Written Answers Nos. 263 - 274
263. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason Irish mobile telephone customers are paying more than other European customers for making calls when abroad; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that according to ComReg the average surcharge applied by Irish operators is 98c per minute compared with just 69c across the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7590/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of electronic communications services, including the regulation of mobile charges, occurs within a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which is independent in the exercise of its regulatory functions. I therefore have no statutory authority to regulate charges or ComReg in the exercise of its independent regulatory functions.
However, I have asked ComReg to provide comment on the Deputy's question.
Calls made within the EU account for the vast majority of roaming calls made by Irish mobile customers. Prices for calls made within the EU are capped under EU Regulation 2015/2120. Those caps will be reduced even further from 15 June 2017 with the introduction of EU Roam Like At Home rules. The EU market is fully regulated.
ComReg estimates that non-EU roaming accounts for less than 3% of all roaming calls made by Irish mobile customers. The average surcharge applied to Irish customers in this context in 2016 was €0.98 per minute. This average price is a function of commercial agreements which individual EU-based mobile operators have with non-EU based mobile operators. Such international commercial agreements occur in an unregulated market. The overall EU average is €0.69, however this EU overall average encompasses a range of charges, including for example, surcharges as high as €2.10 per minute for Malta-based customers and €0.24 for Lithuania-based customers when roaming outside the EU.
The collection of this type of data for monitoring purposes by ComReg and other EU National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) is a requirement of the current EU roaming regulations. The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) of which ComReg is a member, coordinates the regular collection of that data across all EU member states, on the basis of self-reporting by individual operators to each NRA.
264. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the outcome for roaming charges between Ireland and the UK post-Brexit (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is a serious issue for persons living in the Border regions in which mobile operator service providers automatically switch over and back; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7593/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Roaming Regulations aim to abolish retail roaming charges within the EU on 15 June 2017, subject to Fair Use Policy. At that point in time, the UK will still be a member of the EU and will thus be required to abide by EU law in place at that time.
It is not yet possible to say what impact Brexit will have on cross border roaming charges. This will be largely dependent on the future relationship between the EU and UK. I can assure the Deputy however that my Department will continue to engage with the key stakeholders on this matter, and will use the structures put in place by Government for managing Brexit, to ensure that any progress made at EU level in reducing roaming charges applies also in any new relationship with the UK.
265. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase rail services along the Maynooth-Connolly line at peak commuter times; his further plans to increase the number of carriages on rail services on this line to prevent overcrowding; if he will ensure rail services are delivering for commuters and are an attractive mode of transport for commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7467/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (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.
266. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered utilising the network of post offices across the State as locations for the National Driving Licence Service. [7473/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is operated under statute by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). It consists of four components, a central unit in the RSA itself and three outside contractors. The three contractors are the 'front office' network, the 'back office' for processing applications, and the producer of the plastic card licence.
All of the contracts were put out to tender by the RSA in 2013, and neither I nor my Department have any role in that process. I do understand that An Post applied for the front office contract at the time but was not successful. An Post may also apply in any future tendering process.
267. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the reintroduction of the local improvement scheme to facilitate local authorities such as Donegal County Council to carry out the necessary road repairs in view of the fact the current arrangement by which local authorities can use a percentage of their budgets on such repairs is currently unsustainable; if he will consider its reintroduction in the near future as part of rural revitalisation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7500/17]
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 there is a modest increase in funding for roads this year, it will take some years yet under the Capital Plan to restore "steady state" funding levels for regional and local roads. The primary focus has to continue to be on the maintenance and renewal of public roads. Local authorities can continue 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 Community Involvement and Local Improvement Schemes, I will review the scope for making a separate grant allocation once the planned Review of the Capital Plan is completed.
268. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 8 February 2017, the details of the standard consultation procedure carried out regarding the applications in question. [7513/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe standard consultation procedure for applications for permits under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973 is outlined below.
For each application my Department seeks the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in relation to foreign policy matters, and the Department of Justice and Law Reform, in relation to security matters. The views of the Irish Aviation Authority are also sought in relation to aviation safety aspects if the weapons/munitions are classified as 'dangerous goods' in accordance with instructions stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Each application is also sent to the Department of Defence for its information.
269. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus operators, including private operators, that are operating on regular commuter routes in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7527/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (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 Deputy may be aware that the NTA's website contains a "database of holders of licences for public bus passenger services" which details licence holders and the type of services they provide. The database is available to view at https://www.nationaltransport.ie/taxi-and-bus-licensing/bus/database-of-licence-holders/.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
270. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the passenger capacity of the Dublin Bus fleet for each of the years 2010 to 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7528/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra271. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of buses in the Dublin Bus fleet for each of the years 2010 to 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7529/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra272. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the different models of buses operating in the Dublin Bus fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7530/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra273. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the age profile of the Dublin Bus fleet in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7531/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra274. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the gender balance in terms of drivers in the Dublin Bus fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7532/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 to 274, inclusive, together.
The issues raised are matters for Dublin Bus 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.
