Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:602. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the issuing of hackney licences will take place. [38138/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTaxi Regulations
Ceisteanna (602)
Freagraí scríofa
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred your question to the NTA for its consideration and direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Driver Licences
Ceisteanna (603)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:603. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the need to open more National Driver Licensing Service, NDLS, centres in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38139/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS), including the choice of locations for the NDLS front offices, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and I have no role in this matter. I have referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Commercial Vehicle Testing
Ceisteanna (604)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:604. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the vehicle testers network centre (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38140/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has the overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing arrangements.
I have therefore forwarded this Question to the RSA for direct reply to the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Air Services Provision
Ceisteanna (605)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:605. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the EU guidelines on state aids to airports; the way such a narrow approach on his Department's approach is consistent with the aim of the guidelines to be flexible for isolated regions; the reason he is introducing a five year deadline on the implementation period as opposed to the ten years allowed within the guidelines; if he or his Department's officials or officials of any agency or company under the remit of his Department consulted with the Dublin Airport Authority in the drawing up of his Department's interpretation; and if so, the DAA input into the interpretation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38216/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2014 EU Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines set out the principles applying to such State aid in accordance with the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union. They replace the 1994 and 2005 Guidelines and in doing so, reflect the outcomes of a number of State aid cases heard before the European Court of Justice. Rather than interpret the Guidelines, each Member State is required to give their explicit unconditional agreement to their implementation. Ireland has already done so.
In terms of operating aid to airports, the 2014 Guidelines recognise that smaller airports may have difficulties in ensuring the financing of their airports and, accordingly, provide for a 10 year transitional period once certain conditions are met. In addition to the recommendations arising out of the IWAK Study Group, the Department’s draft Regional Airports Programme for 2015 – 2019, which sets out the policy with respect to State supports for regional airports for that period, also reflects the criteria set out in the 2014 Guidelines.
That Programme, which is currently with the EU Commission for approval, does not contain a proposal to introduce an alternative transitional period to the one set out in the 2014 Guidelines. It will be a matter for Government to decide on whether to put in place a follow-up programme beyond 2019 depending on the availability of resources.
Neither the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) nor any other agency within the remit of the Department were consulted in relation to the preparation of the new Programme. State airports are not included in the Regional Airports Programme and get no Exchequer funding.
Ministerial Meetings
Ceisteanna (606, 607, 608)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:606. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met the board of the Dublin Airport Authority since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38217/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDara Calleary
Ceist:607. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met the Shannon Airport Authority since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38218/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDara Calleary
Ceist:608. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met the board of the Cork Airport Authority since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38219/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 606 to 608, inclusive, together.
Since coming into office, I have met the Chair and Chief Executive of Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) as well as the Chair and Chief Executive of Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) when I recently visited that Airport. I also visited Cork Airport and met with senior management in recent weeks.
It is my intention to meet with the Board of DAA, and to visit Dublin Airport, at the earliest opportunity. I also plan on meeting the Board of the newly established Shannon Group, which now has responsibility, inter alia, for SAA.
Road Improvement Schemes
Ceisteanna (609)
Tom Fleming
Ceist:609. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the need for a solution to the traffic hazard existing at Madame's Height on the Tralee Road, Killarney, County Kerry, to enable traffic from the Aghadoe to Ballyheigue Road to exit in a safe manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38246/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Shannon Airport Facilities
Ceisteanna (610)
Clare Daly
Ceist:610. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of the carriers that were granted permission to carry weapons or munitions through Shannon Airport in the past year. [38287/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A permit under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended, is required for any civilian aircraft to transport munitions of war in Irish airspace. In the past year permits were granted to the following five airlines landing at Shannon Airport with munitions on board: 1. Omni Air International; 2. Atlas Air; 3. National Airlines; 4. Delta Airlines; 5. North American Airlines.
Road Improvement Schemes
Ceisteanna (611)
James Bannon
Ceist:611. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding to upgrade the N55 national secondary road from Ballymahon to Granard, County Longford as large stretches of the roadway are dangerous and inadequate for the large volumes of traffic using it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38300/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 (such as the N55) is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
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.
Heritage Sites
Ceisteanna (612)
Regina Doherty
Ceist:612. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the full conservation and management plan being prepared for Tara, County Meath; the expected publication date of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38155/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A draft conservation and management plan for the Hill of Tara, funded by my Department in association with the Heritage Council, has recently been completed by the Discovery Programme. My Department is currently considering the plan and its recommendations in advance of discussions with the Office of Public Works, which is responsible for the management of the lands at Tara that are in my ownership and guardianship, as Minister.
I intend that the draft plan will be published as soon as possible as part of a public consultation process.
City of Culture Initiative
Ceisteanna (613)
Patrick O'Donovan
Ceist:613. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding a matter (details supplied) regarding the national city of culture programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37943/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The composition of the programme for the National City of Culture is a matter for the organisers, Limerick City of Culture 2014, Culture House, 2 Pery Square, Limerick Phone: 061-525031, Email: info@limerickcityofculture.ie and it would not be a matter for me, as Minister. Therefore, I recommend that the Deputy contact the organisers directly on this matter.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (614)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:614. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the scheduled reductions in her Department, or in agencies under her aegis, spending in 2015 and the areas of spending these reductions scheduled to take place, to show the amount of reductions by theme. [38028/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The overall spending allocations for my Department for 2015 will be announced in the forthcoming Budget and, accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this time on the issue raised by the Deputy. I can assure him, however, that I will continue to maintain, to the greatest extent possible, my Department's core functions and the range of services provided to the public in what remains a challenging economic environment, despite the significant progress that is clearly being achieved. Against that background, my Department will, within the resources available in 2015, continue to place emphasis on: developing a programme, including a number of flagship capital projects, aimed at providing a significant and enduring acknowledgement of the 1916 Rising; targeting investment in priority areas in the arts, culture and heritage sectors that will assist, inter alia, in supporting cultural tourism as one of the most important elements of Ireland’s tourism product; supporting jobs in the film & TV sector and in the Gaeltacht; complying with relevant EU Directives, including investment in solutions for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting in raised bog Special Areas of Conservation; and supporting the built heritage and the strategic development of our national parks, as well as the development of our waterways in the context of the implementation of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements.
Commemorative Events
Ceisteanna (615)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:615. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the arrangements made to date to commemorate the 1916 Rising; if she will have specific commemorations at various locations associated with the Rising both in Dublin and around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38143/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 16 July last. The commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be a major event in a programme in place since 2012, commemorating the events leading to the proclamation of the Irish Republic. These have included the introduction and progress of the third Home Rule Bill in the Westminster parliament, the formation of Volunteer movements, and the outbreak of World War I. Economic and social issues were examined in 2013 on the Centenary of the 1913 Lockout along with the role of suffragettes. This year has seen significant attention to the mobilisation in Ireland and across Europe for the First World War. In the coming year, alongside the continuing experience of World War I, this commemorative programme will address the cultural revival in Ireland, which reflected the strengthening sense of national identity and determination to achieve autonomous government.
As part of the 2016 commemorations, arrangements have been made for a number of significant capital projects. These include the renovation of Kilmainham Courthouse to enhance the visitor experience at Kilmainham Gaol, the development of a permanent exhibition space and interpretative centre at the GPO and the development of visitor facilities at Teach an Phiarsaigh, Ros Muc. The development of a Tenement Museum is moving ahead and I was also pleased to have been present last week at the announcement of the renovation works to take place at Richmond Barracks. Additionally, a permanent visitor facility is being built at Cathal Brugha Barracks for the Military Service Pensions Archive. Following on the inaugural online release of records in January last, the Minister for Defence last week released the second collection of files from this collection.
An inclusive and detailed programme of events for the commemoration of the 1916 Rising is being developed with a view to having a draft of that programme available this autumn. This will be subject to consultation with stakeholders before finalisation.
Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (616)
James Bannon
Ceist:616. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will receive payment under the cessation of turf cutting scheme; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38215/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2012) and a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) have been made to this applicant. In addition, a once-off payment of €500 has been made to the applicant in respect of the signing of a legal agreement under this scheme. Payments to qualifying applicants in respect of 2014 are currently being processed.
Hedge Cutting Season
Ceisteanna (617)
James Bannon
Ceist:617. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will extend the period for hedge cutting to coincide with other EU countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38236/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibit the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. While this period is recognised as the nesting and breeding season for birds, vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is also important as wildlife habitat generally and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity.
My Department is undertaking a review of the current legislation to ensure that it remains both effective and balanced. As part of that review, the position in comparable jurisdictions is being examined.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (618)
James Bannon
Ceist:618. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total amount of grants and funding awarded to arts, heritage, parks and wildlife projects in counties Longford and Westmeath for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38237/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While expenditure under my Department's programme areas (details available at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/) takes place countrywide, it is not possible to give a county-by-county breakdown of that expenditure. A number of the programmes are delivered through agencies and other intermediary bodies, which operate across county boundaries and in respect of which there is no detailed breakdown on a county basis held by my Department. In addition, groups and organisations that receive grants directly from my Department are not necessarily constituted on a single-county basis.
In view of the wide range of my Department’s schemes and programmes, and the large volumes of payments and grants thereunder on an ongoing basis, it is not clear that it would be feasible to compile and collate the breakdown of expenditure sought by the Deputy. However, if the Deputy has specific queries relating to a particular programme or grant, I would be glad to seek to provide him with relevant information in that regard. Similarly, if the Deputy would like specific information in relation to a particular scheme, I would be glad to arrange to have any such request from him examined.
Museum Projects
Ceisteanna (619)
Seán Kyne
Ceist:619. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding streams available to support non-State museums, particularly those operated at the community level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38262/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 2008, my Department has operated a scheme of funding support for small and medium-sized museums across all of the regions to promote and enhance the marketing of these institutions, and to further programmes established to attract the aged, young, and socially disadvantaged to visit these institutions. Cultural events held in museums to attract a local and tourist audience, and/or to promote museums as focal centres of the local community, have also been supported through this scheme, which is known as the Local and Regional Museums Scheme. Details of the 2014 Scheme and the funding awarded under it can be found on my Department's website at: http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Culture/Schemes/LocalandRegionalMuseumSchemeApplication/ and Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Website - May 2014 Press Releases. My Department has also operated a small programme to encourage the mobility of exhibits/exhibitions between National Cultural Institutions and local/regional facilities.
IBEC Membership
Ceisteanna (620)
Robert Dowds
Ceist:620. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide information on the number of State agencies or organisations under the remit of her Department which are paid up members of IBEC; the names of each agency or organisation; the amount which each agency or organisation paid to IBEC in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38721/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that 9 bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group are, or have been, members of IBEC. Amounts paid to IBEC in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 (to date), as advised by those bodies to my Department, are set out in the following table.
|
Body |
Current Membership |
Amount paid in 2011 |
Amount paid in 2012 |
Amount paid in 2013 |
Amount paid to date in 2014 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Yes |
€2,216 |
€2,216 |
€2,216 |
€2,216 |
|
Waterways Ireland |
No |
€13,743 (Membership fee for 2012) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Yes |
€9,347 |
€9,331 |
€9,457 |
€9,457 |
|
Arts Council |
Yes |
€2,053 |
€1,903 |
€2,240 |
€1,827 |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
Yes |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€7,941 |
|
Irish Film Board |
Yes |
€12,415 |
€5,627 |
€5,703 |
€5,703 |
|
National Concert Hall |
Yes |
€2,359 |
€2,362 |
€2,362 |
€187 |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
Yes |
0 |
€4,546 |
€4,546 |
€4,546 |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
Yes |
€1,518 |
€1,484 |
€1,484 |
€1,484 |