Written Answers Nos. 1594-1613
1594. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be released by his Department to enable a proposed new stadium for a football club (details supplied) to proceed. [1366/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, officials from my Department have engaged with Finn Harps and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) on this matter. I am advised that my Department's technical advisor is currently examining the invoices on hand for work to date and is also considering the updated quantity surveyor's report which details the estimated cost of completing the project. This examination is anticipated to be concluded shortly and it is then expected that a follow up meeting with Finn Harps and the FAI will be convened.
1595. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to adequately resource local road improvement schemes to reflect the challenge of maintaining many roads across rural Ireland. [1367/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the local authority's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Maintenance of private laneways/roads not taken in charge by local authorities is the responsibility of the landowners concerned. Due to the major cutbacks in roads funding it was necessary for the Department to cease making separate allocations to local authorities in respect of LIS. The approved scheme remains intact and local authorities can use a proportion of State grant funding for LIS should they wish to do so.
While 2017 will see a modest increase in funding for roads, it will take some years yet under the Capital Plan to restore "steady state" funding levels for regional and local roads. The primary focus will have to continue to be on the maintenance and renewal of public roads. I do, however, expect that local authorities will continue to be able to use a proportion of their Discretionary Grant for the Local Improvement Scheme in 2017.
In light of the provision in the Programme for Government indicating that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for Local Improvement Schemes, I will be raising the issue of increased funding in the context of the planned Review of the Capital Plan. I expect to announce the 2017 regional and local road allocations in the coming weeks.
1596. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will commission Transport Infrastructure Ireland to conduct a feasibility study for a commuter rail station at Prospect Junction, Cross Guns Bridge, Dublin, which is served by both the Newbridge-Grand Canal Dock line via the recently reopened Phoenix Park tunnel and also the Connolly Station to Maynooth commuter line and the Connolly Station to Sligo main line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1388/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred your letter to the NTA for a more detailed 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.
1598. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a listing and valuation for ongoing or approved tourism capital projects or grants currently awarded for County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1408/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland to invest in tourism offerings, it does not have a role in the administration of those capital programmes. That is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1599. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a listing and valuation for ongoing or approved sports capital projects or grants currently awarded for County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1409/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of all allocations and payments made under the Sports Capital and Local Authority Swimming Pool Programmes are published on the Department's website www.dttas.ie.
1600. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider opening up bus lanes to vehicles carrying people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1410/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus lanes were created, at some expense to the public, to provide on-street priority for bus-based transport. This is being done to make public transport more reliable and efficient, thereby attracting more people out of their cars and onto buses, and so reducing congestion and pollution.
Aside from buses, we already allow cyclists to use bus lanes, as they are inherently vulnerable road-users, and a concession was made shortly after they were introduced to allow taxis to use them, as they are a form of transport available to the public for on-street hire. Finally, the emergency services may of course also use bus lanes.
Since the introduction of bus lanes, there have been numerous requests to open them to other classes of traffic. These have included motorcycles, mutli-occupancy vehicles, limousines, hackneys, electric vehicles, and animal ambulances, among others.
These requests are consistently rejected, both by my predecessors and by myself. The principal reason is the carrying capacity of the lanes. Any addition to the classes of traffic permitted to use them would inevitably reduce the efficiency of the lanes for their original purpose. While the case is sometimes made that one or other category of traffic would not add much to the volume in bus lanes, if the principle were conceded in one case it would be difficult to refuse other requests.
I therefore have no plans to extend access to bus lanes to any other classes of traffic at this time.
1601. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the Gorey to Rosslare rail line, in view of concerns regarding its future; his plans for further investment in and development of rail services on the Dublin to Rosslare Europort rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1433/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of heavy rail in Ireland's Transport sector is currently under review. In mid-November the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann launched a public consultation process on the Rail Review Report, which has been published on the NTA's website along with a public consultation paper. The purpose of the consultation exercise is to open up a public discussion on the role of rail in Ireland and the funding of the rail network and services. This process will give the public and all interested parties the opportunity to give their views and contribute to the debate on the future of the heavy rail network. The public consultation process will run until 18th January and the NTA will then prepare a report about the process which I intend to bring to Government. No decisions about the future of the rail network will be made until the public consultation process has concluded and been evaluated.
1602. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of works (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1455/17]
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 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.
