Written Answers Nos. 83-92
83. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional measures, especially additional financial and other resources, that have been made available to his Department in an effort to prepare for Brexit, especially regarding ports, airports and the tourism sector; the type of Border expected once Brexit is enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14223/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the preparations his Department is making for Brexit, possible Border controls and its impact on the transport industry throughout the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13999/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together.
My focus and that of Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan to date has been on understanding the likely implications of Brexit for the transport and tourism sectors to inform our approach to the forthcoming EU/UK negotiations. In this context, on 23 January 2017, Minister of State Deputy O'Donovan and I hosted an All-Island Dialogue on the impact of Brexit on the tourism and hospitality sector. I also hosted an All-Island Dialogue on transport and logistics on the same day. Reports on the outcome of these Sectoral dialogues can be found on my Department's website. The All-Island Sectoral dialogues were in addition to other stakeholder engagements in the areas of aviation, maritime, road transport and logistics, and tourism which have been held by my Department.
A major concern of transport operators was a possible return of border controls and the implications these would have on tourism and also for the transport of goods on the Island of Ireland and to our continental markets.
The outcome of these consultations inform the analyses of the Department, including in relation to the implications of possible border controls, and feed into the overall analyses of Government. Details of the type of border, if any, will become clearer as the negotiation process evolves. In the meantime, my Department is represented on Inter Departmental Groups looking at the implications of Brexit from an economic, customs, EU Funded Programmes and Common Travel Area perspective.
A number of existing measures in place will assist in alleviating some of the adverse impacts of Brexit. I have already highlighted the importance of the 9% rate for the tourism sector and the retention of this rate was recognised by the Government in Budget 2017. The reduction of the Air Travel tax to zero, the temporary reduction of employers PRSI and changes to the VISA regime have also been important measures in supporting the tourism sector and these will assist in mitigating some of the implications of Brexit also. The question of additional financial or other measures in the tourism sector, and in the transport sector, is being kept under review and the position will become clearer during the EU/UK negotiations.
85. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the person or body that will undertake the review of the pre-clearance arrangements in Shannon and Dublin airports; and when he expects it to be completed. [8427/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, in light of concerns expressed regarding the Executive Order signed by US President Donald J. Trump on 27 January 2017, the Taoiseach requested that the relevant departments undertake a review of US Pre-clearance at Dublin and Shannon Airports.
My Department, along with the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Justice and Equality contributed to this Review which was furnished to the Taoiseach last month and discussed at cabinet on 28 February. The Review set out the position with regard to the history of pre-clearance, the Ireland/US Pre-clearance Agreement and the Aviation (Pre-clearance) Act 2009, its current operation, along with its benefits for Ireland and potential issues which have arisen in the light of the recent Executive Order.
Based on the work undertaken in the context of the Review, it is my view, and the view of Government, that US pre-clearance arrangements in Dublin and Shannon Airports should remain in place. In arriving at this decision, the following issues were taken into consideration:-
The operation of pre-clearance, a consensual and non-discriminatory facility, where the roles of Irish and US officials are clearly established, does not give rise to any breach of Ireland's European or International Human Rights obligations, including those in respect of refoulement and the rights of refugees or persons wishing to seek international protection in Ireland.
Pre-clearance is a valuable service for Ireland facilitating the movement of people between the two countries. It offers a unique service for passengers, providing them with essentially a domestic to domestic connection. Airlines flying to the USA using Dublin and Shannon Airports are permitted to fly to less congested domestic terminals at US airports, which enables faster onward connections for passengers.
It is a strategic asset for the airports in question, and a key enabler of market growth, which improves our global connectivity.
86. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to begin regulating the rickshaw industry and his timeframe for commencing regulation. [14237/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann voted to provide for the regulation of rickshaws, by way of an amendment to the then Road Traffic Bill 2016, which subsequently became Section 31 of the Road Traffic Act 2016. As I have indicated in the Seanad and in reply to Parliamentary Questions, I need to take legal advice on the implications of Section 31 - especially given that it was not drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel or approved by the Office of the Attorney General - and my Department has sought legal advice on the matter.
