Thursday, 25 Jun 2015

Written Answers Nos. 248-260

Inland Fisheries Stocks

Ceisteanna (248)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

248. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the stock levels of eels; if he has costed and valued the loss of eels through the Electricity Supply Board turbine per year; if the elver traps are maintained; the last occasion these traps were inspected and-or maintained; if he has calculated the financial loss to licensed eel fisherman since this fishing was banned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25578/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Ireland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) was accepted by the EU in 2009 under the EU Eel regulation 1100/2007. The plan outlined the following main management actions aimed at reducing eel mortality and increasing silver eel escapement to the sea:

- a cessation of the commercial eel fishery and closure of the market;

- mitigation of the impact of hydropower installations;

- ensure upstream migration of juvenile eel at barriers; and

- an improvement of water quality.

Mitigation of the impact of hydropower installations is addressed via a Trap and Transport (T&T) on the Shannon, Erne and Lee, managed by ESB Fisheries. This involves the capture of adult eels migrating to sea, transporting them around the hydro power installations and releasing them. In addition elver traps are installed at all ESB hydropower stations to facilitate the upstream movement of juvenile eels.

The independent Standing Scientific Committee on Eels sets targets of quantities to be transported annually. This Committee comprises scientists from the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Loughs Agency, the Agriculture, Food and Biosciences Institute for Northern Ireland (AFBINI) the Electricity Supply Board (ESB),the Marine Institute (MI) and third level institutes. The advice from the SSCE is independent of the parent agencies.

While the operation of both T&T and elver trap actions are day to day operational issues for ESB, I am advised by ESB that the overall T&T targets for each of the three fisheries have been consistently met. I am also advised that ESB installed additional traps in 2015 at Ballyshannon and Parteen. All other traps, including trap substrates, ramps, water flow and tanks at all ESB locations (Ballyshannon, Parteen, Ardnacrusha & Inniscarra) were refurbished and upgraded in early 2015.

ESB also confirmed that all traps were operational before 17 March this year. The traps at Parteen and Ardnacrusha were inspected on Thursday 12 March by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The traps at Ballyshannon, which are on a trans-boundary waterway, were jointly inspected on Friday 13 March by both IFI and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland.

There is no property right attaching to public eel licences and consequently the issue of compensation is not relevant or appropriate, given that the closure of the fishery was applied for conservation reasons under the Fisheries Acts.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (249)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

249. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the privatisation of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25453/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

There are no plans to privatise Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann or Iarnród Éireann.  What is being carried out is a tender process, under the aegis of the National Transport Authority (NTA), in respect of a small segment of the overall number of publicly-subvented PSO bus routes.  The routes will continue to be provided through public subvention and under the supervision of the NTA.

In accordance with legislation, the NTA made its decision to tender a portion of PSO bus services currently operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann after a review and assessment by the NTA that included a public consultation process.

Government's policy is for the NTA to procure bus services through a combination of direct award contracts and tendering in the best interests of quality, integrated public transport and to serve the needs of the travelling public.   

The NTA believes that some competition in awarding operating contracts will be good for the bus market and for the travelling public in encouraging transport operators to provide enhanced services.  Following the consultation phase, the NTA decided that 10% was sufficient to achieve this without fundamentally damaging the market as it stands or the existing network.  Routes were chosen on this basis and Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann can compete for the routes in this tender process.

Horse Racing Industry

Ceisteanna (250)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

250. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the economic benefits of harness racing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25473/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I have no responsibility or official function in relation to horse racing or the staging of horse racing events, including harness racing. Matters relating to the horse racing industry are the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.  

Driver Licence Applications

Ceisteanna (251)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

251. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is any discretion applicable in relation to the six-month rule for a person on a learner permit, before the person can sit a driving test, in the case where a person must leave the country for work purposes before the six-month waiting time would expire and urgently requires a full driving licence for employment purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25498/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

First-time learner permit holders for cars, motorcycles and works vehicles (e.g. tractors, JCBs) must wait six months after the date of issue of the particular licence category before they can sit their driving test. This requirement came into effect from 30 October 2007 under the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Certificates of Competency) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 725 of 2007).  There is no discretion to waive this condition. Research shows that the longer a learner is supervised while driving, the less likely they are to be involved in a collision.

Haulage Industry Regulation

Ceisteanna (252)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

252. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the work being carried out by his Department and the interdepartmental review group on road charges and road tax for heavy goods vehicles; when a report will be available from the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25644/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

An Inter Departmental Group, chaired by my Department, was established last year to consider the potential for introducing a 'pay-as-you-go' road tax system for HGVs.  The group has been examining the technical, regulatory and economic dimensions of introducing a HGV road user charge in Ireland. The work of the group was expanded to include a full review of commercial motor tax, which has led to the group taking longer than anticipated to finalise its proposals. The group held a targeted stakeholder consultation in November 2014 which concluded in February 2015 and in March held meetings with stakeholders, including representatives of the hauliers and their customers.

The report of the group is currently being finalised for submission to me and to the Ministers for Finance and the Environment, Community and Local Government.  I expect to receive the report shortly.

National Parks

Ceisteanna (253)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

253. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Killarney National Park in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25598/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department is aware of the matter referred to and will keep it under review within the context of the limited funding resources available for the management of National Parks and Nature Reserves across the country.

