Eamon Ryan
Ceist:652. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to release for public consultation the draft statutory instrument which will transpose EU Regulation 598/2014. [16480/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Regulations
Ceisteanna (652)
Freagraí scríofa
EU Regulation No. 598/2014 entered into force in June 2016 and is directly applicable in the State. Upon publication of the draft proposal by the European Commission, officials of my Department undertook a consultation process with those statutory bodies that have roles in this area to best inform Ireland's position on the negotiation of the proposal. The Regulation represents a shift in responsibility for aircraft noise from the airport operator to a separate, independent statutory entity or competent authority that will be required to oversee the delivery of the new, more prescriptive approach to aircraft noise management. As you will be aware, I have already announced that I am appointing the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) as the Competent Authority to deal with aircraft noise management at Dublin airport. As I previously stated, I wish to ensure that there are robust consultation requirements with all key stakeholders, including local residents. It is proposed that the Statutory Instrument will outline requirements concerning the collaborative working arrangements to apply between the Competent Authority and the various statutory bodies that have roles and expertise in relation to noise management. Insofar as public participation arrangements are concerned, before the IAA as Competent Authority makes any decision about noise-related operating restrictions at the airport, there will be an obligation for public consultation and all stakeholders will be able to give their views.
As Regulation 598/2014 is already applicable in the State since June 2016 and Regulations to ensure the appointment of a competent authority and provide for the other necessary provisions are imminent, I have no plans to consult further on the matter prior to the making of those Regulations.
Olympic Council of Ireland
Ceisteanna (653)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:653. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to meet the Olympic Council of Ireland president in advance of the publication of the internal report into the ticketing arrangements at the Rio Olympic Games; if he has been provided with updates, briefings or drafts of that report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16517/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I intend to meet the newly appointed President of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) in the near future and arrangements for the meeting will be finalised soon. I have not been provided with any updates, briefings or drafts of the internal OCI report referred to by the Deputy. As I have outlined in response to other Parliamentary Questions, sporting organisations, including the Olympic Council of Ireland, are independent, autonomous bodies. I have no role in, or responsibility for, operational matters of sporting organisations. Consequently, it would not be appropriate for me to engage with the OCI in the manner suggested by the Deputy in relation to its internal report.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Ceisteanna (654)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:654. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a sports capital grant application (details supplied); when an announcement of funds allocated is expected under the sports capital programme; the number of the 2,320 applications it is envisaged will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16559/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I 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. It is not possible to estimate how many allocations will be made in advance of completion of the assessment process.
Public Transport Fares
Ceisteanna (655)
Brendan Ryan
Ceist:655. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale behind the policy which does not include the commuter towns Newbridge and Kildare in the short hop zone train fare zone when Newbridge and Kildare are included in the rent pressure zone which acknowledges the pressures of a commuter town; if there is a discrepancy in not including these commuter towns in the short hop zone especially in view of the fact they are seen as being part of the rent pressure zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16562/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
Road Network
Ceisteanna (656)
John Brassil
Ceist:656. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 620 and 624 of 14 February 2017, if he will arrange for a reply to issue without delay. [16580/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that a reply issued to the Deputy from Transport Infrastructure Ireland on the 1st March 2017 - ref: TII17-96795. A copy of this may be obtained from the Questions Office.
Driver Test
Ceisteanna (657)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:657. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position with regard to an Irish citizen who was the holder of an Irish driving licence prior to emigration for employment purposes totalling 30 years, is back living here and now wishes to purchase a tractor; if it is necessary for this person to carry out a theory test, taking into account that the person is not computer literate and is a very experienced driver; the process for persons who find themselves in this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16617/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The law in this area is clear. Where a person has not held an Irish driving licence for more than ten years and has returned from abroad with a driving licence which is not exchangeable for an Irish licence, they must go through the driver learning process. This includes the Driver Theory Test (DTT). The DTT is operated on behalf of the Road Safety Authority by Prometric Ireland Ltd. There are various options provided to assist those who may have specific needs in relation to the test, including assistance for people who are not computer-literate.
