Written Answers Nos. 1015-1031
1015. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent of grant assistance available for local festivals, including the Prosperous Music Festival in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20226/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism relates primarily to the area of national policy. I have no direct role in relation to the funding of individual festivals and events, which is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and reply. Please contact my private office if you do not hear back from the agency within ten working days.
1016. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on concerns (details supplied) regarding the enforcement of ethical working conditions on cruise ships that are due to dock in Dublin during May 2015; if any measures are being taken by the State to enforce ethical working conditions on such cruise ships docking here; the avenue that is available to Irish citizens who are concerned regarding non-Irish family members who are working on such ships; if the State will ignore the working conditions on such ships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20277/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the receipt of a complaint concerning the rest and working hours of the crew working on board a passenger ship, the Marine Survey Office of my Department carried out a port state control inspection on board the vessel after its arrival into Dublin Port on 22nd May 2015. One of three deficiencies identified during this inspection related to the recording of the rest and working hours for the crew members on board, which did not comply with requirements.
The Master of the vessel was instructed to rectify this deficiency before departure of the vessel from Dublin.
1017. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend legislation to include driving while disqualified as an offence leading to the application of penalty points, as in Northern Ireland, where a driver receives six penalty points for driving while disqualified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20281/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is already an offence to drive while disqualified, under section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. This section makes it an offence to drive without a licence which is in effect at the time entitling the holder to drive the vehicle in question. A person convicted of driving while disqualified is liable to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.
Section 6 (c) of the Road Traffic Act 2014 amends section 38 of the 1961 Act to allow that a Member of An Garda Síochána may arrest without warrant a person who, in the opinion of the Member, is in breach of section 38 and is disqualified. My officials are currently liaising with An Garda Síochána with a view to commencing this provision as soon as possible.
I have no plans to introduce penalty points for driving while disqualified.
1018. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the National Driver Licensing Service plans to introduce postal provision for applicants seeking to renew their licence by post, in view of the fact that the service's website states the process will be established next year and the service was established in 2013; if there will be separate provision made for applicants who are currently residing outside the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20298/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for the National Driver Licensing Service, and as such the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. 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.
1019. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to previous parliamentary questions with regard to the outstanding expenses to be repaid by a person (details supplied) to Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, in the case that legal action has been initiated if he will provide all relevant and supporting documentation. [20328/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1020. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the case of the director of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, which overclaimed expenses, his views that the audit committee has any questions to answer in this regard; and his views on the fact that two members of the current board were members of the audit committee at the time. [20329/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1019 and 1020 together.
The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies states that Boards should establish an Audit Committee and that the Audit Committee should be a formal sub-committee of the Board. I have no direct role in this process.
The payment of expenses to Directors is a matter for Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. I understand that the Company has taken legal action to recover the amount outstanding. As this matter is subject to legal proceedings instigated by the Company, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on it.
1021. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that two members of the board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company have resigned; and if he has plans to accept nominations for these positions considering the plans to change the governance of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. [20330/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1022. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to appointing an employee representative to the board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to fill one of the vacancies. [20331/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1021 and 1022 together.
I am aware of the recent resignations from the Board of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company. I am also aware that the company continues to operate with a legal quorum.
The filling of vacancies that will arise on the Boards of all Port Companies will be considered in the coming months.
1023. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of all director’s fees and expenses paid to a person (details supplied) since that person's first appointment to the board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company in 1997 and up until that person's appointment as chairperson. [20332/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1024. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of all director’s fees and expenses paid to a person (details supplied) since that person's appointment as chairperson. [20333/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1026. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of all director’s fees and expenses paid to a person (details supplied) from the time of that person's first appointment to the board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company in 2004 to date in 2015. [20335/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1027. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of all director’s fees and expenses paid to a person (details supplied) from the time of that person's first appointment to the board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company in 2009 to date in 2015. [20336/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1023, 1024, 1026 and 1027 together.
