Written Answers Nos. 252-262
252. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in anticipation of the 2030 European Union effort-sharing decision on transport emissions reductions, he will outline the specific proposals by his Department on ensuring the domestic fleet of cars, vans and lorries adapt to ensure the meeting of new standards; the policy measures proposed in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23839/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNegotiations are currently underway at EU level to agree greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation targets for the period from 2021 to 2030. To ensure that Ireland can effectively and equitably contribute to this process, a low-carbon development strategy is being developed for the period to 2050. As part of this strategy, a National Policy Position was published in April 2014 and a Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill is currently progressing through the Dáil.
The National Policy Position clarifies the level of GHG mitigation ambition envisaged for Ireland and the legislation sets out proposed statutory obligations in relation to the development of a National Mitigation Plan. The Plan will incorporate four key sectors - electricity generation, the built environment, transport and agriculture. These sectors will contribute to the commitment in the National Policy Position to achieve an aggregate emissions reduction of 80% by 2050. Similarly, the anticipated Effort Sharing Decision in respect of 2030 will provide for an aggregate reduction across these sectors. There will not be a specific target for each sector individually.
In relation to meeting standards, I presume the Deputy is referring to EU legislation that sets mandatory emission reduction targets for new cars. This law requires that new cars must not emit more than an average of 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre by 2015. By 2021, phased in from 2020, the fleet average to be achieved by all new cars is 95 grams of CO2 per kilometre. As standards are regulated at EU level and the compliance rests with manufacturers, there is no requirement to provide measures at a national level for meeting these standards. However, the policy objective to reduce CO2 emissions is reflected in our charging system for private vehicle motor tax and VRT, which will continue to differentiate in favour of the most environmentally friendly vehicles.
253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when planning permission was sought by the National Transport Authority for a cycle route between Dublin and Leixlip in County Kildare; if submitted, the current status of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23994/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis project is part of the Dublin to Galway Greenway. As the National Transport Authority is an agency under the aegis of my Department I have forwarded your question to them for direct response.
If you have not received a response within 10 working days please contact my private office.
254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding for greenways is next likely to become available; if all funding currently available for same is committed until the end of the 2015 calendar year or the 2016 calendar year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23995/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if multinationals, based locally, have been approached within the context of the provision of additional funding for greenways, with particular reference to the proposed Dublin to Leixlip, County Kildare cycle route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23996/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 255 together.
Cycleways/greenways across the country are, generally speaking, delivered by Local Authorities either using their own resources; from funding awarded to local authorities under my Department's funding calls; or through a mixture of both. Opportunities can also arise for Authorities to secure funding under EU Programmes such as the EU Structural Funds Programme 2014-2020, Interreg and the Rural Development Programme. Smaller local projects may access funding from the LEADER Programme.
To date no consideration has been given by my Department to multinational companies making any contribution towards the delivery of cycling infrastructure, including the route mentioned by the Deputy. However, large employers are encouraged to develop Work Place Travel Plans which would involve incentivising staff to cycle to and from work through engagement in the Cycle to Work Scheme and provision of on site bike parking and shower facilities.
All current funding available to my Department for the delivery of cycleways/greenways is fully committed up until 2016. Details of all projects funded under the recent tranche of the National Cycle Network funding programme and the Government Stimulus package can be viewed on www.smartertravel.ie. Given the success of the projects delivered to date, it is possible that funding may become available from other sources over the coming years, including the programmes mentioned above. However, I am currently not in a position to comment with any certainty on future funding.
256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to liaise with the various international sporting bodies, with a view to attracting major sporting events to this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24037/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe hosting of major sports events can deliver additional international visits and helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination. The hosting last year of the Giro d'Italia on an all-island basis showed that the island of Ireland can successfully host such events and the FAI and Dublin City Council also recently won their bid to host part of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament at the Aviva stadium.
