Written Answers Nos. 202 - 208
202. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he did not proceed with the suspension of the air travel tax as announced in the 2011 jobs initiative and provided for under the Finance (No. 2) Act 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39944/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe €3 flat rate charge has applied since 1 March 2011. The purpose of the offer to abolish the tax was to stimulate inbound tourist traffic. Overall the response from the airlines to date has been inadequate. Data for 2012 from the three State Airports shows a modest increase in overall passenger numbers of 0.5% compared to 2011. However, a number of factors influence demand for air services so it is not possible to attribute increases or decreases of this magnitude to any one factor.
There have been some positive developments in relation to additional capacity on US-Ireland routes for 2013 linked to both general traffic demand and the expected increased traffic linked to the Gathering. There has been an increase in passenger numbers through the three State Airports of 4.2% for the first eight months of the year. The Government has made it clear that it will need to see a significant increase in capacity and routes before consideration can be given to abolishing the tax. Its offer to abolish the tax in return for a meaningful increase in capacity and the restoration of cancelled routes remains open.
203. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a detailed report on the proposed future allocation by the National Transport Authority of some of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann's fleets to private companies; and if he will report on the value of the fleet of both companies to which the NTA maintains it has rights this year and in the coming years of 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39945/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
204. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the recent announcement from the National Transport Authority that a certain portion of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann routes would be privatised from 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39946/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of Government is to ensure a system of public transport throughout the country that is as efficient and as widespread as possible. In relation to the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts for the bus market, this falls under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The NTA is currently considering how best publicly subvented bus services will be provided in the future. The direct award contracts for the provision of PSO bus market services held by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann expire late next year. The awarding of the licenses for the services thereafter is a matter for the NTA, and not for Government, but I have kept the Cabinet updated on the process.
Where the NTA proposes to enter into a further direct award contract or contracts for bus services it is obliged to carry out a statutory consultation under section 52 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. Under the legislation, if the NTA proposes to enter into direct award contracts, the relevant section states that “it may only do so where it is satisfied that the continued adequacy of the public bus passenger services to which the contracts relate can only be guaranteed in the general economic interest by entering into such direct award contracts". If it is not so satisfied, it must provide for some level of competitive tendering. This is not a decision for the Government or for me.
The NTA is conducting its work in accordance with the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and statutory consultations in relation to the matter commenced on 11 September and will conclude on 11 October. The NTA expects to announce its decision on how it intends to proceed before the end of the year. It should be noted that it will be open to Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to to bid for any routes or bundles of routes that are tendered. I envisage that tendering will enable the selection of the most competent tenderer who can provide the public with the best service at the least cost to the taxpayer.
205. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a system in place to check the roadworthiness of vehicles registered outside of Ireland which travel on Irish roads; if he will report on the number of foreign registered vehicles travelling on roads in the State in a given year; if it is intended to introduce a new system to establish the roadworthiness of such vehicles using Irish roads. [39947/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommission Directive 2009/40/EC as amended, stipulates the minimum roadworthiness testing requirements for motor vehicles and their trailers which all roadworthiness tests throughout the EU must meet. Vehicles registered in each Member State, as well as their trailers, undergo periodic roadworthiness tests in accordance with this Directive. Furthermore, in compliance with Article 3(2), all Member States are obliged to recognise the Certificates of Roadworthiness of vehicles registered in another Member State. This applies to vehicles in use in Ireland but not registered in Ireland, i.e. vehicles used for holidaying, as well as short term or contract work etc.
However, where a vehicle is re-registered as an Irish vehicle, it must go through the NCT once it is four years old or more. This applies even if the vehicle previously received a vehicle test abroad. NCT test certificates are valid until the next test due date, after which the vehicle (if still in Ireland) must be tested again. The enforcement of Road Traffic Regulations, including those relating to the validity of a roadworthiness certificate, is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána. As already outlined, given the roadworthiness testing regime already in place it is not intended to introduce a new system to establish the roadworthiness of foreign registered vehicles on Irish roads. With regard to the the number of foreign registered vehicles travelling on Irish roads, statistics of this nature are not maintained.
206. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of calls Irish Rail has received on its special hotline number from members of the public to report suspected incidences of anti-social behaviour at DART and rail stations in the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39948/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for Irish Rail and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
207. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he supports the amendment tabled to EU air passenger rights legislation to affirm the right of passengers to carry an extra bag without fear of financial penalty on all airlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39980/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the review of air passengers' rights the EU Commission has tabled a new Article to Regulation (EC) No. 2027/97 that will make it more transparent what charges will apply for passengers who wish to bring baggage onto a plane. I welcome this proposed greater transparency. I acknowledge the right of carriers to maintain their commercial rights to carry passengers at fares and under conditions of carriage that the carriers consider appropriate. I understand also the concerns of retailers at airports and elsewhere but there is evidence of unintended consequences when regulations become over-prescriptive. The review of Regulation (EC) No. 2027/97 is ongoing and my officials and those of other Member States will communicate with the EU Commission as it, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament finalise an agreed text.
