Written Answers Nos. 141-154
141. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views following the latest Garda report revealing widespread continued breaches in the penalty point system, in view of the importance of the system operating correctly in the interests of road safety and the need for all drivers to have confidence in the system. [4332/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fixed charge and penalty point system is an important element of our overall road safety strategy and the Government will ensure that the most effective and equitable system is in place to maintain public confidence in the system. In January 2015, the Garda Professional Standards Unit concluded a report following its examination of the Procedures, Policy and Decision Making Processes in relation to cancellations in the Fixed Charge Processing System. The examination was carried out following concerns expressed regarding certain cancellation decisions within the System. While the findings and conclusions of the Report are matters appropriately to be addressed by An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice and Equality, some of the recommendations contained impact on the functions of my Department. The recommendations are being studied within my Department at present, in consultation with the Criminal Justice Working Group, and they will be advanced as appropriate.
142. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reject the International Airlines Group takeover bid for Aer Lingus, in the interests of maintaining the future of the airline, its jobs and key strategic role in providing connectivity with the rest of the world for business and tourism. [4333/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to today's Priority PQs 123 and 124 concerning the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus and the recent approaches from IAG.
143. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the fraud prevention measures utilised on funding provided through the sports capital grant programme; the investigations that occurred last year; his plans to increase anti-fraud measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4351/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has in place a number of controls to ensure that SCP grants are only paid out when the terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme have been met. These are detailed in the letter of provisional allocation that is sent to each grantee when an allocation is made.
Grantees are warned at application and allocation stage that the submission of false or misleading information to the Department at any stage is treated very seriously and that any organisation that does not comply with the terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme may be subject to inspection, have their grant withdrawn, be required to repay all or part of a grant and/or be barred from making applications for a period of time. They are also warned that all serious breaches of the terms and conditions of the Programme will be notified to An Garda Síochána.
The Department has detailed procedures, drawn up in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, in place for dealing with suspected instances of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the SCP.
The Department strives at all times to strike an appropriate balance between the need to ensure the funding is used for the purpose for which it is intended and the need to allow grants to be drawn down in an efficient and timely manner. In particular, the introduction in 2010 of the requirements for SCP grantees to provide certificates of compliance and proof of payment to suppliers has strengthened the controls to further reduce the risk of non-compliance. In addition, in line with Department of Public Expenditure Guidelines, a number of “spot checks” of capital projects are carried out by the Capital Inspections Team within the Finance Division of the Department each year. In 2014 there were 18 such capital inspections of SCP grantees.
144. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the Governments position on International Airlines Group's €1.3 billion takeover bid of Aer Lingus. [4336/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to today's Priority PQs 123 and 124 concerning the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus and the recent approaches from IAG.
145. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for improving cross-Border transport links; and if he will commit to meeting with his counterparts in Stormont to discuss improvements in access and planning of transport services. [4343/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, transport was specifically identified in the Good Friday Agreement as one of the key areas for North/South cooperation and consequently is one in which the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meets in Sectoral format. The Council meets in this format in order to make decisions on common policies and approaches in the area of transport including areas where there may be scope to better integrate transport provision throughout the island.
The most recent NSMC meeting in Transport Sectoral format took place on 4 November 2014 in Armagh where I met Mark H Durkan MLA, Minister for the Environment in Northern Ireland and Danny Kennedy MLA Minister for Regional Development in Northern Ireland. Amongst the agenda items for this meeting were Strategic Transport Priorities; Cycling/Cross Border Greenways; an update on the A5 and A8 major road projects; a progress report on the work which is under way to allow for the mutual recognition of penalty points; a review of the ongoing cooperation in the areas of road user and vehicle safety as well as a discussion on EU matters which impact on the transport sector in the two jurisdictions. Other items which have previously featured on the agenda at NSMC Transport meetings have included the All Island Freight Forum, developments on the Dublin/Belfast Rail line and cross-border community based rural transport.
