Written Answers Nos. 261-275
263. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the number of small public service vehicles in Ireland as a whole and in Dublin, respectively; and the number that are wheelchair accessible in Ireland as a whole and in Dublin, respectively. [41005/22]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a response is not received within 10 working days.
264. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with vehicle insurance providers in respect of providing full and third party cover for e-scooter and e-bike users in advance of the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 being enacted, which will regularise the use of these vehicles on public roads. [41011/22]
View answerIn 2020, the Programme for Government committed us to legislating for e-bikes and e-scooters. To that end, the Road Traffic and Roads Bill, which is currently before the Oireachtas, includes provisions to allow for regulation of the use of e-scooters and e-bikes.
The Bill will provide for a new category of vehicle to be recognised in the Road Traffic Act 1961, called powered personal transporters or PPTs, which will include e-scooters. Establishing this new category of vehicle will enable my Department to set out appropriate technical and safety standards and rules for the safe use of e-scooters in regulations, without the same need for registration, licensing, insurance and taxation associated with mechanically propelled vehicles like cars, buses and trucks.
The Bill also amends the vehicle categories to distinguish between low-powered and high-powered e-bikes, to provide certainty to the growing cohort of e-bike users in Ireland on the legal status of their vehicles. Low-powered pedal-assist e-bikes, capable of speeds up to 25 km/h, will continue to be treated in the same way as pedal bicycles under law and the relevant rules of the road for bicycles will apply accordingly. This type of e-bike will not require registration, insurance, taxation, or licensing.
Higher-powered e-bikes will be required to be registered, taxed and insured. Users will require a driver’s licence and the relevant rules of the road for mopeds and motorbikes will apply. This change will ensure that e-cyclists who do not wish to be capped at 25 km/h and prefer to opt for a more powerful model will have the necessary legal structures in place to do so, and that risks to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians are managed by removing these faster vehicles from pedestrianised zones and cycle lanes.
My officials are currently engaging with insurance industry representatives in relation to high-powered e-bikes.
265. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the decision to split the proposed W6 BusConnects route into the two sections of W61 and W62, which will no longer directly link Maynooth with Newcastle, County Dublin as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41013/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
266. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport when a Ukrainian national (details supplied) will be issued with an Irish driver's licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41020/22]
View answerAll inquires 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 under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to individual applications. Individuals should contact the NDLS in the first instance for queries in relation to applications.
My Department has acted quickly to aid Ukrainians arriving in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Direction to drive on Irish roads. In April, by Government Order, we introduced the option for Ukrainians to exchange their licence for an Irish car licence valid for 12 months. Furthermore, following a suggestion from Ireland, the European Commission has recently brought forward a proposal to allow Ukrainians residing in Ireland and the European Union under the Temporary Protection Directive to retain their current national driving licences. Once approved and entered into force, this regulation will exempt them from having to exchange for an EU licence. This measure will apply to all licence types.
267. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the plans to expand and alternate the Road Safety Authority's driving test routes in the Finglas and greater Dublin 11 areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41034/22]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
268. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that marine notices published for geophysical, geotechnical and other regulated works include details of their foreshore licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41068/22]
View answerIreland is a party to the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. In line with our responsibilities under this Convention and specifically Chapter V on Safety of Navigation, any state party to the Convention has an obligation, in accordance with Regulation 4 of this Chapter, to issue navigation warnings and to take all steps necessary to ensure that when intelligence of any potential danger is received from whatever reliable source, that it shall be promptly be brought to the knowledge of those concerned.
In this regard my Department publishes such navigation warnings in the form of marine notices once notified of any activities or operations that may impact safety of navigation. Marine Notices of this kind are issued purely for safety information purposes regardless of the type of operation taking place and should never be construed as conferring rights or granting permissions. Furthermore, my Department has no role in providing approvals or granting lawful consents for any such surveys or works that may require a foreshore licence and has no role in determining when such licences should be sought. In addition, marine notices always provide direct contact details for those involved in any particular operation, allowing interested parties to seek further information if they wish to, including in relation to licences and approvals.
