The first question is in the name of Deputy Robert Troy. We are now going back to the traditional Standing Order. This means Deputy Troy has 30 seconds to introduce his question.
Priority Questions
Traffic Management
Robert Troy
Ceist:55. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to address concerns regarding increasing levels of traffic congestion in Dublin City and especially the knock-on congestion caused by blockages on the M50 motorway; if he is developing a strategic plan to deal with the traffic problems on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15826/16]
Before I introduce my question, I wish to put on record that our party research office was given wrong advice on when we should submit priority and oral questions to this Department. It was only by pure chance that we made it on time for Priority Questions. I wish to put on record that I did not get an opportunity to submit oral questions this week. They gave misleading advice and when we pointed it out to them they did not make any concessions.
That is a matter for the Ceann Comhairle's office.
It is a matter for the Minister in the following sense. I received correspondence stating: "I wish to inform you that the following question tabled to you for priority answer on Tuesday, 14 June 2016 has been transferred by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to the Minister for Social Protection." For the life of me, I do not understand how the Minister does not believe it is appropriate for him to come to the House and engage with us on free transport.
Deputy Troy, please put your question. I must stick to Standing Orders.
To be fair, I want to put on the record that a priority question has been ruled out of order.
That is a matter for the Ceann Comhairle's office.
According to the letter I received, the Minister informed us that he would not answer the question. I want to put on record my dissatisfaction with that.
Please put your question or I will have to move on.
Public transport is under the remit of the new Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. In that context I will move on to my first question, which has been accepted. Will the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport address concerns about the increasing levels of traffic congestion in Dublin, especially the knock-on congestion caused by blockages on the M50 motorway? Will the Minister outline whether his Department is developing a strategic plan to deal with the traffic problems on the M50 and make a statement on the matter? I wish the Minister the best of luck in his new role.
I wish to reciprocate the best wishes to Deputy Troy and wish him good luck in his role as well. He may have got the wrong advice on the date or timing for Priority Questions. I have to say I know nothing about it, but certainly it would not have been deliberate on anyone's part. I fully understand if he was not prepared and I thank him for submitting the questions.
The second issue is the question of free travel. I was advised that it was a matter for another Department. I have no problem whatsoever in answering questions on free travel. However, if I am advised that it is more suitable for another Department, I will refer it. I will look at the matter in more detail for the next time to see if it is appropriate. I would be happy to address it but if the Department of Social Protection wishes to take it, that is fair enough by me as well. Deputy Troy may ask me supplementary questions about it another time and I will try to address them, if he gives me a little notice.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding for the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
TII looked at a range of short-term and longer-term measures to manage demand and optimise operational efficiency on the M50. This was published in its M50 demand management study in April 2014. At my predecessor's request, TII undertook further analysis last year to identify a mix of measures to improve operational efficiency. Since the M50 upgrade, annual traffic growth on the M50 has continued, especially with renewed economic growth. Over 140,000 vehicles a day are now using the busiest sections.
Since this analysis, TII, in conjunction with stakeholders, has been progressing several short-term measures. These include changes to junction layouts to optimise use of lanes. Changes at the N3 and M50 junction and the Dublin Airport and M1 junction have been performing well and similar layouts will be provided between the M1 and N3 junctions over the coming months. New signage to direct diversions has been erected on an agreed route between the N3 and N2 and this will be extended shortly.
The motorway traffic control centre has been enhanced and the number of incident response vehicles has been increased, resulting in an average response time of 15 minutes. The working group set up by TII to strengthen co-ordination includes An Garda Síochána, Dublin Fire Brigade and local authorities and continues to enhance incident management and communication.
My predecessor approved a proposal to progress work on variable speed limits with a view to smoothing peak-time traffic flows. TII has established a project team to manage design and procurement, which is estimated to take 36 months.