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (254)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

254. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a decision will be made on three applications made under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme by persons (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in considering these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25481/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

An application for compensation, under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, has been received by my Department from each of the individuals referred to in the Deputy’s Question. The qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:

- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right;

- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;

- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;

- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and

- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.

Following an assessment of the applications, my Department wrote to each applicant informing them that they did not appear to have a legal interest in the bog plot in respect of which they have applied for compensation.

My Department then undertook a further assessment of each application to ascertain whether each applicant appeared to be at a loss of a supply of fuel for his/her household arising from the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation.

I am advised that this further assessment has been completed and an official of the Department has decided that each applicant is not eligible for compensation under the scheme.

My Department has written to the applicants setting out the decisions made in each case. The applicants have also been informed that they may request a Departmental review of these decisions in the event that they disagree with them.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ceisteanna (255)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

255. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action the National Parks and Wildlife Service is taking to cease the ongoing practices of bait digging, shellfish collecting and crabbing on Bull Island in north Dublin, which result in the destruction of a protected European Union annex 1 habitat and the removal of invertebrates, which are an important food source for birds. [25486/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Natura 2000 is the centrepiece of EU nature and biodiversity policy. It is an EU-wide network of nature protection areas established under the 1992 Habitats Directive. The aim of the network is to assure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. It is comprised of special areas of conservation (also referred to as sites of community importance in the EU context) designated by Member States under the Habitats Directive and special protection areas which are designated under the 1979 Birds Directive.

The establishment of this network of protected areas also fulfils a Community obligation under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Bull Island is contained within the North Dublin Bay special area of conservation. It is also the focal point of the North Bull Island special protection area, formally designated in 2010 by Statutory Instrument (S.I. 211 of 2010). It is also recognised as a UNESCO biosphere by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. This biosphere designation has now been extended to Dublin Bay.

In accordance with the provisions of this Statutory Instrument, harvesting marine species, unless regulated by another public body or unless for personal use, may only be undertaken on the site with my consent, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The site has been monitored by officials from my Department and I understand that bait digging is recognised as a management issue. However, I am advised there are significant operational challenges associated with the regulation and management of such activities that require careful consideration in the context of the overall ecological requirements of the site.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ceisteanna (256)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

256. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the National Parks and Wildlife Service division of her Department issued 493 licences to stop damage to flora and fauna by wild animals in 2013 for the capture and/or killing of protected animals and birds; the nature of the damage being caused; the species of animals and birds involved; the method of capture and killing employed; the reason non-lethal methods were not used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25491/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

There is a facility, under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts, for a person to obtain a permit, outside the Open Seasons, from my Department to take action in certain situations where serious damage is being caused by protected animals and wild birds. Such action might include the scaring, capture or killing of species. Applications for permits are considered by officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, on a case by case basis.

In 2013, some 493 permits were granted under section 42, the vast majority of which, some 443 permits or 90%, were issued to control deer. 35 permits were issued to control bird species, such as feral pigeons, rooks and jackdaws, some of them in indoor structures such as food storage areas. A small number of permits were granted to control other animals.

In 2014, there was a reduction in the number of section 42 permits issued from 493 to 355.

National Gallery

Ceisteanna (257, 258, 259)

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

257. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the issue of any remuneration or payment of any fees to the current or previous directors of the National Gallery in connection with their positions as board members of the Alfred Beit Foundation, paid either by the National Gallery or the Alfred Beit Foundation, has been discussed during the quarterly liaison meetings between her Department officials and the senior management team of the National Gallery, at any time since 1974; the content of any such discussions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25554/15]

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

258. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a list of her Department or Government circulars relevant to the appointment and remuneration of the director of the National Gallery; the extent to which participation in other corporate structures by the director is facilitated by the terms and conditions of employment, as sanctioned by her Department; if, while travelling to or attending meetings of the Alfred Beit Foundation, the director may be paid salary and expenses by the National Gallery or the Alfred Beit Foundation; if any cost incurred by the National Gallery in supplying a board member to the Alfred Beit Foundation is recoverable from the foundation either through direct payment to the director or to the National Gallery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25555/15]

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

259. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the subject of the export licensing or private sale by the trustees of the Alfred Beit Foundation of a painting by Jacques de Lajoue entitled, the "Cabinet of Physical Sciences" has been discussed at any of the quarterly liaison meetings between her Department officials and the senior management team of the National Gallery of Ireland, or indeed the export licensing and-or sale of any of the Alfred Beit Foundation trust assets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25556/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 to 259, inclusive, together.

I am advised that, since the establishment of my Department on 2 June 2011, my Department has not discussed the issues referred to in the Deputy’s Questions with the National Gallery at the quarterly liaison meetings.

Ongoing matters relating to the contract and duties of the Director of the National Gallery are in the first instance an operational matter for the Board of the National Gallery.

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (260)

Frankie Feighan

Ceist:

260. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when payment under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme on special areas of conservation bogs will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [25641/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. The qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:

- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right;

- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;

- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;

- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and

- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.

My Department is examining the application in view of the qualifying criteria for the scheme. I am advised that an inspection of the plot of bog in respect of which the applicant has applied for compensation is to be undertaken and my Department will be in contact with the applicant when this inspection has been completed.