Written Answers Nos. 508-525
508. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if financial provision has been made in his Department's Estimate for 2016 to progress the proposed Narrow Water bridge project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7285/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 'A Fresh Start - Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan', concluded in November 2015 indicates that the Government remains committed to the concept of the Narrow Water Bridge. Under the Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government have agreed to undertake a review of the project with a view to identifying options for its future development, for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council in June 2016.
There is no provision in my Department's budget to progress the Narrow Water Bridge project in 2016.
509. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the proposed Narrow Water bridge project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7334/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 'A Fresh Start - Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan', concluded in November 2015 indicates that the Government remains committed to the concept of the Narrow Water Bridge. Under the Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government have agreed to undertake a review of the project with a view to identifying options for its future development, for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council in June 2016.
510. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the proposed western bypass of Ardee, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7335/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Within its annual budget the planning, design and implementation of individual road projects, such as the Ardee Bypass 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.
The Ardee Bypass was not included in the Capital Plan published in September 2015. As explained previously, decisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. Based on the findings in that report it is envisaged that maintenance and renewal of the road network will continue to be the main priority over the period of the plan and the bulk of the roads capital, over €4 billion, is earmarked for such essential work with a further €600 million allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway.
In this context the Ardee bypass was one of the projects that it was not possible to include given the overall funding envelope available. Over the period of the Capital Plan funding for land transport, including roads, will be built up towards the levels needed to support adequate maintenance and development.
511. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when Louth County Council will receive a positive response to the request in November 2012 to retain the status of classification of the N51 and N52 road network in County Louth and whether he wil re-assert the social and economic significance of this road network; and his views on the matter. [7356/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 10 of the Roads Act 1993 as amended by the Roads Act 2007 provides for the classification of national, regional and local roads.
Issues relating to the classification of the N51 and N52 are on file and will be dealt with as part of the next extensive review of roads classification which it is hoped to complete this year.
512. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a proposed timeline for the extension of the Luas green line to Bray in County Wicklow is in place; if not, when this timeline is to be published; the route options which are currently under consideration; if a preferred route has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7412/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including Luas light rail projects.
In this regard, I recently approved the NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA (comprising the counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow) for the period 2016-2035. The Strategy provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades. It includes a proposal for an extension of the Luas Green Line to Bray. Following approval of the Strategy, and in accordance with its statutory mandate, the NTA has now commenced work on a six year Integrated Implementation Plan.
The Government's plans for transport investment for this period are set out in the new Capital Plan, 'Building on Recovery' Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021. The Capital Plan does not include funding for this project so it will not be advanced during this period. The timeline for the project will be determined in the context of future Integrated Implementation Plans brought forward by the NTA for implementation of the Strategy and future Capital Funding Reviews.
The development of any Luas project would also be subject to appraisal and evaluation (including review of a detailed business case) under the Public Spending Code as well as the availability of funding.
513. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport why rickshaws are not regulated as there are concerns for public safety and the loss of income for taxi drivers who are regulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7439/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraRickshaws are covered by road traffic law. Pedal-powered rickshaws come within the definition of 'pedal cycles' and powered rickshaws are classified as 'mechanically propelled vehicles'. They, like all other road traffic, are obliged to obey road traffic law. The measures which I introduced last year to allow An Garda Síochána to issue fixed charge notices to cyclists also apply to pedal powered rickshaws and provide an important tool for An Garda Síochána in enforcing the law.
At present there is no legislation in place to regulate the carriage of passengers by rickshaws. Rickshaws by their nature operate at a local level. Local authorities regulate many activities at local level through bye-laws made under local government regulation.
I understand that, in response to some concerns - primarily of a health and safety nature - and having regard to legal advices, Dublin City Council is assessing the introduction of bye-laws to regulate rickshaws.
514. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide the regional breakdown of all members appointed by the Minister or the Government to State boards, agencies and bodies in 2015 and to date in 2016, set down by agency and by region (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7486/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is in the following table.
State Board Appointments by Regional Breakdown:
|
Board |
Total Appointments |
Dublin |
Rest of Leinster |
Munster |
Connacht |
Ulster |
|
CIÉ |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Bus Átha Cliath |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Bus Éireann |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Iarnród Éireann |
2* |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Port of Waterford Company |
2 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
Sport Ireland |
11 |
5 |
|
4 |
2 |
|
|
Taxi Advisory Committee to the NTA |
3 |
2 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Medical Bureau of Road Safety |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
National Transport Authority |
6 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
*The other appointee is based in the UK
515. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if holders of a hackney licence in rural areas must be available for any minimum number of hours per week or if they are free to operate only when it suits them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7489/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle industry, including the requirements for Hackney Licences, 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.
516. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport following the publication of the transport strategy for the greater Dublin area 2016-2035 to outline the plans to advance the metro west project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7534/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including metro and light rail projects.
Metro West was proposed under Transport 21 as an orbital metro connecting Tallaght and Blanchardstown in the west of Dublin with the original Metro North proposal to Swords. The project was to be procured as a Public Private Partnership, however a significant Exchequer contribution would also have been required.
In October 2010 the then Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) submitted an application to An Bord Pleanala for a Railway Order for the metro project. In light of the financial crisis, it was decided that the Railway Order application for Metro West should be withdrawn in September 2011.
I recently approved the NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA for the period 2016-2035. The Strategy does not include the original Metro West proposal but it includes proposals for the future development of an east-west Luas line, commencing in the residential areas of Lucan and connecting into Dublin City Centre. This will provide a high capacity radial service from this area to the City Centre, sufficient to cater for the high transport demand along this corridor, and will serve Lucan, Liffey Valley and Ballyfermot along its route.
The Strategy also envisages the development of a Core Bus Network, which would include a range of radial and orbital routes serving Dublin West, and a Bus Rapid Transit scheme linking Blanchardstown with UCD.
517. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport following the publication of the transport strategy for the greater Dublin area 2016-2035 to set out when the Lucan Luas line project will progress. [7535/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including Luas light rail projects.
In this regard, I recently approved the NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA (comprising the counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow) for the period 2016-2035. The Strategy provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades. It includes a proposal for an extension of the Luas to Lucan. Following approval of the Strategy, and in accordance with its statutory mandate, the NTA has now commenced work on a six year Integrated Implementation Plan.
The Government's plans for transport investment for this period are set out in the new Capital Plan, 'Building on Recovery' Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021. The Capital Plan does not include funding for this project so it will not be advanced during this period. The timeline for the project will be determined in the context of future Integrated Implementation Plans brought forward by the NTA for implementation of the Strategy and future Capital Funding Reviews.
The development of any Luas project would also be subject to appraisal and evaluation (including review of a detailed business case) under the Public Spending Code as well as the availability of funding.
518. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt cén fáth go ngearrtar táillí dola ar fheithiclí príobháideacha atá in ann naonúr a iompar ag an ráta céanna le busanna poiblí den mhéid céanna; an nglacann sé leis gur mí-réasúnach an rud é táillí den sórt seo a ghearradh ar theaghlaigh ina bhfuil seachtar páistí agus níos mó; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [7580/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt , tá mé freagrach as polasaí agus maoiniú foriomlán maidir leis an gclár na mbóithre náisiúnta. Tá an phleanáil, a dhearadh agus a chur chun feidhme tionscadal bóthair aonair ceist don Bonneagar Iompair Éireann (TII) faoi Achtanna na mBóithre 1993 go 2015 i gcomhar leis na húdaráis áitiúla lena mbaineann.
Ina theannta sin, an chumhacht reachtúil chun dleachtanna do ghearra ar bhóithre náisiúnta, a dhéanamh dola fodhlíthe agus comhaontuithe a dola le infheisteoirí príobháideacha maidir le bóithre náisiúnta atá dílsithe Bonneagar Iompair Éireann (TII) faoi Chuid V d'Acht na mBóithre 1993 (arna leasú leis an Acht Pleanáil agus Forbairt 2000 agus Achtanna na mBóithre 2007-2015).
Ag tabhairt dá haire an staid thuas, tá mé dtarchuirfear cheist an Teachta chun TII le haghaidh freagra díreach. Tabhair comhairle le m'oifig phríobháideach mura bhfaigheann tú freagra laistigh de 10 lá oibre.
519. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the current position regarding the grant application submitted to his Department in respect of the development of the Leitrim Cavan greenway; when it is likely that this application will be approved and funding allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7587/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra520. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the current position regarding the grant application submitted to his Department in respect of the development of the Sligo-Leitrim greenway; when it is likely that this application will be approved and funding allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7588/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 520 together.
Both Leitrim (with the support of Cavan) and Sligo County Councils submitted applications under the last tranche of the National Cycle Network (NCN) funding programme (2014-2016) for the construction of a greenway along the sections of the disused Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties (SLNCR) railway within their jurisdiction. Unfortunately, neither proposal was awarded funding at that time, due to the significant over-subscription for funding.
