Parliamentary questions

Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan

Martin Kenny

1742. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the expenditure by his Department on research and development in the maritime energy sector including tidal, wave and wind energy in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [26934/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Stephen Donnelly

1743. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to the rollout of the national broadband plan, the timeline for the provision of universal coverage along the L2190 between Inch, Coolgreaney and Arklow of high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26938/17]

Public Sector Pensions Data

Bríd Smith

1744. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 378 of 23 May 2017, if he will provide the figures for all pension contributions made by public sector workers in each body under the aegis of his Department, excluding those in the Civil Service, including the pension levy, in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [26968/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Niamh Smyth

1745. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26991/17]

Postal Codes

Eoin Ó Broin

1746. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated costs for adapting information technology systems to include Eircode for departmental mail; the number of Departments that have adapted their information technology systems to implement Eircode; and the cost to the exchequer in this regard. [27007/17]

Postal Codes

Jan O'Sullivan

1747. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of new Eircodes that were issued in 2016; the number issued in the first quarter of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27008/17]

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Willie Penrose

1748. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the policy document prepared in 2012 which involved the various angling associations (details supplied) and Inland Fisheries Ireland was not implemented despite the fact that the final draft of both policy documents received the support of national inland fisheries forum; the reason both documents were subsequently altered by Inland Fisheries Ireland to remove Lough Owel from the list of designated wild brown trout lakes without appropriate consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27057/17]

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Willie Penrose

1749. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason Inland Fisheries Ireland is reviewing the policies pertaining to management of pike and designated wild brown trout fisheries in view of the fact that policies which were agreed in 2012 and 2013 were never implemented and given an opportunity to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27058/17]

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Willie Penrose

1750. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he will take to direct Inland Fisheries Ireland to implement the pike and trout policies which were subject to agreement by the relevant parties in 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27059/17]

State Properties

Timmy Dooley

1751. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the State will receive land rental from Bord na Móna for the development of solar farm projects on State-owned lands in view of the recent announcement by Bord Na Móna and the ESB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27083/17]

State Properties

Timmy Dooley

1752. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the State will receive an increased dividend from Bord na Móna if it uses State-owned lands to develop solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27084/17]

Renewable Energy Projects

Timmy Dooley

1753. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will ensure that the same financial rules and regulations apply to a State-owned company that decides to develop solar farms on State-owned lands to ensure that private solar farm developers are not disadvantaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27085/17]

Energy Usage

Timmy Dooley

1754. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to reduce energy costs. [27091/17]

Disability Act Employment Targets

Fergus O'Dowd

1755. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; if there is a responsibility to employ persons with disabilities to a quota of 3% of its workforce; if this quota has now been exceeded; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to this quota; if not, the reason therefor; the dates and details of such competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27133/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Michael Healy-Rae

1756. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27166/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Niall Collins

1757. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a reply will issue to a query raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27207/17]

Inland Fisheries Ireland Staff

Jan O'Sullivan

1758. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of fisheries protection officers employed by Inland Fisheries Ireland in each of the years 2005 to 2016; the number of man hours spent on patrol to protect the fisheries resources in each of those years, in tabular form; the number of protection officers which have been transferred to alternative roles in the organisation between 2005 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27238/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Gerry Adams

1759. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to media reports outlining an agreement reached by the European Parliament, the European Commission and the EU Council of Ministers, if towns and large urban areas in County Louth are set to benefit from a European wide project to deliver free Wi-Fi access; and the towns and cities that have been identified for free Wi-Fi access. [27247/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Gerry Adams

1760. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding to be delivered by the EU further to media reports outlining an agreement reached by the European Parliament, the European Commission and the EU Council of Ministers to deliver a European wide project to deliver free Wi-Fi access; and the funding allocated to each of the local authorities. [27248/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Gerry Adams

1761. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the criteria that has been applied to identify towns and cities that will benefit further to media reports outlining an agreement reached by the European Parliament, the EU Commission and the EU Council of Ministers to deliver a European wide project to deliver free wifi access; the way in which this may impact on the national broadband plan. [27249/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Gerry Adams

1762. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to media reports outlining an agreement reached by the European Parliament, the EU Commission and the EU Council of Ministers to deliver a European wide project to deliver free wifi access, the date on which this agreement was reached; the timeframe for the associated funding to be allocated; and the timeframe for the project to deliver this wifi access. [27250/17]

Office for Internet Safety

Anne Rabbitte

1763. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 31 May 2017, the status and work programme of the interdepartmental implementation group; the number of times it has met since being set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27261/17]

