Written Answers Nos. 65 - 74
65. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for commuter rail development in Galway in view of major traffic congestion issues in Galway and our commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6107/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rail Review was published in November 2016 and a public consultation on the report concluded on 18 January. The purpose of the consultation was to open up a public discussion on the current and future role of rail in Ireland as well as the funding of the rail network and services. No decisions will be taken on the future of the rail network or rail services until the public consultation process has been evaluated.
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) collaborated closely with Galway City Council and Galway County Council on the development of the Galway Transport Strategy which was adopted in 2016. I am advised that the Strategy indicates that demand would be insufficient to warrant a high-capacity rail-based system in Galway. Rail services would have to operate at low frequencies in order to meet demand and this would be less attractive to passengers than a higher frequency bus-based service. Buses provide greater flexibility within transport systems, catering for high volumes of demand in the city centre as well as diverging out to less-dense suburban areas.
Funding is provided by my Department, through the NTA, for the provision of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure in the Regional Cities, including Galway, in order to encourage people to use public transport or more active travel modes including cycling and walking in order to reduce congestion and tackle emissions from transport. The Regional Cities Programme funds the development of bus lanes, green routes, other bus priority measures and safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists.
In line with the Paris Agreement and the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, the National Mitigation Plan, is currently being developed. The draft mitigation plan will be available for extensive public consultation before being submitted for approval to Government. Transport will, of course, have to play a significant role on the national mitigation effort and the investment being made in public transport and sustainable transport measures in order to promote modal shift will be critical in this regard.
66. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has contacted the relevant departments in the United States administration regarding the ongoing matter of the recently introduced travel ban, especially its implementation in Irish airports through preclearance facilities, in order to discuss the matter and its effect on persons who travel from Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6100/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to state that I strongly disagree with the policy recently announced by President Trump to temporarily ban travel to the US by nationals of certain countries. As you know, there is currently a suspension in place for this Executive Order, which is the subject of an appeal at a US Federal Appeals Court and we await the outcome of that appeal.
Notwithstanding this, my officials have already been in contact with the US authorities and have conveyed our concerns about President Trump's Executive Order and its implications for US Preclearance Services at Shannon and Dublin Airports.
A meeting of the Preclearance Consultative Group had been arranged for 1 March 2017. However in light of recent events, my officials have requested that this meeting be brought forward. This is a mechanism outlined in the Preclearance Agreement which allows for representatives from both parties to meet and review any operational issues arising related to the Agreement. This meeting has now been set for Thursday 23 February.
As you will also be aware that An Taoiseach has requested that a review of US Preclearance in Ireland be undertaken by the relevant Departments:- Justice and Equality, Foreign Affairs and Trade and my own Department. I anticipate that a report will be made to An Taoiseach this week.
67. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that medal hauls from other countries with similar populations are misleading because they do not take into account the significant levels of funding underpinning high performance programmes in those countries; his views on whether Ireland's medal targets at major events will remain aspirational unless there is a wider conversation on the need to fund elite programmes on a level with our competitors; if the Government is engaging on such matters with the national governing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5753/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would agree with the Deputy that it is important when assessing medal performance at the major games to compare the underpinning investment in high performance sport in each country as the data suggests a link between performance outcomes and investment levels in high performance sport.
In relation to the setting of medal targets, it should be noted that the medal targets established for Irish athletes competing at major events are not necessarily just aspirational; in fact, Ireland has generally met or exceeded its performance targets. For example, the target of achieving three podium results at the Olympic Games, which was identified after Athens 2004, was achieved in Beijing; exceeded in London; and marginally missed in Rio. From a Paralympic Games perspective, there is a history of exceeding the already ambitious targets set. In addition, insofar as the Rio Olympic Games outcome is concerned, it is pertinent to note that the number of top 10 and top 20 finishes was an improvement on London 2012.
I understand that Sport Ireland are in the process of finalising a review following the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. I look forward to considering any recommendations contained in that review.
Future high performance planning, its funding and the role of National Governing Bodies were amongst the questions included for consideration in the National Sports Policy consultation document issued by my Department in November 2016. In excess of 50 submissions have been received to date, including from the NGB sector, and these are now being examined with a view to completion of a new National Sports Policy Framework in mid 2017.
68. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the need to develop a new high-performance strategy for the development of elite sport here; and his plans to develop such a strategy. [5752/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to highlight the success achieved by our high performance athletes in 2016. Along with two Olympic Medals, Irish Olympians achieved fourteen Top Ten and fourteen Top Twenty finishes. Additionally, our Paralympic team won eleven medals and achieved twenty two Top Eight finishes.
I understand that Sport Ireland are in the process of finalising a review following the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. I look forward to considering any recommendations contained in that review.
As part of the development of a new National Sports Policy Framework, which will include a high performance component, my Department is currently assessing submissions received from stakeholders as a result of a public consultation process launched last November. It is hoped to complete this new policy framework in mid 2017.
69. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the A5 in view of Brexit and his recent engagement with his Northern Ireland counterparts in relation to this; the total funding commitment made by the Government for the project; the total funding commitment made by the Northern Ireland Government; when he expects the A5 to be completed; the status of the funding which was allocated under the St. Andrew's Agreement; if it is still available for the A5 project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5754/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined to the Deputy in my reply to PQ 32793/16 of 2 November 2016, the planning and implementation of the A5 project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. As the Deputy is aware the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start - reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an additional £25 million to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the necessary planning issues have been resolved by the Northern Ireland authorities.
Under the Agreement it is envisaged that construction of Phase 1 of the A5 will start in 2017 with a view to completion in 2019. In keeping with the revised project timeline, the Government funding is to be provided in three tranches of £25 million in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively.
The A5 project was discussed at the North South Ministerial Council Transport Sectoral meeting on 12th December. The Council noted that the Public Inquiry into the road scheme opened on 4 October 2016 and that the Inspector's report is expected around May 2017.
70. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific funding will be provided to the National Roads Authority in respect of the necessary upgrading of a road which carries a heavy volume of traffic and is inadequate at present for such a level of traffic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5824/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position in remains as outlined in response to PQ40916/16.
Cavan County Council was provided with over €2m in the period 2007-2014 by my Department in connection with this project under the Strategic Non National Road Grants Scheme in order to bring this 75 km route to preliminary design stage. Due to budgetary constraints it is not possible to progress the scheme further at this point.
The transport element of the Capital Plan sets investment priorities to 2022 and was 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 next period and the bulk of the roads capital budget, 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 East/West link was one of the schemes that it was not possible to include given the overall funding envelope available. The construction cost for a scheme of this magnitude would be in excess of €150 million.
71. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to protect and safeguard the jobs, wages and conditions of Bus Éireann workers who are being targeted to bear the brunt of the problems at the company which are not of their creation. [6032/17]
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.
In developing its plans, the Company is seeking to ensure a sustainable future for it in the years ahead; however, those plans remain under development and the company are seeking to engage with its employees on its proposals to secure the company's future.
I am firmly of the belief that difficult issues such as this can only be resolved through constructive and realistic discussions between the company and its employees and I encourage both sides to engage on the matter.
I do not doubt that those discussions will be difficult; however, it is obvious they must occur. As I clarified to the Joint Oireachtas Committee last week I believe those discussions should commence on the basis of "no pre-conditions" from both sides and if uncertainty exists as regards that basis then I would urge both parties to clarify their position.
72. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 7 December 2016, the outcome of his discussions with the Minister for Justice and Equality on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5756/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Traffic Acts, the user of a quad bike or scrambler bike in a public place must have insurance, road tax and a driving licence, and must also wear a helmet, with severe penalties under the road traffic laws for not being in compliance with these requirements.
Under the Road Traffic Acts, a "public place" means any public road, and any street, road or other place to which the public have access with vehicles. In the case of a park under the jurisdiction of a local authority, that local authority may make by-laws prohibiting the use of quad bikes or scramblers, and in the case of a national park, a similar prohibition may be brought in by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
There is comprehensive legislation in place governing the use of scrambler bikes, quad bikes and similar vehicles in a public place under the Road Traffic Acts and enforcement of such road traffic legislation is a matter for an Garda Síochána. The use of such vehicles in parks is outside the remit of this Department; it is a matter for local authority staff and an Garda Síochána to enforce by-laws made by the local authorities prohibiting the use of such vehicles in areas under their control.
As I have promised the Deputy, I have asked for a meeting with my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality to discuss this issue and to see if there are any legislative amendments or other actions which could be taken to specifically deal with the issues raised.
73. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for capital expenditure in 2017 to increase public transport capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5757/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2017 we will be investing €355m in public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure.
There are a significant number of projects underway and planned to increase capacity on our public transport network. In 2017 projects such Luas Cross City and 10 minute DART frequencies will help manage the increasing demand on the light rail and heavy rail networks in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The Luas Cross City project will commence operation before the end of 2017 and will provide for an estimated 10 million additional journeys per annum on the Luas network. Other projects that are being progressed that will improve capacity on the rail network in Dublin and nationally include the City Centre Re-signalling Programme and the construction of a new Central Traffic Control Centre for the commuter and intercity rail network.
Funding is also being provided for replacement and expansion of the PSO fleet with 110 buses to be purchased in 2017 for the Dublin region and 70 for the Bus Éireann PSO fleet. Funding is also being allocated for the development or upgrading of QBCs in both the GDA and in the regional cities. As the Deputy will be aware, a mid-term review of the Capital Plan has been initiated and I will be making the case for increased funding for public transport in that context to cater for increasing demand for public transport as the economy continues to improve and to encourage people to get out of their cars and onto public transport and more sustainable forms of transport.
74. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the first announcement of funds that will be allocated under the sports capital programme once the date for accepting applications closes at the end of February 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5761/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total number of applications under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme will not be known until after the closing date of the 24th February. I expect a large number of applications however, and am aware that almost 1,600 were received in 2015 while over 2,000 applications were received under both the 2012 and 2014 rounds of the programme.
Every application will be assessed by one official and then reviewed by another to ensure validity and consistency. As the Deputy will be aware, each application contains several supporting documents and these also have to be examined. While the assessment process will be completed as quickly as possible, based on previous timeframes, I expect that allocations would be announced in September or October of 2017.
