Written Answers Nos 559-580
559. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if County Kerry will be prioritised for State intervention in broadband through the national plan as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5019/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.
The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services in the last four years, and is continuing to invest. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On 22 December 2015, I formally launched the procurement process for the State Intervention to provide high quality, high speed broadband to all premises in Ireland that may not be served through commercial investment. The formal procurement commenced with the publication of the Project Information Memorandum and the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. In addition, my Department also published:
- the National Intervention Strategy – updated in December 2015, which takes account of responses to the public consultation which took place in July 2015 and subsequent expert analysis; and
- the High Speed Broadband Map 2020 which follows ongoing engagement with industry and public consultation.
The 2020 Map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The areas marked AMBER represent the target areas for the proposed State intervention.
Members of the public can see whether their individual premise is in the BLUE or AMBER area by inserting their Eircode, and/ or address, or scrolling through the map. The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county including Co. Kerry.
The map shows the extent of the High Speed Broadband deployments by commercial operators, indicating that 70% of addresses in Ireland fall to be covered by commercial operators while the remaining 30% represents the target for the proposed State intervention.
The Intervention strategy sets out a detailed service specification including a requirement that the State-funded network must be capable of delivering high-quality, high speed broadband of at least 30 mbps download and 6 mbps upload. It must also be capable of catering for higher performance in the future so as to keep pace with consumer demand.
The intention is to build out the network in the AMBER area as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018, with all addresses passed by 2020.
The NBP will be implemented in all counties and the matter of prioritisation and sequencing will be addressed during the course of the procurement process and post contract award.
It is proposed to engage with the winning bidder(s) on the optimum roll-out strategy, and on the sequencing of the network deployment to maximise efficiencies during network build, having regard to business and consumer needs, and to areas of particularly poor service and areas of strong demand. All these factors will need to be balanced against the most efficient network roll-out and will be agreed during the procurement process.
560. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to address the issue of mobile phone coverage in rural areas particularly in the Glencolmcille and Kilcar areas in County Donegal; if he has liaised with representatives from mobile phone companies to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5103/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of mobile telephony services is subject to a requirement to secure access to the required radio spectrum by way of licence. The management of radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions.
Licences issued by ComReg impose terms and conditions on Mobile Network Operators, such as quality of service and minimum population coverage obligations. The design of the network is a matter entirely for the operator concerned although operators tend to exceed their minimum coverage requirements for commercial reasons. ComReg monitors compliance with licence requirements by means of bi-annual drive tests. I understand that current testing is designed to cover all primary and secondary national routes, with measurements being performed on all Mobile Networks.
Given that mobile services are a radio based technology, services can be affected by several factors including topography, the capacity of the network, data demand, and the quality of mobile phone handsets. Difficulties for service providers in erecting masts and antennas due to planning issues can also impact negatively on the quality of coverage experienced by consumers, and Local Authorities can play a strong role in supporting the roll out of telecommunications infrastructure.
In terms of improving the quality and coverage of mobile services in all areas throughout the country, there are various initiatives underway to achieve this aim. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2 bn in telecommunications infrastructure and services over the last four years, and are continuing to invest. A further €850 m has being invested in acquiring spectrum under the 2012 Multi-Band Spectrum Auction run by ComReg. Since then, the mobile operators have all continued to invest in rolling out 4G and enhanced 3G services nationwide. These investments are improving both the coverage and quality of voice and data services throughout the country, although I understand that some temporary disruptions to service have been encountered when upgrades are in progress.
I am confident that with the continued significant investment being made by mobile operators, including the continued roll-out of 4G services, the quality of mobile services will continue to improve.
561. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Eir's recent expansion of its rural broadband roll-out scheme will impact on the Government's national broadband plan; if the 300,000 homes covered by Eir include homes earmarked under the Government's scheme; if this will affect the plan's application for European Union funding, as a private company is already providing broadband to a number of areas in rural Ireland; if an updated plan is under way taking into account private sector involvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5105/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The Department strongly welcomes and encourages ongoing commercial investment in high speed broadband services.
The EU State Aid Guidelines for Broadband require Member States to thoroughly evaluate any commercial plans so as to ensure that State Aid is confined to those areas where commercial investment in high speed broadband services is unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future.
