Written Answers Nos. 853-866
853. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reduce the cost of toll charges for light goods vehicles, in view of the differential that the owners of such vehicles have to pay compared to regular vehicles, which is increasing costs, particularly for self-employed persons and small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13935/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll by-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
The contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between the NRA and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionnaires concerned.
Noting this 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.
854. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action that has been taken since the Dublin Port tunnel opened to ban any tunnel user from using the tunnel; the reason for such action; the number of such bans and the duration of same; if appeals were made and the outcome of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13955/15]
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 implementation and management of individual national road projects, including the Dublin Port Tunnel, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007, in conjunction with the relevant local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
855. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the national car test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13956/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority has overall responsibility for the operation of the National Car Test. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Car Test derives from an EU Directive (2009/40/EC) which sets minimum requirements to be met by Member States. Among the basic of those requirements is that roadworthiness testing be related to the age of the car. The first test is required at four years, with a test every other year thereafter.
The Directive also allows Member States to test cars more frequently than the minimum requirements. In this regard, with effect from 1 June 2011, annual testing was introduced for cars aged 10 years and older. There are no proposals to change the current basis on which these tests are conducted.
856. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding commercial vehicle roadworthiness tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13997/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
857. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding certificates of professional competence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13998/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) system was introduced under EU legislation. The course and test requirements are derived from EU law, and I do not have the power to vary them.
858. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on a project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14062/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is continuing to give consideration to identifying an appropriate mechanism to provide the required funding to address the storm damage to the Shannon River Embankments at Shannon Airport. Once that consideration is complete, my Department will engage with the Airport and Clare County Council to advance the matter.
859. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine correspondence (details supplied) regarding a request that the entire coastal area of Valentia Island in County Kerry be included in the designated map of the Wild Atlantic Way, as the whole island has spectacular panoramic scenery, and it is imperative that this be demonstrated on the guideline map to illustrate all the varied vantage points on the island; if he will address this matter before the onset of the peak tourism season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14074/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism offerings such as the Wild Atlantic Way, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
The Deputy should be aware that the route of the Wild Atlantic Way was developed using a collaborative approach and regional steering groups were convened to inform route development. The steering groups comprised Fáilte Ireland, local authorities, local LEADER and Development companies and other key agencies such as Udarás na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Commission and others as relevant to each particular region.
It is important for communities to note that the Wild Atlantic Way is not simply a touring route but a means to guide and attract visitors to particular areas. All villages, businesses and geographic areas within close proximity of the route are in essence part of the geography of the Wild Atlantic Way. The purpose of the route is to give guidance to visitors as to what there is to see on our western coast, provide easy access to a range of experiences and so enable local businesses to take advantage of the benefits of the Way. My advice to communities on and near to the Wild Atlantic Way is to focus on how to use the route to generate more tourism revenue and not to focus on specific details of the route.
860. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport where the revenue collected by tolls on the M50 in the past five years has been used; and if he will provide an annual breakdown of same. [14112/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra861. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual cost of the collection of tolls on the M50. [14113/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra862. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of revenue that has been collected in each of the past five years from the M50 toll bridge. [14114/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 860 to 862, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, 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 the M50, are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007. Noting this, 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.
863. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff in the National Roads Authority; and the annual cost of its operation. [14118/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the subject of this question is a matter in the first instance for the National Roads Authority (NRA), 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.
864. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether Iarnród Éireann should open the brand new railway station at Kishogue, which has been closed since its construction several years ago, when the Phoenix Park tunnel is opened to passenger traffic between Heuston Station and Connolly Station. [14165/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and the overall funding of public transport. Responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including train stations, 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.
865. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if equal prominence will be provided on motorway signs to both English and Irish place names; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14166/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current bi-lingual design for road signs has been in place since 1996 and the rules governing the design of road traffic signs are set out in my Department's Traffic Signs Manual. 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 residents and visitors alike.
The 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. I am satisfied that the existing arrangements achieve this objective.
866. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to promote the use of Irish in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is in the process of introducing a new Irish Language Scheme under the Official Languages Act 2003. The draft scheme when published will set out the measures being taken to promote the use of the Irish language in my Department.
I expect that this scheme will be published in the coming weeks.
