Written Answers Nos. 774 - 789
774. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of buses which make up the fleet at the Clonmel bus depot; the age of the fleet; when a new vehicle was last received by the depot; the mileage on the fleet, both the highest and lowest, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10247/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issues raised are matters for Bus 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 a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
775. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that annual average daily traffic on the M50 between the N4 and N7 junctions in 2016 was 140,000 vehicles; and his plans to alleviate traffic congestion in west Dublin and cater for increases in population and traffic over the next five years (details supplied). [10251/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise that there is considerable evidence emerging of increased travel demand across the Dublin region in general, with growing traffic levels on many of the region's roads and streets. The increase in the number in employment has impacted on transport through the beginning of a recovery in public transport numbers, but also through increased car use and the re-emergence of peak period congestion.
With regard to the M50, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), along with other stakeholders are continuing to implement a number of measures on the M50 to manage demand and optimise operational efficiency, including: changes to merge and diverge layouts at junctions; the introduction of permanently signed emergency routes; increased incident access points; increased provision of incident response units; and enhanced interagency co-ordination to improve incident management. TII have also established a project team to manage the design and procurement of a system of mandatory variable speed limits for the M50 and will progress this project in 2017.
Insofar as congestion issues in Dublin are concerned, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has overall responsibility for the implementation of their published Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). My Department is working closely with the NTA with a view to intensifying efforts to combat congestion across Dublin in the short to medium term through greater use of bus priority, demand management and other alleviating measures. I expect this work will help to strengthen the case for increased public transport investment, as part of the Mid-Term Review of the Government's Capital Plan in 2017.
776. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department or TII intend to plan for a western Dublin orbital route linking the N4 and N7; if so, the details of the plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10252/17]
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 (TII) 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.
The 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.
TII, in association with South Dublin County Council, has undertaken and just published a N4/N7 Corridor Study. This Study assesses future traffic patterns in this area and possible measures to address forecast travel demand. A Western Orbital Route is one of the possible measures examined.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s 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.
777. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the percentage of the 2017 transport budget that is allocated to cycling; and if he will provide a detailed breakdown of this allocation. [10279/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding is allocated for cycling infrastructure and initiatives under a number of different programmes administered both directly by my Department and by the National Transport Authority (NTA). Under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme, my Department provides funding to the NTA for the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area for the implementation of sustainable transport measures which includes cycling and walking infrastructure. €19m has been allocated to this programme in 2017 to deliver significant portions of the GDA cycle network. A portion of these funds will also go towards the provision of cycle parking in urban centres. A further €9.1m has been allocated to the Regional Cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford for similar works during 2017. In addition, approx. €9m will be spent by my Department on Smarter Travel initiatives.
The overall capital allocation for investment in public transport and sustainable transport in 2017 is €355m with over 10% of this allocated to the sustainable transport programmes outlined above. The total capital funding available for land transport expenditure across my Department in 2017 is approx. €1 billion. While my Department is the main funder of cycling initiatives across Government, it is not the sole funder. Funding is also made available directly by local authorities and some other Government Departments and agencies.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the administration of the STMG and Regional Cities Programmes, I have sent the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply in relation to the cycling projects being funded under these programmes. Please advise my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
With regard to the Smarter Travel initiatives being funded directly by my Department, a sum of €9.33m is available in 2017 to support programmes which have a cycling focus such as National Cycling Network and Active Travel Towns. Funding is also being provided for behavioural changes programmes such as Bike Week, Workplace and Campus Travel and Cycle Parking for schools. A new cycle training programme is also being rolled out in 2017 with funding support from my Department.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
778. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget of which Department the €100 million envelope earmarked to fund the Wild Atlantic Way will come from (details supplied); and the individual projects and other items for which the €100 million will be used. [10280/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra779. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the tourism capital projects, their estimated cost and estimated completion date that are earmarked for funding under the €106 million tourism envelope provided for in the Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021. [10281/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 778 and 779 together.
The Programme for Partnership Government provides that the Government will set aside €100 million in additional capital funding for a number of projects, including the Wild Atlantic Way, an Atlantic Blueway route, the Ireland Way, development of a nationwide Greenway network, and a doubling of the the funding available for the Rural Walks Scheme. This commitment covers a number of funding programmes and departments. Consideration of how best to allocate funding for these areas will form part of the mid-term review of the Capital Investment Plan.
