Vol. 866 No. 1
128. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected timeframe for the completion of each stage of the north Dublin transport study; when a decision will be made on the optimum transport solution to serve Dublin north; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4291/15]
My question, although largely covered by the previous two, is about the timeline for the transport options for the north Dublin transport corridor. The Minister is only too aware of this, given that his constituency is covered by the area in question. I am heartened by Deputy Timmy Dooley's recognition of the failure of successive Governments, not just Fianna Fáil Governments but also ones partnered by Fine Gael, to adequately invest to meet northside Dublin's transport requirements.
The National Transport Authority, NTA, has commissioned the Fingal-north Dublin transport study to examine all existing proposals, namely, heavy rail, metro, Luas extensions, as well as other options for a rail-based transport solution to meet the needs of the Swords-Dublin Airport to city centre corridor in the long term. Phase one of the study was launched on 8 December and six short-listed project options were proposed for further detailed evaluation. A public consultation process was also announced at the time. In the next stage the six short-listed projects will be subject to further detailed analysis.
The NTA has indicated that it expects to have the output of its study available to me at the end of March. That output will then require careful consideration. I anticipate I will finalise the review by mid-year, in conjunction with the development of the transport strategy for the region.
I welcome the opportunity to hear the Minister's views on the proposals put forward by the NTA on the six options. In 2008, when a local authority councillor, I was involved in the Your Swords plan which set out a strategic vision for the growth of Swords. One of the major transport options for Swords we pushed for at the time was metro north. That has been my priority for a number of years as I am sure it has been for every northside Deputy, most likely including the Minister.
Alternatives are being put forward such as heavy rail links or bus rapid transport, BRT. While BRT is a good solution, it would only be short term. What are the Minister's views on ensuring there will not be inertia in the next five months until the decision is made on the transport corridor? Will he give it the proper consideration it is due? It is estimated that the population of Swords will hit 100,000 people by 2035 and it is an emerging city.
I cannot see an option like the heavy rail link connection from the northern commuter line or bus rapid transit, BRT being a solution. The heavy rail link is not actually serving any communities, and BRT is insufficient.
To answer the Deputy's specific question, I do not believe that BRT on its own would replace a long-term rail or public transport option for the north side of the city. At the moment, we are exploring what role it can play in the medium term. As the Deputy is aware, and as I have said in response to other Deputies earlier on, we will be getting back a business case which will allow me to make an evaluation and understand what role it could play. I accept that for the reasons to which Deputy Farrell has referred, a higher-capacity solution is needed for that part of the city and beyond in the long term. That is why we have put in place a process to look at all of the different options. I am aware one of the options would involve a combination of BRTs and I will look at that. The single BRT route would not take the place of a longer-term public transport option for that part of the city.
I thank the Minister for his response. There is a requirement for a long-term solution, not just for my constituency but for the entire north inner city all the way out to the airport and beyond, the 15 km or so to the centre of Swords. The projected growth of that town has been highlighted on a number of occasions through the local authority and through previous studies. While I accept that BRT is a short-term solution, and I know the Minister has made that comment on a number of occasions, it continues to raise its head nonetheless in my constituency as some kind of "one or other" situation. Of course that is not the case. I appreciate the Minister's comments in that regard, however, if we are really planning for the future growth of the community in and around Swords, the only viable solution for serving that community is a rail connection or a rail-based mass transit service.
As the Deputy can well understand, I am not going to pre-judge a process that is weighing up all these different factors. I understand he has participated in it and has made his views known. The reason we have the National Transport Authority doing this work is so that it can evaluate all the different options and make a recommendation to me.
BRT could play a role in the future. I do not believe I said and if I did, I want to clarify, that it is only a short-term solution. BRT in the future could play a role. That is why we have a business case being prepared for it, to allow me to understand what is involved. As the Deputy is aware, there are three different BRT or Swiftway routes being looked at across the city. They are all in different stages of evaluation and analysis at the moment. What I am clear on is that, particularly for the Deputy's own part of the city, BRT on its own would not take the place of a longer-term public transport option. That is why we have this process in place to look at what those long-term options could be.
129. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the proposed changes of speed signage for rural roads from a specific speed limit to drive carefully; and his plans for a much clearer speed limit and on-road signage on all national and local roads and streets in 2015. [4290/15]
I am supportive of the comments made by other Deputies on the issue of metro. I also made a strong submission to the Deputy's consultation in that respect.
We have had a disastrous start to the year as regards road safety. The numbers of deaths on the road are slightly down at this stage but it was a disastrous beginning. There is concern among road safety activists, some of whom both of us would know, that proposals are being made to remove specific speed limit signs and to replace them with slow or drive carefully signs. Does the Minister have a concern about that? I presume the speed limits working group works on this area, but there is concern that we are regressing rather than making progress in this regard.
I note that there were several extraordinarily tragic incidents on the roads at the start of the year. Of course, any loss of life is tragic, but our hearts go out to everyone involved in the incidents that occurred. While there has been a slight decrease versus where we were one year ago, I derive little satisfaction from this, given the number of people who have lost their lives.
Arising from the 2004 Road Traffic Act, local authorities are obliged to place 80 km/h speed limit signs on some minor local roads and boreens off a road with a higher speed limit. Where the roads are too minor to be assessed by the local authority, a default speed limit of 80 km/h is specified in the Act. This has led to widespread deployment of 80 km/h signs on some roads that are decidedly narrow tracks and on which it is not possible to drive at the speed limit posted.
The report of the speed limits review group was completed in November 2013, with a two-year timeframe to implement its recommendations. My Department continues to work with the NRA, local authorities, the Garda and the Road Safety Authority on their implementation. Much background work has been undertaken to develop new regulations, guidelines and standards. There is no proposal to substitute the current speed limit signs on rural roads with signs stating "Drive carefully".
The report examined several options for improved signage on regional and local roads. Specifically in the case of narrow country roads, the report recommended that the numerical 80 km/h sign be replaced with a generic sign not displaying a numeral. While the limit would remain at 80 km/h, the recommended new sign would have a black circle with a diagonal line. Such signs are in use internationally and were used in this country prior to 2005. This sign means that drivers must use their judgment when using the road in question but must not exceed the limit of 80 km/h. The limits should not be interpreted as a target or suggestion that it is safe to drive up to the limit or the numeral displayed. I emphasise that I will be keeping this policy under constant review to ensure the goal of having safer roads is achieved.
One could argue that the level of casualties in recent years suggests making that type of change and leaving too much to the driver's discretion is the wrong way forward. Perhaps a scenario where people specifically know the speed limit on a road is the right way to go. People live on minor rural roads and their safety as pedestrians is also of paramount importance. Is this something the Minister could review?
I understand there is or used to be a road signage handbook in the Department. Will it be updated as part of the work of the speed limits working group? I understand the Vienna Convention on road signs and signage dates back to the 1960s. The Minister has said we act in accordance with international norms and so on, but is it the case that we have not actually signed up to the convention? Is this something he could do during his tenure?
I know that the Minister was making announcements on the A5 road project which, obviously, constituents in County Donegal will warmly welcome. Is it the case that the figure of €25 million to which he referred is for 2017, with a further €25 million to be allocated in 2016? Will there be a specific amount of money set aside in that pot for road safety measures?
I ask the Minister to reply, please. I will come back to the Deputy. In fairness, two other Deputies have questions to ask.
The Deputy asked a number of questions. I will come back to him on two of them as I am not in position to answer them now. He asked me a specific question about the Vienna Convention. I will come back to him on the matter within the next week.
I expect that the signage book would be updated, but I will confirm that and will reply to the Deputy on it. Regarding the A5, there is a commitment for €25 million for 2016 and for 2017 to make a contribution to costs that could arise in regard to that period.
With regard to the Deputy's final question, whether I plan to set aside a specific amount of money for road safety, the Road Safety Authority, though it is on its way to being self-funding regarding the revenue it makes, makes a direct contribution to that area. If he is referring to capital spending and whether I intend to set aside a specific amount there, much of the funding we have allocated on the capital side is deployed with the aim of making our roads safer, so much of it does meet the need to which he refers. However, I am considering having a specific amount of money set aside within my Department to target a particular area of road safety. That is something I am actively examining at the moment.
I want to raise the issue of home zones, in the urban situation, where speed limits would be painted on the road specifically and when one goes off the main road that it would become a specific zone, perhaps set at 25 km/h, where there would be children, seniors, people walking, and so on.
