Written Answers Nos. 1-21
11. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on his Department's monitoring of all sporting bodies in receipt of public moneys to ensure proper financial auditing and financial governance standards. [23470/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. This includes responsibility for the allocation of funding for National Governing Bodies of Sport. The Sports Council monitors those bodies in order to ensure proper financial auditing and governance standards and my Department has no role in that process.
The Council sets terms and conditions in relation to the funding provided, including financial reporting requirements. From the information they have given me, I am confident that they have good procedures in place for the audit of use of public moneys allocated to sporting organisations. I will refer the Deputy's question to the Council to provide more detail directly to him.
In relation to my Department's Sports Capital Programme, organisations in receipt of grants must comply with the terms and conditions of the Programme. These include the submission of three quotations, paid invoices, proof of payment of invoices in the form of bank statements and tax clearance certificates for the grantees and the suppliers. All grantees must also provide a guarantee that grant aided facilities and equipment will stay in sporting use for a minimum period of time. Any organisation that does not comply with the terms and conditions may have their grant withdrawn, may be required to repay a grant or be barred from making applications for a period. The Department also inspects a random sample of payments to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the Programme.
12. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address concerns regarding the impact of traffic congestion in Dublin in preventing companies from growing and creating jobs; his views on whether the traffic densities in Dublin are posing a threat to competitiveness and economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23475/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith the return of economic growth, we must ensure that we have measures in place to deal with the consequent increase in traffic. It is a key objective of transport policy to encourage modal shift away from the car so as to improve economic competitiveness through reduced congestion, particularly in high density urban environments such as Dublin. This also supports climate change mitigation through reducing emissions.
The National Transport Authority, working closely with the City Council, is responsible for the development of traffic management plans in Dublin. Together, they recently announced plans for an ambitious re-drawing of the city, which will encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking.
Tackling congestion requires choices to be made between competing demands for a finite amount of road space. It is impossible to satisfy everyone. The roll-out of the now extensive network of bus lanes in the Dublin area for example, was only made possible by the removal of cars from considerable sections of the road, a policy which received considerable opposition at the time. Dublin today is very different from Dublin of 20 years ago. It is clear that the car can no longer be king. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made by the relevant local authorities and the National Transport Authority to ensure that all traffic management measures implemented in Dublin will seek to reduce congestion, while supporting this Government's policy in relation to promoting continual economic growth and the creation of jobs.
13. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the precise targets and reduction measurement proposals his Department is proposing to mitigate harmful emissions to address the significant shortcomings in the transport sector that are projected, a 22% increase over the 2011 to 2020 period; if his Department has set in place any indicative targets for the profile of domestic fuel use for petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, electricity, fuel oil, jet kerosene and renewables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23483/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill creates a statutory obligation to develop a National Mitigation Plan for Ireland. In anticipation of the legislation, my Department has already commenced work on preparing the transport contribution to the Plan. Furthermore, in keeping with commitments under the Aarhus Convention, my officials recently held an information exchange with stakeholders and interested parties on the measures being considered by the Department.
These measures have emerged as part of a longer consultative process that began last year and represent a multi-faceted approach to cost-effective mitigation in transport. The suite of measures currently being examined has a particular focus on policy development, smarter travel and modal shift, supports for alternative fuels and certain fiscal and taxation incentives to target behavioural change.
In terms of a future fuel profile for Ireland, the Minister of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has responsibility for energy policy generally, which includes fuel supply and security issues as well as policy on renewable energy for Ireland. The latest publication of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan estimates that 50,000 electric vehicles could be in circulation by 2020. In addition, the draft Bioenergy Plan recommends the continuation of the Biofuels Obligation Scheme, which will be the principal means of ensuring that 10% of the energy in the transport sector in 2020 is from renewable sources.
Both national and EU policy provides for growth in the alternative fuels market to 2020. In order to support the policy for long-term oil substitution, and in line with the recently adopted EU Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, my Department is currently preparing a National Policy Framework to support the alternative fuels market in Ireland. My Department expects to widen the consultation process on this Framework to the general public by the end of this year.
14. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to encourage those local authorities who are touched by or adjoin the Wild Atlantic Way to develop localised driving routes, off the main route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23237/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wild Atlantic Way has been developed by Fáilte Ireland, working closely with local authorities and local communities, to guide visitors as to what there is to see and do all along the western seaboard, and provide easy access to a range of experiences and so enable local businesses to take advantage of the benefits of the Wild Atlantic Way. For those communities that are not located directly on the designated signed route, it is important to note that all villages, businesses and geographic areas within close proximity of the route are in essence part of the geography of the Wild Atlantic Way.
