Written Answers Nos. 656-672
656. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the planned development of the M20 as well planned developments along the route at Rourkes Cross and Charleville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54036/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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.
Because of the national financial position, there have been very large reductions in roads expenditure over the past number of years. The reality is that the available funds do not match the amount of work which could be undertaken. For this reason it is not possible to progress a range of worthwhile projects and the main focus has to be on the maintenance and repair of roads and this will remain the position in the coming years.
In relation to projects of the scale of the M20, it is not feasible given current and future projections that the State would be in a position to build this from its own resources. Rather, it would be constructed through the PPP model. While this model involves the private sector carrying the construction risk, it does require the State to meet the initial design, planning and land purchase costs. In the case of the M20 in the context of available road monies these costs are not affordable at present.
In 2011 I indicated to the NRA that they should withdraw their application to An Bord Pleanála for the M20 Cork to Limerick route. I was concerned that to proceed any further with the scheme to build the M20 would have exposed the NRA to significant costs arising from a consequent requirement to purchase the CPO'd land within a limited timeframe. This would have had to be done without the reasonable prospect of proceeding to construction stage quickly. I don’t believe the basis exists at present that would give confidence that a PPP of the scale of the M20 would be affordable or achievable and thereby justify commencing the project through planning again. However, this position is constantly under review.
Regarding developments along the route at Rourkes Cross and Charleville, as the planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
657. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority to immediately replace the bus shelter in Rathmore, County Kerry as its removal during the carrying out of improvement works in the village has greatly inconvenienced locals and visitors alike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54071/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of bus stop improvement is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport provider and I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
658. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will investigate the heating system on the Killarney to Dublin train as a large number of regular commuters are complaining about the cold temperature on this train; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54078/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
659. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority to provide a bus shelter in Killorglin (details supplied); if funding is available for this project; when works will commence; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54091/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of bus stop improvement is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport provider and I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
660. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount collected through overpaid tolls on each toll road on an annual basis; what happens such money collected from overpaid tolls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54162/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have overall responsibility for policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual national road schemes which provide for tolling, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007. Moreover, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is very specifically vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act, 1993 (as amended).
In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I am referring his Question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
661. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will seek to have Ireland's inland waterways, which connect two EU member states, included in the European Commission's updated and renewed NAIADES multi-annual action programme for the promotion of inland waterways transport; if he will ensure that Ireland has a country profile in the updated and renewed programme; if he will work to bring Ireland's 1,000 km of inland waterways, some 3% of the EU's total under the remit of EU inland waterways' rules and proposals. [54187/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra662. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a mechanism in law for a person to obtain an inland waterways' haulier's licence to ensure that Ireland's inland waterways, such as are lawfully navigable for commercial traffic, come within the definition of the EU's inland waterways legislation. [54188/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra663. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will work with other Government Departments and other relevant parties concerned to develop interconnected inland commercial transport for appropriate purposes and of scale to attract commercial craft to the inland waterways. [54189/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 661 to 663, inclusive, together.
As I indicated recently in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 51501 /13, the EU relevant legislation is about waterways of greater scale and carrying a greater capacity of goods than exist in Ireland, ie large river systems such as the Rhine, Rhone and Danube. It does not apply to Ireland and I have no plans to seek changes to it.
The NAIADES II programme is about creating the conditions for inland navigation transport to become a quality mode of transport. The priorities focus on shifting freight to waterway transport and reducing emissions. It is a programme for policy action and not a funding programme, as such. There are no country profiles listed in the latest NAIADES II Communication.
My Department is responsible for the licensing of all commercial inland craft in Ireland, including a number of domestic passenger boats and ships operating locally as tourist excursion vessels. The decision to operate vessels is a commercial decision for the vessel operators themselves.
Inland waterways hauliers’ licences arise under Council Directive 96/50/EC, which harmonises conditions for obtaining national boatmaster certificates for carriage of goods and passengers by inland waterways in the Community. Ireland is exempt from this Directive as operators of passenger boats in Ireland operate exclusively on national waterways not linked to the navigable network of another Member State. National certificates are limited to these national waterways, but Ireland has nevertheless the obligation to provide access to boatmasters from other Member States, carrying relevant certificates under the Directive.