The Department has had extensive engagement with operators to identify those areas where there are concrete plans to roll out high speed broadband on a commercial basis. Such areas will be excluded from the proposed State intervention. In October 2015 the Department published the process it proposed to adopt in order to assess commercial high speed broadband investment plans.
Plans received from commercial operators were subsequently assessed under technical, deployment and financial criteria, in line with the EU State Aid requirements. This resulted in the publication of the High Speed Broadband Map 2020 in December 2015. No additional commercial plans have been submitted since the 2020 map was launched in December 2015.
The Map is a critical aspect of EU State Aid compliance and the mapping process remains open, in accordance with terms that have been published on the Department's website (www.broadband.gov.ie) so that any new developments can be managed.
The Department will update the Map during procurement where a commercial plan is deemed to comply with the Department’s assessment criteria and the operator signs the required Commitment Agreement. Any consequent changes to the areas requiring state investment will not require a change to the NBP intervention strategy but will serve to reduce the areas identified for state investment. Furthermore, where additional commercial developments occur, these should accelerate the roll-out of high speed broadband nationally.
In delivering a combination of commercial and State-led investment in high speed broadband, the National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that 85% of all premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband by 2018, with 100% having access by 2020.
562. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of vacancies which exist within his Department for candidates who must display competence in the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5430/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently seeking to fill two positions with candidates who have proficiency in the Irish language.
563. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will install a bike station in the Glasnevin Cemetery and the Botanic Gardens area of Dublin, given this area's popularity with tourists and its large population. [4749/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the development and implementation of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the Dublin Bikes Scheme. My Department is providing capital funding to the NTA to assist with the expansion of the current Scheme to the environs of the Grangegorman Campus during 2016.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed response. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
564. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to grant a trailer licence to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4703/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no power to intervene in individual cases. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
565. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the proposal by the Dublin Airport Authority to build a parallel runway at Dublin Airport; if he has had contact with senior management in this regard, given the stated intention to overcome restrictions on night flights and to allow 24-hour operations to facilitate the development of an air cargo hub, which would be an enormous intrusion on residents in Portmarnock, Malahide and Swords in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4738/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, daa has a statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport. daa was granted planning permission in 2007 for a second parallel runway and the necessary lands have been preserved for such a project for a considerable time. However, due to the downturn in the economy, the project was not progressed.
Given the significant increase in passenger numbers at Dublin Airport in recent years and the projected traffic growth in future years, it is clear that a second parallel runway will be needed to cater for future growth sooner rather than later. This is in line with the National Aviation Policy (NAP) which recognises our dependence on aviation for our links with the rest of the world and the importance of ensuring that the sector can continue to grow to underpin economic recovery and development.
In light of the strategic importance of this project, I have had discussions with the Chairman of the Board of the daa together with senior management about this project. In those discussions, daa have noted their concern that the impact of some of the planning conditions would restrict operations across the entire airport at key times. The development of an air cargo hub was not raised during those discussions.
The restrictions on airport operations that are contained in the planning permission for the second runway appear to be for the purpose of noise management. New EU legislation in this area will enter into effect by 13 June this year - specifically EU Regulation 598/14 concerning noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports which requires the application of a balanced approach between stakeholders. This regulation sets out the mandatory procedure to be followed when introducing operating restrictions at airports.
Since 2002, there has been a number of EU Directives governing the environmental noise from transport sources, including major airports. Specifically in relation to Dublin Airport, the implementation of the EU legislation involves this Department, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Environmental Protection Agency, Fingal County Council, Irish Aviation Authority and the daa. The new noise regulation presents an opportunity to establish a modern cohesive and measured approach to the management of noise at Irish airports which is capable of delivering the best outcome for all stakeholders, including the communities referred to by the Deputy at Dublin Airport.
My Department along with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government are now engaged in discussions on the best way forward to ensure the appropriate implementation of the Regulation by mid-June.
566. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to review the driving licence renewal process for persons over 70 years of age which requires a general practitioner to make an assessment of eyesight, given that an optician may be better suited for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4755/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Fitness to Drive Guidelines are reviewed regularly - the most recent in 2015. From a policy perspective, the requirement of proof of medical fitness for older drivers was introduced and has been maintained on safety grounds. As deteriorations due to aging can have detrimental effects on driving skills, it has been deemed prudent to require medical certification of fitness to drive on a periodic basis for older drivers. This is widespread international practice and has been the case in this jurisdiction since 1964.
