Written Answers Nos. 168-172
168. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a deep channel will be marked from the slipway into the main harbour (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36698/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring to the marking of a deep channel in terms of a marine aid to navigation.
Under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, aids to navigation are subject to the superintendence and management of the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL), and their sanction is required by a local lighthouse authority to erect, place, remove or discontinue any lighthouse, buoy or beacon.
I have no function in the matter, and CIL has informed me that they have not received an application from Kerry County Council to place an aid to navigation in the area in question.
169. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Bus Éireann operates any wheelchair accessible buses from Letterkenny in County Donegal to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36673/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra173. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that Bus Éireann provides a comprehensive wheelchair accessible service on Expressway routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36800/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 173 together.
The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputies' questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive responses within ten working days.
170. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the Government's Aer Lingus shares will be restored to Irish Airlines (general employees) superannuation scheme pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36709/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra174. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress in resolving the matters related to the deferred Irish Airlines (general employees) superannuation scheme pensioners: if he will consider the concerns raised by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36813/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 174 together.
An agreed solution was implemented to address the IASS pension funding problems at the beginning of this year. The solution that has been implemented is a matter for the pension scheme trustee, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme members and the Pensions Authority.
The IASS trustee has confirmed that these measures are in the overall best interest of the members of the IASS as a whole and are fully compliant with National and EU law. I am very conscious that the agreed solution has a significant impact on many members of the scheme. The outcome although not ideal, was preferable to the alternatives, including the wind up of the scheme. As this issue is now the subject of legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on the matter.
Under the agreed solution the total contribution proposed by the IASS employers aimed at resolving the IASS difficulties amounts to over €260 million. I have previously made it clear that there is no question of Exchequer funding being made available to supplement the agreed Aer Lingus pension funding solution that is in place.
171. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of freedom of information requests, in tabular form, received by his Department in 2015 to date; the number of these for which the period of consideration was completed within four weeks of the receipt of the request; and the number for which the period was extended by up to four weeks because the necessary resources to complete the request within the original time frame were not available. [36755/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data requested by the Deputy is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy within ten working days.
172. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided in 2016 towards the necessary planning and design work on the proposed Virginia bypass on the N3 road in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36756/15]
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 road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