Media Mergers

Catherine Murphy

1764. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will publish the report the BAI supplied to him regarding the proposed merger of two print media companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27371/17]

Litter Pollution Fines

Catherine Murphy

1765. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of fines issued to persons in the past three years under section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 regarding dog fouling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27389/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Michael Healy-Rae

1766. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27404/17]

Departmental Contracts

Mick Wallace

1767. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) per annum since March 2011, in tabular form by his Department or agency or body under the aegis of his Department; the cost per contract; the basis for each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27448/17]

Interdepartmental Working Groups

Timmy Dooley

1768. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the interdepartmental working groups which are working on the issue of renewable energy supports; and the membership details of each. [27617/17]

Interdepartmental Working Groups

Timmy Dooley

1769. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the working groups in his Department working on renewable energy and renewable energy supports; and the details of their membership. [27619/17]

Better Energy Homes Scheme Applications

Willie Penrose

1770. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a person (details supplied) can qualify for further grant aid; if some method of insulation can be provided under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27636/17]

Gas Networks Ireland

Niamh Smyth

1771. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to extend a gas line to Cavan town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27677/17]

Interdepartmental Working Groups

Timmy Dooley

1772. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the interdepartmental working groups concerned with renewable energy; and the details of their membership. [27679/17]

Post Office Network

Thomas P. Broughan

1773. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will request a report from An Post regarding the future of the post office and postal service in Howth town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27699/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Robert Troy

1774. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount his Department or a body under its aegis has paid to a company (details supplied) for advice, the use of intellectual property and other services. [27705/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Michael McGrath

1775. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to extend broadband cover to a location (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27748/17]

Energy Schemes

Noel Rock

1776. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the warmth and wellbeing scheme in the northside of Dublin; if a person (details supplied) can be included under the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27753/17]

Public Service Obligation Levy

Josepha Madigan

1777. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the rationale behind pricing the public service obligation levy for energy at 40%; his plans to reduce this levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27796/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Robert Troy

1778. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will extend the area for the initial rollout of fibre broadband in the Gaybrook area L1132, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [27808/17]

Appointments to State Boards

Eamon Ryan

1779. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if any former Deputies have been appointed to State boards under his remit by the Public Appointments Service; if so, the names and positions of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28211/17]

Graffiti Policy

Catherine Martin

1780. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if funding can be made available through the environment fund as had previously been done or through other funding sources to local authorities to help clean up graffiti in their area. [28059/17]

Departmental Meetings

Catherine Martin

1781. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if employees of his Department, including Met Éireann employees, have attended the meetings of a group (details supplied); and if so, if they have reported back to his Department on the proceedings of the meetings of the group. [28063/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Thomas Byrne

1782. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if upgrade works on the national broadband scheme will take place in Brownstown, Kilclone, County Meath. [28099/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Thomas Byrne

1783. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if upgrade works on the national broadband scheme will take place in Collinstown Kilcloon, County Meath. [28100/17]

Postal Services

Catherine Murphy

1784. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an impact analysis has been conducted regarding the increase in the prices for An Post services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28113/17]

Waste Disposal

Timmy Dooley

1785. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the percentage of households he estimates that do not avail of an authorised waste collection service; if he ensures that local authorities investigate whether these households manage their waste in an environmentally acceptable manner in accordance with legislation and waste management plans; and the level of monitoring by local authorities of these households' waste disposal practices. [28118/17]

Postal Codes

Timmy Dooley

1786. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent by his Department on designing, implementing and supporting the Eircode system in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [28135/17]

Energy Schemes

Kevin O'Keeffe

1787. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a new refit 3 scheme is due to be put in place to replace the existing refit 3 scheme; when it is likely to be put in place; and the tariff rate a 0.5 MW solar renewable energy supplier can expect to be paid and for which period in years (details supplied). [28479/17]

Energy Policy

Brendan Smith

1788. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans introduce a new price support scheme in respect of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28606/17]

Energy Schemes

Brendan Smith

1789. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the renewable heat incentive scheme will be introduced; the rate to be paid per kilowatt hour; the rate to be paid per size of boiler; when this scheme will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28607/17]

Warmer Homes Scheme Eligibility

Pearse Doherty

1790. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider extending the warmer homes scheme to include applicants over 66 years of age to avail of heating upgrade works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28627/17]

State Bodies Code of Conduct

Sean Fleming

1791. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if all State bodies under the aegis of his Department have furnished a report confirming the State body has complied with its obligations under tax law for 2015 and 2016 as required under the code of practice for the governance of State bodies; the action which was taken regarding those bodies that did not submit such requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28665/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Thomas Byrne