While all current funding from my Department for the purpose of greenway infrastructure is now fully committed to the end of 2016 I was pleased to see that Leitrim County Council (LCC) has submitted an application under the INTERREG VA Programme for funding to develop the Manorhamilton to Enniskillen section of the SLNCR. The specific objective under which this application will be considered is the promotion of cross-border intermodal and sustainable mobility in the cross-border region. Among the partners listed in this proposal is Cavan County Council (CCC) who, while not making any financial contribution, will bring to the project their extensive experience in delivering road schemes and "Smarter Travel" walking and cycling projects in county Cavan. A decision on this application is due in September of this year.
I understand that following on from the above mentioned initial unsuccessful NCN applications that all the authorities concerned came together to establish and address criteria which might impact on the delivery of the overall SLNCR project. This work is ongoing and progress is being made on the necessary planning and environmental assessments associated with this project. This should help the authorities in the event of their making future application(s) for support under any future programmes.
521. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the proposals to launch a new sports capital programme in 2016; if there is provision for same in his Department's Estimate for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7589/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. Any future rounds of the Programme will be advertised in the national press. Any interested group should register now on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie as this will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.
While there is no provision in the Department's Estimates for a new round of the Programme in 2016, grants allocated under the Programme do not generally fall due for payment in the year in which they are allocated.
522. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out the overall county by county take-up there has been of the new rural hackney scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7637/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle industry, including the issuing of Local Area Hackney Licences, 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.
523. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the degree to which regional airports are expected to continue to play a major part in the national transport network in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7729/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new National Aviation Policy which I published last August acknowledges the role played by the regional airports of Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford as being important in promoting connectivity to support the tourism and business sectors. The Policy confirms that these four regional airports are being given the opportunity to grow to a viable, self-sustaining position. For this reason, Exchequer support under our Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019 for safety and security projects and activities at these airports will be continued where appropriate. It is a matter for the airports themselves to exploit all potential opportunities to expand their air services.
524. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to indicate those areas in the tourism sector that have shown the greatest potential for future development and expansion, internally and externally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7730/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTourism continues to contribute significantly to Ireland's economic recovery. CSO figures for 2015 show there were over 8.64 million overseas visits to Ireland, an increase of 13.7% on 2014.
This growth in overseas visits has been accompanied by strong growth in overseas tourism revenue. The CSO Tourism and Travel publication shows that spending in Ireland by overseas visitors (excluding air fares or ferry charges) for 2015 increased by 18.6%, compared to 2014.
Research carried out on behalf of the tourism agencies and tourism industry has found that certain market segments have a higher likelihood to select Ireland as a destination. Tourism Ireland's overseas marketing activity is weighted towards these segments in order to provide the best return on marketing investment.
In addition, the tourism brand experiences that have been developed by Fáilte Ireland, like the "Wild Atlantic Way", "Ireland's Ancient East", and "Dublin – A Breath of Fresh Air" – are all designed to meet the needs of the most promising consumer segments in overseas source markets.
The Government's Tourism Policy Statement "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025" was launched in March 2015. The main targets contained in the Tourism Policy Statement, to be achieved by 2025, are as follows:
- Overseas tourism revenue to increase to €5 billion net of inflation, compared to €3.5 billion in 2014;
- Overseas visits to Ireland to increase to ten million, compared to 7.6 million in 2014; and
- 250,000 people to be employed in the tourism sector, compared to around 205,000 at present.
In 2015, I appointed a Tourism Leadership Group to put in place a Tourism Action Plan containing key actions required in the period to 2018 in order to achieve the overall objectives in the Policy Statement. The Tourism Action Plan was published in January and contains actions across a range of key issues including skills in the tourism industry; supply of visitor accommodation; overseas tourism marketing, and the contribution of Local Authorities to tourism development. My Department is now working closely with the tourism agencies on the implementation of all of the 23 actions contained in the Plan.
525. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when necessary upgrade works are due to commence on the M7 Naas to Newbridge Osberstown interchange and Sallins bypass, County Kildare, as announced in the recent capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7731/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 (including the N7) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with Kildare County Council. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. As regards regional and local roads, responsibility for implementation of improvement projects rests with the relevant local authority which is Kildare County Council in this instance.
As you are aware the transport element of the Capital Plan provides that work will commence on several roads projects which are targeted at removing critical bottlenecks or upgrading inadequate sections of road, including the M7 widening and the Sallins Bypass. Kildare County Council is responsible for the construction of the Osberstown Interchange.
In this context, TII is assessing how best to progress national projects included in the 7 year transport element of the Capital Plan taking into account annual budget allocations. The timeframe for progressing individual projects will be decided once that process is completed.