Public transport initiatives such as reopening the Phoenix Park tunnel and commencing services on the Luas cross city line in 2017 will provide alternative options to the car. The Government's capital plan provides for significant investment in enlargement of the public service obligation bus fleet. The NTA transport strategy for the greater Dublin area 2016-35 envisages a core orbital bus network to ensure more trips are undertaken by public transport.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I will engage with him on the other question.
The Minister has agreed that traffic congestion has a negative effect on people's lives, including stress as a result of getting in to work late and reducing quality family time. It has a negative impact on economic activity too. It is important to have more than what the Minister referred to, which are short-term measures. I am more interested in hearing about the long-term strategic policy decisions taken by the Department to ensure free flow on the M50.
The Minister alluded to changes to junctions and the fact that there are greater numbers of vehicles and response times. Earlier this year there was an accident on the M50. As a consequence, not only was the M50 blocked up but there was gridlock throughout the greater Dublin area. To be fair, I do not believe the Minister has outlined or articulated exactly how he plans to deal with this in a strategic manner over the coming year or two years.
The Minister alluded to something that may take 36 months and which is going to tender now. I did not understand that. Will the Minister elaborate further on that point?
I will take the Deputy's question in two parts, if I may. He has made a good point about there being less long-term thinking than short-term thinking - I think that is the point he is making. That is apparent probably in the plans made by the two bodies, the NTA and TII, to which I referred. There is a need on the part of the Department, myself and, in particular, the bodies run by me in this Department to have a better long-term vision. I am going to require a better long-term vision from them. This is reflected in some ways by what I offered Deputy Troy today, including certain variable speed limits and various high-speed ways of addressing problems.
However, we need to address the problem of 140,000 cars on the M50 every day. We need to address the problems which are much wider, which are being met by metro north, the port tunnel and other areas, and which are to divert people from their motor cars and bring them to public transport.
I thank the Minister.
If there is a long-term vision, I think that is apparent in what I have said there. Could I say before I finish-----
I am allowing latitude but people need to stick to the times.
I am sorry. I will do it when I answer the Deputy's next question.
The full record will be in the response.
I call Deputy Munster for the next question.
There is a bit of a change from the last-----
There are new procedures. I have to call the next question based on the new Standing Orders. The Deputy has 30 seconds and a minute to respond and the six and a half minutes have elapsed, so I have to move on to Deputy Munster for the next question. The Deputy has 30 seconds.
Public Transport
Imelda Munster
Ceist:56. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide additional investment to improve accessibility on public transport for persons with disabilities given the widespread deficiencies which result in many persons being unable to avail of public transport services in their area or to travel without great difficulty. [15825/16]
I ask the Minister about his plans to provide additional investment to improve accessibility for people with disabilities on our public transport given the widespread deficiencies of which we are all sadly aware and the inequality of access. Is the Minister aware that one in four people with a disability does not use public transport for accessibility reasons? Is he also aware that most rail and bus services require 24 hours' notice in advance of travel for a wheelchair user in order to provide the service?
The Minister has two minutes to respond and a minute for a supplementary.
I thank Deputy Munster for her question. It is a good question and there is quite a lot behind what she has to say about the disabled. I will answer first of all about the improvements and then I will suggest what I think. I acknowledge that much remains to be done.
Accessibility improvements to public transport services are being advanced in the context of my Department's sectoral plan under the Disability Act 2005, Transport Access for All.
The plan sets out a series of policy objectives and targets for accessible public transport across all modes and significant progress has been achieved in recent years. Transport Access for All was first published in 2006 and updated in 2012. It is scheduled for review and update in 2016-17.
The sectoral plan is premised on the principle that through accessibility improvements to the public transport system for people with disabilities, access for all people will be improved. This is being done as extensively as possible having regard to the availability of resources.
My Department funds an ongoing programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities. This includes funding in 2016 for accessibility upgrade works at a number of rail stations, including Connolly Station, for accessible bus stops and bus stations, and for a wheelchair accessible taxi grant scheme.