1792. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will respond to correspondence sent to him by a person (details supplied). [28706/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Thomas Byrne

1793. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband will be upgraded and provided in Gernonstown, Slane, County Meath; and if his attention has been drawn to the current download speeds in the area, which are often as low as 0.88 Mbps. [28722/17]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

John Curran

1794. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when his Department will complete development of a new renewable electricity support scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28728/17]

EU Directives

Clare Daly

1795. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to the Minerals Bill 2015, if the environmental risks are being treated pragmatically or in compliance with directives on water habitat and sustainability; the details of his Department’s observance of the Aarhus Convention; if the Minerals Bill 2015 contains a capital allowance of 120% as reported in the public domain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28874/17]

Post Office Closures

Seán Sherlock

1796. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received communications from An Post in relation to the number of post offices that have closed in each of the years 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017 by county, in tabular form. [28998/17]

Waste Management Regulations

Jim O'Callaghan

1797. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review waste management regulations in the wake of the recent incident at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29025/17]

Telecommunications Services Expenditure

Éamon Ó Cuív

1798. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost that would be incurred by the Exchequer by introducing a universal service obligation to ensure a quality mobile phone service for all parts of the country. [29029/17]

Departmental Staff Relocation

Éamon Ó Cuív

1799. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff under the remit of his Department who have applied to be transferred to Department or State agency offices located outside the Dublin region in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the estimated average cost incurred for each staff member that relocated outside the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29034/17]

Energy Schemes

Willie Penrose

1800. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will extend the warmer home scheme to landlords that agree to make their properties available to HAP participants for at least three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29103/17]

Better Energy Communities Programme

Willie Penrose

1801. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider putting in place public community energy advisers to engage and inform hard-to-reach energy users who would most benefit from energy efficiency and advice programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29104/17]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

1802. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an application for a sports capital grant by a club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27985/17]

Departmental Staff Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

1803. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff employed in his Department and in each State agency under the aegis of his Department, by county, in tabular form. [29257/17]

Bus Services

Jack Chambers

1804. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve bus services serving the Dublin 15 area; the position regarding the bus rapid transit routes for Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26519/17]

Road Traffic Legislation

Brendan Ryan

1805. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are differences in the rules for the time heavy goods vehicles can be on roads here in comparison to roads in the European Union; if this affects increased traffic on roads here late at night; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26521/17]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Robert Troy

1806. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding under the sports capital programme to a group (details supplied). [26523/17]

Bus Services

Fiona O'Loughlin

1807. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the continuous downgrading of bus services on the route between Kilcullen, County Kildare, and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26528/17]

Sports Funding

Imelda Munster

1808. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding or grant aid which is available to a group (details supplied) in order to fund a trip to play in a sporting tournament abroad. [26581/17]

Public Transport

Imelda Munster

1809. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to manage bus coaches in Dublin city during June 2017 until September 2017 when 50 new spaces are expected to become available in view of the reduction in available parking spaces for coaches due to the Luas works and other parking restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26583/17]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Eamon Ryan

1810. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps which have been taken to require local authorities to provide safe and attractive cycling routes to public transport stations and stops in pursuance of policy 8.1 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [26598/17]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Eamon Ryan

1811. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress which has been made in providing as a pilot project to begin with guarded indoor bicycle parks with capacity from several hundreds up to several thousands at rail stations or major public transport hubs in pursuance of policy 8.3 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [26599/17]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Eamon Ryan

1812. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress which has been made in developing a range of national and local promotional campaigns encouraging the wider benefits of cycling such as freedom, the fastest way of getting around, sociability of cycling, lack of running costs, health benefits and ecological benefits in pursuance of policy 10.1 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [26600/17]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Darragh O'Brien

1813. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when sporting clubs and organisations will be advised whether their capital sports grants applications have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26647/17]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

1814. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the new National Transport Authority bus transport proposals for Dublin BusConnects and the subsequent redrawing of the city's bus routes will see Dublin Bus operate those routes; if the NTA has plans to license private bus operators on some of these new radial and orbital routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26655/17]

Driver Licence Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

1815. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a driving licence renewal for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26659/17]

Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements

Charlie McConalogue

1816. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an agreement has been finalised with British Columbia on the conversion of driver licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26662/17]

Sports Capital Programme Applications Data

Seán Sherlock

1817. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications from each constituency of Dáil Éireann for the 2017 sports capital fund; and the timeframe for a decision to be made regarding same. [26677/17]

