Written Answers Nos. 93-102
93. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the plans his Department has in place, with respect to Brexit, for increasing investment by allocating extra funds to roads, ports and airports to facilitate trade, with particular emphasis on the development of Rosslare Europort and rail and road access thereto; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9538/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the mid term review of the capital plan, which was announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department is examining all areas of capital expenditure in the context of challenges such as Brexit. The Department will make a submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform shortly.
94. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the results of the review of the Tower Road and Piltown junction on the N24 conducted by Transport Infrastructure Ireland will be published; when funding will be provided to TII to commence works on the safety measures recommended within the review results; whether his Department is in direct contact with Kilkenny County Council to ensure the process of appointing consultants to undertake a review of the Tower Road and Piltown junction on the N24 is concluded as efficiently as possible and that all necessary funding is made available to complete the review process as efficiently as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14230/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined to the Deputy in my reply on the same issue to PQ 211 of 26 January 2017, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
I understand TII was in direct contact with the Deputy on 2 February 2017 and that consultants have been appointed by Kilkenny County Council, which is the road authority for the area, to undertake a review of road safety at this location.
In view of the above, 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.
95. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the serious dissatisfaction of homeowners whose properties are subject to a buy-out to facilitate the development of the new runway; the lack of meaningful engagement by DAA on these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14254/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the daa has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including the North Runway project.
I have personally met with a number of the homeowners involved and I have ensured that these concerns were brought to the attention of daa.
I have since been advised by daa that there has been extensive engagement with local residents groups, the most recent of which included a full day session on 2 February 2017 where the approach to the Voluntary Dwelling Purchase Scheme was discussed in detail with the residents and their advisers. Following this, a meeting between daa's and the residents' advisers was held on 22 February and further engagement is planned to take place shortly.
I have been assured by daa that they are fully committed to meaningful engagement with all local residents groups in relation to the project.
96. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting in Boston with the city mayor and, in particular, his comments regarding the Irish undocumented; and the other issues that were discussed. [14478/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of my St. Patrick's Day programme in the United States I met Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh on 13 March. We discussed the bilateral economic and trade relationship between Ireland and US and resulting employment for both countries, current economic developments in both Boston and Ireland, Brexit and the US-EU relationship.
I informed Mayor Walsh that US immigration reform and the question of relief for the up to 50,000 undocumented hardworking Irish men and women was a priority for my visit and I intended to raise it at every available opportunity. I emphasised the contribution which generations of Irish immigrants have made to America for centuries and the deep cultural and economic ties which characterise our modern relationship.
Mayor Walsh updated me on the impact of President Trump’s executive orders on the immigrant community in Boston and spoke of his administration’s efforts to provide comprehensive services and information. He spoke of the Trust Act in Boston, and his determination to stand in solidarity with immigrants.
97. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach to outline the matters he discussed with and what he said to President Trump regarding immigration when he met him on 16 March; and if the US President had any particular comments to make on his plans for immigration and the latest judgment on his executive orders. [14479/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI had a very constructive and engaging meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office last Thursday, March 16th.
We discussed a range of matters including bilateral economic relations, Ireland's economic recovery, Immigration Reform, the implications of Brexit and the future of the EU as well as Northern Ireland and the Peace Process. I highlighted the plight of the up to 50,000 undocumented Irish and the importance to us of finding a solution to regularise their situation as well as our wish for a bilateral visa agreement that would allow for future flows.
The President acknowledged our concerns and the positive contribution that the Irish had made to the US. The President did not refer to the latest judgment on his executive orders.
98. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach to outline the detail of and his views on the latest Central Statistics Office report on Ireland being one of the most expensive countries in the EU. [14481/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information the Deputy refers to was contained in the CSO report “Measuring Ireland’s Progress 2015”. This is a comprehensive publication and provides an overall view of the social, economic, environment, education and health situation in Ireland. Table 2.13 of the report shows data from Eurostat on comparative price levels of final consumption by private households. The table shows that Ireland had the third highest price levels among EU countries in 2015, after Denmark and the United Kingdom. Price levels in Ireland were 22.5% above the EU average in 2015. Price levels in the United Kingdom were 31.3% above the EU average and in Denmark they were 36.8% above the EU average.
99. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if a referendum on Irish unity will be planned in the near future. [14483/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Good Friday Agreement sets out the mechanism by which a united Ireland might come about, including a provision that, if people north and south of the Border decide by referendum that there should be a united Ireland, they should have that opportunity. It is for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to decide to hold a referendum there, based on whether it appears likely that a majority in Northern Ireland would support unity.
