Written Answers Nos. 235-241
235. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the national car test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9577/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's Question to the RSA for direct reply. Please advise my Office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
236. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider revising the system of speeding fines and consider introducing graduated fines for infringements of the limits at the lower levels and larger fines and penalty points being reserved for those doing reckless and dangerous speed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9596/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, one of the main causes of road crashes on Irish roads is excessive and inappropriate speed. My Department, in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána and other stakeholders, is continuing to examine this area to identify measures that can be taken to bring about future reductions in fatalities and serious injuries.
The main goal of the penalty point system is to make drivers more aware of unsafe driving behaviour and by doing so, improve that behaviour. As I explained to the Deputy, in response to a similar Question put to me in February last, I have no plans in the near future to change the current system in relation to speeding offences. In fact, the last revision increased the number of penalty points for speeding offences. However, I will keep the Deputy's suggestion in mind when the penalty point offences are next reviewed.
237. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider facilitating a system of payment of unpaid fines whereby the outstanding money is added to the amount due on motor tax for a vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9597/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Criminal Justice (Fixed Charge Processing System) Working Group, jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality, comprising representatives of all relevant State bodies, was established in March 2014 to oversee and facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of a report by the Garda Inspectorate into the Fixed Charge Processing System. As part of its deliberations, the Working Group is examining the solutions for addressing the collection of all outstanding road traffic related fines and charges, including the possibility of associating such amounts with the motor tax on a vehicle.
As I explained to the Deputy, in response to a similar Question put to me on 10 February 2015, I intend to await the outcome of the discussions at the Working Group before deciding what approach might be taken in this matter.
238. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of senior civil servants who retired from his Department since 2011 who have been appointed to a State board under his aegis following their retirement; if he will provide in tabular form the names of these persons, the boards to which they were appointed and the appointment process followed in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9955/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2011 two senior civil servants at Assistant Secretary level from the Department have been appointed to State Boards under the aegis of my Department following their retirement.
Mr Paul Bates was appointed to the Board of Dublin Port Company on 19th September 2013 based on his wide ranging experience of strategic policy development and analysis, programme design and management, restructuring of State agencies and governance of State bodies.
Mr John Lumsden was appointed to the Board of the Road Safety Authority on 31st October 2014 following an expression of interest submitted by him asking to be considered for appointment to a State Board under the aegis of this Department. Mr Lumsden has in-depth experience spanning public transport, roads and road safety, aviation and maritime transport.
239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will support the application submitted by the GAA for UNESCO heritage status in respect of hurling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9574/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently considering the issues regarding the ratification of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Ireland must ratify the Convention before applications can be submitted to obtain recognition for those aspects of the cultural heritage for which application is made.
I have now decided to set up an expert group within my Department to examine and report on these matters as quickly as possible. Following receipt of the group's report, I would propose to bring the matter to Government for decision.
240. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide details of all properties rented by her Department; the annual cost of the leases; the duration of the leases; and the capacity and occupancy of each premises as of 31 January 2015. [9452/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters relating to the acquisition and leasing of property for the Department are generally the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW). Independent of these arrangements, my Department leases three properties. These are the Burren Information Point in Corofin; storage premises located at Shanacloon, Ballymakeera, Co. Cork and a part of the National Museum storage premises in Swords, Co. Dublin. The annual rents payable are €8,370, €22,140 and €140,000 respectively on five, five and twenty year leases. In each case the premises are fully utilised.
241. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of senior civil servants who retired from her Department since 2011 who have been appointed to a State board under her aegis following their retirement; if she will provide in tabular form the names of these persons, the boards to which they were appointed and the appointment process followed in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9944/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo civil servant who has retired from my Department since 2nd June 2011 has been appointed to a State Board under the aegis of my Department.
