Written Answers Nos. 651-669
651. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the progress of the Wild Atlantic Way tourism initiative, which markets are being targeted specifically and if he will report on the engagement between Fáilte Ireland and the local tourism related business owners and communities along the route concerned. [41114/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
652. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the proposed regulation of vehicle immobilisation Bill will contain a provision to take into account that land owners, such as those operating a mobile home or camping site, for example, have used clamping as a means of security and safeguarding the safety of staff and customers alike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41118/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government to “legislate to regulate the vehicle clamping industry”, the Government, in March 2013, approved the Heads of a Regulation of Vehicle Immobilisation Bill. This followed an extensive consultation with the then Joint Oireachtas Committee for Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht. The Bill is currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and I propose to publish it and introduce it in the Oireachtas soon after this process is completed. In general, the Bill will provide safeguards both for those operating a clamping regime and those vehicles that are clamped.
653. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that the derogation in respect of overheight trucks and other vehicles on public roads here will not be extended beyond the set down expiry date of 31 October 2013; from that date a maximum height for a vehicle will be 4.65 metres; the measures that will be taken to ensure that the limit will be enforced once the derogation expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41119/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 set the maximum vehicle height at 4.65 metres. Following public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, it was agreed that a five year derogation from that limit would apply to vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1 November 2008. The derogation was introduced to allow a five-year period within which vehicles operating at heights in excess of the new limits could be withdrawn from use in Ireland. I have no proposals to extend the derogation beyond 31st October 2013. Enforcement of all other Road Traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána
659. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the public transport sector continues to remain competitive with the emphasis on the provision of a readily available customer friendly transport system in line with best practice throughout Europe; if he envisages any improvement in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41133/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s programme for the funding of capital projects to 2016 is set out in the Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-16: Medium Term Exchequer Framework. Due to the overall reduction in funding for transport infrastructure the priority to 2016 is to protect investments made to date and to maintain safety standards. The limited funding available over and above this priority will only be provided for projects which are affordable, meet overall transport objectives and deliver the best return in terms of economic recovery and job creation. Moreover the ability to operate profitably and without the need for any subsidy would also be a key consideration for any new projects.
In the past 2 years exchequer funds in excess €440m has been provided to all three companies and continued investment in the region of €170m has been allocated for 2013. The priority for our public transport network must aim for a better return from the existing public transport system, through targeted investment, better use of existing resources and by using smart technology to make public transport more responsive and user friendly.
The Irish Rail allocation includes a significant level of funding for railway safety and maintenance (€90m for RSP in 2013). In addition to safety related works Iarnród Éireann is undertaking infrastructural works to improve journey times such as removing or upgrading level-crossings, providing automated ticketing machines, improving station facilities - all of which contribute to making the railway more competitive and attractive to passengers.
The funding for the NTA includes provision for a rolling renewal programme for the PSO bus fleet. Bus is still the key public transport mode and it is important we have a reliable and efficient fleet with a reasonable average age. My Department has also provided funds in both Dublin and the regional cities to promote sustainable travel including further developing QBCs, improving rail and bus stations, bus stops and shelters and also to improve the accessibly of public transport.
Through the NTA, my Department is also funding the use of smart technology to make public transport easier to access and more reliable for the user. Significant progress has been made with the Leap card, Real Time Passenger Information, the National Journey Planner which maps all public transport services across the country. The NTA will continue to progress these consumer friendly initiatives which make using public transport attractive.
I would also refer the Deputy to my response to priority question no. 60 answered today which sets out the future approach to direct award contracts of Public Service Obligation services and tendering of certain services.
660. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which air passenger transport to and from this country is competitive, accessible, customer friendly and readily available; if any particular issues have been noted as requiring attention in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41134/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra661. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which air commercial transport to and from this country is competitive, accessible, customer friendly and readily available; if any particular issues have been noted as requiring attention in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41135/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra662. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he may quantify the economic benefit of the ready availability of a cost-effective, competitive, efficient and accessible air and sea commercial and passenger transport; the degree to which this may contribute to economic recovery over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41136/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 660 to 662, inclusive, together.
As one of the most open economies in the world, transport services to and from the country for both people and goods are of vital importance. In that regard I am happy to say that Ireland is very well served by both air and sea links. As the Deputy will be aware, this was a particularly important year for Irish tourism with The Gathering Ireland 2013 still underway. Improved value for money across all sectors, better air access and The Gathering have all combined to give us an excellent year for inbound tourism. Latest figures published by the CSO show a 6.5% rise in overseas visits to Ireland for the first eight months of 2013
In terms of air transport there is a competitive market for air services in and out of the country. Ireland benefits from a wide range of air connections, both short and long haul. In addition to the two main Irish airlines, Ryanair and Aer Lingus, the country is also served by the big three European network carriers, all four of the big US international airlines, both Emirates and Etihad from the UAE and many other smaller airlines. New routes are being announced on a regular basis by both Irish and international airlines. Passengers also benefit from the EU passenger rights legislation, which is currently in the process of being updated and improved.