The Capital Investment Plan includes a provision of just under €126 million for investment in tourism capital projects from 2016 to 2022. These funds will be aligned with Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Investment Strategy which sets out the framework and mechanisms for delivery of investment to cities, towns, villages, communities and businesses across the country.
As part of the mid-term review of the Capital Investment Plan, my Department is examining all areas of capital expenditure and will make a submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform shortly.
In regard to funding allocated to date, the primary role of my Department in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the funding or development of individual projects, which is a matter for the tourism agencies. I have therefore asked Fáilte Ireland to advise you of the details in respect of individual tourism projects which have been allocated funding to date. Please contact my private office if you not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
780. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of State investment that has been spent on each of three initiatives (details supplied), in tabular form. [10282/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism offerings, it is not involved in the administration of those programmes.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to 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 reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
781. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the meaning of the programme for Government commitment with regards to the western rail corridor that no measures will be taken to prevent the future reactivation of this corridor for rail use, as set out in the McCann report; the recommendations of the McCann report being referred to; and if this commitment would preclude the development of some specific proposed projects, such as greenways. [10286/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe McCann Report referred to in the Programme for Government commitment on the Western Rail Corridor was submitted to the then Minister for Transport in 2005 and concluded that there was a strong case for the restoration of significant sections of the Western Rail Corridor and outlined four phases for restoration. Phase one of the corridor from Ennis to Athenry was opened in 2010. As the Deputy is aware, in 2011, the Government decided to postpone restoration of the remaining phases of the corridor.
No decisions on any future changes to the rail network, including any decisions relating to the Western Rail Corridor, will be made before the Government has had the opportunity to consider the results of the National Transport Authority's (NTA) recent public consultation process on the Rail Review which received a considerable number of responses and on which the NTA is undertaking a report.
Finally, as the Deputy has pointed out, the Programme for Government also commits that no measures will be taken to prevent the future reactivation of the Western Rail Corridor for rail use. I will ensure that this commitment is fulfilled.
782. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the commitment in the programme for Government for an additional €10 million for regional airports will be made outside of the capital plan mid-term review or if it will be dependent on approval during the review process; and the method by which the €10 million estimate for additional requirements for regional airports was estimated. [10287/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe commitment in respect of the extra €10 million for the regional airports is currently part of the mid-term review of the Capital Plan, as are other commitments of a capital nature in the Programme for Government, which was commenced recently by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department is examining all areas of capital expenditure and will make a submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform shortly.
783. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which each of the 49 actions as outlined in the smarter travel policy has been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10291/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overarching goals contained in the Smarter Travel Policy 2009-2020 remain the cornerstone of our transport policy. This is recognised and reflected in the Programme for Partnership Government where we commit to ensuring that the €3.6 billion investment in the public transport system provided for in the present Capital Plan will uphold the principles of Smarter Travel. The Capital Plan also specifically commits €100m in funding for smarter travel and carbon reduction measures.
The Deputy will recall that the precise targets set out in the Smarter Travel policy were largely predicated on the availability of the substantial funding which was planned under the Transport 21 capital investment plan but which, in the event, did not transpire because of the significant scaling back in overall public investment in response to the economic and fiscal crises. Nevertheless, despite the considerable progress has been made and continues to be made in encouraging people to use public transport and more sustainable forms of transport. For example, the most recent Canal Cordon Report revealed a significant increase in the numbers cycling and walking into Dublin City Centre. The Report indicates that over two thirds of people coming into Dublin in the morning peak period are now using sustainable transport modes.
My Department intends to undertake a review of the Smarter Travel policy this year. This will establish in a comprehensive manner the extent to which each of the actions set out in the policy statement have been implemented. The detailed information sought by the Deputy in this regard will be available on completion of that work.
784. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) with regard to the RSA and preserved commercials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10364/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHaving considered the Road Safety Authority's (RSA) report, I have accepted their recommendation for a rolling forty-year roadworthiness testing exemption, from 2020 onwards, coupled with a reduced requirement (biennial rather than annual) for the compulsory testing of all vehicles aged between thirty and forty years old.
