Written Answers Nos. 158-171
158. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure local authorities remove diseased roadside ash trees from publicly owned land that pose a road safety risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53645/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.
Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 sets out the responsibility of landowners to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees, hedges and other vegetation growing on their land are not, or could not become, a danger to people using a public road or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road. This responsibility includes the 'the preservation, felling, cutting, lopping, trimming or removal of such tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation' in question.
As such, the implementation of the legislation and the management of hedge cutting operations is a matter for local authorities and landowners. My Department has no plans to grant-aid the cutting or removal of trees infected with ash dieback.
159. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport to provide figures, in tabular form, for the average waiting times currently being experienced for driving tests at the test centres in Birr, Portlaoise and Tullamore. [53182/23]
View answer160. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport to provide figures for the longest waiting time currently being experienced for driving tests at the test centres in Birr, Portlaoise and Tullamore, respectively. [53183/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the information requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the questions to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
161. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the options available for renewal of motor tax to people who do not have access to or who cannot use online services. [53207/23]
View answerAt present there are 42 motor tax offices nationwide operating a public counter. A list is provided below, some offices may operate by appointment only. Customers also have the facility to complete a Form RF100a and post this form to their local motor tax office.
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Motor Tax Office |
Address |
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Carlow Motor Tax Office |
Athy Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow, Ireland |
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Cavan Motor Tax Office |
Courthouse, Cavan, Co. Cavan |
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Clare Motor Tax Office |
New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare |
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Cork Motor Tax Office |
Model Business Park, Model Farm Road, Cork |
|
Donegal, Lifford, Motor Tax Office |
The Three Rivers Centre, Lifford, Co. Donegal |
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Donegal, Letterkenny, Motor Tax Office |
Blaney Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal |
|
Donegal, Carndonagh, Motor Tax Office |
Carndonagh, Donegal |
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Donegal, Dungloe, Motor Tax Office |
Gweedore Road, Dungloe, Co Donegal |
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Donegal, Milford, Motor Tax Office |
Main Street, Milford, Donegal |
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Donegal Town Motor Tax Office |
Drumlonagher, Donegal Town, Donegal |
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Dublin Motor Tax Office |
Block B, Blackhall Walk, Queen Street, Dublin 7, Co. Dublin |
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Galway Motor Tax Office |
Prospect Hill, Galway, Co. Galway |
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Galway, Ballinasloe Motor Tax Office |
Bridge Street, Ballinasloe, Co Galway |
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Galway, Carraroe Motor Tax Office |
An Ceathrú Rua, Co Galway |
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Kerry Motor Tax Office |
Princess Quay, Tralee, Co Kerry |
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Kildare Motor Tax Office |
Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Newbridge Road, Naas, Co Kildare |
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Kilkenny Motor Tax Office |
John Street, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny |
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Laois Motor Tax Office |
Áras An Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois |
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Leitrim Motor Tax Office |
Áras An Chontae, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim |
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Limerick Motor Tax Office |
County Buildings, Dooradoyle Road, Limerick, Co Limerick |
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Longford Motor Tax Office |
Great Water Street, Co Longford |
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Dundalk Motor Tax Office |
Millennium Centre, Saint Alphonsus Road, Dundalk, Co Louth |
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Drogheda Motor Tax Office |
Fair Street, Drogheda, Co Louth |
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Mayo, Castlebar Motor Tax Office |
Glenpark, The Mall, Castlebar, Co Mayo |
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Mayo, Ballina Motor Tax Office |
Ballina Civic Offices, Arran Place, Ballina, Co Mayo |
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Mayo, Belmullet Motor Tax Office |
Belmullet Civic Offices, Belmullet, Co Mayo |
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Meath Motor Tax Office |
Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co Meath |
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Monaghan Motor Tax Office |
Market Street, Co Monaghan |
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Offaly Motor Tax Office |
Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co Offaly |
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Roscommon Motor Tax Office |
Áras an Chontae, Co Roscommon |
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Sligo Motor Tax Office |
County Hall, Riverside, Co Sligo |
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Tubbercurry Motor Tax Office |
Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo |
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Clonmel Motor Tax Office |
Civic Offices, Emmet Street, Clonmel, Co Tipperary |
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Nenagh Motor Tax Office |
Civic Office, Limerick Road, Nenagh, Co Tipperary |
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Waterford Motor Tax Office |
The Deanery, Cathedral Square, Co Waterford |
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Dungarvan Motor Tax Office |
Shandon Road, Dungarvan, Co Waterford |
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Westmeath, Mullingar Motor Tax Office |
Áras an Chontae, Mullingar, Co Westmeath |
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Athlone Motor Tax Office |
Civic Offices, Church Street, Athlone. Co Westmeath |
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Wexford Motor Tax Office |
County Offices, Carriglawn, Wexford Town, Co Wexford |
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Wicklow Motor Tax Office |
County Buildings, Wicklow Town, Co Wicklow |
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Bray Motor Tax Office |
Civic Offices, Main Street, Bray, Co Wicklow |
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Blessington Motor Tax Office |
Civic Offices, Main Street, Blessington, Co Wicklow |
162. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding the construction of the 60 km greenway link from Westport via Castlebar to Ballina; the up-to-date timeline for the completion of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53208/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Greenways. Funding is administered through the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.Noting the role of the TII in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
163. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the southern relief road in Carlow and the relief road for Tullow (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53212/23]
View answerIn relation to the portion of the Deputy’s question on Carlow Southern Relief Road, and in line with my response delivered to the Deputy’s previous Oral PQ (52621/23) on the progress of the scheme, there has been no update in the interim.
