Parliamentary questions

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Gino Kenny

1. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [30165/17]

Departmental Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the changes he plans to implement in his Department. [29819/17]

Departmental Staff

Brendan Howlin

3. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the number of advisers he will employ; the number employed to date in 2017; and the responsibilities of each. [29823/17]

Departmental Staff

Brendan Howlin

4. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the number of Ministers of State assigned to his Department; the responsibilities of each; the payments they will receive; and the staff they have been assigned or allowed recruit. [29824/17]

Departmental Staff

Gerry Adams

5. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of advisers he plans to appoint; and the areas in which they will be working. [29835/17]

European Council Meetings

Micheál Martin

6. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the issues that were discussed and, in particular, if he requested the need for special status for Northern Ireland in the context of the Brexit negotiations in his meeting with President Tusk; and if he invited him to address the Houses of the Oireachtas on Brexit. [29801/17]

European Council Meetings

Micheál Martin

7. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the bilaterals he had at the European Council meeting. [29806/17]

European Council Meetings

Seán Haughey

8. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach the bilaterals he had at the June 2017 European Council meeting; and the issues that were discussed. [29807/17]

European Council Meetings

Seán Haughey

9. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the European Council meeting on 22 June 2017. [29808/17]

European Council Meetings

Joan Burton

10. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he has had contact with President Macron of France. [29838/17]

European Council Meetings

Joan Burton

11. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he has had contact with Chancellor Merkel of Germany. [29966/17]

European Council Meetings

Joan Burton

12. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the main issues he will be hoping to address at the European Council meeting in June 2017. [29968/17]

European Council Meetings

Brendan Howlin

13. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his telephone conversation and other engagements with President Macron of France. [29973/17]

European Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

14. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he had any engagement with the British Prime Minister, Ms Theresa May, during the European Council meeting on 22 and 23 June 2017. [29981/17]

European Council Meetings

Micheál Martin

15. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on bilateral meetings held at the European Council meeting in June 2017; and the issues that were discussed. [30192/17]

European Fund for Strategic Investments

Robert Troy

22. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department and transport agencies under its aegis are promoting the use of the European Fund for Strategic Investments, EFSI, in terms of background work on identifying public infrastructure projects that may meet the criteria for project selection in terms of additionality and revenue generation and may attract private co-financing investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30503/17]

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration

Imelda Munster

23. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the discrepancy in his Department in which seven chief executive officers, CEOs, of semi-State bodies have been in situ for longer than the seven-year limit deemed appropriate in codes of practice for the governance of State bodies, some of whom are employed under contracts of indefinite duration; whether he has considered amending the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2003 in respect of CEOs of semi-State bodies; the way in which he plans to remedy this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30242/17]

Olympic Council of Ireland

Robert Troy

24. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will publish the Moran inquiry into the OCI ticketing process; and his views that this long delay is not acceptable. [30504/17]

Marine Casualty Investigations Board

Mattie McGrath

25. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, MCIB, is fit for purpose; the details of the appeals mechanism open to families or persons dissatisfied with the findings of the MCIB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30240/17]

Greenways Provision

Eamon Ryan

26. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the introduction of six proposed greenways, namely, the Liffey, Santry, Bray to Balbriggan, Clontarf to city centre, River Dodder and canal loop routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30397/17]

Sports Capital Programme

Bernard Durkan

27. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to make allocations under the capital sports programme in the course of 2017; the date on which such allocations will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30129/17]

Tourism Industry

Imelda Munster

28. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the new initiatives which have been taken by his Department since the vote on Brexit in Britain to ensure Ireland is prepared to deal with the expected drop in visitor numbers from Britain; his plans to ensure the tourism sector diversifies in both attracting visitors from other countries and in improving tourism amenities here going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29962/17]

Local Improvement Scheme Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

29. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his officials have had discussions with the Minister of State with responsibility for rural and community affairs regarding the possibility of providing matching funding from his Department and the CLÁR scheme of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for the repair of non-county roads under the local improvement scheme; if so, the nature of these discussions; if decisions were taken as a result of the discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29952/17]

EU Directives

Clare Daly

30. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the introduction of primary legislation or a statutory instrument in respect of the implementation of EU Regulation No. 598/2014; and the likely timescale for same. [29944/17]

Olympic Council of Ireland

Catherine Murphy

31. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 23 February 2017, and in view of the recently formed Athlete Commission for the period 2017 to 2020, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the board of Sport Ireland will not consider funding for the Olympic Council of Ireland in 2017 until the Moran inquiry has been finalised and published; his views on whether this will hinder the preparation of Ireland's future olympians' preparations for domestic and international sports events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29949/17]

State Airports

Imelda Munster

32. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the future of Shannon airport in view of recent reports that the airport is due to be downgraded and in view of the fact that it has failed to reach targets under its business plan regarding passenger targets and aviation jobs targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29963/17]

