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Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Mar 2018

Business of Joint Committee (Resumed)

We are in public session. I remind members and witnesses to switch off their mobile phones. As agreed, we will deal with correspondence in public session.

Correspondence 2018/299, is an email from Deputy Munster, which we dealt with earlier. It is proposed to note this correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018/239 and 239(a), is an email and attachment dated 8 March from Mr. Mike Walker requesting that the committee consider a hearing on the topic of an active travel policy for Ireland. It is proposed to consider this item in the context of our work programme. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018/240 and 240(a), is an email and attachment dated 12 March from the National Transport Authority, NTA, forwarding a briefing on Project Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework. It is proposed to note this correspondence. I think we should meet with the NTA at the earliest opportunity to discuss Project Ireland 2040, National Planning Framework and its implications for transport, DART expansion, the road and rail network and designation of growth centres and so on. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018/241, is an email dated 12 March from Ms B Fitzpatrick Farrell requesting an invitation to appear before the committee to discuss the CIE pension scheme, which we discussed at a previous meeting. It is proposed to note this correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018/242, is an email from Mr. K. Toolan regarding the 35 km road between Tulsk and Strokestown. Is it agreed to note this correspondence? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018/243, is an email from Ms M. O'Connor, Federation of Irish Sport regarding today's meeting. Is it agreed to note this correspondence? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018/244, is a letter from the Minister, Deputy Ross, responding to a number of issues raised on 7 February regarding accessibility of public transport for people with disabilities. I propose we consider this item further in the context of our upcoming report on this matter, which is currently being prepared. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018/245 and 245(a), is a letter from Mr Ronan Gill, acting chief operating officer, CIE confirming the provenance of documents referred to at the meeting of 7 March and enclosing the CIE board papers pack. Mr. Gill also points out in his letter that the CIE Group has acceded to requests from the trade union group for "additional independent advice" and that it has consented to make funding available for such advice, which was a key request of this committee at our last meeting. It is proposed to note this correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018/246, is an email dated 12 March from Deputy Peadar Tóibín requesting that the joint committee meet with a community group from Tory Island regarding the ferry service. It is proposed to note this correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018/247, is an email dated 22 March from Deputy Murphy requesting that a number of items feature on the work programme 2018, which we have already discussed and agreed.

Correspondence 2018/248 is an email from Deputy Noel Rock requesting that the TII and NTA come before the committee to discuss MetroLink before public consultation closes on this matter. It is proposed to consider this item in the context of the committee's work programme. Is that agreed?

This is an urgent matter given the Metrolink proposals were only published last week. Many of the relevant affected stakeholders were only informed of this proposal and the impact it might have on them on the Friday of the bank holiday weekend. I would appreciate it if this matter could be added to the work programme before the 11 May closing date for the consultation on the proposed route and that the TII, the NTA and relevant affected stakeholders such as CLG Na Fianna and Home Farm Football Club would be invited before the committee.

Is that agreed?

I support Deputy Rock's proposal. This is a major and urgent issue.

The clerk will prioritise that proposal.

What organisations are to be invited to appear before the committee?

The National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, CLG Na Fianna and Home Farm Football Club. If Deputy Troy would like to add to that list I am sure that would be fine.

This is in regard to Metrolink.

Yes, the MetroLink proposal and its impact on communities in Deputy Rock's area.

I do not disagree with the proposal but given the public consultation process is currently under way would this not be a parallel process?

I would not see it that way. I believe there needs to be a direct transparent platform within which the affected sports clubs can interact with the relevant authorities on this matter. There is a consultation process under way but that does not guarantee that there would be direct dialogue with the affected clubs. Given the issues around communication to date between the affected clubs and the relevant authorities this would be a good platform to thrash out issues and potentially mend fences.

I do not have a difficulty with us doing a consultation but we must be careful not to cause confusion. There is a consultation process under way and people need to engage in that process in a direct way. Very often people think that they have engaged, but they might not have engaged with the statutory process. If they do not engage with the statutory process they will not be heard where it is necessary for them to be heard. I would be concerned that there may be other organisations that we have not included. I understand that there is a particular flash point in the Deputy's area because of the proposed route but there may well be others who are affected and we should be aware of that.

If there are others who wish to be heard we will endeavour to meet them. Deputy Rock represents the constituency affected and so I think it is right that we should adhere to his request. If there are other organisations which members feel should be included we can add them to the list. Where an issue arises in a member's constituency it is appropriate that he or she would request a discussion on it by an Oireachtas committee.

MetroLink is a huge project. In terms of what is proposed, would we be setting a precedent? For example, could I propose a hearing on the proposed Cork-Limerick motorway?

I would be happy to have such a hearing.

Will the committee invite in the pressure groups-----

We met Galway County Council and all the affected stakeholders on the Galway motorway transport issues. This is the forum for such matters. On the matter raised by Deputy O'Keeffe, I am happy to arrange a meeting in Cork or to have that meeting here. The committee provides Deputies with an opportunity to challenge statutory bodies on issues affecting their areas.

I have already requested that we go to Cork.

We will arrange that through the clerk, quam celerrime, which means as quickly as possible. That is from my days at school learning Latin. I hope that is right. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018-249 and 249 (a) is an email from Mr. Michael Nolan, forwarding supplementary information requested for our meeting of 21 February. It is proposed to note it. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018-250 is a briefing from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, on Project 2040. I think we noted that already. Correspondence 2018-251 is an email regarding access to the document database. It is an internal communication. It is proposed to note the correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018-252 is an email from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in response to a request for briefing on CIÉ pensions.

I and a number of members tabled a motion on CIÉ pensions at a previous committee meeting that we would support the call on the Minister to make funding available to-----

I appreciate that Deputy Troy was not here when we referred to the issue earlier. We received correspondence back to say that the CIÉ Group has acceded to the trade union request for additional independent advice and that it is making funding available for such advice, which was a key request at the previous meeting. Is that helpful?

It is proposed to note the correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018-253 is a letter from the European Commission thanking the committee for its reasoned opinion on COM(2017)647. It is proposed to note that correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence 2018-254 is an email from Ms M. McCabe regarding Euro Car Parks and fees. It is proposed to note the correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

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