Age-related conditions which may impair driving ability are not confined to eyesight, but cover a wide range. This is why a certification of fitness is required from a general practitioner rather than an optician.
Periodic medical testing of drivers helps to detect disease, as well as diminishing eyesight, in time. This is all the more necessary as many drivers may not be aware of the deterioration of their driving skill. Identification of deteriorations does not necessarily mean that drivers will not be able to renew their licences, as many deteriorations associated with age may be correctable with treatment.
567. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if completion of work on the M50 is on his agenda, when this work will start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4762/16]
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 operation of individual road projects (including the M50) 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.
I am very conscious of the pressures on the M50 but I do not see the provision of major new road infrastructure as a solution at this time nor is it feasible to do so within the timescale of the next Capital Plan. The upgrade of the M50 was completed as recently as 2010 at a cost of €1 billion and the extra capacity is under pressure already. In the short to medium term, the objective has to be to optimise the operation of the M50 and enhance other options, such as public transport.
TII looked at a range of short-term and longer-term measures to manage demand and optimise operational efficiency on the M50, which it published in its M50 Demand Management Study in April 2014. At my request, TII has undertaken further analysis and it is progressing several short-term measures. These include changes to junction layouts at key locations, following recent layout upgrades at the N3/M50 and Dublin Airport/M1. The aim of the revised layout is to optimise use of lanes to increase throughput. TII and local authorities are erecting new, permanent, signage to direct traffic where diversions from the M50 are required.
Looking forward, I have approved a proposal for TII to progress work on Variable Speed Limits on key areas of the M50, which would smooth out peak time traffic flows. With design and procurement, however, TII estimate this system would take around three years to deliver. Improvements in terms of public transport alternatives include the reopening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel for services on the Kildare commuter rail line in 2016. The new LUAS Cross City line, which will be in operation in late 2017, will also be of significant help in this regard. The Capital Plan also envisages significant ongoing investment in the replacement and enlargement of the PSO bus fleet.
568. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow the Uber service to operate here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4784/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra581. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence received concerning the Uber transportation group and the ride-sharing services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5042/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra582. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence regarding the ride-sharing services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5043/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 568, 581 and 582 together.
At present ride-sharing services would not comply with the primary legislation governing small public service vehicles, specifically the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 which commenced in 2014.
The core requirement, with a small number of limited exemptions, is that the carriage of passengers for reward in a public place in any mechanically propelled vehicle with nine or less seats (including the driver's seat) is permitted only in a licensed vehicle driven by a licensed driver.
The underlying policy which governs this is a concern for passenger safety and a concern for passenger protection in relation to pricing. The rationale for taxi regulation is to ensure that passengers have a safe vehicle for their journey, with appropriate insurance in place, driven by a driver who has been vetted by An Garda Síochána and, in the case of taxis, with a pre-established and verified charging system.
In addition, the Government's policy is to ensure a high level of standards and professionalism in the industry for both the customer and the industry itself.
My overall aim in relation to the taxi industry is to continue to strike the right balance between the interests and safety of consumers and having fair and transparent rules for taxi service providers. Compared to some other countries, Ireland's taxi and hackney market is very much an open market. All services provided by small public service vehicles must fully meet the legal and licensing requirements of the National Transport Authority.
Uber's existing services in Ireland fully meet the legal and licensing requirements of the National Transport Authority.
569. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to change age rules surrounding vehicles used as taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4788/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including rules regarding vehicle age, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
570. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure the development of new activity-tourism infrastructure in the north west; if exciting activity-tourism projects such as the Sligo greenway and Coolaney National Mountain Bike Centre will attract new tourists to the region; if the north west region can become a major activity-tourism hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4842/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSligo County Council submitted a proposal to my Department for funding under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016 for the Sligo section of the Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Greenway. While funding was not awarded on that occasion I understand that in the interim Sligo County Council have been developing the planning and environmental elements associated with this proposal in order to be best placed under future funding calls.