Ministerial Meetings

Seán Sherlock

1818. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of meetings he has held with tourism groups (details supplied) on initiatives for tourism in County Cork; the dates these meetings took place; and the initiatives and areas within these sub regions that were discussed, in tabular form. [26678/17]

Road Projects

Seán Sherlock

1819. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the feasibility study commissioned under the capital plan for the northern relief road at Mallow, in which the plan is identifying a route; and the engagement he has had with Cork County Council on the matter. [26725/17]

Public Transport Provision

Josepha Madigan

1820. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to connect Dundrum to St Vincent's University Hospital via public transport [26776/17]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

James Lawless

1821. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the 2017 sports capital programme; when decisions on applications will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26784/17]

Public Transport

Catherine Murphy

1822. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of dedicated floor area onboard a bus in the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleet; and the corresponding information for a carriage in the DART and Irish Rail fleet for wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26846/17]

Sports Events

Catherine Murphy

1823. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent to date by his Department and-or the Exchequer on the Rugby World Cup 2023 bid; the draft guarantees by the State to support the staging of the tournament under the general scheme of a Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26850/17]

Driver Test

Pearse Doherty

1824. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive a date for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26851/17]

Rural Transport Services Provision

Robert Troy

1825. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve rural transport connections nationwide. [26885/17]

Rail Services

Robert Troy

1826. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure the provision of extra carriages at peak times on the Sligo to Connolly, Dublin, train service. [26886/17]

Brexit Negotiations

Stephen Donnelly

1827. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the threats identified by his Department with regard to the responsibilities of his Department as a result of no deal being reached in Brexit negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26911/17]

Ministerial Meetings

Stephen Donnelly

1828. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of meetings he has held to date and scheduled with his EU counterparts, UK counterparts and European Commission director general level counterparts dealing specifically with Brexit related issues or on which the impact of Brexit was an agenda item, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26914/17]

Driver Test Waiting Lists

Niamh Smyth

1829. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a driving test for a person (details supplied) can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26948/17]

National Transport Authority

Tony McLoughlin

1830. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will contact the National Transport Authority regarding the need to introduce an early morning local link service along the N16 corridor (details supplied) in view of the demand for such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26962/17]

Public Sector Pensions Data

Bríd Smith

1831. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 378 of 23 May 2017, if he will provide the figures for all pension contributions made by public sector workers in each body under the aegis of his Department, excluding those in the civil service, including the pension levy, in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [26980/17]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Aindrias Moynihan

1832. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected timeframe for a decision to be made on applications to the 2017 sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27019/17]

Driver Test Waiting Lists

Niamh Smyth

1833. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons waiting to sit their driving tests in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the waiting times for the first five months of 2017 for driving tests in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27028/17]

Disability Act Employment Targets

Fergus O'Dowd

1834. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; if there is a responsibility to employ persons with disabilities to a quota of 3% of its workforce; if this quota has now been exceeded; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to this quota; if not, the reason therefor; the dates and details of such competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27145/17]

Sports Capital Programme Eligibility

Kevin O'Keeffe

1835. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding can be made available from a special fund for a club (details supplied) in County Cork. [27149/17]

Air Pollution

Peadar Tóibín

1836. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to the low emissions vehicles taskforce referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 2 November 2016, his plans to legislate for the introduction of electric, hybrid and biogas vehicles within the local authority fleet. [27164/17]

Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements

Ruth Coppinger

1837. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects British Columbian licences to be exchanged for Irish licences when a person goes to live there in view of the fact that in British Columbia Irish driving licences are exchanged for British Columbian driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27167/17]

Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements

Jack Chambers

1838. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reciprocal arrangement which is in place between the State and the government of British Columbia, Canada, in order to allow holders of driving licences that are granted in British Columbia to drive on roads here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27174/17]

Road Projects Expenditure

Robert Troy

1839. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to the Exchequer of the design and construction of the M1 Dundalk western bypass PPP project; the estimated Exchequer contribution to the operational and maintenance costs on an annual basis; and the percentage of these costs that come from toll charges. [27377/17]

Road Projects Expenditure

Robert Troy

1840. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to the Exchequer of the design and construction of the N8 Rathcormac Fermoy bypass PPP Project; the estimated Exchequer contribution to the operational and maintenance costs on an annual basis; and the percentage of these costs that come from toll charges. [27378/17]

Transport Infrastructure Ireland Projects

Robert Troy

1841. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, is considering using a design, build, finance and maintain PPP or a concessions, build, operate and transfer PPP agreement to progress the metro north project. [27379/17]