In addition, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has submitted to my Department proposals for a potential framework for the future regulation of rickshaws. I received the NTA's proposals last month and they will be considered in tandem with the legal advice when received.
I share the Deputy's concerns about the need for regulation of rickshaws, but it would not be appropriate to commence Section 31 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 before (1) the legal position is clarified and (2) I have considered the NTA's proposals on an appropriate and robust regulatory framework for rickshaws.
87. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will finalise the statutory instrument giving authority to the Irish Aviation Authority for the control of noise levels at Dublin Airport; and when he will publish the statutory instrument. [14233/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my response to Priority Question No 1.
88. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of applications received for the 2017 sports capital programme; the process that will now take place to assess these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14250/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2,320 applications were submitted under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme. The full assessment process and scoring system for the 2017 round of the Programme is available on my Department's website at http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/sport/english/sports-capital-programme-scoring-system-and-assessment-procedures/assessment-manual-2017-scp.pdf.
Over the coming months, all of the applications received will be assessed by officials in my Department in accordance with this process. Once the assessment process is completed, an announcement regarding allocations will be made later this year.
90. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received a draft of the report (details supplied) regarding the Olympic Council of Ireland, OCI, ticketing arrangements for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, in view of the fact that the original deadline for the report was September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14221/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, from responses to previous Parliamentary Questions on this matter, on 19 August 2016, Minister Patrick O'Donovan and I decided to establish a non-statutory inquiry to be chaired by Mr. Justice Carroll Moran to inquire into the circumstances and facts concerning ticketing at the Rio Olympic Games. The inquiry commenced its work on 19 September 2016 and was expected to last 12 weeks. In December 2016, at the request of Judge Carroll Moran, an extension to 31 March 2017 was granted for the completion of his Inquiry.
On 21 March 2017, the inquiry's Solicitor contacted my officials to say that the Judge's Report would be circulated to certain parties on 31 March 2017. Those parties will be afforded an opportunity to respond to the Judge and it is expected that 3 weeks will be required for that purpose. The Judge may require time to consider any responses from the parties. Accordingly, towards the end of April, it is expected that the Judge will be in a position to indicate when his final Report will be presented to Minister O'Donovan and to me. Subject to consideration of any legal issues that may arise, it is envisaged that the Report would be published shortly thereafter.
91. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention or that of his predecessors has been drawn to a decision in 2015 of Córas Iompair Éireann, CIE, to extend for six years the terms of the master development agreement in relation to a site (details supplied); if he understands the rationale for this decision in view of the fact serious questions had been raised regarding whether this arrangement was best value for money for a publicly owned company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14066/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Transport Acts provide CIÉ with the statutory power to acquire and dispose of property. The CIÉ decision raised by the Deputy is a matter for CIÉ and not a matter in which the Minister has a role. Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ 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.
92. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on his Department's role in the granting of permission for civilian aircraft to land or overfly Ireland carrying munitions; if he has had any discussions with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justice and Equality and Defence with a view to overhauling the current situation regarding the use of Shannon Airport by the US military, particularly in view of the ongoing destabilisation of the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14232/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans at present for a change in policy in relation to the granting of munitions permits under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973. There is a well-established procedure for considering applications from airlines for permits to land aircraft in Ireland or overfly Ireland with munitions of war on board.
In relation to each application received, my Department seeks the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to foreign policy issues, the Department of Justice in relation to security issues and the Irish Aviation Authority if the munitions are categorised as dangerous goods. Each application is also sent to Department of Defence for its information.
The primary purpose of national aviation policy is to provide sustainable, safe, secure and efficient air transport services in Ireland, in accordance with Irish and international civil aviation law and policy. The Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended, implements in Irish law the provisions of the Chicago Convention in relation to the carriage of dangerous goods and munitions on board civil aircraft. These provisions are primarily aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft and those on board.
The foreign policy concerns mentioned by the Deputy would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, whose Department is consulted on each application.
