Written Answers Nos. 236-244
236. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether there will be increased opportunities for Ireland to be eligible for TEN-T designations and funding for the transport corridors due to the fact that Ireland will no longer be linked by land to any part of the EU, including ports such as Rosslare and connecting rail lines, such as Dublin to Rosslare Europort. [2033/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of my Department's analyses of the impact of the exit of the UK from the EU, it is assessing both risks and opportunities that may arise. This includes potential risks and opportunities under TEN-T. However, the current TEN-T regulations and the infrastructure designated as part of the Comprehensive Network, such as Rosslare Port and the connecting rail lines, will remain as part of the this network until such time as they have reached the minimum threshold for Core infrastructure as set out in the underlying planning methodology https://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/infrastructure/ten-t-guidelines/legal-basis_en.
My officials are preparing for, and will monitor, the Article 50 negotiations and will be keeping under review any potential opportunities that may arise.
237. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of all roads that are currently in receipt of TEN-T or INTERREG 111A/IVA funding from the EU with a column showing the euro amount that has been invested in each road through each programme to date. [2035/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy understanding is that no road schemes are currently in receipt of TEN-T or INTERREG 111A/IVA funding from the EU.
TII has advised that it made a preliminary application in December 2016 notifying its intention to apply in 2017 for funding for the M50 Variable Speed Limit project. I am advised by TII that even if this application is successful, no monies would be received under this funding stream in 2017.
238. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to announce decisions on the review of the transport elements of the capital plan announced in September 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2053/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review of the capital plan announced as part of the Budget is expected to commence in the first half of this year. Transport will be a major priority in the review. Decisions on the transport elements of the capital will be announced when review is complete.
239. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are any set rules or guidelines with regard to the N11 to preclude a developer putting access to a new housing development from the N11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2056/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines issued by the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 are aimed at aligning road planning and policy and development planning. The Guidelines were, I understand, prepared by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in consultation with local authorities, my Department and the then National Roads Authority (now TII). They now fall within the responsibilities of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
The Guidelines indicate that development plans and local area plans should include policies aimed at maintaining the safety and capacity of national roads (such as the N11) by avoiding the creation of additional access points and the generation of additional traffic from existing access points on roads where a speed limit greater than 50 km/h applies.
While 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 N11 scheme) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question regarding the N11 specifically to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
240. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2060/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not aware of any such review of the services in question.
These services form part of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus network which Bus Éireann operates under contract with the National Transport Authority (NTA). Following an NTA -led review of public transport services in 2015 in County Kerry, Bus Éireann announced a number of bus service improvements and enhancements across the county.
Issues in relation to the PSO bus network in the county are a matter for the NTA and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
241. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policies he and his Department are pursuing to ensure that County Kildare benefits from the increase in tourist numbers occurring especially in visitors to Dublin city in view of the fact that Maynooth has secured the purple flag status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2099/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the boards and management of the two tourism agencies - Tourism Ireland in regard to overseas tourism marketing and Fáilte Ireland in regard to regional tourism development and domestic tourism promotion.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to both Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
242. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that there is no reduction in Bus Éireann Expressway services in view of the importance of these services for rural Ireland; the measures he will introduce to support these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2154/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Bus Éireann is developing plans to address its financial position. The Company is currently loss-making and these losses are not sustainable.
Last week I met with the Chair of the Company who briefed me on the very serious situation the Company faces and how the Board is resolved to address the situation and to restore the company to a sustainable position. The Chair indicated that an invitation would issue shortly to trade unions to commence discussions on the available options.
I am firmly of the belief that difficult issues such as this can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the company and its employees and I encourage both sides to engage constructively on the matter.
Separately I also met with the National Transport Authority who outlined to me their powers and responsibilities in relation to the provision of public transport services. I was assured by the NTA that it will work with local communities to maintain an appropriate level of public transport connectivity in the event of any reconfiguration of existing services.
243. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to ongoing vandalism and anti-social behaviour that could jeopardise the provision of services to green line Luas stations beyond Sandyford; and the actions his Department is undertaking to deal with them under the Railways Acts. [2186/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis issue was raised with me earlier this week and I understand there have been some recent incidents in relation to 'stone throwing'. Transdev, the Luas operator, is working with local community groups in relation to the issue.
Anti-social behaviour is first and foremost a matter for Transdev as the Luas operator in conjunction with, as appropriate, the Garda.
The Deputy is aware that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has statutory responsibilities in relation to the oversight of contractual matters relating to Luas and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to TII 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.
244. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to the Exchequer of any ongoing investigations or inquiries in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2398/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost incurred to the exchequer on the Moran Inquiry (Rio Olympic Games Ticketing) to end of December 2016 was €9,200. Final costs are expected to be substantially higher.
