Thursday, 27 Feb 2014

Written Answers Nos. 277-289

Garda Reports

Ceisteanna (277)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

277. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the communications he has had with the Road Safety Authority in its investigation of the Garda inspectorate report on the penalty points corruption controversy; the steps he has taken on the issue; if he sent the report to the Department of Justice and Equality or if the Road Safety Authority contacted the Department of Justice and Equality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10079/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I received a letter, dated 31 May 2013, from the Chairman of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) indicating that the Board had considered two reports from An Garda Síochána dealing with allegations of irregularities in the operation of the fixed charge notice and penalty points system. The reports referred to were the investigation conducted by Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahoney and the report undertaken by the Garda Professional Standards Unit.  

I forwarded the Chairman's letter to the Minister for Justice and Equality on 17 June 2013.  

I understand that the Garda Inspectorate Report into this matter has not yet been finalised.

Semi-State Bodies Mergers

Ceisteanna (278)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

278. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the merger of the Railway Procurement Agency and the National Roads Authority will have any impact on current construction work on the Luas cross city centre line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10085/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I have no concerns that the merger of the National Roads  Authority (NRA) and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) will have any impact on the construction of Luas Cross City.  

Delivery of the project is governed by specific  oversight and governance arrangements in line with the Public Spending  Code (PSC) requirements for the delivery of capital projects. Under these arrangements the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is the sanctioning authority for the Luas Cross City project. NTA is responsible for overseeing the RPA,  which is  the sponsoring agency, in the effective delivery of the project in line with agreed funding allocations and timelines and in accordance with the PSC.

Under the governance arrangements my Department is regularly briefed on progress and I also get regular updates on delivery of the project.     

I also chair a high-level Project Group comprising representatives of businesses and traders, An Garda Síochána, Dublin Bus, Dublin City Council, RPA and NTA which monitors progress at a strategic level and which will keep abreast of any significant issues  affecting delivery of the project over the next few years.

Rail Services

Ceisteanna (279)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

279. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the frequency of DART trains at peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10086/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has entered into a Public Service Obligation Contract with Iarnród Éireann for the provision of rail services.  As the NTA has responsibility for review of or amendments to this contract, I have forwarded 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.

Semi-State Bodies Mergers

Ceisteanna (280)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

280. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the name of the National Roads Authority will change following its merger with the Railway Procurement Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10087/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The statutory name of the National Roads Authority will not change following the merger with the Railway Procurement Agency.  However in common with other state agencies, the merged NRA/RPA body will use an operational title which better reflects its expanded functions.  Further discussions will take place with stakeholders on the most suitable operational title.

Road Network

Ceisteanna (281)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

281. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Roads Authority has any plans to provide more service areas on Irish motorways in the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10088/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the roads programme. The implementation of individual national road projects, including the provision of service areas, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.  More specifically, Section 54 of the Roads Act 1993 provides for the NRA to develop service areas on the national road network.  

Noting the above position, 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.

Roads Maintenance

Ceisteanna (282)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

282. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is the responsibility of the National Roads Authority or of local authorities to tend to overgrown shrubbery and trees and to remove rubbish on national roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10090/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The improvement and maintenance of national roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 sets out the responsibility of landowners to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees, hedges and other vegetation growing on their land are not, or could not become, a danger to people using a public road and or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road.  

This section also allows the relevant road authority to step in where a landowner fails or is unable to take action to remedy a hazard.  

Under Section 19 (2) of the Roads Act 1993 the NRA may directly undertake certain roads functions where it considers that it would be more convenient, expeditious, effective or economical to do so. In this regard the NRA has arranged in recent times for multi annual maintenance contracts to be put in place for certain motorways and dual carriageways. Separate to this certain sections of motorway are also maintained by Toll companies under PPP contracts.

