Written Answers Nos. 11-14
11. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will seek to have the N20 motorway upgrade between Limerick and Cork included in the Government’s forthcoming capital plan; and if he views this upgrade as a national priority. [31940/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual national road projects is a matter for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Due to the national financial position, there have been very large reductions in roads expenditure over the past number of years. Funding in 2008 was €2.3 billion while funding this year is around €764 million for the national, regional and local road network. The reality is that available funds fall well short of the amount of work that could be undertaken.
Taking into account our obligations under the EU fiscal rules, capital budgets are expected to continue to be tight for the next number of years and this will limit the scope for progressing new projects over and above the PPP programme currently under way. While, therefore, I know that it is important to restore capital funding for the transport sector to ensure that land transport infrastructure is maintained, and renewed to support economic development, I recognise that it will take some years for capital funding to build back up from the current constrained level to more appropriate levels.
12. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he received any correspondence containing concerns or queries as to the manner in which the sale process of the CIE site at Tara Street, Dublin 2, was conducted; if he has received any correspondence from third parties in relation to same; his contact with the board of CIE in relation to this correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31955/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraProperty disposals are a matter for CIE who are required to dispose of property in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. As part of her annual report to me under the Code of Practice, the CIE Chair reports to me on the carrying out of all appropriate procedures for asset disposals by CIE. The last report was received by me on 30th April last.
As to specific corrrespondence relating to the property mentioned, I have received no correspondence from third parties relating to this issue. In the case of CIE, I do receive regular summaries of decisions made and important issues discussed at CIE Board meetings. In the summary record received of the Board meeting of 1 July 2015, a decision was reported on the identification of a successful bidder in respect of the Tara Street site.
13. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on any plans to upgrade public transport from Dublin city centre to Dublin Airport and Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31953/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my response to Priority Question No. 1.
14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the activities for which the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company must seek consent before engaging in; if he is satisfied that the company acts within both the letter and the spirit of the law in terms of seeking consent and consulting with him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31918/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Harbours Acts require port companies to seek my consent for certain activities including the establishment of any subsidiary company, investment in undertakings (other than a subsidiary) greater than €1.27m, and borrowings.
In addition, the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requires Ministerial consent for any "action which would extend or change significantly the nature, scope or scale of activities in which (the State Body) ... engages" and also, where any joint venture is proposed.
My Department has been consistently clear with the Company that it should seek Ministerial consent both under the Harbours Acts and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies in respect of any intended action which would extend or change significantly the nature, scope or scale of the activities in which it engages, and, in relation to borrowings it proposes to undertake.
