Written Answers Nos. 242-250
242. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has requested a report on the recent mechanical failures witnessed at wind farms on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2015/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that this matter relates to an incident at Tursillagh wind farm in Co. Kerry in which a blade became detached from a turbine. My officials have contacted the wind farm operator who has advised that the incident is being investigated. The operator has sought a report from the turbine manufacturer and has agreed to keep my officials informed of developments. My Department has also been in contact with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the agency with responsibility for workplace safety under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005. It should be noted however that a ‘place of work’ as described in that Act would only cover wind turbines during their construction or during any maintenance that might need to be undertaken thereafter. Nevertheless, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, under whose aegis the HSA operates, has advised that the Authority is aware of the incident and is also making enquiries with the operator of the farm to establish the facts and consider any future action.
243. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the performance related awards made to chief executives of semi-State companies in 2013 and 2014 under the aegis of his Department. [2321/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll directions issued by the Government in relation to remuneration of CEOs in semi-State Companies have been brought to the attention of the relevant State Companies. While the information sought by the Deputy regarding payments made to CEOs in semi-State Companies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each company, I will ask the bodies to provide this information directly to the Deputy.
244. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans regarding the future of the Gweedore Coast Guard service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1888/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principle roles of the Bunbeg volunteer Coast Guard Unit (CGU), located in the Gweedore area, are to operate a rescue boat, for which a new nine meter RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) was provided in 2011, and provision of a shoreline search team.
A Value for Money review of the Coast Guard service, published in 2012, recommended the continuation of boat and shoreline rescue service and cessation of cliff training for this unit, while retaining cliff rescue services in neighbouring CGU's, Mulroy and Killybegs. The recommendation arose principally because of the non-utilisation of the cliff service balanced against the safety considerations of delivering a highly technical and intrinsically hazardous activity.
The Coast Guard, having monitored the demand for cliff rescue services has noted that the level of call outs responded to by Bunbeg CGU does not justify the maintenance of a cliff rescue service. Since the establishment of a cliff rescue service in the late 90's, the team has not been called upon to intervene in any lifesaving cliff recovery incident. For a CGU to engage in a high risk activity that demands a high level of resources in terms of training time, equipment and supervision, the benefits must clearly outweigh the risks. The maintenance of a cliff rescue team has been deprioritised, thus enabling the unit to concentrate on its boat rescue and shoreline search operations, which are regularly called into action. The investment which my Department has made in the Coast Guard rescue helicopter services has mitigated some of the demands for cliff rescue services.
The Bunbeg CGU will continue to be a well-resourced team and I have recently provided a new off-road vehicle to support its roles. Enhancement of boat rescue services and shoreline search by the unit will continue to be the priority based on need and risk.
245. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on Fáilte Ireland disposing of a premises of integral importance to tourism in the west Cork region (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to and his further views on the comprehensive proposals put forward by an organisation to his Department to utilise the premises; the expenditure incurred by the State when originally purchasing or acquiring the premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1942/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe acquisition and disposal of the property or consideration of proposals for alternative use of the premises are operational matters for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland.
However for the information of the Deputy, I understand that the property in question came into the ownership of Fáilte Ireland following its amalgamation with the South-West Regional Tourism Authority, which had been leasing the premises to an independent third party organisation since the 1970s. In 2013, however, this organisation surrendered its lease back to Fáilte Ireland although it had not yet run full-term.
As the Deputy may be aware, the role of Fáilte Ireland is to support the tourism industry and work to sustain Ireland as a high-quality and competitive tourism destination. Neither the operation of tourism attractions nor the leasing of facilities or land to third parties are core functions of the Agency and it has in recent years been seeking to rationalise its property portfolio. The breaking of the lease afforded Fáilte Ireland the opportunity to sell the property and rationalise its portfolio, thereby generating capital funds and reducing operating costs.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's Question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
246. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on establishing a funding scheme for local authorities planning to carry out feasibility studies on possible new greenway or cycle and walkway routes, such as the possibility of extending the planned Glenbeigh to Renard greenway from Glenbeigh to Killorglin and-or Farranfore, Kerry Airport and Fossa; his further views that funding feasibility studies would be of great assistance to the planning of future greenways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1958/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe establishment of a funding scheme under which local authorities can apply to undertake feasibility studies for possible new greenways-cycle routes is a very worthwhile proposal.
My Department established such a funding scheme in 2013 in advance of the 2014-2016 National Cycle Network Funding (NCN) call. The purpose of this scheme was to make available some 'seed finance' to a small number of authorities to undertake initial project planning, design or necessary studies for which the authority would not otherwise have had the financial resources and which would enable the authority to be well placed to submit a developed proposal under the upcoming funding call.
28 authorities responded to my Department's invitation to submit an expression of interest under this scheme submitting a total of 33 proposals. 12 proposals were selected and shared in funding of €420,000. Kerry County Council were awarded €50,000 to undertake an environmental and geotechnical assessment for the Glenbeigh to Reenard Trail which subsequently received funding under the NCN 2014-2016 and Stimulus funding programmes.
Given that all funding under the NCN programme is now fully committed to end 2016 a repeat of this scheme cannot be considered at present.
247. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the situation regarding a sports capital grant in respect of a club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1962/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I previously informed the Deputy, the Department would be happy to consider such a request. However, the club referred to by the Deputy has not actually made any such request. The designated club contact should therefore contact the Sports Capital Unit in Killarney to discuss the issue in detail as soon as possible. The club will of course have to meet certain standard grant terms and conditions and these will be outlined when they contact the Sports Capital Unit.
248. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will visit the northern hemisphere’s only gold standard dark sky reserve in south Kerry in view of the tourism potential that exists arising from this designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1971/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have noted with great interest, the designation by the International Dark-Sky Association of an area of almost 700 square kilometres on the Iveragh Peninsula, County Kerry, as the first International Dark Sky Reserve in Ireland. I know that the Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve, which has been supported by Fáilte Ireland and Kerry County Council, is currently one of only three Gold Tier Dark-Sky Reserves in the world and the only one in the northern hemisphere. I agree that such a designation can benefit tourism in the region and can confirm that the tourism agencies are promoting the Reserve accordingly.
I have yet to experience all that the Reserve has to offer and should be happy to accept the Deputy’s invitation to view the sky-scapes in South Kerry. In this regard, I would ask that the Deputy please make direct contact with my Private Office to see if a visit could be incorporated into my schedule.
249. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that is expected on a roads project (details supplied) in County Kerry in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1973/15]
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 planning, design and implementation of individual road projects such as the N86 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 do not receive a reply within ten working days.
250. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the provision of a bus shelter at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1974/15]
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.
