Written Answers Nos. 297-314
298. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the current primary and secondary legislation dealing with contaminated soil, including soil contaminated by hydrocarbons; his plans to revise existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17287/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra299. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the facilities licensed to be used for the disposal of contaminated soil, including soil contaminated by hydrocarbons; the location of these facilities; the current status of the licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17288/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 299 together.
Soil policy in Ireland is governed by a broad range of overarching EU policies, instruments and measures, as well as by national legislation such as the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, as amended , the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977, as amended, and the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended, as well as associated regulations. Responsibility for soil, and in particular soil contamination, rests across a range of Government Departments and State Agencies depending on the particular issue. For example, soil contamination has relevance to agriculture, biodiversity, industry, human and animal health, water quality, bogs, and the environment generally, as well as having potential impacts on climate change. Indeed, an exercise undertaken in my Department in 2016 identified some 35 strategic initiatives and binding measures that currently apply to soil quality in Ireland.
The issue of soil protection, including its legislative framework, is kept under review by the relevant responsible Departments and Agencies, and through various fora, particularly in the light of national, EU and international developments in the area of soil policy. My Department, as well as other Departments and Agencies, participate in these national and international discussions. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency is today hosting the “End of Waste Network” meeting in Dublin, where soil is amongst the items on the agenda for discussion.
Once waste has been classified as hazardous, its treatment and management is subject to the Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2004, which govern the process under which waste licences are applied for and maintained. Once granted, each waste licence defines the nature of environmentally acceptable activities that can take place at a waste facility, including the acceptable types of waste that can be received. This is done by the conditions of the licence which are set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance, in specific cases, by a local authority or the EPA of their statutory functions under the Act. However, the EPA publishes comprehensive information on its licensees which is available at www.epa.ie. Further information is also available from the EPA’s Office of Environmental Sustainability at Licensing@epa.ie.
300. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the consideration given to peatland rewetting and restoration as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the context of drafting the national mitigation plan; and the reason no measures for peatland rewetting, rehabilitation or restoration were included in the draft plan. [17290/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWetlands can play a role in reducing net greenhouse gas emissions, and are recognised in this regard in the reporting of emissions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Wetland management chiefly relates to the rewetting, rehabilitation or restoration of wetlands, and Ireland accounts for mitigation action within some wetlands which fall within currently reported land types (e.g. forested areas). However, under UNFCCC reporting rules, the specific inclusion of wetlands as a distinct land category is limited to organic soils not reported elsewhere within national greenhouse gas emissions inventories. This restricts its potential role to lands which are largely former or active peat extraction areas, degraded near-natural areas or otherwise abandoned organic soils. The management of these lands falls across a number of Departments, and a number of public and private agencies.
In relation to the potential mitigation capability of wetland areas, it should be noted that global experience in the tracking and reporting of climate mitigation measures is limited at present. Owing to the diversity of wetlands, research is needed on the measurement, mitigation and development of national emission factors. The Government, through the Environmental Protection Agency, continues to direct research funding to improve our understanding of carbon stock changes in peatlands and agricultural soils in order to contribute to the development of a more robust inventory and underpin future accounting for these categories.
I am open to considering further work on this topic in the context of the National Mitigation Plan, building on the research already undertaken.
301. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures being taken to improve segregation of domestic green waste and to prevent contamination of waste being exported from the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17291/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn foot of the recent issues with the transit of a number of containers through Rotterdam, my Department and the National Transfrontier Shipments Office (NTFSO) have met with the Dutch Authorities to agree early warning systems for suspect shipments. The NTFSO has also carried out inspections of the facilities where the contaminated material was originally processed and has met with the waste broker concerned with a view to improving the broker’s inspection and monitoring procedures in order to reduce the risk of repeated incidents in the future. Since July 2015, it has been a condition of waste collection permits that collectors must accept a minimum list of recyclable materials. It is recognised that the co-mingled recycling bin can be contaminated with non-recyclable items due to a number of factors including awareness of what can or cannot be recycled on behalf of the household customer. To improve awareness rates, I have allocated funding of €1.6 million in 2017 towards a national waste campaign.
