Written Answers Nos. 1017-1033
1017. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the amounts paid to Limerick city and county council since 2011 for maintenance of roads; his plans to increase the amounts for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1493/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the regional and local road (RLR) grant payments from 2011-2013 to County and City Councils including Limerick are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. The RLR payments for 2014 will be available in the Library within the next two weeks. I expect to announce details of the 2015 regional and local road grant allocations to each local authority shortly. Following the announcement, details of the 2015 allocations will also be forwarded to the Dáil library. With regard to national roads, details of the NRA allocations from 2011-2014 to each local authority are also available in the Dáil library. I have referred the Deputy's question regarding the 2015 NRA allocations to them for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1018. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the safety of pedestrians on the public road network; if he has given consideration to the issues that arise where pedestrians use the roads at twilight or afterwards without adequate safety gear; his plans to introduce regulation or legislation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1505/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am concerned about the number of pedestrians that lost their lives on our roads in 2014. The total of 42, ranging across all age groups, was an increase of 11 over 2013. The Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 sets out a number of Actions aimed at increasing the safety of pedestrians throughout the country. These Actions will be implemented by the State body identified in the lifetime of the Strategy.
The Road Safety Authority is already promoting, through various media, a number of education measures, at school and community levels, aimed at pedestrians safety, including A Safe Cross Code website, a contribution towards the cost of the Junior School Warden school project and a television campaign highlighting the dangers associated with Drunken Pedestrians.
The matter of high visibility clothing and other safety measures is a matter of personal responsibility for adults and this aspect of pedestrian safety is being addressed by the RSA safety campaigns. In addition, in the region of €1 million has been spent by the RSA each year since the start of the decade on hi visibility material, which has been distributed via crèches, primary and secondary schools, national and community events and Garda stations nationwide.
1019. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will fund long-distance greenways that are fenced and have a hard surface on them, where access is on a permissive basis or if it will be a condition of funding that the developers of such greenways have permanent access to the land in question in view of the considerable investment involved and in view of the uncertainty created by permissive access only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1566/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department will consider all proposals submitted by local authorities under whichever funding programme is in place at the time. The nature of the surfacing provided on individual greenways would depend on the route to be traversed and it would not be unusual for portions of a single greenway to have different surfaces.
There is no one size fits all for greenways, each greenway will be assessed on its individual merits.
The permissive access model is a worthy mechanism for certain cycling and walking projects, particularly on a local level. It is a low cost community based model that provides access to the natural environment without interfering with the property rights of the landowners concerned.
In terms of the best land access models for greenway delivery, the use of publicly owned land is advantageous from the perspective of reducing costs. Negotiated permissive access, from the perspective of cost and public ownership, continues to have value but, for projects of national scale, consideration must be given to land purchase by agreement or if necessary by CPO. The process of obtaining permissive access is resource intensive especially where agreement would need to be secured with hundreds or more landowners. Greater investment is now being provided for greenways and it would be precarious to rely on permissive access where the associated agreements may be withdrawn at any time without recourse to the State. Of course, as already stated, it will be a matter for all developers of cycling infrastructure to consider access to land on a case by case basis and to take a multi-criteria approach in the route selection process. The key consideration should always be to select an approach that will maximise the future use of the amenity concerned. There are no plans within my Department to make future funding awards for greenways conditional on an authority having permanent access to those sections of the lands through which a greenway traverses.
In the context of developing major cycling infrastructure projects that traverse long sections of privately owned land, such as the Dublin – Galway greenway I fully support the need to consider negotiated financial agreements or, if required, CPO. However, I certainly recommend that all other options are considered before land purchase is decided upon.
1020. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions undertaken by his Department to date to meet the requirements of the European Union’s fourth railway package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1613/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fourth Railway package comprises six proposals for legislation which were adopted by the European Commission in January, 2013. The proposals are subject to agreement by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers through the co-decision procedure before they can become law. As such the issue of compliance with the requirements of the Fourth Package does not arise for the present.
1021. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of all consultancy firms engaged by his Department during 2014; if he will also provide details of all the relevant fees paid to those firms during the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1674/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of all consultancy firms engaged by my Department during 2014 are available on my Departments website at the following link http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
1022. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow exemptions for very young or hearing impaired cyclists to use footpaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1680/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe law at present, as set out in the Roads Act 1993, specifies that footpaths are for the use of pedestrians.
Safety is my highest priority in all areas of transport. When it comes to road safety, certain road users are especially vulnerable, including pedestrians and cyclists. Both my Department and the Road Safety Authority have pursued and are continuing to pursue a wide range of measures to improve safety for all road users, and in particular for those who are most vulnerable. These include infrastructural improvements through funding for the provision of cycle lanes and educational initiatives to improve awareness of the safety of cyclists, among both cyclists and motorists.
However, I do not believe that a change in the law to allow some cyclists to use footpaths is an appropriate response. This would take some cyclists off the road, but at the price of creating more risk for pedestrians. It would also be difficult to enforce a situation in which some cyclists were allowed on footpaths and others not. I have therefore no plans to amend the legislation on usage of footpaths at this time.
1023. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the dublinbikes scheme to Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1721/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the roll-out and extension of the Dublin Public Bikes Scheme is an operational matter for the National Transport Authority, working closely with the relevant authority, in this case Dun Laoghaire Rathdown.
Noting the above, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply from the NTA within ten days please contact my private office.
1024. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Luas does not allow bicycles to be carried on its trams when that facility is available on DART services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1722/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) in conjunction with the Luas operator and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the RPA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1025. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocated to construct bus shelters for Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus in the years 2012, 2013, 2014; and his plans for extra bus shelters this year. [1730/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). In addition their functions have been extended to include securing or providing bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, stands and bus fleets in the State.
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 ten working days.