In addition, measures to provide for full accessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and newer systems, such as the Luas, are fully accessible.
My Department also provides funding to the NTA for a rolling programme of bus replacement and refurbishment of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann PSO fleets both in the greater Dublin area and nationally. This has enabled 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets to be wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 65% of Bus Éireann coaches, which are wheelchair accessible by lift, and this will increase as the coach fleet is replaced.
The Deputy has one minute for a supplementary question.
On a point of correction - I stand to be corrected myself if I am wrong - I understand that only 50% of Bus Éireann coaches are wheelchair accessible.
The Minister referred to the Department's plans. Are they existing Department plans or are they the Minister's new additional plans? The previous Department plans had widespread deficiencies, as we know. Disability access is one area of the Minister's new portfolio where he could really make a difference. I had thought initially that I had two minutes to speak on that and I was going to outline examples of people who, owing to lack of accessibility to public transport, end up spending the day making what would normally be a one-hour journey. On the buses, for example, wheelchair users are being told on an almost daily basis that the drivers are not qualified to operate the lifts and wheelchair users are being left by the side of the road as the public transport bus drives off without them-----
That is one minute.
-----because there is no access on to the bus.
I thank the Deputy.
I would just ask-----
I am sorry; I have to stick within the standing Orders.
What plans does the Minister have because this is shocking inequality? It really is terrible in 2016. What new plans does the Minister have to correct the inequality of this and the serious deficiency?
The Minister has one minute to respond.
There may be a misunderstanding on Bus Éireann. My understanding is the Bus Éireann city fleets are all accessible. The Deputy is correct that the ones outside the city fleet are not universally accessible. We might have been at cross-purposes on that. I take her point; it is one of the gaps that is not acceptable. Bus Éireann coaches are in a similar situation; they are not accessible. Those gaps will need to be bridged.
There are other areas that I have only really discovered since I researched the Deputy's question. I have to admit I was under the impression that things were rather better than they were until I started to research her question over the weekend. There are other areas, particularly on the railways, which she did not touch on, where there is a huge gap in the accessibility for disabled people. I gather that Iarnród Éireann is slowly carrying out a limited programme that is enabling some disabled people to access stations by making them wheelchair friendly.
There are other areas that concern me, which the Deputy has not mentioned. There is a huge gap with commercial vehicles. The commercial vehicles do not seem to be up to the same standard for wheelchair accessibility as are the State vehicles.
I thank the Minister.
I intend to address that issue in the near future. I gather that the NTA is already looking at ways for imposing a similar and much more demanding standard on them.
For the benefit of the House, it is important that I reiterate the new Standing Orders relating to Priority and Oral Questions. There is six and a half minutes for each question, of which 30 seconds is allowed for the introduction, two minutes for the Minister to reply and four minutes overall for supplementary questions and replies with a one-minute limit on each supplementary question. I know it is difficult for the Members to get used to the new procedures but I ask them to try to stick within them. I can give Deputy Munster one more minute, providing she sticks to it.
I spoke about the lifts being out of order. In my constituency, covering Louth and east Meath, I know of a gentleman who is a wheelchair user. He attempts to travel from Laytown to Drogheda on an almost daily basis. He is one of those people left at the side of the road as the public bus drives off.
The Minister spoke about taxis. I know the target for having taxis accessible for wheelchair users and people with disabilities is between 60% and 70% by 2017. As of April 2015, it was at 5%. What plans does the Minister have to follow through on that because we would need to make a huge percentage improvement in order to reach that target by 2017?
I am now moving on to Deputy Ryan's question.
State Airports
Brendan Ryan
Ceist:58. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he will make to address the concerns of Fingal residents living in the vicinity of the proposed north runway at Dublin Airport, specifically regarding increased noise pollution; if he discussed this with the Dublin Airport Authority directly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15833/16]
My question relates to the proposed north runway at Dublin Airport, which will now proceed after a long period on the shelf. The benefit of this runway to the local, regional and national economy is beyond argument and it is to be welcomed. There are valid concerns from residents in communities such as Portmarnock, Kinsealy, Balgriffin, south Swords, St. Margaret's, the Ward and Kilreece regarding the impact the new runway will have on noise pollution. Is the Minister aware of these concerns and does he have a plan to address them?
