Written Answers Nos. 640-665
641. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the N5 Ballaghadereen to Scramogue project; if the necessary capital funding has been allocated to this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5699/17]
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 operation of individual road projects, including the N5 in Roscommon is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within the budget available to it, it is for TII to decide on allocations to individual projects.
In view of the above I have referred your question regarding the N5 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.
642. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will arrange for a response to issue to correspondence furnished to his office (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5767/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA response to this correspondence issued on 3rd February 2017.
644. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 723 of 31 January 2017, if he will provide an explanation for the reasons provided by NewERA for being of the view that there were shortcomings in the previous business plan submitted by Bus Éireann management to address the loss-making situation in its commercial Expressway business. [5842/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I previously indicated to the Deputy, during the course of 2016 Bus Éireann management worked on developing a business plan to address the loss making situation in its commercial Expressway business. Several drafts of Bus Éireann's proposals were presented to my Department and NewERA – my Department's financial advisors – and were discussed. These discussions highlighted some shortcomings that existed in the draft proposals.
NewERA's analysis was mirrored by the analysis provided to the Board of the Company in a separate report commissioned by it and conducted by Grant Thornton. That report, a copy or version of which, I understand the Deputy has seen, highlighted shortcomings across a number of areas relating to the commercial rationale, financing, implementation, sensitivity and risk analysis and the necessity to consider both State Aid and competition law interactions. These were similarly identified by NewERA as areas which required further consideration by the Company in its observations as submitted to my Department.
Arising from the Board's consideration of the Grant Thornton report, the company has now embarked upon developing a new plan to address the company's loss making situation and restore it to a sustainable future, and it aims to have this plan in a few weeks' time.
645. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the average speed camera system installed in Dublin Port Tunnel to other routes in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5853/17]
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 operation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question 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.
646. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the traffic advisory group system operated by local authorities in view of the fact that deliberations and decisions can have extensive waiting times causing frustration for motorists and locals in a particular area; and if he will consider introducing a more efficient active body to review traffic decisions in a timely manner. [5854/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the local authorities in which I have no role or power to intervene.
647. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of tourists to Ireland and their destinations of choice in 2016 and to date in 2017; if he is satisfied that all of Ireland is receiving a fair share in promotion with particular emphasis on rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5855/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile matters relating to Central Statistics Office (CSO) statistics are primarily for the Department of the Taoiseach, there were 9,584,400 overseas visits to Ireland during 2016, up 10.9% compared to 2015. I understand that the CSO does not provide a regional breakdown of statistics in their monthly 'Overseas Travel' publication. I am aware however, that the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, provides an estimated regional breakdown of overseas visits on an annual basis, based on research of its own as well as available CSO statistics. The most recent full year figures are for 2015 which are included in the 'Research' (Tourism Facts and Figures) section which is published on the www.failteireland.ie website.
My role, as the Minister with responsibility for tourism, is to develop national tourism policy which is then implemented by the tourism agencies - Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Fáilte Ireland is responsible for the development of regional tourism and Tourism Ireland has responsibility for the overseas promotion of the island of Ireland as a tourism destination.
On the subject of whether all of Ireland is receiving a fair share in promotion with particular emphasis on rural Ireland, this is a matter for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the question to both agencies for direct reply. Please contact 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.
648. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the increase in volume on the Dublin Belfast main train line between Connolly Station and East Wall Road Tolka river bridge; if his attention has been drawn to noise disruption caused to residents in the East Wall and North Strand area with this section of track operating Enterprise, DART and suburban services on an increasing basis; and if he will consider reviewing rail silencing schemes operated in Denmark as a way of reducing the noise pollution in said areas. [5856/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Matters relating to noise control along the heavy rail network are operational issues for Iarnród Éireann and I have no function in such matters.
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann 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.
649. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had discussions with sporting bodies regarding the exorbitant rates of resale tickets to major sporting events; his views on whether more can be done to prevent resale inflation for sporting events including ticket touting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5857/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, there is ongoing public concern about the resale of tickets for entertainment and sporting events. In response to this concern, I met with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation when I returned from the Olympics along with officials from my department. Minister Mitchell O'Connor has overall responsibility for consumer protection. Subsequent to that meeting Minister Mitchell O'Connor, Minister Ross and I recently launched a public consultation on the issue. Though ticket resale has been the subject of considerable comment, there is a lack of reliable information about important aspects of the practice, including its extent, the sources of tickets put up for resale, and the prices achieved, as opposed to advertised, on the secondary ticket market. The aim of the consultation is to provide us with a better understanding of the issue and to help us to identify any practical measures that might be taken to give consumers fairer access to tickets in the future. The consultation period will end on 31 March 2017 and I look forward to the matter being progressed as soon as possible thereafter.
650. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm media reports that the metro north scheme will be brought forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5858/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including new Metro North.
I am advised by the NTA that there is very little scope to accelerate the Metro North project. At present, it is expected that construction will commence in 2021 with a view to delivery by 2026/2027 and it will not be possible to accelerate that to any significant extent in view of the large volume of work that must be done in terms of planning etc and the timeframes required for consultation before construction can commence.
651. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether demand for commuter rail services between Newbridge, County Kildare and Grand Canal Dock in Dublin via the Phoenix Park Tunnel, would be enhanced if that service were to be converged with the Connolly Station to Sligo line at Prospect Junction, Cross Guns Bridge, as recommended by a group (details supplied) amongst others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5859/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann 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.
652. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next round of funding for projects under the connecting Europe facility programme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5878/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a CEF-transport call presently open which closes today, 7 February 2017. I understand a number of applications from or involving Irish organisations are being made under this call. These applications relate to Irish organisations participating in the Single European Skies Air Management Research (SESAR), Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for roads and Motorways of the Seas (MoS) project bids.
The next CEF transport call will be one seeking applications for projects which blend CEFdirect grants with financial instruments and assistances from the EIB and CEF Financial instruments. This call is due to be published on the Innovation and Network Executive Agency site tomorrow, 8 February 2017.
Details can be found on the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/inea/en/connecting-europe-facility/cef-transport/apply-funding.
653. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there is not a provision for SPSV licence holders to renew their motor tax online in view of the closure of many local area motor taxation offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5879/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall objective of my Department's online motor tax service is that the facility to renew motor tax online should cover as wide a range of motor tax transactions as possible and the Department is always keen to explore the potential for including more 'complex' online applications for a small number of vehicles which include small public service vehicles.
Licensing authorities have an obligation under Article 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing)(Amendment) Regulations 1992 to be satisfied that a vehicle is correctly taxed and the authority must have adequate documentation to support a claim for a particular rate of tax. In order to avail of the small public service vehicle rate of tax, which at €95 annually is a concessionary rate, the owner is required to submit a current public service vehicle licence when applying for a motor tax disc. The public service vehicle licence is a paper based process and consequently it is currently not possible to facilitate the taxing of small public service vehicles through the online motor tax service.
In this regard, as custodians of the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) and the online motor tax infrastructure, my Department are continuing to work closely with the National Transport Authority, who are the regulatory authority for the licensing and regulation of small public service vehicles, with a view to enabling these vehicles be taxed online.
654. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount that has been spent on the DART underground and DART expansion projects to date, including design and planning stages. [5881/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraExchequer spending to end 2014 on the DART Underground Tunnel project amounted to €44.4 million, most of which related to design, planning and railway order costs. As the Deputy is aware, the Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned and work is underway on that at present. The work and costs incurred to date in relation to the project will have value when the redesigned project proceeds.
Funding has been provided under the Government's current Capital Plan for elements of the DART Expansion Programme including for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan and for work on the redesign of the tunnel. Subject to availability of funding and approval of the detailed business case for the project, it is envisaged that the extension of the DART to Balbriggan would commence in 2020. Other elements of the Programme will be considered in the context of the review of the Capital Plan.
655. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason CIÉ agreed in 2013 to extend the term of the 1998 MDA agreement with the NAMA appointed receiver in view of the fact that the term was about to expire and the land reverted back to CIÉ unencumbered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5905/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra656. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason CIÉ did not take back a site (details supplied) at Spencer Dock, Dublin and sell it on the open market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5919/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 655 and 656 together.
The issues raised are matters for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company 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.
657. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times buses were used to replace the train service from Waterford to Limerick Junction in recent years; the reason the use of buses was necessitated; the cost associated with same; the number of passengers that needed to be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5930/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive responses within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
658. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a change in regulations which allowed for the suspension of a taxi driver licence in special circumstances including ill health or caring for an ill relative rather than having it lapse once the renewal date has passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5957/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues pertaining to Licences, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have therefore 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.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
659. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on his meetings with a person (details supplied) and the National Transport Authority (NTA) on the implementation of the recent legislation on the regulation of rickshaws; the further amendments that are urgently needed to enable the implementation of this legislation; when he was informed that the NTA would not be enforcing this legislation; his views on the NTA decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5976/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not met with the person referred to by the Deputy in relation to the regulation of rickshaws.
Dáil Éireann voted to provide for the regulation of rickshaws, by way of an Amendment proposed by Deputy Imelda Munster, during its consideration of the Road Traffic Bill 2016, now the Road Traffic Act 2016.
I subsequently explained to the Seanad during that House's consideration of the Dáil amendments to the Bill that I would need to take further legal advice on the implications of the amendment, especially given that the amendment was not drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel or approved by the Office of the Attorney General.
During the debate on the Bill in the Dáil, I advised the House that the National Transport Authority (NTA) was working on a proposed policy and potential framework for the future regulation of rickshaws. I have just this week received the NTA's proposals which my Department and I will now urgently consider.
As I indicated to the Seanad, I am also seeking legal advice on the implications of Deputy Munster's amendment - now Section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 - and it is not my intention to commence that provision before the legal position is clarified and I have considered the NTA's proposals on an appropriate and robust regulatory framework for rickshaws.
660. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the continued operation and proposals for upgrading the Limerick to Waterford railway line in view of the serious concerns raised by the frequent and regular cancellation of trains on the line by Iarnród Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6009/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) recently held a public consultation process to start a national debate on the current and future role of rail transport in Ireland. The public consultation was launched with the publication of a Rail Review 2016 report- which examined the funding required to support the heavy rail network now and into the future- together with a consultation document "The Role of Rail in Ireland and Funding its Delivery".
I understand the NTA is now in the process of preparing a report on the consultation process. I intend to bring this report to Government. Undoubtedly, the findings of the consultation process will be used to inform and assist future decision making in relation to rail.
However, I must state that while there has been much speculation regarding the future of individual rail lines, no decisions have been taken. Let me further state that no decisions will be taken on the matter before I have had the opportunity to report back to Government on the outcomes of the NTA's public consultation process. In order to fully inform any debate on the future of the rail network, we must allow this important background work to be completed and for the outputs to be assessed.
661. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his policy priorities in for the provision of transport services by land; the particular policy objectives he hopes to achieve in this regard during his term in office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6070/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general terms, my policy objective is to ensure that with an accessible, integrated, well-funded, high quality and efficient transport system, public transport becomes a viable and popular alternative to travel by car.
In terms of policy priorities, as the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to reviewing public transport policy so as to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs of a modern economy. My Department's Statement of Strategy 2016-2019 lists publication of a new Public Transport Policy Statement as a key indicator of progress.
There are a number of important initiatives already underway across Government which will influence the Policy Statement and ultimately the provision of transport services across the country, including the development of a new National Planning Framework, a National Mitigation Plan and a Climate Adaption Plan for the transport sector.