The next NSMC meeting in Transport Sectoral format is scheduled for 22 April and the agenda is likely to again feature a number of the issues listed above as well as providing an opportunity for a general discussion on improvements in cross-border transport links. Overall there is excellent cooperation between my Department and the relevant Departments in Northern Ireland in the transport area. I look forward to this cooperation continuing and to availing of any other mutually beneficial opportunities in relation to cross-border transport links in the future.
146. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to confirm funding for the upgraded M7 Naas-Osberstown interchange and Sallins bypass; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this stretch of motorway is the most dangerous in the State in terms of incidents recorded annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4347/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I have answered many questions regarding the M7 Naas Bypass widening, the Oberstown Interchange and the Sallins bypass since I became Minister last year. Most recently, I took a Topical Issue debate on 15th January 2015 where I set out the current position regarding funding for this scheme. I am happy to once again re-state that position.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding regarding the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, such as the Naas Bypass widening, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. As part of its remit the NRA monitors collisions across the national road network. The assessment and prioritisation of individual national road projects is a matter for the NRA within its capital budget and in accordance with section 19 of the Roads Act.
With regard to the Osberstown interchange and the Sallins bypass 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 selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is, therefore, a matter for the local authority.
Owing to the national financial position, there have been very large reductions in roads expenditure in recent years. The reality is that the available funds do not match the amount of work that needs to be done to maintain existing road infrastructure or address demands for new road improvement projects. Funding in 2008 was €2.3 billion while funding this year is around €730 million for the national, regional and local road network. Unfortunately, the current financial realities are such that the budgets proposed for my Department for 2016 and 2017 indicate that capital funding will continue to be very tight, and my ability to progress new projects and PPPs is limited.
I acknowledge it is important to restore over time capital funding for the transport sector to ensure that infrastructure is maintained but, as of now, I am not in a position to give a commitment in regard to funding of the projects in question, although I acknowledge their national and local importance.
147. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a new marketing initiative to promote the winter Wild Atlantic Way, to bring more visitors to drive the Wild Atlantic Way during October to April months; his views on whether the Wild Atlantic Way is as spectacular a winter destination as a summer destination; his views on whether increasing visitor numbers in the winter months would have a significant impact on the tourism sector and wider economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4294/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe autumn/winter season is already recognised as being of significant importance for the tourism industry as it usually yields as much as 30% of Ireland’s annual overseas tourism business. Figures published last week by the CSO show that the number of overseas visits to Ireland grew by 7.3% between October and December 2014, when compared with the same period in 2013.
The Wild Atlantic Way has been a key focus of Tourism Ireland’s extensive overseas promotional activity to sustain and grow tourism in the shoulder and off-peak seasons. For example, Tourism Ireland’s €1 million end-of-year campaign, which was rolled out in Great Britain, the United States and Mainland Europe in December 2014, included several Wild Atlantic Way attractions in television, cinema and print advertising.
Decisions on how the Wild Atlantic Way is marketed overseas is a matter for Tourism Ireland Limited, and in the case of the domestic tourism market, it is a matter for Fáilte Ireland. These decisions are not subject to my approval. Accordingly, I have also referred the Deputy's Question to both agencies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
148. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his discussions with his UK counterpart in view of the new HGV tolls applying to Irish hauliers there; his plans on introducing a similar toll system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4353/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of the UK HGV levy was an unwelcome development for Irish hauliers, particularly for those operating in areas around the border with Northern Ireland. My Department lobbied extensively against the application of the UK HGV road user levy in Northern Ireland, but the UK Minister for Transport refused to grant any significant exemption beyond the small sections of NI roads that criss-cross the border.
In relation to the introduction of a pay-as-you-go road user charge regime in Ireland, this is being examined by my Department through the cross-Departmental Group on HGV Road Charging. The Group issued a consultation paper on potential reform of the commercial vehicle motor tax system to stakeholders on 27 November. On completion of the consultation process, the Group will submit a report with its recommendations to myself and the Ministers for Environment and Finance for consideration.