This public information campaign, which is being developed by the 3 Regional Waste Management Planning Offices (RWMPOs) has already begun a brown bin programme to encourage households to (i) prevent food waste and (ii) deal with unavoidable food and organic waste more effectively. The RWMPOs will roll out further elements of a national education and awareness campaign as the year progresses which will highlight the environmental cost of contaminating your recycling bin and provide information to householders on preparing their waste and ensuring it is placed in the correct bin.
In a private market, waste collectors also have a responsibility and incentive to engage with their customers to make it clear what materials are acceptable in each bin. Likewise the facilities which receive this material are effectively gatekeepers in terms of quality. Certain household waste collection companies have indicated that they are introducing penalties on householders who consistently contaminate bins and it is open to other companies to do the same.
302. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of proceeds from the Aer Lingus sale invested in the connectivity fund; the amount invested from that fund in broadband, fibre optics and other communications projects; the projects that received investment from the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17358/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe acquisition of Aer Lingus by IAG, in 2015, resulted in a receipt of some €335m by the Exchequer for the Government's shareholding in the company. These funds were used to establish a Connectivity Fund, to support commercial projects that enhance connectivity both within and for the State. The Connectivity Fund was established as a sub-Fund of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and is being managed by that Fund. My Department has no role in the operation of the fund.
303. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011 per annum, in tabular form. [17429/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a very diverse, complex and technical brief across critical and strategic sectors of the Irish economy. While it has a total complement of around 345 full time equivalent staff of whom a number are technical personnel, the technical, commercial, legal complexity and evolving nature of sectors with which the Department deals requires access to external professional expertise to assist in discharging its functions. In procuring these specialised services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and that these services contribute to project delivery and informed, robust and evidence based policy making. The bulk of the studies are technical and specialist in nature and were necessary to address specific issues as they arose and enable the Department to discharge its policy and project responsibilities in the areas concerned.
Details of external consultant reports commissioned by my Department since March 2011 are set out in the following table.
|
Consultancy Name |
Title |
Cost to date |
Date of Commission |
Date or expected date of publication |
|
Environ UK Limited |
Corrib gasfield project – monitoring compliance with the Conditions of the Department’s Letter of Consent dated 25 February 2011 |
€924,111* |
June 2011 |
Report published on the Department’s website Dec 2015. |
|
Dr Michael Johnson |
Silvermines Vegetation Study |
€5,848 |
August 2011 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase. |
|
Camp Dresser McKee CDM |
Sampling of Gortmore and Silvermines Vegetation |
€13,890 |
July 2011 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase. |
|
Purvin & Gertz |
Strategic Case for Oil Refining requirements |
€193,997 |
August 2011 |
July 2013 |
|
PA Consulting Group |
National Digital Research Centre |
€29,040 |
July 2011 |
Published on the Department website. |
|
OHH Energy Ltd |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€41,120 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
Elimark |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€38,786 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
2B Energy |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€32,284 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
SLR Consulting |
Core Library Holdings Review |
€39,688 |
Sept 2011 – Dec 2011 |
Jan 2012 |
|
Jenny Deakin |
Preparation for the Graigue Group Water Scheme Report |
€1,750 |
April 2011 – Sept 2011 |
Sept 2011 |
|
Indecon Economic Consultants |
Economic/Socio-Economic Analysis of options for rollout of next generation broadband |
€28,167 |
May 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision. |
|
Analysys Mason |
Analysis of options for potential State intervention in the rollout of next generation broadband |
€30,522 |
May 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision. |
|