There are a number of other key considerations and issues which will have a bearing on the development of policy. We will have to deliver a step change in the funding of public transport if we are to deliver and maintain a well-functioning transport system that will support economic recovery and deliver modal shift. I will be ensuring that a strong case in this regard is made as part of Mid-Term Review of Capital Investment and the Expenditure Review. Furthermore, we must get the balance right in relation to regional and rural transport services and the associated investment. Finally, the results of the public consultation on the Rail Review 2016 will be published and a rail strategy will be developed.
While all of these considerations are important, I'm clear as to whom public transport policy should be about- the ordinary citizen. Placing the citizen at the heart of our policy will allow us to realise the true potential of public transport and allow it to play its full role in promoting both social progress and economic prosperity.
662. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will have to approve the appointment of the chief executive of Bus Éireann; if so, if he will be examining the process used to recruit a new chief executive to the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6071/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Éireann have an acting CEO in situ. Should a new CEO be appointed, this will be done in line with Government policy as set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. The terms and conditions of such appointment are subject to my approval given with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
663. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to change the NTA legislation in order that transport planning throughout the State will be put on the same basis, rather than the situation that pertains at present whereby the NTA has a wider remit in the greater Dublin area than it has in the rest of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6072/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very much aware of the important interaction between land use planning and transport planning. They are inherently linked and are mutually reinforcing. At present, in making a regional spatial and economic strategy, a Regional Assembly is required to consult the planning authorities within the region. However, within the Greater Dublin Area, there is a further statutory requirement as the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 requires consistency between the GDA regional spatial and economic strategy and the National Transport Authority's GDA transport strategy. At present this requirement is unique to the GDA. That said, in recent years, the NTA has operated on a non-statutory basis to assist local authorities across our regional cities in the preparation of transport related strategies or the implementation of transport related projects.
I should point out that the Issues and Choices paper recently published as part of the public consultation for the National Planning Framework - Ireland 2040: Our Plan - refers to the matter. The paper notes that an extension of the approach used in the GDA to other assembly areas would greatly strengthen the levels of integration between land use planning and transport planning across the country.
My officials are currently examining the issue of how best to integrate the development of regional spatial and economic strategies and a relevant transport strategy and are in early discussions with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (which has a key role from the land use planning perspective) on the matter. Furthermore, my Department's ongoing input into the development of the new National Planning Framework will continue to emphasise the importance of more formal integration between land use and transport throughout the country.
664. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the barriers that exist under EU directives and national legislation respectively to taking the same approach to rural bus services as are taken to Dublin Bus services whereby the loss making and profit making services are taken as one integrated service, whereas outside of Dublin under Bus Éireann the commercial services are separate from the PSO services; his plans to change this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6073/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 50 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory power to determine if a public service obligation is to be applied in respect of any public passenger transport service. If the NTA makes such a determination then it must enter into a public services contract with the relevant operator and that contract must comply with EU Regulation 1370/2007.
Contrary to what the Deputy asserts, not all Dublin Bus services actually form part of its public services contract (or PSO) services. For example, its commercial services to the airport and other commercial activities such as tourist related services which are operated in competition with other operators, do not form part of its public services contract.
665. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a new coastguard facility will be provided in Cleggan, Connemara, County Galway at the airstrip there; the facilities in place at present to the coastguard for changing after callouts and for debriefing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6076/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cleggan Volunteer Coast Guard Unit, which is designated as a shoreline search unit, is currently operating out of an old Coast Guard station, traditionally designated as a Rocket House. The Coast Guard, which is a Division of my Department, is committed to securing a more suitable base or site, on which to situate the local unit. My Department has requested the Office of Public Works to apply for planning permission to Galway County Council with a view to erecting a structure on a site at Cleggan owned by Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. I am advised by the OPW that preparations of the necessary documentation for submission to Galway County Council are underway.