Land Acquisition

Ceisteanna (283)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Ceist:

283. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that it is a matter of natural justice with respect to an imprisoned person in Limerick, if he will instruct CIE to disclose its role in the purchase of land (details supplied); if it will disclose its legal search as to the deeds related to the land it intends purchasing; the length of time it has been negotiating the land sale; the purpose its acquisition will serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10107/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The issue raised is a matter for CIÉ and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (284)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

284. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposals to streamline B and B1 on the new driving licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10108/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The legislation defining different categories of vehicle for driver licensing purposes is set at EU level, and applies in all Member States.  

EU legislation therefore defines categories B and B1, as well as all other categories.  However, EU legislation specifies that, if a person obtains a licence for category B, they shall automatically qualify for a licence in category B1.  The reverse does not hold true - category B1 licence holders are not automatically entitled to a category B licence.

I am unaware of any plans to change this at EU level. 

National Roads Authority Remit

Ceisteanna (285)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Ceist:

285. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a company (details supplied) a wholly privately-owned company, uses Government signs to demand payment; if the company is trying to operate under the guise of the National Roads Authority; if it is misleading for a private company to use Government signage to demand payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10110/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As 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.  

Noting the above position, 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.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (286)

David Stanton

Ceist:

286. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applicants for the SPSV entry test in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the number of applicants who failed the test due to industry knowledge and area knowledge respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10224/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry, including administration of the SPSV Entry Test, under the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009.  

I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within ten working days please notify my private office.

West-Link Toll Bridge

Ceisteanna (287)

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

287. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide information on the way the fines for the M50 toll are calculated. [10242/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As 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.

Furthermore, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads such as the M50, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).

Noting the above position, 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.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (288)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

288. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the issue of delays being experienced by drivers applying for a driving licence under the new national driving licence service; the reason a general practitioner's signature is sufficient for the medical form needed for driving licence applicants who have a medical condition even though a GP may not have expertise on an individual's condition; if a consultant's or specialist's letter would be sufficient to accompany an application; if he will address training issues of concern such as NDLS staff not identifying incomplete application forms upon consultation in any of the NDLS centres which is causing undue delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10306/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The NDLS is structured with a central unit in the RSA and three outsourced contractors.  These are: a card producer for the plastic card licence; a front office to engage with the public; and a back office to process applications.  There were problems with the speed of processing applications in the NDLS when the system came on stream last October.  Some were technical and systems issues, while others related to new staff becoming familiar with rules and processes around driving licences and permits.

The RSA responded by increasing resources in NDLS centres experiencing delays, as well as in the licence processing centre, and providing further training to staff.  There are no major technical difficulties now affecting the service.  A booking system to allow for customers to make appointments has been operating in a Pilot Phase which was successful.  This system is now being extended on a phased basis to all NDLS offices.

While I understand that there are still some backlogs in relation to applications, the situation has improved.   I have been informed that licence applications that are fully and correctly completed are being issued in a shorter timeframe than previously and work is continuing to achieve a ten day turnaround by the end of February and a five to eight day turnaround by the end of March. The RSA has assured me that the remaining backlog largely has been cleared. 

Where a medical certification of fitness to drive is required with a driving licence application, the law requires that the certification is by a registered medical practitioner.  There are no provisions requiring that the person signing the form should be from a medical practitioner of a particular specialty.  The law on medical fitness to drive - which is set at EU level - is clear on what is required.  In addition, I gather that the Irish College of General Practitioners issues guidelines to assist GPs in making decisions on fitness to drive.

I have no plans to change this system.

Irish Coast Guard Issues

Ceisteanna (289)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

289. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the nationality of the pilot recently hired in the Irish Coast Guard; the experience level of the pilot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10309/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As I  stated in my earlier reply to the Deputy, CHC Ireland is contracted to my Department to provide a Search and Rescue helicopter service to the Irish Coast Guard.   

Under the terms of the contract, CHC has sole responsibility for employment, certification and licensing of all personnel retained for the purposes of providing the services under the contract. There are provisions in the contract which address CHC's commitments in respect of  standards and crew training  and the company adheres to a policy of selecting the most suitably qualified personnel for each specialised post.   Additionally, CHC  is required to adhere to all relevant international aviation standards as overseen by the Irish Aviation Authority.