The development of interconnected inland commercial transport to attract commercial craft to the inland waterways would be a matter for my colleagues the Ministers for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (responsible for Waterways Ireland); Public Expenditure and Reform (responsible for OPW); and Environment, Community and Local Government (regarding emissions and pollution control).
664. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the delay in issuing a learner permit in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54197/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe subject matter of this question relates to the operation of the National Driver Licensing Service, which is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
665. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of weeks it is currently taking to process driving licences for applicants in County Mayo who have applied under the new system operated by the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54221/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe subject matter of this question relates to the operation of the National Driver Licensing Service, which is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore forwarded the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
666. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the State's performance in attracting repeat visitors to Ireland; the way we compare with other European Countries in attracting repeat visitors; and if there is any strategy in order to ensure that we increase the proportion of visitors to Ireland who return to visit. [54343/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFigures published by the Central Statistics Office show that Irish tourism is enjoying a very good year and all of our main overseas markets are showing growth. For the ten month period between January and October, the number of overseas visits to Ireland increased by 7.3% to over 6 million. Visits from North America were up 14.6%; visits from Mainland Europe were up 5.6%; visits from Great Britain were up 5.1% while the number of visits from other long-haul markets increased by 14.4% compared by the same ten month period of 2012.
In terms of our ability to attract repeat visitors, we welcome all visitors whether first timers or repeat visitors. Having said that, it is primarily a matter for the tourism industry itself to ensure that the visitor experience is an enjoyable one thus increasing the likelihood of such repeat visits. It is estimated that up to 40% of our overseas visitors last year were repeat visitors. It is worth noting the repeat visitors to sunspots, holiday home regions and ski resorts will always be higher than a location such as Ireland which for many is a "once in a lifetime" visit.
With regard to tourism strategies for the medium to longer term, Tourism Ireland is currently finalising its three year Corporate Plan to cover the 2014 -2017 period and its Business Plan for 2014. In addition, work on the tourism policy review is now progressing following completion of the first public consultation phase. The review is considering all measures to grow the tourism sector further and it is intended to commence drafting of the new policy in the New Year with a view to finalising it by Easter 2014.
667. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the logistical difficulties being experienced at Sligo Port; if funding will be allocated to facilitate the dredging of the port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54412/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSligo Harbour was transferred to Sligo County Council control in 2006 and the funding of remedial works is therefore a matter for the Council.
668. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next round of the sports capital programme will be opened up for applications; and if he has set out any outline guidelines on this scheme. [54413/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental officials are currently working on the details of a new round of the Sports Capital Programme. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.
A new portal has been developed on the Department's website which must be used by organisations to register, to apply for funding (when the Programme is open for applications) and to manage the drawdown of any new grants allocated after 2013. Any interested organisation should register on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.
669. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the estimated spending in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54448/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total amount spent on external IT consultants by my Department in 2010 was €23,556.28. There was no further expenditure on IT consultants in 2011, 2012 or in the year to date. No such expenditure is anticipated in 2014.
670. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of legal action against his Department for the the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54464/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act, 2000, the management of personal injury and property damage claims against the State, including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and of the underlying risks was delegated to the NTMA. When performing these functions, the NTMA is known as the State Claims Agency (SCA). I have asked the SCA to furnish details of the cost of such claims and this is being computed at present. When the data is available I will arrange to have the details forwarded to the Deputy.
I will also include details of other costs of legal action i.e. other than personal injury or damage to property in my reply.
671. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has re-negotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54480/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not engaged in any external IT consultancy contracts since March 2011.
672. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide detail, in tabular form, in respect of his Department or any agency under his remit, of any exemptions granted to the long-standing general principle of pay policy that the payment of additional remuneration to public servants for undertaking additional duties is not permitted; the additional remuneration involved in each case; the date of sanction for such additional remuneration; the rationale behind such sanction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55038/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no cases in my Department of public servants receiving additional renumeration in contravention of longstanding pay policy.
I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within 10 working days please advise my private office.