My advice to communities on and near to the Wild Atlantic Way is to examine how they can take advantage of the traffic on the route to generate more visitors and tourism revenue.
I am advised by Fáilte Ireland that next phase of development for the Wild Atlantic Way in 2016 includes the development of ‘loops’ off the main Wild Atlantic Way spine to further develop and maximise the opportunities presented by it. This work will involve all stakeholders in each identified ‘loop’ including local authorities and local tourism businesses.
While 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. I am therefore referring the question to the agency for direct reply and further information in relation to its detailed operational plans. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
15. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report to Dáil Éireann on the pro-social driving programme in County Donegal, on the number of participants over the past three years, on any participants who have re-offended in that period, on whether victims and families of road crash victims have been asked to make presentations to the course and on this pilot programme; the way it is funded; if it will be made permanent and extended to the rest of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23243/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 anticipates the introduction, subject to legal advice, of rehabilitation and driving awareness courses as court-based sentencing options for specific offenders (Action No 107, due Q1 2015).
I understand that such courses would be broadly similar in style and content to those currently offered by the Pro-Social Driving Programme in County Donegal. As the Agency charged with promoting road safety in Ireland, the Road safety Authority has responsibility in the first instance for determining a proposed approach to introducing courses on a national basis and to assess any legal issues arising.
In accordance with national and EU legislation, any funding of such programmes across the State would have to be the subject of an open procurement procedure. For this reason the RSA has indicated that it is not in a position to provide direct funding for the Pro-Social Driving Programme in Co. Donegal.
I understand that the RSA has been supportive of the Programme and will continue to liaise with them through regular meetings, sharing of research and updates on RSA educational material and programmes.
The Deputy will understand that as the initiative in Donegal has not been led or funded by the by the State I am not in a position to report on the detail of its operations.
16. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide further consideration to the proposals to upgrade the Naas-Newbridge-Sallins bypass and the Osberstown Interchange-Monread Road roundabout in County Kildare within the confines of expenditure guidelines; the extent to which either project is ready to proceed; if his attention has been drawn to the considerable economic benefit and alleviation of traffic congestion accruing in the event of approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23391/15]
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.
17. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he recognises that reducing passenger numbers at Cork Airport needs to be addressed by a change in aviation policy; the measures he plans to take in order to assist in facilitating an increase in passenger numbers at Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23239/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft National Aviation Policy, which I intend to publish before the summer recess, sets out Government policy in relation to Cork Airport's role as a key tourism and business gateway for its region, making particular reference to the development of key niche markets.
In line with the policy, our focus has been on exploiting the opportunity to grow inbound tourists to the Cork region, particularly in view of the fact that only 37% of Cork Airport's passengers are inbound.
Following the successful 'Grow Dublin Taskforce', both local authorities, with Fáilte Ireland, are progressing a similar initiative to prepare a cohesive strategic plan for the development of Cork's tourism potential. This strategy will focus on identifying and addressing Cork's opportunities for growth and is due to be completed by November.
daa, along with Cork Airport management, are also working to stabilise passenger numbers and return Cork Airport to growth. Indeed, following on from the Government's decision in relation to the IAG/Aer Lingus issue, I understand that there will be an announcement shortly with regard to a new service from the Airport.
However, local support in the region is a crucial component of any initiatives to reverse the current decline. It was disappointing that lack of support for the planned Cork-Prague and Cork-Ibiza routes was the reason cited by Czech Airlines for its decision not to commence operations on the routes.
The National Aviation Policy cannot address the issue of local support for the Airport. That is a matter for the people and businesses in the region. However, such support is critical to ensure the Airport's future sustainability.
18. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if further funding will be made available to County Meath for repairs and restructuring of the roads within the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23465/15]
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.
I am not in a position to provide additional funding to County Meath at present. In order to address the national finances there were substantial cutbacks in the funding available for State grants for national, regional and local road programmes and this has had a major impact across the board. Funding in 2008 was €2.3 billion while funding this year is around €730 million to cover the entire national, regional and local road network. I know that it is important to restore over time capital funding for the transport sector to ensure that land transport infrastructure is maintained and renewed to support economic development but as of now my Department is continuing to operate within a very constrained budget.