I understand that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regularly update the government website with details of foreshore applications and determinations which will likely detail the information you are seeking. www.gov.ie/en/collection/3f624-foreshore-applications-and-determinations-2022/
269. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the status of the cycle network plan for the greater Dublin area; when it will be finalised; the cycling infrastructure that is being flagged for County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41072/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to active travel infrastructure. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and active travel infrastructure, allocating the funding provided by my department at project level and working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. The NTA are also currently working on a major programme of cycling expansion, which will deliver many of the priority routes of the planned cycle network.
Noting the role of the NTA in this matter I have referred your question to them for a more detailed reply in relation to the status of the Cycle Network Plan for the Greater Dublin Area. I understand that the updated Cycle Network Plan will be published at the same time as the new Transport Strategy for the GDA.
Earlier this year I announced funding of €289m through the NTA for approx. 1200 Active Travel projects across the country. Wicklow County Council received €9m under this funding allocation and a full list of the cycling and walking projects funded in County Wicklow can be found here: www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022-Active-Travel-Investment-Allocations.pdf
270. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the analysis that has been undertaken in respect of the expansion of Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41102/22]
View answer271. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a copy of any reports that have been compiled concerning an analysis undertaken in respect of the expansion of Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41104/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
Maritime transport is the most important means of connecting Ireland to international markets, accounting for more than 90% of Ireland’s international trade, in volume terms. In a national context, analysis is underway by a consultancy team appointed by the Irish Maritime Development Office to assess the capacity of Ireland’s overall ports network. This capacity study, which is expected to be completed shortly, considers each individual port and determines the sufficiency of overall national port capacity needs for the future. Findings from the study will help inform the review of National Ports Policy 2013 which is due to commence later this year.
Dublin Port is the largest and busiest port in the country with 70% of all vessels visits and over 50% of all port tonnage. The port plays a key role in the overall transport chain by facilitating the movement of goods in and out of Ireland.
Under National Ports Policy, the continued commercial development of the port company is a key strategic objective of the Government.
Having the appropriate infrastructure in place is vital to Ireland's future maritime transport capacity and connectivity needs. Therefore, Government expects the Ports of National Significance such as Dublin Port to lead the response of the State commercial ports sector to future national port capacity requirements.
In line with its Masterplan 2040 and Ireland’s National Development Plan 2021-2030, Dublin Port has three large strategic developments underway. The Alexander Basin Redevelopment Project, part of the first phase of its Masterplan, comprises significant landside restructuring to quays and berths and significant elements of capital dredging to facilitate larger vessels.
The Port has received planning permission for the second project under its Masterplan, namely the MP2 project. This project will see the construction of two berths with an overall length of 545 meters. The company has also undertaken the first stage of stakeholder and public consultation in respect of the third and final masterplan project, the 3FM project, to further develop their port facilities on the south side of the river.
All of these developments will be within the existing footprint of Dublin Port with no infill into Dublin Bay.
Separately, the port owns lands known as Dublin Inland Port which is located 14 km from Dublin Port off the M2, with direct access to the M50 and to Dublin Port via the Dublin Port Tunnel. The development of Dublin Inland Port is in line with its commitment in Masterplan 2040 to maximise the use of existing port lands by relocating port-related, but non-core activities – including empty container storage – away from Dublin Port.
272. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made to date on the coastal protection scheme to protect the rail line in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41110/22]
View answerIt is widely recognised that sections of the Wicklow rail line are susceptible to coastal erosion. That is why my Department, through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, is funding a programme of studies and associated works over the coming years to protect the existing railway line from coastal flooding and coastal erosion and improve the reliability and availability of the rail services across County Wicklow.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the progress to date. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
273. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he has received gifts from visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the details on these gifts, their value, and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41128/22]
View answer274. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he has received gifts while travelling abroad; if he will provide a breakdown of the details and value of these gifts, and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41146/22]
View answer275. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he or his Department have given gifts to visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the details and value of these gifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41164/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273 to 275, inclusive, together.
Neither my Department nor I have accepted or provided gifts within the meaning of the Ethics in Public Offices Act, namely gifts valued at over €650. While token gifts of the type customarily presented to office holders are often exchanged between dignitaries, there is no record of these in my Department or no requirement to retain a record of such tokens under the Act.