I do not believe, based on most recent polling evidence, that this is currently the case, and therefore do not agree that now is an appropriate time to hold a referendum on this, North or South.
That said, in the context of Brexit, I believe it is essential that this fundamental part of the Good Friday Agreement not be undermined in any way.
Furthermore, the Government will seek to ensure that, in the event of the mechanism being invoked at some future point, leading to a united Ireland, all parts of that united Ireland will automatically be treated as part of the EU (as happened, for example, when East and West Germany were united).
100. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to the creation of an ombudsman with sole responsibility for overseeing the disability sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14284/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI consider that the statutory functions of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children, the inspection functions of HIQA, the functions of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in relation to promotion of human rights and equality of treatment under the equality Acts, and the adjudication functions of the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to those Acts, taken together, provide a comprehensive structure of support and advice to persons with disabilities who consider that public sector providers fail in their statutory duties, or who consider that they have been otherwise discriminated against, and provide for appropriate redress in any such instances. Creation of another statutory body in this context would not make for greater clarity and could lead to confusion for members of the public who seek advice or redress.
I would draw the Deputy's specific attention to section 40 of the Disability Act 2005, which makes provision for the Ombudsman to investigate complaints from members of the public about non-compliance by public bodies with the accessibility requirements set out in Part 3 of the Act or about matters contained in a Sectoral Plan prepared under that Part. I would wish to see this facility used more often. It is vitally important that people with disabilities are informed as to their rights on access to services and information, and that they are aware of their right of recourse to the Ombudsman to examine unresolved complaints. It is also crucial that both professional and non-professional people involved in the disability sector are knowledgeable about the Disability Act 2005. In this context, I have been advised by the Ombudsman that his Office regularly takes initiatives to raise awareness of its services, including the provision of an information leaflet on complaints from the sector and direct engagement with NGOs.
101. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the funding mechanisms in place for the installation of closed circuit television cameras for security reasons in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14392/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the value that communities, especially rural communities, place on CCTV as a means of deterring crime and assisting in the detection of offenders.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to providing investment in CCTV systems and that I have secured €1 million in Budget 2017 to begin a new round of community CCTV schemes in line with the Programme. I expect to make an announcement in this context shortly.
102. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider reducing the personal insolvency arrangement time from six to three years for persons and families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14474/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersonal Insolvency Arrangements (PIAs) were introduced by the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 and are designed to resolve unsustainable debt and restore an insolvent individual to solvency, while providing for fair repayment to creditors to the extent that the insolvent person's means reasonably permit.
The PIA is designed specifically for resolving secured debt (such as a mortgage), although it can also include and resolve any unsecured debts. A PIA includes a number of important statutory protections for the debtor. These include the right to reasonable living expenses before payments to creditors are fixed, a statutory priority for their continued ownership and occupation of their home subject to the conditions set out at section 104 of the Act, a right of court review (subject to certain conditions) under section 115A if creditors reject a reasonable PIA proposal by a debtor, a return to solvency on completion of the payments envisaged by the PIA, and protection from other enforcement action by creditors during the period of the PIA.
It is important to note that the Personal Insolvency Act does not set any minimum duration for a PIA. Section 99 of the Act sets the maximum duration of a PIA at 6 years, although this period may be extended for up to a year in certain circumstances. In fact, many PIAs are concluded with a very short duration. Analysis by the Insolvency Service of Ireland of a sample of 100 recently concluded PIAs showed that 43% provided for a period of less than 12 months, while 41% lasted from five to six years. None was concluded for longer than 6 years.
This flexibility regarding the duration of a PIA is an important element which can significantly benefit the debtor. Allowing a longer period can be very important in allowing an insolvent person to put together a proposal which can be accepted by creditors and, in particular, can be sufficient for them to remain in their home. It can allow for a person in financial difficulty, or with temporarily reduced income or working hours, to recover from illness or unemployment, retrain, or increase or restore their earning capacity.
Reducing the maximum length of a PIA from six years to three years is likely to have the unintended effect of denying some debtors the opportunity to avail of a PIA as they would not be able to make sufficient payments to creditors during the shorter arrangement period. The Act's provisions already allow a PIA to be concluded for a much shorter period where this is desirable in the light of the debtor's individual circumstances.
