Written Answers Nos. 162-166
162. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way the Government will fundamentally reverse Ireland's falling 70% short of achieving its 2020 emissions target announced by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, recently. [32347/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor each year between 2013 and 2020, Ireland has a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target under the 2009 Effort Sharing Decision (ESD) No. 406/2009/EC. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their value in 2005. This is jointly the most demanding 2020 reduction target allocated under the ESD and one shared only by Denmark and Luxembourg. The 2013 target is based on the average of emissions for the years 2008-2010. The target for each of the years 2014 through 2019 is on a straight-line trajectory between the targets for 2013 and 2020, and surpluses in one year can be used to cover deficits in any subsequent year. The average incidence of these targets is a 12% reduction relative to 2005.
In March 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published projected emissions for 2020 which indicate that Ireland's emissions at that stage could be in the range of 6-11% below 2005 levels. On a cumulative basis over the period 2013-2020, Ireland is projected to have a deficit of between 3 and 12 Megatonnes Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (MtCO2e).
The extent of this challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with our EU and international commitments, is well understood by the Government, as reflected in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, published in April 2014, and now underpinned by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015 which was enacted in December 2015. The National Policy Position provides a high-level policy direction for the adoption and implementation by Government of plans to enable the State to move to a low-carbon economy by 2050. Statutory authority for the plans is set out in the Act.
In accordance with Section 4 of the Act, and in line with responsibilities assigned to me as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I intend to make a draft National Mitigation Plan available for public consultation by the end of the year followed by submission of a final plan to Government for approval by June 2017. Work is well underway on the development of the National Mitigation Plan, the primary objective of which will be to track implementation of measures already underway and identify additional measures in the longer term to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and progress the overall national low carbon transition agenda to 2050. The first iteration of the National Mitigation Plan will place particular focus on putting the necessary measures in place to address the challenge to 2020, but also in terms of planning ahead to ensure that appropriate policies and measures will be in place beyond that.
The ultimate objective of successive National Mitigation Plans is to incrementally achieve the long-term vision of low carbon transition, set out in the National Policy Position, by 2050. In that context, the National Mitigation Plan will have regard to Ireland's obligations under the current 2009 Effort Sharing Decision, the Paris Agreement and any likely future EU and international obligations that may arise, including new national targets to be agreed under the 2030 climate and energy package.
163. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide information on funding for the N72 road from Killorglin to Killarney (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32158/16]
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 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
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.
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 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
164. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will accede to requests from representatives of a group (details supplied) that the College Green bus corridor be opened up to limousines or chauffeur-driven cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32160/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of allowing limousines to use bus lanes is one which has been raised repeatedly over many years by the limousine business. My predecessors and I have always rejected these requests, whether they were general requests to open bus lanes to limousines or attempts to prise open the bus lanes piecemeal by claiming special circumstances, as is the case with requests for access to the College Green bus lane.
Bus lanes were created, at some expense to the public, to provide on-street priority for bus-based public transport. Their fundamental function is to make bus services faster and more reliable, attracting people out of their cars and onto public transport, and so reducing congestion and pollution. After bus lanes were created, a decision was taken to allow taxis to use the lanes, as they are available to the public for on-street hire. The emergency services may also use the lanes, as may cyclists, the latter because they are inherently vulnerable road users and therefore safer in bus lanes than in general traffic.
Not surprisingly, many other categories of road users have sought access to the lanes. These include motorcyclists, hackneys, electric vehicles, multi-occupancy vehicles, and animal ambulances, among others. All of these requests have been rejected by myself and my predecessors as allowing them would undermine the efficiency of the lanes for their original purpose. In addition, making a concession to any one group would make it difficult to argue against concessions to another group.
165. Deputy Maria Bailey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is still mandatory that cyclists use cycle lanes in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32181/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 set out the current law in relation to the use of cycle tracks. These Regulations were amended in 2012 by article 16(e) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2012 as follows:
"(4) A pedal cycle shall be driven on a cycle track where-
(a) a cycle track is provided on a road, a portion of a road, or an area at the entrance to which traffic sign number RUS 021 (pedestrianised street or area) is provided, or
(b) a cycle track is a contra-flow cycle track where traffic sign number RUS 059 is provided and pedal cycles shall only be driven in a contra-flow direction on such track."
To set it out as clearly as possible: a pedal cycle shall be driven on a cycle track where a cycle track is provided on a road; a pedal cycle shall be driven on a cycle track where a cycle track is provided on a portion of a road and a pedal cycle shall be driven on a cycle track where a cycle track is provided on an area at the entrance to which traffic sign number RUS 021 (pedestrianised street or area) is provided.
My officials are currently reviewing the Department's policy with regard to the mandatory use of cycletracks and are consulting with the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána to seek their views. Before any amendments might be made to the Regulations with regard to the mandatory use of cycle lanes, I wish to satisfy myself that any such measures strike an appropriate balance between the views of stakeholders.
166. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will allocate funding for a cycleway along the Grand Canal in County Offaly between Edenderry and Shannonbridge, as outlined in the application submitted to Fáilte Ireland under the Ireland's Ancient East initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32241/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary role of my Department in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the funding or development of individual projects. The assessment of any applications for funding made in respect of individual grant schemes, including funding for tourism capital, is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
I launched Fáilte Ireland's new Capital Grants Scheme for Large Tourism Projects on 8th June 2016. The scheme provides for investment to develop new, or boost existing, tourism experiences and attractions across Ireland. The scheme will run from 2016-2020. The first call for applications closed on 22nd August 2016. Fáilte Ireland is currently assessing the applications received under this scheme. Further details of the scheme may be found on the Fáilte Ireland website at the following link:
http://www.failteireland.ie/Supports/Identify-Available-Funding.aspx.
I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply directly to the Deputy with any further information about the process. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from Fáilte within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
