Parliamentary questions

Traffic Management

Brendan Griffin

833. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will initiate measures to manage traffic at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8192/14]

Rail Network

Robert Troy

834. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reopen the rail line between Mullingar and Athlone to facilitate enterprise and passengers commuting between these two large midland towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8196/14]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Brendan Griffin

835. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for a cycle lane at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry. [8223/14]

Road Improvement Schemes

Brendan Griffin

836. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a section of road (details supplied) in County Kerry will be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8224/14]

Noise Pollution

Eoghan Murphy

837. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the policy of Iarnród Éireann regarding the operation of diesel trains that remain in stations in residential areas; if there is a policy of not allowing such engines to stand idle with engine running for longer than 15 minutes; if this policy is observed; the way it is monitored; if the policy allows for engines to be turned off after 15 minutes, only to be re-started again; and if Iarnród Éireann is aware that this is a particular problem in Grand Canal Dock. [8266/14]

Dublin Bus Services

Dessie Ellis

838. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way funds raised from unclaimed refund receipts from Dublin Bus are used. [8270/14]

Dublin Bus Services

Dessie Ellis

839. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way the extra change which is supplied for Dublin Bus fares but not refunded as a receipt as the passenger has moved on is collected and used. [8271/14]

Tourism Promotion

Bernard Durkan

840. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects the tourism industry to expand in the current year having regard to the performance in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8295/14]

Tourism Promotion

Bernard Durkan

841. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it is expected to attract new tourism to this country in the current and coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8296/14]

Sports Events

Bernard Durkan

842. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he intends to encourage the tourism sector to expand in the wake of or around major sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8297/14]

Sports Events

Bernard Durkan

843. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which consideration continues to be given to the promotion of all sporting events internationally in such a way as to make a major impact on the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8298/14]

The Gathering Initiatives

Bernard Durkan

844. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which consideration is being given to using the success of The Gathering as template for expansion of the tourism industry in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8299/14]

Road Projects

Bernard Durkan

845. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which current traffic volumes on main arterial routes continue to be measured with a view to putting in place plans to cater for any extra requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8300/14]

Road Improvement Schemes

Bernard Durkan

846. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which roads carrying the heaviest volumes of traffic continue to be monitored by his Department with a view to a determination as to the extent to which capacity can be enhanced or upgraded with particular reference to the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8301/14]

Road Improvement Schemes

Bernard Durkan

847. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which major road motorway or improvement proposals shelved at the outset of the economic downturn are likely to be rejuvenated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8302/14]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Bernard Durkan

848. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if in the context of registration in respect of the sports capital programme, any difficulties were experienced by applicants in the course of their efforts to register; if any provision is likely to be made in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8303/14]

Roads Maintenance Funding

Bernard Durkan

849. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which an overall assessment of flood storm damage has been carried out in respect all roads throughout the country with a view to putting in place a remedial programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8304/14]

Sports Events

Bernard Durkan

850. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it might be possible to enhance tourism in conjunction with the Rugby World Cup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8305/14]

Tourism Industry

Bernard Durkan

851. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he remains in contact with the stakeholders in the hotel sector with a view to ensuring the availability of adequate working capital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8306/14]

Tourism Promotion

Bernard Durkan

852. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects air passenger traffic to and from this jurisdiction to expand in the coming years with particular reference to the need to stimulate the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8307/14]

Tourism Employment

Bernard Durkan

853. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which hotel occupancy has been monitored over the past three years to date with a view to identification of growth trends and prospects; if over or under supply of accommodation has been identified; the extent of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8308/14]

Tourism Employment

Bernard Durkan

854. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the number of jobs in the tourism sector has improved in each of the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8309/14]

Transport Infrastructure

Bernard Durkan

855. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which adequate co-ordination in respect of road, rail, air and sea transport exists with a view to ensuring maximum efficiency and availability to the customer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8310/14]

Roadworthiness Testing

Stephen Donnelly

856. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make vintage trucks and trailers exempt from testing under the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012, in order that pre-1980 vintage trucks are treated equally with other vintage veteran vehicles, for example cars and caravans, which are exempt from roadworthiness testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8358/14]

Pilot Training Colleges

Patrick O'Donovan

857. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the aftermath of the closure of the pilot training college in 2012, the measures IAA has put in place to ensure that a similar event cannot happen again; if his Department has undertaken an investigation as to the reasons behind the closure; if an investigation took place, if he will provide the findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8373/14]

Community Involvement Scheme

Martin Heydon

858. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has completed his review of the community involvement scheme; and if a further allocation will be made for 2014. [8388/14]