This Government recognises the importance of the haulage sector to the Irish economy and we have introduced a number of initiatives to support Irish hauliers. We have introduced legislation to clamp down on unlicensed hauliers, a new on-line system for haulage licensing has been introduced and we have cut costs for hauliers through the fuel duty rebate, which is worth up to €33 million per annum to the industry.
In November I met with the Minister for Finance and representatives of the Irish hauliers to discuss options for reducing the motor tax burden on the haulage sector. The Minister for Finance at this meeting committed to reducing road tax on HGVs of over 12 tonnes, with a tapering of the reduction for vehicles below that weight, starting in this year's Budget.
149. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his policy in relation to the development of heavy rail services throughout the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4293/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No 127 which I answered earlier.
150. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on widespread concern that the possible takeover of Aer Lingus by IAG could result in large job losses and threaten connectivity to the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4365/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have addressed the issue raised in the Deputy's question about connectivity to the UK and jobs in Priority Questions Nos. 123 and 124
I want to add that since the Government's Action Plan for Jobs was initiated in 2012 we have seen the creation of 80,000 new jobs. The plan for 2015 was launched last week, with an emphasis on regional enterprise strategies across the country. It contains a number of important action points to help create employment in particular in tourism, but also in transport and sport.
151. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the six short listed schemes in the Fingal-north Dublin transport study appraisal report; and when there will be a long overdue high capacity light rail public transport solution serving the Swords-Dublin Airport-Dublin city corridor. [4335/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fingal/North Dublin study currently under way is an independent study commissioned by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to identify the optimum long term public transport solution to meet the needs of the corridor. Phase One of the Study was published on 8th December and six short-listed project options were identified for further detailed evaluation. A public consultation process was also launched at that time. Under the next stage, the six shortlisted projects will be subject to further analysis assessing cost, engineering, environmental and usage forecasts. This will form the basis for the selection of the recommended preferred option.
The NTA has indicated that they expect to have the output of this next phase of the Study available to me at the end of March. That output will then require careful consideration in tandem with other analyses being undertaken, including the updating of a business case for the DART Underground project and the work being carried out in the preparation of a draft Transport Strategy for the GDA. I anticipate that I will finalise this review by mid-year, in conjunction with the development of the transport strategy for the region.
It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the proposed shortlisted projects. Moreover pending the outcome of the study it would be premature to comment on the timeline for delivery of the preferred project.
152. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the position of the introduction of greenway projects in County Galway. [4345/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraGalway County Council received €2 million in funding under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016 for the delivery of a 12.4 kilometre cycleway from Galway to Moycullen.
The project consists of developing a walking/cycling greenway along 11.4 kilometres of the dismantled Connemara railway line between Galway and Clifden with the remaining 1 kilometre along a quiet local road.
This phase, which is the first of two, will start in Galway City and finish just west of Moycullen village. This project forms part of Corridor 2 - Dublin to Clifden as highlighted in the National Cycle Network Scoping Study.
The 277 kilometre Dublin to Galway Greenway is also being delivered as funding becomes available. The preferred route corridor has been selected for the Athlone to Galway section. The preferred route will pass through Shannonbridge, Loughrea, Craughwell, Clarinbridge and Oranmore and will run along the coast to Galway.
In terms of the design of the route, the first stage of public consultation has been completed. I understand that there has been some negative response from a small number of landowners along pockets of the route corridor, however, I expect Galway County Council to make every effort to evaluate the feedback received at the public meetings to refine the route corridor to ensure that all possible alternatives are considered.
153. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to implement the recommendations contained within the CEDRA report pertaining to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4288/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are five recommendations of the CEDRA Report that come within the remit of my Department, Recommendations 17, 18, 26, 27 and 28. Recommendation 18 relates to the Rural Transport Programme for which Minister for Local, Community and Rural Economic Development, Ann Phelan, has responsibility within this Department.
