Written Answers Nos. 867-880
867. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the current Road Safety Authority recommendations in relation to the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles; the recommendations that the authority plans for the future; if the 30-year exemption will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14208/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) of the arrangements in relation to the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles will be examined by my officials for submission of recommendations to me which I will consider in due course. Both the National Car Test and the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test are important preventative measures that continue to make a significant contribution to road safety in this country. The days of having large numbers of unsafe vehicles using our roads are as vehicles are tested to international standards.
However, I appreciate the value of the vintage and veteran vehicle movement to the heritage and cultural life of our country. I am advised that none of the recommendations contained in the RSA's review would involve those who currently enjoy an exemption from compulsory testing, that is, those owners of cars and motor caravans first registered prior to 1 January 1980 and used for social and domestic purposes, being brought within the compulsory roadworthiness testing regime.
868. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department and the National Roads Agency have a policy in relation to adopting roundabout schemes throughout the country, where corporate bodies sponsor the maintenance of a roundabout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14234/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs indicated to the Deputy recently any decision on whether or not to install a roundabout on a road is a matter for the relevant road authority. In the case of national roads decisions are made in conjunction with the National Roads Authority (NRA). Arrangements in relation to the maintenance of roundabouts is also a matter for the relevant road authority. The sponsoring of maintenance works (and the associated advertising signage) at roundabouts on higher speed roads by corporate bodies is not considered to be appropriate by the Department or the NRA. The position in respect of roundabouts in urban areas is being reviewed by the NRA at present and will in due course be discussed between the NRA and the Department.
869. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale for the exemption provided to Irish Rail, regarding access for persons with disabilities, under Statutory Instrument No. 549 of 2014; if this is in breach of any international agreements the State is party to; his plans to hold Irish Rail to account in its responsibility to provide access for persons with disabilities. [14258/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exemption provided in Statutory Instrument No. 549 of 2014, the European Union (Rail Passengers' Rights and Obligations (Domestic Rail Passenger Services) (Renewal of Exemption) Regulations 2014, relates to the application of EU law under Regulation (EC) No. 1371/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on rail passengers' rights and obligations. This EU Regulation permits Member States to exempt domestic rail passenger services from certain provisions of the Regulation including requirements relating to accessibility at stations, platforms, rolling stock and other facilities.
Accessibility improvements to public transport services are being advanced in the context of Transport Access for All, the Transport Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. Accessibility is being built into new public transport rail infrastructure and new rolling stock from the design stage and funding is being provided to Irish Rail under my Department's Accessibility Grants Programme, through the National Transport Authority, to fund accessibility improvements to existing rail infrastructure and facilities for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility. An exemption under the EU Regulation has been renewed for a five year period to enable Irish Rail to continue to roll out the accessibility improvement programme on a route basis.
870. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider funding under the 2015 sports capital programme for the provision of floodlighting for an all-weather pitch in respect of a Gaelic football club (details supplied) in County Dublin, as an investment in the rural community. [14274/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have noted the Deputy's support for this club. All eligible applications under the new round of the Sports Capital Programme will receive thorough consideration and allocations will be announced later in the year.
871. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding vintage vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14282/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) of the arrangements in relation to the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles will be examined by my officials for submission of recommendations to me which I will consider in due course. Both the National Car Test and the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test are important preventative measures that continue to make a significant contribution to road safety in this country. The days of having large numbers of unsafe vehicles using our roads are gone as vehicles are tested to international standards.
However, I appreciate the value of the vintage and veteran vehicle movement to the heritage and cultural life of our country. I am advised that none of the recommendations contained in the RSA's review would involve those who currently enjoy an exemption from compulsory testing, that is, those owners of cars and motor caravans first registered prior to 1 January 1980 and used for social and domestic purposes, being brought within the compulsory roadworthiness testing regime.
872. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that public moneys are being used to good effect by the National Transport Authority on Bus Rapid Transit, Swiftway-BRT, the city centre-Drumcondra-Dublin Airport-Swords corridor, in view of a submission made during the 2011 public consultation that stated that a BRT solution would not be adequate to cater for the forecast travel demand on the airport-Swords corridor over the lifetime of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14306/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects.
The NTA’s report “Bus Rapid Transit – Core Dublin Network” published in October 2012 identified that while BRT does not have sufficient capacity to serve the Swords/City Centre corridor over the longer term, it could provide an interim solution in the shorter term pending the development of a higher capacity rail solution, such as metro, on this corridor. Two other cross city routes - Blanchardstown to UCD and Tallaght to Clongriffin, were also identified as having potential for development as BRT routes.