On a point of order, I thought Deputy Troy's question was next.
Yes. I omitted to take his question. We will take it after Deputy Ryan's question.
Okay. That is fine.
I apologise. I am as confused as the Minister regarding the rules. In fairness, I will come back to Deputy Troy after Deputy Ryan's question.
That is fine. We will take them in this order.
The Chair is doing a great job.
I would like to thank Deputy Ryan for his question. As he will be aware, the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, has a statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including by providing the infrastructure necessary to meet existing and future demand. The north runway project falls into this category. The DAA was granted planning permission for this project in 2007 and announced its intention to proceed with it in April 2016. While I have not yet had an opportunity to meet representatives of the DAA to discuss the project, I understand that a meeting has been arranged. I can reassure Deputy Ryan by saying that a meeting has probably been arranged for next week or the week after. It is coming up very shortly. I assure the Deputy that when I meet the representatives of the DAA, I will address this important issue with them immediately. This project will be one of the first things I discuss with them. I have been briefed on the meetings that officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport have had with the DAA. I hope to meet representatives of the DAA shortly to discuss a range of issues, including the north runway project. I welcome the stated commitment of the DAA to work closely with all stakeholders, including local residents and community groups, on the north runway project. I understand the DAA has already met local residents to discuss the project and further engagement is planned.
New EU legislation regarding the issue of noise enters into force this month. Specifically, EU Regulation 598/14 on the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports entered into force yesterday, 13 June 2016. This regulation sets out the process to be followed when decisions are being made on noise-related operating restrictions and involves consideration of all potential aircraft noise mitigation measures. The regulation provides for consultation with interested parties, including local residents living in the vicinity of the airport. The new noise regulation presents an opportunity to establish a modern, cohesive and measured approach to the management of noise at Irish airports. It is capable of delivering the best outcome for all stakeholders. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government are engaged in discussions on the technical details of the appropriate implementation of this regulation.
I know the DAA is making efforts to meet residents' groups. I have met and spoken with Mr. Kevin Toland. I appreciate the work that is ongoing in this area. I would like it to be continued and expanded. I ask the Minister, as the democratically elected person who is representing the public in this brief, to represent the residents to the best of his ability. We must ensure an appropriate balance is struck between delivering this project and meeting the concerns of the Fingal residents. I believe the residents' concerns can be met. I ask the Minister to keep a close watch on this aspect of the project as it progresses. I thank him for indicating that it will be a priority for him when he meets the DAA.
I thank the Deputy. I assure him that I will not allow a State monopoly to bully any group of residents, regardless of how small that group is. The Deputy can take that message back to them. It seems to me that State bodies of this sort are always in a position of great advantage over small groups of people. Although I agree that the necessity for the second runway is compelling, it is imperative that those who have lived in the affected area for a long time or indeed for a short time should not have their safe and reasonably quiet residences ruined, and certainly not without adequate compensation. They should be able to reach an amicable agreement with the DAA. When a big body like this is seeking to get its way over a small group of residents, it is an uneven contest. I will be asking the DAA certain questions about the second runway. Permission for it was granted in 2007 and it is now 2016. One would have to look at the appropriateness of that permission now. As the permission was granted until 2017, everything they are doing is perfectly legal. However, it is only fair that the concerns being expressed by the residents nine years on should be considered with a certain amount of generosity.
Greenways Development
Robert Troy
Ceist:57. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will complete the proposed greenway from Dublin to Galway; his views regarding the long delay of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15827/16]
We will now revert to Question No. 57 in the name of Deputy Troy, to whom I apologise again.
