Written Answers Nos. 196-201
196. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the basis upon which citizens are obliged to purchase a second television licence when transferring a television from their family home to a mobile home; and his plans to address this matter. [15076/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislative basis for the current TV licensing system is set out in Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides inter alia for the requirement to have a television licence and the penalties for not having a valid licence. In accordance with Section 142 of the Act, any premises at which a television is located requires a TV Licence regardless of its use. Currently, only one class of licence and one level of licence fee exist and this covers any number of devices so long as they are all in the same property (residential or commercial). There is currently no provision within the legislation that can be used to accommodate the type of situation identified in the Deputy's question without the need for a second licence.
197. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow Luas security workers to operate as transport police, similar to airport police; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15051/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the RPA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
198. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to regulate the operation of rickshaws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14982/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI outlined my position in regard to rickshaws in my recent response to Question No. 196 of 1 April 2015. I would refer the Deputy to my answer on that occasion for full details, and I shall confine myself here to the key points.
Rickshaws as such have no definition in law, and are classified as pedal cycles. I have been asked by Dublin City Council to consider legislating to regulate rickshaws. Any proposed regulatory legislation requires a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) before a decision can be made on whether legislation is appropriate. As this is a local matter, I informed the Council that it would be appropriate that the Council prepare the RIA.
As I also indicated in my answer on 1 April, any questions about progress in that regard might be directed to the Council.
199. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Irish drivers who have received an international driving permit in each of the past four years; the costs associated in awarding these permits; the most popular countries for which Irish drivers have obtained an international driving permit; his views on the security features in the international driving permit; if he is satisfied with the corresponding use of international driving permits here by non-European Union drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15004/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational Driving Permits (IDPs) are issued on behalf of my Department by the Automobile Association (AA), and my Department has no direct role in the process. I have therefore referred the matter of numbers of permits issued, and countries for which they were issued, to the AA for direct reply.
In regard to the other matters raised, I understand that the IDP derives from international conventions dating from 1926 and 1949. The security of the IDP depends on the security of the national driver licensing system, as it is not possible to get an IDP without a full licence. In cases where people are driving with an IDP, they must still be able to produce their own national licence if required.
In regard to the use of IDPs in Ireland by non-EU/EEA drivers, I am not aware of any issues or difficulties.
On the matter of costs, the fee for an IDP is €10. This is set in regulations for which I have responsibility. I understand that the AA also charges an additional administration fee of €5, but only in the case of postal applications. There are no costs to the Exchequer from the IDP.
200. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to the proposed Sligo-Mayo Greenway, the reason a limited amount of funding for a feasibility study for the County Sligo section, which is supported by Sligo County Council, will not be considered by his Department considering the widespread support for the project locally and the potential benefits it could bring to the local economy in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15009/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am supportive of plans to undertake a feasibility study of the Sligo section of the Sligo-Mayo Greenway and am fully aware of the economic and social benefits greenway projects bring to the local economy. However, while I realise that the funding required to undertake this study is relatively small the position remains that all Department funding for the development of greenways is fully committed up until 2016.
€6.3 million was awarded by my Department under the National Cycle Network Funding programme 2014-2016 to develop 3 greenway projects in Kerry, Galway and Waterford. A further 11 projects shared funded under the €200 million Government Stimulus Package for infrastructural development, €10 million of which was earmarked for the development of greenways. Details of these projects can be viewed at www.smartertravel.ie.
Should further funding become available in the interim for the development of the National Cycle Network it will then be possible to give consideration to funding other projects, or elements of projects, which are considered to have merit. I would also encourage local authorities to carry out as much preparatory work as possible within their own resources in advance of any future funding calls.
201. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 25 February 2015, if his private office has received a reply from Irish Rail in relation to the matter raised. [15110/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish Rail was contacted on 25 February 2015 and asked to respond directly to the Deputy within 10 working days on the issues raised. My Office has made further contacts with Irish Rail as a follow up to the matter.