Recommendation 17 relates to the improvement of the road network. As recognised in the report, financial constraints have meant that investment in road infrastructure has had to be cut back significantly. The priority at present for the DTTS regional and local road grants is the maintenance/renewal of roads and regional road bridges.
On the national side, a limited number of PPP road projects are being progressed, including the important Gort to Tuam scheme on the Atlantic Corridor which is at construction stage with a view to completion in 2018 and the New Ross Bypass and Enniscorthy to Gorey scheme in the south east on which the procurement process is being progressed.
Scope for funding specific improvement projects will depend on the availability of funding under future capital investment plans.
Recommendation 18 relates to improving and integrating the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) into the overall public transport system. In April 2012 responsibility for managing the RTP was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of new arrangements for integrated local and rural transport approved by Government in January 2012 to deliver on its commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain and extend the RTP with other local transport services as much as practicable. This role for the NTA, coupled with its national remit for securing the provision of public passenger transport services, enables the development of better links between local and rural transport services and scheduled bus and rail services.
A restructuring of the RTP, announced in July 2013, involves the establishment of 17 Transport Co-ordination Units (TCUs) in place of the 35 RTP Groups which have delivered rural transport services until now. To date 11 TCUs have been established and the remainder will be very shortly. The NTA has replaced the RTP groups as the contracting party for service provision and the new TCUs will manage the contracted services on behalf of the NTA.
Recommendations 26, 27 and 28 are tourism related. A new Tourism Policy Statement entitled “People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025” was presented to Cabinet by me on 14th January last and was approved by the Government. The Policy Statement, which will be published shortly, notes the recommendations on tourism that are contained in the CEDRA report. Following publication of the Tourism Policy Statement, I will establish a Tourism Leadership Group (TLG), consisting of representatives of key public sector bodies and representatives of the tourism sector, to begin work on an Action Plan to deliver the objectives in the Tourism Policy Statement. The development and growth of tourism outside the main urban centres will be a central consideration in the deliberations of the Tourism Leadership Group.
The National Cycle Network (NCN) Programme is allocating approximately €23.5 million over the period 2012 to 2016 (including €10 million allocated under the recent stimulus package) to advance routes that will provide valuable transport and recreational infrastructure, with the added potential to enhance tourist activity for the areas concerned. Fifteen cycling projects were completed by local authorities across the country with €7 million in funding provided under the first tranche of NCN funding for the years 2012/2013. A further 3 projects shared in funding of €6.3 million under the second tranche of NCN funding for the years 2014-2016.
Under the €10 million investment package for greenway development announced as part of the €200 million national infrastructure package, 11 cycling projects were selected to share in this funding.
154. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the regulations covering the commercial vehicle roadworthiness certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4287/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommercial vehicle owners have, for a long number of years, been obliged to test their vehicle annually. This is a legal obligation in Ireland and throughout the EU. Roadworthiness testing standards are aimed at detecting any wear and tear, deterioration or alterations that could affect the roadworthiness or safety of the vehicle.
Since October 2013, the certificate of roadworthiness (CRW) issuing system is aligned to the longstanding obligation to have commercial vehicles tested annually. The period of validity of the CRW is calculated by reference to the last test due date. A delay in completing the test has the effect of reducing the validity period of the CRW. This change was introduced for the purpose of ensuring that an operator who did not test the vehicle by the due date does not gain any economic advantage over an operator who tested their vehicle in accordance with the legal requirements.
The Road Safety Authority is in the process of reviewing the system as it applies to vehicles which are off the road for more than a year and I expect to receive the outcome of this review later this year. Any adjustments to the system in respect of vehicles overdue the test by more than one year which have been off the road would need to be assessed against a background of strong overall compliance as well as road safety considerations.