Accordingly, I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the Tourism Agencies and the National Governing Bodies of Sport, where appropriate in conjunction with their colleagues in Northern Ireland, to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved.
The Government assisted the IRFU in its successful bid to host the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2017 and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive announced our support last December for the preparation of a joint bid for the Rugby World Cup in 2023. The bid has the full support of both Governments and we will be working very closely with the IRFU to ensure that the best possible bid is lodged with World Rugby to bring the Rugby World Cup to Ireland in 2023.
Our tourism and sporting infrastructure are amongst the finest in Europe and are well capable of providing the modern facilities required by participants and spectators alike. We will continue to look for opportunities to both grow tourism and develop sport in Ireland by hosting major events with real overseas revenue-generating potential.
257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor deficiencies in the national road network system, with particular reference to identifying under-capacity on motorways, including the M50, with a view to initiating remedial measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24038/15]
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 planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects (including the monitoring of motorway network capacity) is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he is mindful of the requirements for the upgrading of the Naas - Newbridge - Sallins bypass and the Osberstown interchange - Monread Road roundabout in County Kildare, with a view to addressing the issue in the short term, in view of the likely economic benefit to the immediate area and the country at large, in terms of the alleviation of traffic congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24039/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding regarding the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. With regard to the Osberstown interchange and the Sallins bypass the 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 reality is that the available funds do not match the amount of work that needs to be done to maintain existing road infrastructure or address demands for new road improvement projects.
Funding this year is around €730 million for the national, regional and local road network. Unfortunately, the current financial realities are such that the budgets proposed for my Department for 2016 and 2017 indicate that capital funding will continue to be very tight, and my ability to progress new projects is limited. I acknowledge it is important to restore over time capital funding for the transport sector to ensure that infrastructure is maintained but, as of now, I am not in a position to give a commitment in regard to funding of the projects in question, although I acknowledge their national and local importance.
259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department continue to promote Ireland as a conference venue, in view of the likely economic benefit, including job creation and tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24040/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland in the first instance, working with Tourism Ireland, which promotes the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas including through its network of overseas offices. I have referred the matter to Fáilte Ireland and, in relation to activities in overseas markets, Tourism Ireland, for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if replies are not received within ten working days.
260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department continue to promote the hosting of the Rugby World Cup in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24041/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive announced our support last December for the preparation of a joint bid for the Rugby World Cup in 2023. The IRFU, with support of both Governments, soon after commenced work on compiling the bid. In that context, the Irish Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and the IRFU announced the appointment of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Bid Ambassador and a number of board members to the RWC 2023 Bid Oversight Board on 14th May last. The Oversight Board will approve bid strategy, oversee progress, liaise with the IRFU and both Governments, and ensure the delivery of a 'world class' bid to host RWC 2023 in Ireland.
Dick Spring, former Tánaiste and Irish rugby international, has been appointed as Chair, and Dr. David Dobbin, Group Chief Executive, Dale Farm has appointed as Vice-Chair. The Bid Ambassador will be former Ireland rugby captain, Brian O'Driscoll. Other board members include Hugo MacNeill, former Irish rugby international and Chair of the cross-border RWC working group, Philip Browne, Chief Executive of the IRFU, Páraic Duffy, Director General, GAA and Shane Logan, CEO Ulster Rugby.
The Chair, Vice chair and other nominees met on 10th June to agree its schedule of meetings and work programme. Further appointments to the Board will be made over the coming months. The bid has the full support of both Governments and we will be working very closely with the IRFU to ensure that the best possible bid is lodged with World Rugby to bring the Rugby World Cup to Ireland in 2023.
261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which commuter rail services are available to the majority of towns and villages, the residents of which may expect to commute daily to larger centres, where there are greater job opportunities; if the existing services are adequately tailored to meet their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24042/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which a study has been done of the public transport sector in County Kildare, with particular reference to the need to address any deficiencies in respect of the daily frequency of rail and bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24043/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.
The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the transport providers and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