Is the Swedish road safety strategy, Vision Zero, something the Minister could give some thought to? It posits that in an ideal situation there would be no deaths on the roads. Google is talking about driverless cars, which we will supposedly have in a few years. Perhaps that will change the dynamic, but until then we need very strong road safety.
That is a matter for Google in terms of how such vehicles are to be planned. I am actively considering the home zone proposal for a different, lower speed limit within residential areas. I am considering whether a designated amount could be set aside to look specifically at the issue of speed limits in residential communities, because it is a point of which I am aware.
I will have to investigate Vision Zero for the Deputy in regard to the other two points. We have the appropriate targets in place at the moment, in terms of the ambition, which is a challenging one, to implement our current road safety strategy. So that there is no misunderstanding regarding the written answer I will give the Deputy, I did not get the chance to say to him earlier regarding the point he made about signage that some of these signs are now being delivered to local authorities that have requested them. The crucial issue for me is that the kind of road on which they are used must be specific, namely narrow minor roads within rural areas. I will keep this under careful review as I am doing this with the sole objective of making that kind of road safer for people who live on it and for those who use it to go about their daily business.
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which rail services can be tailored to meet the ongoing travel requirements of commuters with particular reference to identifying how best the rail services in general can meet the demands of medium to middle distance commuters from towns and villages outside the greater Dublin area thereby alleviating road traffic congestion and reducing travel time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4339/15]
This question attempts to focus on the need to ensure the maximum availability of rail transport services for commuters both within the greater Dublin area and inter-regionally.
I refer the Deputy to my answer to the Priority Question No. 127. I have touched on the Supplementary Estimate I brought in, the purpose of which is to address the points the Deputy has raised. Some additional points are pertinent to the question he has put to me on public transport use and integration. Since 2011, €143 million has been topped up on Leap cards. For 2014 alone, that was €77 million, with 61 million journeys taken via Leap cards across last year.
The Deputy put to me a question on the greater Dublin area. I looked at that question in the context of Kildare and some of the services that are available. There have been no changes to the Kildare rail service since January 2013.
The number of passengers on the Kildare line in the first three quarters of 2013, which is the most recent figure available to me, was 1.3 million compared to 1.28 million in the same period in 2013, which is an increase of 1.5% over the year.
In the context of economic revival, what level of forward planning is taking place to ensure services develop to meet the needs of commuters in the greater Dublin area and other cities and centres of population?
As I indicated in response to questions from Deputies Dooley and Ellis, before Christmas the Department introduced a Supplementary Estimate of €101 million specifically for public transport. This funding was allocated towards the modernisation of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleets and renewal and infrastructure works on busy parts of the rail network. These works are under way and I hope we will find ways to have similar work done throughout 2015.
The Deputy also asked about long-term planning. The strategic framework for investment in land transport is examining future transport needs, assessing current expenditure on transport and identifying the funding gap that needs to be closed. I am engaged in discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, on this very point.
Is consideration being given to improving parking facilities throughout the regions? Motorists in north County Kildare must frequently continue their journey into Dublin city by car because of the inadequate number of parking spaces available at railway stations during the morning rush hour. What is the position regarding the development of a spatial strategy in terms of demographics? To what extent will the maximum level of rail services be provided to meet the needs of commuters?
I intend to commence a public consultation on rail policy. As Deputy Durkan is aware, the rail service plays an important role in meeting transport needs. It also has specific funding needs and must continually fund maintenance and renewal works on the rail system. This is one of the reasons almost €50 million was allocated to Irish Rail before Christmas. We also maintained the public service obligation funding to the CIE group last year.
The allocation of transport services to meet demand is being done through the strategic framework on investment in land transport to which I referred. We will also make a decision on large public transport projects for different parts of Dublin city. I address this issue in previous replies.
131. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details on measures his Department has taken or will take in order to rectify malpractice in the penalty points system, particularly in view of the recent Garda report which found that abuses are still occurring in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4349/15]
The Department has a major stake in the fixed charge notice system. The nine reports produced since the system was introduced in 2002 found that senior gardaí were wilfully ignoring policy on the fixed charge notice system and unfairly and inconsistently applying it. While I acknowledge that the Department of Justice and Equality is responsible for the implementation of the system, should the Minister not play a more proactive role in this area?
