Written Answers Nos. 251-257
251. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason drivers are being charged full motorway toll prices when the road is being operated as a dual carriageway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15448/14]
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).
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.
252. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an application for funding for a sports capital grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15473/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that an application has been submitted and the Deputy's support for the application is noted.
253. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding arrangements that have been put in place for the construction of the Gort-Tuam motorway; when the contract for this project will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15479/14]
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.
The Gort-Tuam PPP project is one of a number of road projects identified in the Government's July 2012 Financial Stimulus Package. Discussions with funders regarding the conclusion of the Gort-Tuam contract are close to finalisation. Once the contract has been concluded and signed the NRA will be in a position to prepare the project implementation schedule.
The NRA has allocated €3.25m to the project in 2014.
254. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the means open to a person (details supplied) in County Cork to make a formal complaint regarding the service provided by the national driver licence service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15483/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service - including the complaints procedures - is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
255. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of recommendation 4.4 contained in the Garda Inspectorate report entitled The Fixed Charge Processing System: A 21st Century Strategy regarding the need to commence section 44 to put the third payment option in place, the timeline for the introduction of this option. [15586/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 44 of the Road Traffic act 2010 deals with the payment of a fixed charge on service of a summons to court, known as the "3rd payment option". This section has not yet been commenced because the administrative structure for dealing with the option is not yet in place. The Courts Service and An Garda Síochána have been in discussion regarding the matter and I understand that a number of administrative and technical matters will need to be addressed and a suitable IT solution put in place so that this option can be implemented. I understand that, following the deliberations of the Criminal Justice (Fixed Charge Processing System) Working Group, the recommendation will be implemented over the next year or so. I look forward to this "3rd payment option" coming into effect during 2015 as its non-implementation has meant that I cannot commence a number of other sections in the 2010 Act as the provisions contained are interrelated.
256. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of recommendation 2.9 contained in the Garda Inspectorate report entitled The Fixed Charge Processing System: A 21st Century Strategy regarding the need to address the legislative deficiency of the application of penalty points and fines to drivers of commercial company vehicles, hire agency vehicles and unregistered vehicles, if it is intended to initiate legislative change to address these deficiencies. [15588/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of the Garda Inspectorate report 'The Fixed Charge Processing System, A 21st Century Strategy', the Minister for Justice and Equality and I established a Criminal Justice Working Group, as recommended in the first Chapter of the report. The Working Group, which will be jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality will oversee and facilitate the implementation of the recommendations in the report.
I understand that the Group has already considered the recommendations in the report, including Recommendation 2.9 relating to commercial company vehicles, hire cars and unregistered vehicles. Any measures considered necessary to implement this recommendation, including legislation, will be taken as quickly as possible.
Question No. 257 answered with Question No. 7.