1026. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's role in the important role of rail in reducing CO2 emissions from transport; his views on how rail could be further used to reduce and abate emissions into the future. [1731/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully recognise the importance of rail, as part of a range of sustainable travel options, in our efforts to reduce emissions and mitigate against the impacts of climate change.
Irish Rail operates one of the most modern fleets in Europe, and a major resignalling project in Dublin will increase capacity through Connolly Station from 12 trains an hour to 20 from 2016 thus reinforcing sustainable travel capacity in our Capital city. Major rail projects, such as Luas Cross City, will help supplement the range of viable low carbon alternatives to the car.
The potential of rail freight in emissions reduction is also a consideration. Total rail freight tonnage transported on the rail network in 2013 was 589,000, an increase of 4% on 2012, and 90.8 million tonne kilometres. Irish Rail is actively pursuing rail freight expansion opportunities and engaging with ports, exporters and industry to identify viable commercial rail freight solutions.
In recent years, good progress has also been made in the area of energy efficiency with correlated reductions in emissions. Such achievement has arisen from various measures introduced across the rail network including the roll-out of traction control software on the DART and configuration changes from locomotive-hauled trains with one large diesel engine to Diesel Multiple Units.
However, further potential for emissions reduction in the rail sector will have to be considered as part of a long-term strategy for land transport in Ireland. The levels of investment currently being provided will help to keep the existing rail network open and accessible. However, over the long term, the cost of operating the network will have to be benchmarked against investment in other transport modes. The emissions reduction potential will be considered in this context and I hope to commence a consultation process this year on railway policy.
1028. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the exceptionally positive passenger numbers for Iarnród Éireann, and particularly on the western rail corridor, his views that the future continuation of this line would consolidate such increases and contribute to sustainable regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1752/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe extension of the Western Rail Corridor was postponed in 2011. Under the current capital plan the key priority with the level of resources available is to protect investments made to date and to maintain safety standards.
If additional funds become available under the next capital plan, which is not certain, there will be many competing projects from all transport modes in all regions. Any additional funds will be prioritised for projects for which there is a clear need, which are affordable, have a sound business case and add value to existing infrastructure.
However, I will not support any change of use of this route that would preclude rail use in the future.
1029. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the number of EU directives which remain to be implemented within his Department; the name of these directives; the timeframe for the implementation of these directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1800/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will find the relevant information in the following table:
|
Directive |
Expected date of transposition |
|
Commission Directive 2014/93/EU of 18 July 2014 amending Council Directive 96/98/EC on marine equipment |
14/07/2015
|
|
Commission Implementing Directive 2014/111/EU of 17 December 2014 amending Directive 2009/15/EC with regard to the adoption by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of certain Codes and related amendments to certain conventions and protocols. |
31/12/2015 |
|
Council Directive 2013/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20th November 2013 on recreational craft and personal watercraft repealing Directive 94/25/EC |
17/01/2016
|
|
Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on marine equipment and repealing Council Directive 96/98/EC |
18/09/2016
|
|
DIRECTIVE 2012/33/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 21 November 2012 amending Council Directive 1999/32/EC as regards the sulphur content of marine fuels |
As soon as possible |
|
Commission Directive 2014/82/EU of 24 june 2014 amending Directive 2007/59/EC (Train Driver Certification) of the European parliament and of the Council as regards general professional knowledge and medical and licence requirements |
April- May 2015 |
|
Commission Directive 2014/106/EU of 5 December 2014 amending Annexes V and VI to Directive 2008/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the interoperability of the rail system within the Community |
Q4 2015 |
|
Commission Directive 2014/88/EU of 9 july 2014 amending Directive 2004/49/EC (the Railway Safety Directive) of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards common Safety Indicators and common methods of calculating accident costs |
April May 2015 |
|
Directive 2012/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 establishing a single European railway area (recast) |
End Q2 2015 |
|
Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers and repealing Directive 2009/40/EC |
Member States shall adopt and publish, by 20 May 2017, the laws, regulations and administrative measures necessary to comply with this Directive. Implementation Date: Member States shall apply those measures from 20 May 2018. |
1030. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department that have been subject to the pre-legislative scrutiny procedure in the Oireachtas. [1821/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1031. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department since September 2013. [1836/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1030 and 1031 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table.
|
Bill Name |
Date |
Pre- Legislative Scrutiny |
|
Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2014 – no. 113 of 2014 – |
Published 16 December 2014 |
No pre-legislative scrutiny undertaken, as this was emergency legislation |
|
Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014 (No. 51 of 2014) |
Published June 5th 2014 |
Pre-legislative scrutiny undertaken. |
|
Number 139 of 2013 Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013 |
Presented 19 December 2013 Published 23 December 2013 |
Pre-legislative scrutiny undertaken. |
|
Roads Bill 2014 |
Initiated in January 2014 |
Pre-legislative scrutiny undertaken. |
|
No. 85 of 2014 Sport Ireland Bill |
Initiated on 26 August 2014 |
Pre-legislative scrutiny undertaken. |
|
State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014 (No. 27 of 2014) |
enacted on the 27th July 2014. |
Pre-legislative scrutiny undertaken. |
|
Harbours Amendment Bill |
Expected publication date Q1 2015 |
Pre-legislative scrutiny undertaken. |
1032. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of secondments from his Department to external private firms in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1850/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were no secondments from my Department to external private firms during the period referred to.
1033. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of secondments based in his Department from external private firms in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1864/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were no secondments in to my Department by employees of external private firms in the period between 2011 and to date in 2015. A financial advisor was engaged on temporary secondment from PriceWaterhouseCoopers during 2010, which brought the benefit of skills and expertise on finance matters, as well as private sector experience to the Department. In return the candidate gained valuable experience across a number of complex transport projects and of working in the public sector at management level.