That is okay. The Minister will be well aware of the fantastic greenway amenity that exists between Athlone and Mullingar. He came down to have a look at it a number of weeks ago. He will agree that this amenity will not reach its full potential until it has been finished and it extends right from the east coast to the west coast. The Minister's predecessor decided to shelve the project over 12 months ago. Is it a priority for the Minister to reinitiate this process? If so, could he outline clearly how he plans to deal with it until it is completed in its entirety? What is the expected timeframe in that regard?
A decision to pause the development of the Dublin to Galway greenway west of the River Shannon between Athlone and Galway was taken by my predecessor last October. Deputy Troy is correct when he says that I visited Athlone a few weeks ago to educate myself about greenways. He cannot be incorrect because I was delighted to meet him there. I was brought there by the Deputy's constituency colleague, Deputy Moran, who educated me in the benefits of greenways. I have to say I am a convert as a result of meeting everybody down there, including Deputy Troy. I understand the value for money and the attraction of this potential tourism bonanza. The decision mentioned by Deputy Troy was taken by my predecessor following receipt of an interim report from Transport Infrastructure for Ireland, which is a fairly constipated-sounding quango.
The Minister should get rid of it.
The outcome of the process of consultation between Transport Infrastructure for Ireland, Galway County Council, Roscommon County Council and landowners along the route suggested it would be wise to give everyone involved time to reflect on the issues raised and to consider the possibility of developing a new route that works locally and has the support of key landowners. While the vast majority of landowners along the Roscommon section of the preferred route were welcoming of the project, it was nevertheless felt that it would not be prudent to endeavour to make progress with this section in isolation, given that some issues requiring further consideration still remained. I hope we will reach a stage soon where there is support to move forward with this element of the project. In the meantime, I will examine potential funding options to deliver the sections of the Galway to Dublin greenway in counties Kildare and Meath that have planning permission in place and may be progressed quickly. The completion of these sections would allow for the provision of a fully off-road greenway from Maynooth to Athlone. The provision of this 100 km section, combined with the 26 km Mullingar to Abbeyshrule greenway, would provide a multi-day cycling experience which would be attractive to visitors from home and overseas.
The Minister is right when he says that this project represents great value for money. Westmeath County Council is to be complimented on the work it has done to date. If we are to get true value for money, we need to have the greenway open in its entirety. That is when we will really see its potential reached. Fáilte Ireland chose the most scenic and beautiful route from Athlone to Galway in order to attract tourists to use this product. I ask the Minister to move this development on by proceeding with the necessary negotiations with the relevant landowners and ensuring the project can advance. In some areas, ownership is not in question and there are disputes with local authorities, etc. As the Minister mentioned, planning permission has been approved for Meath, parts of Longford and parts of Athlone. Can he indicate when he will be in a position to provide the necessary funding to allow these links to proceed without delay?
It is a matter which has moved way up my list of priorities since I visited Athlone that day. I am not going to get involved in the rights and wrongs of the dispute or the difficulties which are obviously obstructing the progress of this greenway in the direction we had hoped. However, I am going to appeal and hope to do something in a more concrete way to ensure it will go ahead soon. The time for pausing is over. There was a pause called for and it was probably a good and sensible decision at the time. However, I am not familiar with the actual detail of the arguments between the various landowners and others in the area, but I will make an effort to see to it that they will put their heads together once again in order that we make a serious and energetic attempt to open the greenway with a great deal more speed. What the Deputy has said about the greenway is correct. Greenways have the potential to attract a significant number of tourists, particularly to the midlands. I will certainly do as much as I can in the Department to promote them and bring more tourists to the country.
I take it then that the “Pause” button has been released and that the Department will engage with the required landowners to ensure this section of the greenway can proceed. Based on the fact that when the Minister visited Athlone, we were able to convert him to the merits of the project, will he advise the local authorities of his funding intentions in the next 12, 24 and 36 months in that regard? That would allow them to make the necessary plans and put in place the necessary works schedules to ensure the sections of the greenway which already have the benefit of planning permission could proceed without further delay.