Road Network

Thomas Byrne

33. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his Department's commitment to upgrade the N2 road in County Meath. [29950/17]

Brexit Negotiations

Robert Troy

34. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with his EU and UK counterparts regarding retaining the single aviation market when the UK exits the European Union; and his views on the position the Government should take in a renegotiation or change to the EU open skies policy. [30169/17]

Public Transport Initiatives

Brendan Ryan

35. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress which has been made towards the establishment of a public transport stakeholder dialogue as per the Labour Court recommendation arising from the Bus Éireann dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29982/17]

Rail Services Provision

Robert Troy

36. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deal with the significant financial shortfall in Iarnród Éireann especially with regard to the capital budget for the rail network; and his views on whether closing certain rail lines is a potential solution. [30171/17]

Road Improvement Schemes

Thomas Pringle

37. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding programme under which the renovation of two bridges (details supplied) in County Donegal has been approved; the timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30144/17]

Park and Ride Facilities

James Lawless

38. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allocate a budget for the provision of park and ride facilities in a number of towns (details supplied) in County Kildare in which the requirement for park and ride is crucial in order to increase usage of public transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30199/17]

Aviation Industry Regulations

Clare Daly

39. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of 10 May 2017, the progress made on the promised review of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended. [29942/17]

Tourist Accommodation

Robert Troy

40. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures his Department is taking to address the very significant cost inflation in accommodation and other items in Dublin being experienced by overseas visitors; and his views on whether a special body under the aegis of his Department should be tasked with examining the way to address this issue to protect the reputation of the tourism sector. [30172/17]

Tourism Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

41. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to calls by an organisation (details supplied) for emergency measures to be put in place to solve a shortage of chefs across the country (details supplied); the status of the CERT national hospitality training centre in Amiens Street; and his views on whether 5,000 chefs will be needed to fill vacancies by 2018. [29964/17]

Road Projects Status

Niamh Smyth

42. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to recommence the design stage of the A5/N2 to address the potential impacts from Brexit; if Monaghan County Council can be briefed on these plans; and if funding will be available to the council. [29940/17]

Road Safety Strategy

Brendan Ryan

43. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the Staying Alive at 1.5 initiative aimed at protecting cyclists and other vulnerable roads users; his legislative plans regarding minimum overtaking distances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30207/17]

Tourism Promotion

Charlie McConalogue

44. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allocate a specific marketing budget to Fáilte Ireland to promote County Donegal specifically, further to the county being nominated by a magazine (details supplied) as the coolest place on the planet to visit in 2017 and Donegal Airport being named the second most scenic airport in the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29938/17]

Sport Ireland Administration

Mick Barry

45. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Sport Ireland has delayed in responding to the application for additional funding for the national women's soccer team for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30131/17]

Rail Services Provision

Imelda Munster

46. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures which have been considered by his Department to deal with the apparently serious financial situation at Iarnród Éireann including investment in the company and in relevant infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29961/17]

Cycling Policy

Eamon Ryan

47. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to improve cycling safety in view of the fact that there have been more fatalities to date in 2017 than the entirety of 2016. [30175/17]

Tourism Promotion

Charlie McConalogue

48. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with Fáilte Ireland to ensure that there is a marketing budget put in place to further promote County Donegal further to the county being nominated by a magazine (details supplied) as the coolest place on the planet to visit in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29937/17]

Taxi Regulations

Imelda Munster

49. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the new legislation being prepared by the Government to regulate the use of rickshaws in cities and towns across the State; the way this legislation will be effective in allowing for the regulation of these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29960/17]

Park and Ride Facilities

John Curran

50. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to identify a bus park and ride facility on the N7 near Rathcoole, County Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29957/17]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Catherine Murphy

51. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2012, SI 332 of 2012, that was to make cycle tracks non-mandatory except for contraflow tracks and tracks in pedestrianised areas in view of the fact that the regulations do not provide for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29946/17]

Bus Éireann

Bríd Smith

52. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to meet with Bus Éireann worker representatives to discuss the future of the company and transport nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30191/17]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Brendan Ryan

53. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if plans for a cycle way from Sutton to Balbriggan in north County Dublin can be fast tracked; the funding that is available for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30206/17]

Transport Infrastructure Provision

Bernard Durkan

54. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which, in the context of a capital expenditure review, he plans to address strategic infrastructural deficits in the transport area with particular reference to road, bus and rail services, bridges and existing networks incapable of dealing with traffic volumes; his further plans to make major announcements in this area in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30130/17]

Driver Licences

Thomas P. Broughan

55. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 589 of 30 May 2017, if he will provide a report on this paper; his plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29954/17]

European Fund for Strategic Investments

Robert Troy

56. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether his Department and transport agencies under its aegis are doing enough to promote the use of the European Fund for Strategic Investments in terms of identifying and carrying out background work on public infrastructure projects that may meet the criteria for project selection in terms of additionality and revenue generation and may attract private co-financing investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30170/17]