high quality walking and cycling infrastructure specifically targeted at towns and villages across the country, investing in the local and regional road network to maintain roads to a proper standard and to increase regional connectivity and to increasing investment in the repair of non-public roads through the Local Improvement Scheme.
76. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport his views on prioritising a by-pass of Tipperary town as part of the N24 project; the reason there was no mention of same in the National Development Plan; his views on the importance of prioritising the by-passing of Tipperary town due to the traffic and environmental issues caused by the current road layout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49337/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer 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 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
In the new NDP, launched on 4th October, approximately €5.1 billion is earmarked for new national road projects to 2030. This funding will enable improved connectivity across the country as well as compact growth, which are core components of the revised NDP. The funding will enable the development of many new national road projects, including the completion of projects which are already at construction stage and those close to it, as well as the development of many others.
The N24 project is included in the NDP under a list of projects which may be taken forward to construction. When evaluating the progression of these projects, a prioritisation will be undertaken which will be in line with the 2:1 Programme for Government commitment on new public transport and new roads, the "NIFTI" framework, the National Planning Framework and the requirements of the Climate Action Plan. It will also take account of available funding levels in any given year, as well as a focus, where appropriate, on town bypasses which facilitate compact growth.
A proposed bypass of Tipperary town will be considered in the coming months in this context, informed in part by the budget and agreed funding levels for 2022 - which are not yet decided.
The latest information on the status of the N24 project, including the Tipperary town bypass, is available to TII. Noting this, I have referred your query to TII for a direct reply on the current project status. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
78. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if Irish Rail will increase the number of carriages from four to six on the 17:20 Galway to Dublin train. [49366/21]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, 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.
The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród 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.
79. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport whether the system of supplementary charging for suitcases and so on by airlines is subject to any regulation, either nationally or at EU level. [49374/21]
View answerUnder Article 22 of European Regulation (EC) 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, airlines have pricing freedom in relation to air fares and air rates for intra-Community air services. This means that airlines are not only free to set their own pricing for air fares but also for any supplementary services, for example for baggage. Article 22 also requires that passengers booking a flight must be aware of final price of a flight including any supplemental elements selected by the passenger, at all times during the booking process.
If advertised prices are incorrect or misleading, this could be a breach of relevant consumer protection laws. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission offer general advice on consumer affairs queries relating to advertised pricing.
80. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if the lifting of restrictions in October 2021 will also remove the restriction on accessing sanitary and toilet facilities at driver test centres to enable instructors, students and those accompanying learner drivers to lessons and tests access those facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49380/21]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driver Testing Service. This is an operational matter for the RSA. This question is therefore being referred to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputies to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
81. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine the delay in the processing of a licence application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49384/21]
View answerAll enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to individual applications.
I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from the Authority in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.
82. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport when regulations and or legislation in respect of e-scooters will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49385/21]
View answerMy intention is to legislate for e-scooters, in accordance with the Programme for Government. Department officials have drafted the necessary changes to primary legislation as part of the forthcoming Road Traffic Bill. The Bill has completed pre-legislative scrutiny and is expected to come before the Oireachtas shortly. As with all legislation, it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe.
When the Bill is enacted, it will give the Minister for Transport powers to make regulations for the use of e-scooters.