While the information requested is publicly available on the port company's website, to assist the Deputy, the following table provides the information in respect of the persons for whom details were supplied. As it was not a requirement at the time to detail individual Director's fees, the information for the years 1997 and 1998 is not readily available. I have asked Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to contact the Deputy directly when the information is available. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
|
Name |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
|
Gerry Dunne |
Fees |
€10,096 |
€12,600 |
€12,600 |
€12,600 |
€12,600 |
|
Expenses |
€1,847 |
€3,778 |
€4,690 |
€3,859 |
€4,025 |
|
|
2014 |
2015 |
|||||
|
Fees |
€12,600 |
€3,150 |
||||
|
Expenses |
€6,469 |
|||||
|
Don McManus |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
|
Fees |
€9,311 |
€10,158 |
€14,000 |
€14,000 |
€14,000 |
|
|
Expenses |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
||
|
Fees |
€9,826 |
€12,600 |
€12,600 |
€12,600 |
€12,600 |
|
|
Expenses |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2014 |
2015 |
|||||
|
Fees |
€10,451 |
€3,150 |
||||
|
Expenses |
Nil |
Nil |
||||
|
Eithne Scott Lennon (as Director) |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
|
|
Fees |
£4,000 |
£4,000 |
€8,000 |
|||
|
Expenses |
Nil |
Nil |
NIl |
|||
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
||
|
Fees |
€8,670 |
€10,158 |
€10,158 |
€10,158 |
€14,000 |
|
|
Expenses |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
||
|
Fees |
€12,115 |
€14,000 |
€13,060 |
€12,600 |
€12,600 |
|
|
Expenses |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2012 |
||||||
|
Fees |
€10,382 |
|||||
|
Expenses |
Nil |
|||||
|
Eithne Scott Lennon (as Chairperson) |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|||
|
Fees |
€21,8961 |
€21,600 |
€5,400 |
|||
|
Expenses |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
1. Ms Scott Lennon was appointed as Chairperson on 20 December 2012. €295.89 relating to 2012 was paid in 2013.
2. Directors' fees and expenses are paid on a quarterly basis. The figures provided for 2015 are to the end of March.
1025. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of all director’s fees and expenses paid to a person (details supplied) for directorships held by that person on boards, other than Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, under the aegis of his Department. [20334/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the position as Chairperson on the Board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company is the only directorship under the aegis of my Department held by the person in respect of whom details were supplied by the Deputy.
1028. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of a person's (details supplied) expenses as a director of the harbour company, with details of the purpose of these expenses, bearing in mind that meetings are held during company time and that the person lives within three miles of Harbour Lodge. [20337/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1029. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of a person's (details supplied) expenses as chief executive officer of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and the purpose of these expenses from that person's appointment in 2009 to date in 2015. [20338/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1032. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to a previous question regarding a payment to a person (details supplied) by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company of €19,877 that was explained as being in lieu of annual leave, if this money has been repaid; if he will provide details of the person who authorised this payment; the board meeting at which the payment was discussed; if he will provide minutes of this board meeting; and his views on whether there are any laws or regulations that would preclude someone from taking a payment in lieu of annual leave. [20341/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1033. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of employing a person (details supplied) as chief executive officer and director of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, including employer's pay-related social insurance, employer's pension contributions, basic salary, expenses and directors' fees; and if the person contributes to their own pension. [20342/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1034. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that the current contract of a person (details supplied) with Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company will expire in February or March 2016, bringing that person up to seven years as chief executive officer; and if that person is reappointed, if he will receive a contract of indefinite duration; if this happens before the transfer to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, whether the council will be able to alter this contract, the salary or the conditions after the transfer. [20343/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1028, 1029 and 1032 to 1034, inclusive, together.
Full details of the remuneration package including pension contributions, director's fees, and allowances are available in the Annual Report and Accounts of the Harbour Company.
On the matter of payment in lieu of annual leave my Department raised the matter again following the appointment of the current Chairperson in 2013, stating that, while recognising that the payments had been approved by the previous Chairperson, my Department did not accept that the payment should have been made. The Harbour Company have confirmed that this situation will not arise again.
With regard to the expiration of the person's contract and the possibility of his reappointment, I am aware that there are proceedings before the Rights Commissioner at the moment and it would be premature to speculate on the outcome or implications of these.
In relation to the remaining information requested by the Deputy, I have forwarded your requests to the Harbour Company for direct reply on the aspects which are not available in the Annual Accounts. I have asked the Chairperson to respond directly to you. If you do not receive an answer within ten working days please contact my private office.
1030. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to three directors (details supplied) of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company who have received just under €400,000 in directors' fees over the past number of years, at a time when ordinary workers have seen their wages cut and when the harbour company has lost the Stena contract and made annual losses, his views on whether this is value for money. [20339/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1031. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company has been designated a port of regional significance, along with the ports in Drogheda, Galway, New Ross and Wicklow, if the company fees to directors and chairpersons for all these harbours will come into line with one another; and the rates of same. [20340/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1030 and 1031 together.
The rates of fees paid to Members of State Boards are set centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This situation will remain unchanged following the developments mentioned by the Deputy. The fees set reflect the levels of responsibility associated with the membership of a particular board. These fees have been reduced over the past number of years.
The Government-approved fees payable to Chairpersons and Members of State Boards under the aegis of my Department are published on my Department's website at: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/state-board-membership-and-approved-fees.