Local Improvement Scheme Funding
John Brassil
Ceist:59. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to immediately restore the local improvement grants scheme which, prior to its suspension in 2011, provided an invaluable aid for persons in rural areas who were living in private cul-de-sacs. [11598/16]
Will the Minister reinstate the funding under local improvement schemes for cul-de-sacs and private roads in rural areas? County Kerry has approximately 2,000 km of such roads. We had a successful scheme that ran for many years but which was, unfortunately, stopped in 2011. There are approximately 100 roads on the current list awaiting improvement in County Kerry. I am sure the position is the same in every other county. Even if the fund were restored to 2009 levels of €15 million, it would provide a valuable source of moneys for valuable projects which would benefit many people in all rural areas.
I thank the Deputy for bringing this problem to my attention. It is coming at me thick and fast and the Deputy has certainly been the first out of the traps in tabling a Priority Question on the matter. I understand its importance to people, particularly those outside city areas.
The local improvement scheme remains in place this year. The scheme provides funding for private roads and laneways, the maintenance and improvement of which are, in the first instance, matters for the relevant landowner. While it does not have a ring-fenced allocation in 2016, local authorities may use a proportion of State grant funding, 15% of the discretionary grant, for the local improvement scheme, should they wish to do so. In addition, councils can also provide moneys from their own resources towards the scheme.
A Programme for a Partnership Government provides that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for local improvement schemes on an annual basis. A major objective of the new Government will be to prioritise new investment in local and regional road maintenance and improvements and local improvement scheme funding will be promoted in that context.
Ring-fenced funding is what I am after, with every Deputy in a rural constituency. Saying to the local authority that the scheme is open and can be funded from its own resources just does not work. Since 2011, there has been a 50% cut in the funding for local roads within councils. We can barely maintain what we have with the funding available. Trying to fund local improvement schemes, in effect, on private roads is simply impossible. Will the ring-fenced fund for these schemes be reintroduced? During the good times back in 2006, the fund was €24.5 million. County Kerry benefited to the tune of €2.3 million in that year which allowed 120 roads to be covered. Even in 2009 when we were in the middle of the recession, the level of funding for the scheme was €15 million, meaning that County Kerry benefited to the tune of €1.3 million. That level of funding would sustain the maintenance roads. The first and last half kilometre of one’s drive are the most important to us all because they are the parts on which we work most frequently.
I am giving away no secrets to the Deputy in telling him this issue was included in the programme for Government and that it came from members of my group. I am kept conscious by the day of what the Deputy is saying by another source. The pressure exerted on me will be equally effective from elsewhere. The Deputy is kicking at a vulnerable and open door when talking about the issue. While the fund will not be restored to its old form, the programme for Government stated:
"As the economy recovers, we will promote increased funding for local improvement schemes and community involvement schemes, on an annual basis. A major transport objective for the new Government will be to prioritise new investment in local and regional road maintenance and improvements and the LIS and CIS will play a key role in meeting that objective. As part of our commitment to local government reform we will also give councils greater discretion in how they spend their money on local and regional roads. We will expand the scheme to include the taking in charge of non-council roads with a view to having this scheme up and running by end 2017".
I welcome the pressure exerted on the Minister by members of his own group about this matter which is significantly important for rural Members. It is also immensely important to a large number of the population in each county. Telling councils to use their own funding will simply not work. From 1999 to 2007, there was substantial investment in the road network. The majority of local roads in all counties were brought up to a reasonable level. However, as these roads are now beginning to fall apart, the councils have to reinvest in them. Funding is needed for the improvement of private roads. Local residents provide a 15% contribution, but the work is carried out by the local authority, meaning that it is recirculated. One gets good value for one’s grant money because local authority workers are the ones doing the work. I urge the Minister to stick to the programme for Government commitments and hope 2017 will see the reintroduction of a real level of funding for the scheme.