Within the budget available to my Department I have tried to allocate funding on as fair and equitable basis as I can. In this context grants in the three main grant categories (Restoration Improvement, Discretionary Grant and Restoration Maintenance) are allocated based on the length of regional and local roads within a local authority area.
It is important reiterate that State grants are intended to supplement own resources spending by local authorities and in this context I am emphasising to Councils that the commitment of local authorities to contribute significantly from their own resources towards the cost of improving and maintaining the regional and local roads network is essential.
19. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislative problems identified by the National Bus and Rail Union with the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, relating to public tendering of bus services; and the efforts that are being made to correct this. [23236/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNBRU and SIPTU difficulties with the tendering of public bus services included a concern that current legislation referred to by the Deputy would compel the National Transport Authority (NTA) to tender the remaining 90% of PSO bus routes, in other words all PSO routes, after the end of 2019 and that it would be impossible for further direct award contracts to be put in place. I have stated publicly that this was not the intention of the Oireachtas when the legislation was passed.
Government's policy is for the NTA to procure bus services through a combination of direct award and tendering in the best interests of quality services, integrated public transport and to serve the needs of the travelling public. My Department has received advice from the Attorney General which states that Government policy can be implemented through the existing legislation and that the NTA is not precluded from entering into a further direct award contract with the two bus companies at the end of 2019.
At the LRC discussion concluded on the 14th May last to address Trade Union concerns on these matters, my Department committed to identifying how best to build confidence in the scope of the legislation, taking account of requirements of EU law and considering the views that have been expressed by the Unions. This process will be completed by the end of 2015 and will inform any actions that may be required to ensure that Government policy is implemented as intended. Appropriate clarification will be provided to the relevant parties upon completion of this process.
20. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the recent resignation of a person (details supplied), an accountant and auditor, from the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company in County Dublin, due to concerns over financial matters, and the numerous questions that have been raised with regard to overpayment of expenses and other irregularities, if he considers it is time to dissolve the company and take it back under the aegis of his Department pending the new legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23479/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe drafting of the Harbours Bill, 2015 is complete and I expect to seek Government approval to publish it very shortly.
The Bill will provide the legislative basis for one of the National Ports Policy's key recommendations, namely that governance of the designated Ports of Regional Significance should vest in more appropriate local authority led governance structures. As the Deputy is aware, Dun Laoghaire is one of these five Ports of Regional Significance.
The Bill is designed to provide maximum legislative flexibility. It will not prescribe the model of transfer but instead will allow for the most appropriate model of governance to be chosen in respect of each individual company. The two possible models of transfer provided in the Bill are:
1. Retention of the existing company structure and transfer of the Ministerial shareholding in the company to the local authority; or
2. Dissolution of the existing company structure and transfer of all assets, liabilities and employees into local authority structures, where the port will be administered as a functional area of the local authority.
The manner of transfer selected in each case will be the one that finds broad consensus and agreement between the parties.
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council have established an engagement team to discuss the practical issues associated with the transfer and consultants have been appointed to undertake a due diligence process, with the funding support of the Department. This exercise may assist in the decision as to the most suitable model of transfer.
It is important that a secure and acceptable plan is developed for the future of Dun Laoghaire. The enactment of the legislation, and the process I have outlined above, will be essential to this.
21. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his role in developing the nautical tourism sector, and specifically in the context of County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23471/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy and it is not involved in the development of regional or sectoral tourism. This is an operational matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland, and I have accordingly referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days. That said, I have been advised that as part of the development of the Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth policy, Fáilte Ireland are working with the Marine Co-ordination Group to highlight the opportunities and issues effecting the development of marine tourism.
In that regard, between 2013 and 2014 Fáilte Ireland undertook research into the infrastructural requirements around berthing and marine facilities for visitors, and also into the motivations of visitors who embark upon a sailing holiday. The research findings concluded that the core potential of overseas visitors who would be motivated to travel to Ireland for sailing, was relatively modest and quite niche: primarily sailing enthusiasts rather than leisure holidaymakers. Research also indicated that there was potential demand for charter services, whereby holidaymakers would charter a sailing vessel, with or without a skipper, for a day or a short number of days as part of a wider range of holiday experiences. Infrastructural requirements focussed on sufficient, well serviced mooring facilities such as pontoons rather than on larger marinas.