In terms of economic benefits the aviation sector contributes approximately €4.1 billion to Ireland's GDP and supports over 26,000 jobs. Despite the challenges of recent years the industry continues to perform strongly but it is important that there is a clear policy framework in place to facilitate its continued development and optimise the contribution the sector can make to the economy. To that end aviation policy review is currently underway with a view to the publication of a new aviation policy next year.
In relation to sea transport the market offers a diverse range of viable maritime links in and out of the State. There are currently six shipping lines providing passenger services, with approximately 500 sailings weekly between Ireland and Britain and continental Europe, depending on the time of year. All ferry companies servicing these routes are commercial companies and, as such, their services are market driven.
The Irish ferry market is a very important element of the Irish tourism transport network. While the vast majority of our overseas visitors arrive in Ireland by air, research has shown that visitors coming to Ireland by car are very important to our tourism industry as they tend to stay longer, they tend to tour around more (with consequential benefits for regional tourism) and they tend to spend more than those arriving by air. Accordingly, the state tourism agencies have continually targeted this segment. Figures from the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) for the first quarter of 2013 show that ferry passenger numbers travelling to and from Ireland increased by 4% when compared to the corresponding period last year and tourist car numbers increased by 1%.
Competition in the ferry sector is encouraged and I expect services to develop and expand to meet any increased market demands in the future. In the past, operators have responded to market developments and increased capacity, when required. My Department through its agency, the IMDO, works closely with all existing operators and continues to promote Ireland as a location for new services.
Ireland is also heavily dependent on ports for trade. Most of Ireland’s merchandise imports and exports of goods are still transported by sea. It is important to ensure that competition in the Irish ports sector is working well because competition drives efficiency and service quality, both of which are key determinants of national competitiveness. The Competition Authority are currently finalising their market study of competition within the ports sector and they estimate that sea-borne freight accounts for 84% of Ireland’s trade in volume and 62% in value terms. Many of Ireland’s major exporting sectors - for example, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and food - are heavily reliant on sea transport. Irish shipping and port activity rose by 11% in the second quarter of 2012, according to the latest figures published by the IMDO.
Additionally our new National Ports Policy, published in March, clearly identifies Ireland’s Ports of National Significance. It is the Government’s expectation that these ports will lead the response of the Irish ports sector to future national port capacity requirements and continue to play an important role in Ireland’s economic recovery.
663. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which discussions continue to take place in regard to the future structure of commercial and air passenger transport; the respective roles for Ryanair and Aer Lingus in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41137/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra664. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his preferred options for the future operation of Ryanair and Aer Lingus with particular reference to their respective shareholding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41138/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 664 together.
The aviation industry is a key enabler of economic growth and Government policy is aimed at facilitating the industry's continued development. As an island, Ireland's international connectivity with our trading partners is particularly important. Historically, the policy has been in favour of having at least two major Irish airlines competing with each other. This policy has served us well and the competitive dynamic between Aer Lingus and Ryanair has been good for Irish consumers and Irish connectivity. The Government wants to see continued vibrant competition in the market and does not believe that a merger of Aer Lingus and Ryanair would help achieve this.
However, increasing consolidation in the airline industry, both in Europe and globally, is likely to have implications for Irish airlines and indeed the number of foreign airlines operating in the Irish market in the future. This issue is one of the many issues raised in the consultation document issued by my Department in the context of the review of aviation policy that is currently underway. A total of 74 submissions have been received in response to the consultation document from a wide range of interests. The submissions are being reviewed and the intention is that a draft aviation policy statement will be issued before the end of the year, which will provide a further opportunity for stakeholder input before the adoption of the new policy document in early 2014.
667. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that are currently being taken to improve and promote safety at sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41141/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's maritime safety agenda is constantly being developed in line with developments across the maritime sector, including internationally recognised safety conventions, safety standards, codes of practice, and in the ongoing undertaking of ship surveys and inspections. Other commitments by my Department include chairing the Marine Safety Working Group which addresses a range of marine safety issues and participation in the Working Group on Safety, Training and Employment in the Fishing Industry. There have been a number of recent activities to raise safety awareness, including a Safety on the Water TV Ad Campaign, a number of Search and Rescue Demonstrations by the Coast Guard around the country, visits to schools and the launch of a new wrist band campaign for children, which provides contact information should they get lost. The priority for the remainder of this year will be the drafting of a Maritime Safety Strategy, which I announced earlier in the summer. The Irish Maritime Administration, which comprises all the maritime functions of my Department, has been tasked with setting out the framework of the new strategy in a consultation paper to be published by year end. Its central objective will be to create a culture of safety at sea by building a deeper awareness of the measures we, as the public, the industry and the State can take to tackle risks together.
669. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on all regulatory impact statements carried out on Bills in his Department since this Government took office; if he will list these Bills in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41601/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra
