Written Answers Nos. 1087 - 1107
1087. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update regarding the introduction of the broadcasting charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41722/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government commits to examining the role and collection of the TV licence fee in light of existing and projected convergence of technologies and to transforming the TV licence into a household based Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) Charge to be applied to all eligible households and applicable businesses, regardless of the device used to access content or services.
I am currently considering the case for the introduction of a PSB Charge. As part of that assessment I am having regard to consultations, analysis and general policy development work carried out in the area. I intend to bring proposals to Government in due course once my consideration of the issue is complete.
1088. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the independent expert panel considering of EirGrid's Grid West and Grid Link projects for route-specific studies and reports of fully undergrounded and overhead options for Grid West; when he expects to have its final report and recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41774/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January 2014, an independent panel of experts, chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, was established to examine the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The Panel met on several occasions since then to consider and approve the terms of reference for comprehensive, route-specific studies and reports of fully undergrounded and overhead options for each of the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The studies and reports are required to include assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. The terms of reference for the work to be carried out were published in May and are available on my Department's website.
EirGrid will either undertake or commission the necessary work in accordance with those terms of reference set by the Panel. In due course, the Panel will provide an opinion to me on the completeness, objectivity and comparability of the studies and reports and will oversee the publication by EirGrid of the two studies and reports prior to EirGrid proceeding to public consultation on the two projects. The Panel expects to be in a position to provide an opinion to me on the Grid West project in January 2015. An opinion on the Grid Link project is expected by end-July 2015.
1089. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding works at a site (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41947/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that Iarnród Éireann, as part of their Railway Safety Improvement Scheme, are currently undertaking essential culvert renewal and stabilisation works to the railway embankment at the Avoca former mine site. This work is being undertaken under an agreement with this Department, which is contributing towards the cost of the work on the rail line that crosses the former mine site.
That work is related to a programme of priority public health and safety works at the Avoca site, being undertaken on behalf of the Department, which will involve a range of actions including the making safe of adits and shafts, stabilising spoil piles and water management over the next two years. Those works are being overseen by a multi-disciplinary project management team that commissioned an archaeological assessment of the overall site in advance of the design of the various elements of the project that will be progressed, subject to planning permission where appropriate. The programme has derived from a comprehensive feasibility study for the long-term remediation of the Avoca mine site that addresses human and ecological concerns, safety and physical hazards, heritage, future uses and long-term site monitoring and management.
1090. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of quangos set up since 2011 in his Department; the number of members of same; the cost and expense incurred to date including details of the briefs that they cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42511/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no new State Bodies established by my Department since March 2011.
1091. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the commencement of the western bypass of Ardee, County Louth, the N52; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41154/14]
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.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects such as the Ardee Bypass 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 do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1092. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make available the remaining funding that is required to finish the ring road in Dingle, County Kerry; if funding may be provided on a phased basis to allow its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41564/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently responded to similar questions concerning the Dingle Inner Relief Road on 18 September 2014 (PQ 34965/14) and 11 June 2014 (PQ 24922/14). I am happy to again clarify the position regarding this regional road scheme.
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.
It is important to state that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like Kerry County Council in their own resources spending this area. While Councils could apply in the past for grant funding for certain road improvement projects, budgetary constraints mean that the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work of the road network.
It is, of course, open to the Kerry County Council to fund the project from its own resources.
1093. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an application (details supplied) for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41626/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Meath County Council submitted a Specific Grant application for a Laytown to Bettystown Link Road in 2013. However, the economic reality of recent years has meant significant reductions in roads budgets across the board and this has resulted in some grant programmes being curtailed, including the Specific and Strategic Grant Programmes, in order to protect funding for road maintenance and repair. I am not, therefore, in a position to make grant funding available for this project at present.
It is important to re-iterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement local authorities in their spending in this area and it is open to the Meath County Council to fund this project from its own resources.
1094. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the rationale for embarking upon a consultation process to subject pre-1980 vintage and classic cars to NCT tests and taxation assessment, when this has now been discontinued in the United Kingdom and which would be extremely punitive for owners of such cars which are often retained for car displays and other such events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41844/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra1133. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review his plans to make vintage vehicles subject to the NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42176/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1094 and 1133 together.
Currently, vintage cars and motor caravans registered prior to 1st January 1980 are exempt from compulsory roadworthiness testing.
However, all commercial vehicles, regardless of their age, have been required to be tested since commercial vehicle testing was first introduced in Ireland in the 1980s. It is also the case that vintage SPSVs (Small Public Service Vehicles) such as wedding and other ceremonial cars used for hire and reward purposes are required to be tested by the National Car Testing Service.
Vintage commercial vehicles can still be used for commercial purposes and this is why pre-1980 commercial vehicles, including vintage SPSVs, are required to be tested. Although there is no exemption for these vehicles, they are tested to the standards that the vehicles concerned were originally designed to meet.
A review of this whole area is included in the Government’s 2013-2020 Road Safety Strategy (Action 59) and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is currently conducting this review. As part of this review, the RSA launched a public consultation process inviting interested parties (individuals, clubs, associations, etc.) to submit their views. Details concerning this public consultation can be found on the RSA website at www.rsa.ie.
It is important that interested parties avail of the opportunity to make their views known to the RSA as part of this consultation process. I understand that the closing date for submissions to the RSA is Friday 14th November 2014.
I will consider the outcome of this review, including any associated recommendations, when completed.
1095. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if driving licence renewal services can be introduced across the post office network as it would make the service more widely available and accessible nationwide, help protect the post office network and ensure it stays at the heart of the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42146/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The NDLS consists of a central unit in the RSA and three outsourced providers, a card producer, a front office for engaging with the public, and a back office for processing applications. All three were opened for tender by the RSA during the establishment of the NDLS, and my Department had no role in the process.
I understand that An Post did tender for the front office service but was not successful.
1096. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to an anomaly concerning Leap cards on Dublin Bus whereby the on-bus card reader console displays to the card-holder a figure other than the figure displayed to the driver and other than the outstanding balance on the card; if he will report on the way Dublin Bus arrives at the figure shown to the card-holder in these circumstances; if the display of misleading information to Leap card-holders on Dublin Bus card reader consoles is in breach of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 or of EU consumer law; the steps he will take to initiate a process that will lead to accurate information concerning the unused balance on the card being available on Dublin Bus card reader consoles, for the information of Leap card users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40926/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the Leap Card system is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Noting this 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 10 working days.
1097. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding Wi-Fi services on the DART fleet; if Wi-Fi is now available on all DART trains; if not, when it is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40986/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The development and implementation of public transport projects in the Greater Dublin Area (DGA), such as Wi-Fi on the DART network, is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Noting this 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 10 working days.
1098. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a system will be put in place whereby a resident of Northern Ireland who received a driving licence here but has since lost it can be reissued with the licence for the purpose of exchanging it for a Northern licence even if they no longer reside here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40997/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no need for additional measures to deal with the situation described by the Deputy, as an individual in these circumstances can be accommodated within the existing system.
In the scenario which the Deputy describes, the individual is looking for a mechanism to exchange an Irish driving licence - which has been lost - for a Northern Ireland one. In such a case, the individual does not need the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) to reissue the lost licence.
The individual can request a Driver Statement from the NDLS. This will cost €15. The person can then make a formal application to the authorities in Northern Ireland, supported by the Driver Statement.
Further information on the matter, if required, can be obtained from the NDLS.
1099. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding regulations on civilian use of drone technology in view of the growing usage of this technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41023/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra1100. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve enforcement of aviation regulations concerning the use of civilian drones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41025/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra1101. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding the privacy concerns from the increasing use of civilian drones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41027/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1099 to 1101, inclusive, together.
The questions refer to Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). There are many sectors where the use of new RPAS technologies can have benefits. However, it is acknowledged that the extensive range of potential applications of these technologies also raises issues about their impact on the safety and security of airspace users and people on the ground as well as on public privacy and the use of private data.
The increase in RPAS operations is not a phenomenon exclusive to Ireland; it is on a global scale and therefore it is appropriate that rules be developed internationally to regulate their operation and use. To this end, there has already been significant work undertaken at an EU level to lay a foundation for a harmonised approach for the regulation and the safe operation of RPAS across EU Member States. The European Commission has recently concluded a public consultation process concerning the future regulation of RPAS and public interest and privacy issues featured in this process. The results of this consultation process will inform the Commission's planned initiatives on the regulation of RPAS.
With regard to the safety aspect of RPAS operations, the Irish Aviation Authority, which has statutory responsibility for regulating safety standards in civil aviation in Ireland, published its policy and initial national legislation on the use of RPAS in Ireland in April 2012. I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the IAA for direct response in relation to the safety regulation of RPAS operations. If the Deputy does not receive a response within 10 days, he should contact my office.
1102. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funds will be provided to Clare County Council to enable it to meet its statutory obligation under the Roads Act to maintain and construct all local roads in its area in circumstances where the L-80401-0 appears to have been closed for an indeterminate duration. [41059/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority. All available grant funding has been allocated for this year.
1103. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the road haulage drivers' dispute concerning their huge costs; if he will confirm that 2,000 jobs have moved from the State in the haulage sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41073/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI appreciate the difficulties that the Irish road haulage industry has faced in recent years and my Department has acted on several issues in support of the sector. I am encouraged by the fact that the number of vehicles authorised on Road Haulage Operator Licences at the end of September of this year (16,211) shows an increase of 10.4% on the figure for the same time last year, while the number of licensed operators has remained stable (3,839 at the end of September 2014). This indicates that fleet sizes are increasing and demonstrates the resilience of the haulage sector.
I would like to draw your attention to the position as outlined in a report from April of this year by the European Commission on the state of the EU road transport market. Among other things, this report indicates that while some costs for hauliers are higher in Ireland than in some other Member States, it is also the case that certain other cost drivers are lower in Ireland than in some other Member States, such as the price of diesel fuel. The report indicates that the average EU net amount of charges per vehicle/km is 18c. It gives a figure of 20.5c for Ireland, which is notably lower than the UK figure of 25c and puts Ireland close to the EU average.
It is also worth noting that the Diesel Rebate Scheme, which my Department was involved in introducing and which came into effect in July 2013, allows hauliers to claim back 7.5c per litre of the duty on diesel fuel purchased for their business.
In response to concerns raised by hauliers about the cost of running a haulage operation in Ireland, an Interdepartmental Group chaired by my Department was established in February of this year to assess the implications (technical, regulatory and economic dimensions) of introducing a pay-as-you-go road tax system for HGVs. The Group is made up of representatives from the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Environment, Community and Local Government; and Finance; the National Roads Authority; the Road Safety Authority; An Garda Síochána; and Forfás. The Group had intended to finalise its recommendations in the summer of 2014, as previously reported by my predecessor as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The initial work carried out by the Group has raised additional issues for its consideration, leading to a deferral in the finalisation of its report. I have given the Group additional time to complete its work to ensure that the report is as comprehensive as possible and the report is expected to be presented to me and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government before the end of this year.
In relation to the assertion that 2,000 jobs in the haulage sector have moved from the State, my Department is not in a position to evaluate this claim and it is difficult to see how it could be definitively confirmed or disproved by any Department or body. However, the contention is not supported by the fact quoted above that the Irish haulage sector now has more vehicles registered than at this time last year.
1104. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deliver on his predecessor's commitment to introduce bilingual road signage with the Irish language given equal prominence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41101/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary motivation in relation to the display of text on road traffic signs is to ensure that the information they carry assists in the safe use of the road network and provides clarity for road users so as not to compromise road safety.
The rules governing the design of road traffic signs are set out in my Department's Traffic Signs Manual. In particular, the format for the Irish and English language text has been in place since 1978 and was retained in the 1996 and 2010 updates of the Manual. The resulting text, format and imaging were based on research, road safety considerations and on the practical understanding of Ireland’s road network.
This had led to a clear set of rules in respect of the design of traffic signs that convey an intuitive understanding of bi-lingual destinations for both to residents and visitors alike and I understand that we do not receive complaints from the motoring public regarding any lack of clarity or difficulty with legibility of text on our road traffic signs in either the English or Irish languages.
I am aware that my predecessor saw some merit in having a small number of signs, in a format proposed in a report commissioned by Conradh na Gaeilge, erected at a few high profile locations around the country in order to test public perceptions. However, before that suggestion is advanced any further, I wish to take some time to review the position to ensure that any such change is warranted at all but in particular to ensure that any modification to the display of text on our road signs will not compromise road safety in any way.
1105. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans or proposals to overcome the traditional under-representation in the midlands area, particularly in Longford and Westmeath, in relation to Irish tourism activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41153/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised is for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply.
Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
1106. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not been awarded the Bus Éireann vehicle recovery and towing service contract. [41177/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
1107. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience caused to hauliers and drivers operating trucks on motorways, national primary and national secondary routes because of the lack of lay-bys and toilet facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41184/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, including service areas, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In particular, Section 54 of the Roads Act 1993 specifically provides for the National Roads Authority or a local authority to provide and/or operate service areas.
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 questions to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