The Deputy might ask the applicant in question to contact the operators of the DTT about his particular requirements.
Bus Éireann Services
Ceisteanna (658)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:658. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the Clonmel to Dublin Expressway bus route, X7, following the decision to axe the service from midnight on Saturday, 1 April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16633/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Until this weekend Clonmel to Dublin was served by two commercial licensed bus services, one provided by Bus Éireann's Expressway and one provided by a private operator. Both services were operated on the same commercial basis and licensed under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.The Deputy is aware that Bus Éireann is currently loss-making and that those losses are primarily related to the performance of its Expressway services. Those services are operated by Bus Éireann on a commercial basis in a similar fashion to any other commercial licensed bus service. Commercial licensed bus services do not receive any taxpayer funding, in contrast to those socially necessary but financially unviable services which make up the PSO network. Decisions regarding commercial licensed bus services are matters for the operator concerned and Bus Éireann has announced changes to a limited number of Expressway services, including a withdrawal of the X7 Expressway route from Clonmel to Dublin. I am informed that the route loses a significant amount of money each year and it is no longer commercially viable for the Company.
I have repeatedly stated that in these instances the National Transport Authority (NTA) stands ready to assess the impact of any route withdrawal or re-configuration and has the statutory powers to ensure continued transport connectivity. In the case of the X7, the NTA has amended the scheduling of some Rural Transport Programme services to ensure connections with the other commercial licensed bus service which continues to link Clonmel to Dublin. The NTA has published its assessment of the X7 withdrawal and has invited feedback on that assessment and I would encourage the Deputy to provide any feedback he might have to the NTA.
Bus Éireann
Ceisteanna (659)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:659. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he will take following the lockout of drivers from Bus Éireann facilities in Clonmel which occurred from 1 a.m. on Sunday, 26 March 2017, depriving them of toilet facilities and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16634/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The issue raised is a matter 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.
Bus Éireann
Ceisteanna (660)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:660. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that 12 members of senior management in Bus Éireann are on annual salaries of more than €100,000 and 11 members of senior management are earning annual salaries of just under €100,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16635/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Bus Éireann's Annual Accounts, which are available to view on its website, disclose the aggregate total paid in compensation to key management and directors in a financial year. This disclosure is line with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. As set out in the Transport (Re-Organisation of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act 1986, the remuneration paid by Bus Éireann to its employees is a matter for Bus Éireann. Therefore 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.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (661)
John Curran
Ceist:661. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the public transport projects and programmes that have been submitted by him to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for inclusion in the mid-term capital review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16639/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recently approved my Department's submission on the Mid Term Review of the Capital Plan and it has been forwarded to Department of Public Service Reform for consideration. It is expected that Department of Public Service Reform will publish submissions in due course.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Ceisteanna (662)
John Brassil
Ceist:662. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a sports capital funding application by a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16661/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I 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 2,320 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.
Sports Capital Programme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (663)
Catherine Martin
Ceist:663. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if State-owned community schools can apply for the sports capital grant; if not, if there is an alternative under which these particular community schools can seek such support in view of the fact that other types of schools are not necessarily similarly barred from applying for the sports capital grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16671/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The provision of schools facilities, including sports facilities, is primarily a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills. The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the primary means of providing Government funding to sport and community organisations. The most recent round of the programme closed for applications on the 24th February. The full terms and conditions of the Programme are available on my Department's website. Schools may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations. Any organisation, including a school, which does not have title to their facilities can apply for sports equipment or minor capital works up to the value of €25,000. In relation to larger capital applications (over €25,000) from schools, my Department is aware of an issue that effects a limited number of schools which, due to the property arrangements in place, do not meet the title requirements of the SCP. In this regard, my officials are in discussion with the Department of Education and Skills to try to find a solution which will be in place for future rounds of the SCP.