As regards funding for cycling infrastructure, to date this has been focussed on Greenways and urban infrastructure. Funding may be available through EU funded schemes for other types of cycling tourism measures and contact should be made with the North and Western Regional Assembly for advice in this regard.
In regard to the development of activity tourism and the development of activity tourism infrastructure, these are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have asked the agency to reply directly to the Deputy with further detail. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
571. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to facilitate a further meeting between himself, his officials and the management of Sligo Airport to discuss the progress to date on funding for the airport which he discussed during his last meeting with the airports directors in Sligo in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4853/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the completion of a Value for Money Review of the Regional Airports Programme published in 2011, the Government decided that funding for Sligo and Galway Airports under that Programme would cease from 2012 onwards. That review took account of a number of factors such as overlapping catchment areas, improvements in surface transport and the need to ensure the most effective use of Exchequer resources to support the regional airports network serving the Irish public, both in terms of business and tourism.
There are no plans to revisit that decision.
572. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce a motor tax on foreign hauliers in line with recent moves in Belgium and in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4854/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UK introduced a HGV road user levy in April 2014, while Belgium is introducing a HGV road user charge in April 2016.
The UK and Belgian road user charges do not constitute a form of motor tax applying to foreign hauliers only, as the charges apply to all HGVs operating in those countries, whether registered there or in other countries.
The question of road user charges for HGVs is being examined in my Department. Any future Government decision in regard to such measures would fall to be considered in the context of the wider fiscal framework, competitiveness and other social, environmental and economic factors.
573. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to resolve the ongoing Luas workers dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4922/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day to day operations of public transport. In the case of Luas, both the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have statutory responsibilities as regards the provision and oversight of services while the actual services are operated by a private company, Transdev Ireland.
I have no legal function in relation to the employment, or terms and conditions of employment, of Luas staff. They are employees of Transdev Ireland, which is a completely private company.
However, I was pleased to see the substantial progress reported during the most recent discussions facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission. Obviously this has been achieved inside the terms of current contract and with no additional cost to the taxpayer. The progress achieved to date has been made through the State's industrial relations resolution machinery, which I have repeatedly said, is the appropriate mechanism through which disputes should be, and are, resolved.
574. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he has not engaged a public consultation regarding the major timetable changes in the Ashbourne and Ratoath areas of County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4986/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra575. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on proposals to eliminate the 105 Dublin city centre bus route from Ratoath, County Meath; his proposals to reverse this cutback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4987/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 574 and 575 together.
The issues raised are a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
576. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed Slane bypass including his plans to progress same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4988/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, as 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 (such as the Slane Bypass) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with Meath County Council.
The transport element of the Capital Plan, provides a total of €6 bn for roads over seven years. Of this, €4.4 bn of this programme will be devoted to essential maintenance and strengthening works on our network. The Plan has provided that a number of schemes (including the Slane Bypass), targeting bottlenecks in the road network, will be progressed subject to planning. TII is in the process of drawing up an implementation programme for the projects included in the Capital Plan and in the case of the proposed Slane Bypass, this will require the submission of the scheme to an Bord Pleanála for consideration.
577. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address an issue regarding boatmen (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5013/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
578. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent to market the Wild Atlantic Way internationally each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5025/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra579. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent in each year to market the Wild Atlantic Way internationally since its inception as an attraction to enjoy during the winter months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5026/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra580. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the enormous potential to market the Wild Atlantic Way internationally as an all year round attraction to help boost our winter tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5027/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 578 to 580, inclusive, together.
The autumn/winter season is already recognised as being of significant importance for the tourism industry in Ireland as it usually yields as much as 30% of our annual overseas tourism business. Figures published last week by the CSO show that the number of overseas visits to Ireland grew by 17.8% between October and December 2015, when compared with the same period in 2014.
Tourism Ireland's 2016 business plan includes objectives to highlight unique and motivating iconic visitor experiences, including the Wild Atlantic Way, and to present the island of Ireland as an exciting destination to visit in the off-peak season.
Decisions on how the Wild Atlantic Way is marketed overseas are a matter for Tourism Ireland Limited, and in the case of the domestic tourism market, are a matter for Fáilte Ireland. These decisions are not subject to my approval. Accordingly, I have also referred the Deputy's Parliamentary Questions to both agencies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