The NTA is currently finalising a detailed business case for the Swords BRT project. This business case will require careful consideration in tandem with other analyses being undertaken on large public transport projects, including the Fingal / North Dublin Transport Study, updated 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 have concluded my review of the outcome from these studies by mid-year, in conjunction with the development of the new draft transport strategy for the region covering the period 2015 to 2035 and a new capital plan to 2020.
The potential contribution of BRT in addressing public transport deficits in the GDA to 2035 will be addressed in the transport strategy.
In the meantime no decision has yet been made with regard to any proposed BRT projects and no funding has been allocated or is currently available for their construction in the existing capital plan to 2016.
873. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify the rules regarding sulky ownership and use on public roads; his plans to legislate and regulate the use of sulkies on public roads, where currently gardaí are powerless to prevent the misuse of sulkies by members of the public who have no requirement to be licensed or to wear seat belts or helmets. [14309/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder existing road traffic legislation, sulkies are required to obey road traffic law as are all other vehicles used on our roads, whether mechanically propelled, animal drawn or pedal driven. An Garda Síochána has not indicated any deficiency in its current powers with regard to enforcement of road traffic legislation in dealing with animal drawn vehicles, except in one specific matter.
The matter in question is that of unauthorised races. There have been several cases where public concern over road safety has been raised due to the holding of unlicensed sulky races on public roads. Under present legislation, it is an offence to organise unlicensed races, but not to participate in them.
As a result, I am proposing in the Road Traffic Bill 2015 to legislate to make it an offence to participate in an unauthorised race on a public road. This Bill has been sent to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for formal drafting and to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications for pre-legislative scrutiny.
874. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14346/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the driver theory test is a matter for the Road Safety Authority, and I cannot comment on individual cases. I have therefore referred the 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.
875. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the 2014 sports capital grant will be available to draw down (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14419/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunds can be drawn down as soon as grantees have complied with the terms and conditions of the SCP. My officials are available to help grantees with any enquiries.
876. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action the Road Safety Authority and Meath County Council plan to take to improve road safety on the stretch of the R152 between the M1 motorway near Drogheda and the village of Duleek; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14482/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraStrategies for improving road safety are set out in the Road Safety Strategy 2013—2020, which contains 144 Actions to be implemented by various agencies involved in improving safety on our road network nationally. This document is available to download from the Road Safety Authorities website at www.rsa.ie. The RSA is not responsible for specific sections of roadway.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, of which the R152 is one, is the statutory responsibility of the local authority in whose administrative area the road is situated. The legislative basis for this is provided for in section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.
877. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for a bridge (details supplied) in County Donegal, in view of the effect new weight restrictions are causing in the neighbouring towns; if he will increase the allocation provided to Donegal County Council for the upgrade and maintenance of the county's bridges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14504/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
In September last year local authorities were invited to submit applications for consideration for funding in 2015 under the Bridge Rehabilitation Programme. Donegal County Council (DCC) applied for funding for eight projects under this grant category but Logue's Bridge was not among the Council’s applications. DCC was allocated €225,000 under this grant category in 2015. It is the responsibility of DCC to prioritise the bridge works programme in its area.
It is also important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like DCC in their own resources spending in this area. It is open to the Council to fund this and other projects from its own resources.
878. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to release the reports of marine accidents, which are over 30 years old, to the National Archives of Ireland, in accordance with the National Archives Act 1986, where they may be viewed by members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14549/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra886. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will release the reports of marine accidents which are over 30 years old to the National Archives of Ireland, in accordance with the National Archives Act 1986, where they may be viewed by members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14780/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 878 and 886 together.
It is the long standing policy of the Department not to make public the files or records that relate to past investigations in the maritime area in respect of loss of life or vessels. However, since 2002, when the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) was established under statute, it is the practice to publish the reports of the investigations carried out by the Board.
I regret that I cannot be of any further assistance to the Deputy in respect of the specific incident mentioned.
879. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Irish Rail cut down trees on the rail line in Cobh in County Cork, leaving the former site of Irish Fertilisers Industries visible and exposed, in view of the fact that Cobh is a tourist town, and this is not an attractive sight; the way Irish Rail will address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14563/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
880. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an application for a sports grant in respect of a soccer club (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14565/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the club in question has already been informed as to why their 2014 application was invalid. If they need any further clarification, the designated club contact should telephone or email the relevant official in the Sports Capital Programmes Division in my Department who will be happy to assist in any way possible.