1603. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will provide funding to Kerry County Council for land acquisition for a project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1469/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Kerry (including the Dingle Inner Relief Road) is the statutory responsibility of Kerry County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council. The Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides that a number of schemes targeting bottlenecks in the road network will be progressed subject to necessary approvals. Among those schemes is the Dingle Relief Road. My Department paid a grant of €50,000 to Kerry County Council in 2016 to fund planning work related to the project. I expect to announce the 2017 allocations for regional and local roads in the coming weeks.
1604. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure additional car parking spaces are provided for Clonsilla train station in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1519/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and for the overall funding of public transport. Issues relating to the provision of car parking spaces at train stations on the heavy rail network are an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my Office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1605. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of drones weighing more than 1 kg that have been registered with the Irish Aviation Authority; the number of this category of drones which are still unregistered; if he will estimate the total number of drones, including machines lighter than 1 kg, which have been sold and which operate in Irish airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1522/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has statutory responsibility for aviation safety regulation in Ireland, including the regulation of remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones), as provided for under the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the IAA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1606. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the work of the Irish Maritime Development Office, IMDO, over the past four years and on the size of the Irish shipping registry for each of those years; the plans of the IMDO to develop the role of the Irish merchant fleet and ports here over the next decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1524/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) is a dedicated maritime development agency, representing the focal point for maritime business in Ireland. It operates under the aegis of the Marine Institute, reporting to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.
The IMDO is a provider of research and information on the maritime sector and undertakes work on behalf of my Department on a number of issues relating to promoting the development of Irish shipping and shipping services.
The IMDO provides business development assistance to existing and potential investors, support for maritime education and training, and the provision of economic data on Ireland's shipping market, by way of weekly and quarterly reports, culminating in an annual publication - the Irish Maritime Transport Economist. The IMDO produces other reports as appropriate, such as the Irish Tonnage Tax Report 2015 and the Ship Finance Report 2015. The IMDO acts as Ireland's designated Shortsea Promotion Centre in line with EU policy, providing independent advice and guidance to ports on EU funding initiatives. The IMDO also played a key advisory role to my Department in the development of National Ports Policy and assists in the implementation of that Policy. A full report on current and past IMDO activities can be obtained from the IMDO or the Marine Institute.
The internationally trading Irish merchant shipping fleet numbered approximately 35 vessels (greater than 500 gross tonnage) at the end of 2016. There were a similar number of vessels registered in 2014 and 2015, and 37 vessels registered in 2013.
Ireland carries liabilities with every ship on its register, each of which must meet and maintain required standards. This means that the State must manage and resource any expansion carefully to ensure the record and reputation of the Irish flag is maintained, an issue is kept under ongoing review by both my Department and the IMDO.
1608. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be forthcoming for the circle road and realignment of the R107 Malahide Road across the N32/R139 towards the M1 identified in the Belmayne and Clongriffin Local Area Plan, LAP, in order to better open up opportunities for land development in the area and ease current and future traffic congestion, in view of the fact that this road does not qualify for the local infrastructure housing activation fund and therefore funding must be provided by the NTA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1580/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035 considers the future national, regional and local road network as part of its consideration of a Strategy aimed at addressing urban congestion and improving the efficiency and sustainability of the urban transport system in the GDA. The Strategy sets out principles for road development in the GDA and those principles include:
- That alternative solutions such as public transport provision, traffic management or demand management measures cannot effectively and satisfactorily address the road proposal or are not applicable or appropriate together;
- Each proposed road scheme is consistent with the Strategy and Government policy; and
- Each scheme does not diminish in any significant way the expected beneficial outcome of the Strategy.
As part of a Corridor options appraisal, the Strategy considers the measures needed to meet travel demand on the economic Drogheda to Dublin City Corridor. In the options appraisal the Strategy has identified that capacity constraints exist on the intersection of the Malahide Road with the east-west R139 at Balgriffin/Clare Hall and that a road solution is proposed to address the issue.
As the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of the relevant road authority in accordance with the provisions of the Roads Act, 1993, as amended, development of proposals in relation to such a road scheme is a matter for the local authority.
1610. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timescale for the implementation of the Euro VI emission standards; if he will urgently sign this legislation into law; and if he will address the concerns of stakeholders in the motor industry which have been submitted to his Department and issue a response to these concerns. [1804/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEURO VI emission standards for approved Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs) undergoing the first stage of a multi-stage build, or for those built in a single stage will be introduced on 1 July 2017, with a 1 January 2018 deadline stipulated for completed multi-stage built vehicles. Full details relating to this matter have been communicated to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry for onward transmission to its members, and are also available on the RSA website at www.rsa.ie Any representations received from elements of the industry regarding this issue are currently being examined and will be answered in due course.