The fixed charge and penalty points system is an important element of our overall road safety strategy and the Government is committed to ensuring the most effective and equitable system is in place to maintain public confidence in it. The Deputy will appreciate and has acknowledged that the Minister for Justice and Equality and I have responsibility for different parts of the system. We jointly chair the criminal justice working group, the main function of which is to oversee and facilitate implementation of the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate, which published a report on the operation of the fixed charge processing system in March last year. The operation has improved significantly since June 2014, when a new Garda directive took effect, incorporating changes to the fixed charge cancellation policy on foot of the report.
Last week the Minister for Justice and Equality published a report from the Garda Professional Service Unit, GPSU, that examined the procedures, policy and decision making process for cancellations. It acknowledged improvements made in the system since June last year and made a number of recommendations which will be implemented by the appropriate bodies. Some of them will be referred to the criminal justice working group for consideration. More generally, the group has been involved in addressing the wide range of issues identified for improvement in the inspectorate's report and is continuing to make progress on the recommendations that remain to be implemented.
Why does the Minister think it took Sergeant Maurice McCabe to actually bring it to the attention of the Commissioner and the Minister for Justice and Equality in August and September? The recommendations about which the Minister is talking are the same recommendations we have received several times. We had the same recommendations included in the GPSU's report which came out at the same time as the O'Mahony report in 2013; we had the same recommendations included in the Garda Inspectorate's report in March 2014 and, now, we are receiving the same recommendations again. What makes the Minister think they will actually be applied this time?
The Minister has a serious problem. While I understand it is not only a problem for him, it is impacting on his Department because the system is not working in the way it should. The biggest problem of all is indiscipline among the senior ranks of the Garda. The Minister will remember that the Guerin report was at great pains to point to the fact that in Bailieborough indiscipline seemed to be only an issue for rank and file gardaí, not for management in terms of supervision, which is where the problem starts.
On the points the Deputy has made about the current status of the recommendations, since the last set, policies have been implemented to deal with the issues to which he refers. Only three individuals have authorised the cancellation of penalty points since 16 June 2014.
On the status of different recommendations, we have two reports at play, as the Deputy noted. The first is the report which came from the criminal justice working group. To answer the Deputy's question on how we will look at the status of implementation of these recommendations, it is my understanding that in March a review will be undertaken of where each of the recommendations stands. That will happen in a number of weeks and we have touched on what some of the proposals are.
On recommendations that affect my Department and that came from the GPSU's report, they have been shared with me, obviously, because they feed into a report from a committee that I co-chair.
On legislative changes that might be needed to the operation of fixed charge notices, my Department will look at this issue. Before Christmas, when I became aware of an issue that was legislative in nature in the implementation of penalty points, I acted swiftly and in a transparent manner to deal with it.
Confining final decisions on terminations on the PULSE system to three people in Thurles is a good idea because, obviously, senior gardaí around the country proved themselves to be irresponsible enough that they could not be left with responsibility for the system. Will the Minister explain how things are going to get better if the senior ranks of the Garda remain undisciplined? Of all those who have actually misbehaved, does the Minister know of any who has been sanctioned? If there have been disciplinary procedures, does the Minister know what they are? In the O'Mahony report three gardaí were picked out as being very serious offenders in the system and there was an internal investigation into what they had done. Does the Minister know what the sanctions were and what was the outcome? As long as the Government refuses to have sanctions and proper disciplinary processes in place, the indiscipline in the senior ranks will continue.
As I said, the fact that so much centralisation of decision making has taken place shows how important this matter is to the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice and Equality. I am absolutely clear that not implementing the regime or policies in place is a disciplinary matter and I am sure it will be treated as such by the Garda Commissioner. Both the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice and Equality have made clear the need for this to change and I believe the signs of this change are evident.
On the specific point the Deputy put to me about the role of my Department, to be clear, in March the criminal justice working group which my Department co-chairs will be reviewing the status of each of the proposals in the last report. At that point, we will understand how they are being implemented in terms of the large changes needed. I have always been very clear that we have to have a penalty points system that is seen to be fair and efficient. The Minister for Justice and Equality and I are committed to making this happen.
