Written Answers Nos. 173-177
173. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Mining Board has made a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if not, when it will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45516/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minerals Development Act 1979, vested in the Minister the exclusive right of working minerals in the State save for “excepted minerals”. The Mining Board is a Statutory Body established pursuant to Section 33 (1) of the Minerals Development Act 1940 and is independent in the exercise of its functions. Therefore, neither I as Minister nor my Department have any function in matters that come before it.
I understand that due to a family illness, one of the persons with an interest in this matter sought an adjournment of the process which was granted by the Board. In the intervening period the position of the Chairman and one ordinary member of the board have become vacant and the process of filling those vacancies is being progressed. I understand that once these appointments are complete, the Board will be in a position to finalise its consideration of the application.
174. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on using an underground alternative on the North-South interconnector which employs high voltage direct current technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45621/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, EirGrid made a formal application for the North-South Transmission Line project to An Bord Pleanála on 9 June 2015. I am constrained, therefore, in what I can say in relation to the project other than the provision of factual information.
The North-South Transmission Line project is part of EirGrid’s plans to upgrade the national electricity transmission system. It is a strategically urgent project that will remove restrictions limiting cross-border power flows between Ireland and Northern Ireland and strengthen security of electricity supply throughout the island of Ireland.
Since the project was initiated, there have been numerous studies into the option of using an underground alternative for the project.
In July 2014, a Government-appointed Independent Expert Panel provided its opinion on whether EirGrid had adequately examined this matter. It found that the studies and work undertaken were compatible with the methodologies being employed on the Grid West and Grid Link projects.
On 27 March 2015 EirGrid published a new independently peer reviewed draft Strategy which found that there remains a clear need for the North-South Transmission Line project, and that the existing proposal for a 400kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project.
175. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of airport security services conducting spot-checks on the contents of planes landing at Irish airports for refuelling purposes to ensure that they are not carrying goods or munitions that make the landing contrary to Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45481/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended, is divided between my Department and the Irish Aviation Authority. My Department is responsible for issuing exemptions from Article 6 of the Order regarding munitions of war and the IAA is responsible for issuing exemptions from Article 7 regarding dangerous goods.
In response to the Deputy's specific question, the Airport operator does not have a role with regard to compliance of an air carrier with the Irish Statutory provisions in this regard.
Under the Order the carriage of munitions of war on board Irish registered aircraft is prohibited without an exemption from my Department. I have no reason to believe the provisions of the Order are not being complied with by air carriers. My understanding is that there have not been inspections carried out by authorised officers of my Department in relation to the carriage of munitions of war in recent years.
In relation to the carriage of dangerous goods in accordance with Article 7, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the IAA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within the next 10 working days please contact my Office.
176. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a request from Kilkenny County Council that a derelict boat be removed from Ballinagoth Quay in the Rower in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45550/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is not aware of the particular request referred to by the Deputy.
In general, the relevant legislation under my remit which applies to such cases is the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act, 1993.
Section 52 (1), (3) and (4) of this Act provide powers to a Local Authority to remove and dispose of a wreck where the Authority believes that the wreck poses a threat to navigation or to the marine environment.
The owners of such vessels are responsible for any costs arising from these actions under Section 53.
177. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the construction of a new bridge in Cockill in Buncrana in County Donegal, when the project will begin and be completed, the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45557/15]
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.
While my Department has approved grant funding for the project, implementation is the responsibility of Donegal County Council subject to approval by my Department at various project stages. In this context I understand that the Council is endeavouring to implement the project as quickly as possible taking into account necessary preparatory work.
