Thursday, 27 Jun 2013

Written Answers Nos. 30-41

Road Safety Issues

Ceisteanna (31)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

31. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his priorities for improving road safety. [30906/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

My main priorities for improving road safety are outlined in the Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020.

The two main objectives of the Strategy are (i) a reduction of road collision fatalities on Irish roads to 25 per million population or less by 2020, thereby reducing deaths from 162 in 2012 to 124 or fewer by 2020 and (ii) a provisional target for the reduction of serious injuries by 30% from 472 in 2011 to 330 or fewer by 2020 or 61 per million population.

The Strategy contains a large number of Actions that, when implemented, will contribute to the overall objective. The body/agency responsible for the implementation of each Action and the timescale for completion is identified in the Strategy.

National Roads Authority Expenditure

Ceisteanna (32, 45, 62)

Derek Keating

Ceist:

32. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport following the report from the National Roads Authority regarding the volume of traffic on the M50 and the recent media speculation on the introduction of tolls to the M50, his plans in relation to these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30904/13]

Derek Keating

Ceist:

45. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce tolls on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30903/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

62. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure safety standards on the M50 while avoiding increases in tolls and forcing drivers into residential or built up areas. [31033/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 45 and 62 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

I refer the Deputy to my response to Priority PQ 1 of 27th June 2013.

State Airports

Ceisteanna (33)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

33. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the most recent safety consultation was conducted at Shannon Airport; if military operations were included in the assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31021/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The issue raised by the Deputy, the regulation of safety standards at airports, is a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority, an Agency under the remit of my Department. I have referred the Deputy's question to them for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 17.

Question No. 35 answered with Question No. 14.

State Airports

Ceisteanna (36, 48)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

36. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on discussions with the management of Ireland West Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30901/13]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

48. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deliver on proposals by Ireland West Airport, Knock, to create 500 new jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30902/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 48 together.

These questions relate to future development at Knock Airport, including employment potential.

As Deputies will be aware, the Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) Study Group was established, under the Chairmanship of Deputy John O'Mahony, following a meeting of the Airport Board with the Taoiseach, myself and Minister of State Ring.  The Group, while taking account of available funding and State Aid and Competition rules, is examining how the airport can survive and be further developed having regard to the implications for other regional airports.

The Group comprises representatives of the Airport Board and management, Mayo County Council, regional Business and Tourism sectors, the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Finance, Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland.

Three meetings of the Group have taken place, two in Knock and one in Dublin and good progress continues to be made. For example, I am aware that the Group has already carried out an initial examination, including a survey of industry, of how the airport can best serve Industry needs and support economic development in its catchment area.  However, it is recognised that a substantial body of work needs to be carried out before the Group can complete its report.

Following the conclusion of a tender process, the Study Group has selected Ernst & Young consultants to assist the Group in part of their work.  This consultancy will be jointly funded by my Department, Mayo County Council and the airport.  The consultants have been asked to develop scenarios for a secure financially viable future for IWAK.

The IWAK Study Group expects to submit a report to myself and to the Taoiseach by Autumn 2013.

Question No. 37 answered with Question No. 10.

Semi-State Bodies Dividends

Ceisteanna (38)

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

38. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide detail of his efforts to ensure that all commercial semi-State companies under his Department's remit pay dividends to the Exchequer; the importance of such dividends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30958/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Government’s position is that all profitable commercial State companies with distributable profits return a financial dividend to the State. The general guideline figure is 30% of after-tax profits. Depending on the financial circumstances of the particular company, the figure adopted may be more or less than this guideline 30% figure.  However, dividend policies will need to take account of issues such as current and projected profitability, capital investment plans and pension funding. I have reviewed the capacity of all the commercial State companies under my Department’s responsibility to pay a dividend in line with this policy. Many of these companies are not currently profitable and are not therefore in a position to pay.  The capacity to pay dividends in 2013 in any material way is therefore limited to a small number of the larger and profitable State companies, specifically Dublin Port Company, the Irish Aviation Authority and the Port of Cork. A dividend has also been secured from Aer Lingus.

Road Projects Issues

Ceisteanna (39)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

39. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will seek an urgent meeting with the Northern Ireland Executive to discuss the future of the A5 road project following recommendations within the Executive that funding set aside for the A5 be moved to other projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31023/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Contact with the Northern Ireland Road Authorities in relation to the A5 project is ongoing under the aegis of the North South Ministerial Council.  The next Plenary meeting of the Council is scheduled for the 5th July.

Industrial Relations Issues

Ceisteanna (40)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

40. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the Labour Relations Commission recommendation that Dublin Bus drivers’ overtime and holiday payments be cut, as well as the number of sick leave days, in order for the company to achieve a required €11.7 million in savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31057/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

This question relates to Dublin Bus and the recent recommendations issued by the Labour Court.

In order to ensure the viability of the company, Dublin Bus is seeking to achieve savings from direct payroll costs and from efficiency and productivity savings. Labour Court hearings were held on 15th March and 15th April. The Labour Court has now issued a recommendation and I understand  that the Unions in Dublin Bus are now expected to ballot on the Labour Court recommendation.

I welcome the Labour Court recommendation and I hope the proposals willl enable the implementation of necessary cost saving measures in Dublin Bus.

Question No. 41 answered with Question No. 26.