1611. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is his Department's policy to expand rail freight here; the measures being taken to achieve this; and if his Department has considered a subvention to reduce rail access charges for freight. [1857/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to the expansion of the rail freight sector. Shifting goods from road to rail has many benefits. The emissions produced by carrying goods by rail are between 70% and 90% less than those generated by carrying the same goods by road, the removal of HGVs from roads reduces congestion, and growing the rail freight sector maximises use of the state's rail infrastructure.
However, I recognise that rail freight is, of course, less flexible than road haulage, and due to Ireland's relatively small rail network, and relatively short distances, rail will not replace road haulage as the dominant mode for the movement of goods, but I believe that it can grow from its currently very low market share of just over 1% of the total freight tonnage in Ireland. Iarnród Éireann has an ambitious, but achievable, plan to grow this market share to 5%.
Iarnród Éireann is currently the only rail freight service provider in the Irish market, and provides this service on a commercial basis. The rail freight sector was opened to competition in 2007, and my officials will be happy to discuss market access with any interested parties.
The National Transport Authority is currently holding a public consultation on the Rail Review, which was launched in November 2016. The public consultation includes consideration of rail freight, and the results of this consultation will inform my Department's development of rail freight policy.
With regard to the level of track access charges for rail freight, this is one of the key interventions which will be considered as a way to promote use of rail freight, by making it a more attractive choice for freight transport.
1612. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress he and his Department have made regarding the establishment of a properly functioning motor insurance database with the insurance industry to show the insured status of persons; how and when this database will be made available to An Garda Síochána; when he expects this action to contribute to reducing motor insurance premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1868/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has raised with the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), Insurance Ireland and insurance companies on many occasions over the last two years the issue of a robust motor insurance database. The establishment of this database will enable an Garda Síochána to better check and enforce motor insurance compliance which will assist in reducing the cost of uninsured driving. The issue has been discussed by my Department with An Garda Síochána at regular meetings since 2015, following which a provision was included in Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 of December 2016 specifying in greater detail the information to be provided by the insurance industry to An Garda Síochána, to my Department and to the MIBI, with the database being the appropriate mechanism to deliver the required information.
Officials from my Department and from an Garda Síochána met with the MIBI and Insurance Ireland last week to progress the establishment of the database. It was agreed that a sub-group will be set up to deal with the technical aspects of the database build, following the development and agreement of an appropriate governance structure for the database and the accuracy of the information it contains. The establishment of the database is a complex piece of work, requiring the insurance industry to gather certain information from its customers which many currently do not, and requiring IT changes to datafields and to policy documents. Until the design and project plan have been agreed, proposed dates for the database to become fully operational are obviously going to be tentative, but the insurance industry is optimistic that an initial phase of the database will be available for testing by end September 2017.
1613. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the road safety strategy now needs to be reviewed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1869/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Strategy 2013 – 2020 is currently undergoing a midterm review and a meeting of stakeholders to facilitate this review was held in Dublin Castle last November. The Road Safety Authority is currently completing a report on this review which I understand will be presented to me in the coming weeks.
There was a rise of 15% in road deaths in 2016 to 187 persons, up from the figure of 162 road deaths in 2015, which together with 2012 had the lowest number of road deaths since records began in Ireland. Last week I held a Special meeting of the Ministerial Committee on road safety, and I very much welcome the assurance by An Garda Síochána at that meeting that there will be an increase of 10% in the traffic corps during the course of 2017 resulting in more check points and greater enforcement of traffic law and that road safety enforcement is a priority in the 2017 Garda Policing Plan.
The new Road Traffic Act 2016 of December 2016 includes new road safety measures including regarding drug driving, mutual recognition of driving disqualifications with the UK and a new optional 20km/hr speed limit in built-up areas. My Department is currently drafting heads of a bill to provide that all drivers who are caught drink driving receive a mandatory disqualification from driving. I also intend to introduce legislation to allow for the publication of the names of drivers who are disqualified following a conviction in court.
I am determined that in 2017 we will reverse the trend in road deaths we saw last year in co-operation with An Garda Síochána and the Minister for Justice and Equality.