With regards to the relief road for Tullow, it is important to highlight that the 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
My Department has not received an application from Carlow County Council regarding a relief road in Tullow.
164. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of fleet owners or managers and motor traders who have uploaded their vehicle details to the national fleet database by county, as required under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, as the deadline to provide this information is 30 November 2023; the number that have included the driver number in their upload of information; the number by county that have failed to upload vehicle details by 30 November 2023 and the penalties for those who fail to submit details after the 30 November deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53239/23]
View answer165. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of private motor insurance policy details that have been forwarded by each motor insurance company or broker to the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland by county, to date; if the driver number has been included in the information provided by each motor insurance company or broker; the number of insurance companies or brokers that have yet to provide private motor insurance policy details to MIBI; the deadline to provide this information; the penalties for failure to provide this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53240/23]
View answer166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of motor Insurance companies/brokers, by county, that have communicated with their policyholders informing of the requirement for all policy holders to provide the driver number(s) of everyone covered by their insurance policy, before the upcoming change to road traffic law that will affect the renewal of their insurance policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53241/23]
View answer167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of fleet and motor trader vehicles registered on the national fleet database, by county, under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023; the number of motor insurance policy details provided to An Garda Síochána by the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland on a daily basis in real time since the signing of the new data sharing agreement between the two organisations; if this data includes the driver number of each person insured on the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53242/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 to167, inclusive, together.
The Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID), which consists of the National Fleet and Motor Third Party Liability (MTPL) databases, provides a single reference point for motor vehicles insured in Ireland. The IMID is operated by the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI).
Fleet owners, motor traders, motor insurers and brokers are required to upload data to the IMID, including policy holder details, vehicle registration numbers and the names of drivers covered by each policy. Failure to do is an offence, with a Class E fine on summary conviction.
Following enactment of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 and the signing of a data sharing agreement under that legislation, MIBI has begun providing insurance details to An Garda Síochána on a daily basis, to support the identification of vehicles being driven without insurance. The data include:
- Name and address of the insurance policy holder
- Insurance policy number and validity dates of the policy
- Insurance company issuing the policy
- Vehicle registration number covered by the policy
- Named drivers on the policy and the type of driver cover (eg open driving)
- Date of birth of drivers
Driver numbers will be included when that part of the 2023 Act is commenced in 2024.
All companies underwriting motor insurance in Ireland must be members of MIBI. MIBI has provided all its members with details of the 2023 Act and the data sharing provisions included. In addition, Brokers Ireland, which represents over 1,200 general insurance and financial brokers in Ireland, has informed its members about the provisions of the data sharing agreement.
All insurers are providing the motor insurance policy details currently required to MIBI. The 2023 Act also requires details for fleet and motor trader vehicles to be uploaded to the National Fleet Database (NFD), which was launched last year to collect this information. As at 27 November 2023, I am advised by MIBI that around two thirds of the estimated fleet vehicles have been uploaded to the NFD. MIBI is responsible for the implementation and management of the IMID and holds the detailed information requested.
168. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the reason the 7.45 a.m. service on the No. 7 bus from Brides Glen to the city centre is cancelled so frequently (details supplied); if the matter will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53349/23]
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 day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, and for decisions in relation to the routes of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. In addition, the NTA is also responsible for determining the organisation of shared systems such as real-time passenger information (RTPI).
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to a service delivery issues a matter for the NTA and Dublin Bus. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA and Dublin Bus for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
169. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport whether certainty can be given to home owners in Ard Dara and Castle Gardens in Blarney regarding the effects the M20 project will have on their properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53387/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. 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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
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.
170. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if plans are in place to expand park and ride facilities for Sallins and Maynooth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53410/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ programme and car parking facilities at railway stations.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 specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
171. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport what impacts his Department anticipates for a road (details supplied) as a result of the BusConnects scheme roll-out. [53414/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In both of those areas there have been significant developments since this Government came into office, with last year's publication of a new Sustainable Mobility Policy and its five-year action plan providing strong policy support to the continued expansion and enhancement of bus services. I am also delighted to say that this strong policy support has been backed up by increased levels of Exchequer funding, which is supporting the roll-out of initiatives such as BusConnects Dublin.
BusConnects Dublin is a transformative programme of investment in the existing bus system providing better bus services to more people. The BusConnects Dublin programme brings together all areas of bus investment identified in the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy including enhanced and new bus infrastructure, investment in fleet and service enhancements such as higher frequency and new routes serving a wider catchment. It is a key part of the Government’s policy to improve public transport and help address climate change.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects Dublin. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