In the interim period, up to 2020, subject to amending Regulations, the existing pre-1980 registered vehicles exemption will be extended to all vehicles (including commercial vehicles no longer operated in that capacity), which are used solely for social and domestic purposes. Those vehicles registered after 1 January 1980 and which are more than thirty years old, but less than forty, will be tested biennially rather than annually as at present. They too, will then be exempted from the roadworthiness testing regime on reaching forty years of age.
There are no proposals to exempt any vehicle used for commercial purposes from compulsory testing requirements, regardless of age. Further details relating to these recommendations will be published in due course on the RSA's website at www.rsa.ie.
785. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1557 of 17 January 2017 and the information subsequently supplied by the NTA, the reason Fingal County Council, with 16% of the greater Dublin area, GDA, population spent only 1% of the sustainable transport measures grant programme expenditure in the GDA; and if his or his Department's attention has been drawn to any staffing or other constraints in Fingal County Council which may be impeding it from spending available resources. [10366/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for transport.
I am advised that of the total amount of €23m allocated for the STMG programme in 2016, the NTA allocated €1.05m of this to Fingal County Council. The information supplied to the Deputy by the NTA indicates that Fingal County Council only drew down €145,000 out of this allocation of €1.05m in 2016. Fingal County Council's spending on Sustainable Transport Measures is a matter for the Council itself, as are any issues to do with levels of staffing and other resources within the Council so I suggest that the Deputy direct her enquiries about the level of draw down of allocated resources directly to the Council.
786. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an application (details supplied) for a sports capital grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10408/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme.
All of the 2320 applications received under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme will be assessed by officials in my Department over the coming months. An announcement regarding allocations will be made later this year.
787. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the tribunals established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2011, in tabular form; the number of days each tribunal sat for; the gross cost of each tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10774/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I am unsure about the exact timeframe the Deputy is referring to, I can confirm that since 1991 the only inquiry my Department has been involved in is The Moran inquiry.
The Moran inquiry into ticketing issues at the Olympic Games was announced on 19th August 2016. It began its work on 19 September 2016 and is expected to complete its work on 31 March 2017. Costs incurred to the end of January 2017 is €30,312. The total estimated cost of the inquiry is €300,000.
788. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Directives 51/2003 and Directive 34/2013 cannot be used to interpret Article 3(2) of Regulation 2002/1606 in view of the fact that this is contrary to the EU view laid out in a European Parliament reply (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10248/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDirective 2003/51/EC of 18 June 2003 served only to amend other Directives, namely Directives 78/660/EEC, 83/349/EEC, 86/635/EEC and 91/674/EEC. Directive 2013/34 EU of 26 June 2013 repealed Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC. Article 52 of Directive 2013/34/EU provides that references to the repealed Directives are to be construed as references to Directive 2013/34/EU and are to be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex VII to that Directive. The correlation table shows Article 4(3) of Directive 2013/34/EU as corresponding to Article 2(3) and (4) of Directive 78/660/EEC; it also shows Article 4 as corresponding to Article 16 of Directive 83/349/EEC. Article 3(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of 19 July 2002 contains a reference to the principle set out in Article 2(3) of Directive 78/660/EEC and in Article 16(3) of Directive 83/349/EEC. The interpretation of Directive 2013/34/EU and Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 is ultimately a matter for the European Court of Justice.
789. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a full report on the actions and investigations being taken on foot of the reports of the Moriarty tribunal; the status of these investigations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10267/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Second (and final) Report of the Moriarty Tribunal was published in March 2011.
The Moriarty Tribunal made a number of recommendations which relate to the responsibilities of a number of Departments.
With regard to matters that fall under my Department's responsibility, the Moriarty Tribunal made two recommendations for changes to company law, as follows:
- That a provision similar to section 172 of the UK Companies Act, 2006 be adopted, together with the adoption of additional implementation or enforcement measures.
- That consideration be given by the Oireachtas, and/or by the Company Law Review Group, to enacting provisions similar to those contained in Part 14 of the UK Companies Act, 2006, governing the control of political donations and expenditure.
The Government considered that provisions contained in Part 5 of the Companies Act, 2014 meet the objectives of the first recommendation. Part 5 introduces, for the first time in codified form, the various common law and statutory duties of company officers. The Companies Act, 2014 was signed into law by President Higgins on 23 December 2014 and it commenced on 1 June 2015.
With regard to the second recommendation above, provisions restricting corporate donations are contained in the Electoral Amendment (Political Funding) Act 2012, which comes within the remit of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