Thornton’s Chartered Surveyors |
Provision of land valuation and negotiation services |
€3,690 |
July 2012 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase. |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Assessment of Economic Contribution of Mineral Exploration and Mining in Ireland |
€53,690 |
October 2012 |
Published September 2013. |
|
Indecon (Ireland) |
Provision of a Macro-Economic Research Exercise under the National Digital Strategy to Determine the Value of Internet/Digital to the Irish Economy |
€72,474 |
November 2012 |
Published July 2013. |
|
CDM Smith Ireland Limited |
Environmental Monitoring at former mining areas of Silvermines, Co. Tipperary and Avoca, Co. Wicklow |
€599,535 |
December 2012 |
On completion of scheduled reports. |
|
AMEC Earth & Environmental (UK) Ltd |
Expert Services to Monitor Mining Activities and Compliance with terms of State Mining Leases/Licences. |
€122,353 |
December 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
Wardell Armstrong LLP |
Provision of Expert Services for Mine Inspection, Environmental Advice and Compliance with terms of State Mining Leases/Licences. |
€43,626 |
May 2016 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ltd |
Scheduled review of INFOMAR Project |
€59,505 |
Dec 2012 – May 2013 |
Published September 2013. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for (1) a 2D regional seismic survey and (2) an offshore exploration well (Dunquin) (2 reports received) |
€11,211 |
February 2013 |
Reports published on the Department’s website. |
|
Det Norske Veritas |
Expert technical advice to the Department in connection with offshore drilling |
€52,088 |
March 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive. |
|
Neary Marketing & Communications |
Review of Irish Geoscience Sector |
€10,000 |
March 2013 – June 2013 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2D/3D offshore Seismic Surveys and exploration drilling applications (six reports completed in 2013) |
€18,266 (€3,044 fee payable for each report received) |
April 2013 |
Reports published on the Department’s website. |
|
Norcontel (Ireland) Ltd |
Market analysis of backhaul infrastructure in Mayo and Galway |
€10,500 |
May 2013 |
Published June 2013. |
|
Selgovia Limited |
Offshore exploration well technical assessment |
€4,429 |
July 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive. |
|
Doyle Kent Planning Partnership Ltd. |
To provide draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report for the Renewable Energy Policy and Development Framework |
€95,940 |
September 2013 |
This report has not been published but is expected to be published shortly. |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Establishment of an Administrative Framework for the Conduct of an Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment |
€23,247 |
November 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive. |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Establishment of an Administrative Framework for the Acquisition of Baseline Information on Marine Species |
€21,973 |
November 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive. |
|
AECOM Ltd. |
Economics and Financial Consultancy |
€52,988 |
November 2013 |
This Report will not be published as it remains confidential. |
|
Indecon (Ireland) |
Economic Analysis of the Advertising Market in Ireland |
€71,438 |
December 2013 |
Report published on the Department’s website. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2D/3D offshore Seismic Surveys and exploration drilling applications (five reports completed to date in 2014). |
€66,124 (€3,653 fee payable for each report received) |
February 2014 |
Reports published on the Department’s website. |
|
Wood Mackenzie |
Review of Ireland’s Oil and Gas Fiscal System |
€212,873 |
12 March 2014 |
Published June 2014 |
|
Neary Marketing & Communications |
Review of Geoscience Ireland Business Cluster |
€5,000 |
March 2014 – July 2014 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
PA Consulting |
Post Project Evaluation of the Tellus Border project |
€24,750 |
March 2014-July 2014 |
Published July 2014 |
|
Perspective Associates Ltd |
The provision of independent expert advice relating to the identification of an appropriate framework for determining whether a compilation of programme material offered by a contractor under s. 71 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 has the ‘character of a public service’. |
€5,000 |
18 July 2014 |
Report published on the Department’s website |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Assistance with the Production of the Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment (IOSEA) 5 |
€218,399 |
October 2014 |
Report published on the Department’s website Sep 2015 |
|
KN Network Services |
To provide a due diligence assessment on the current status of the Galway-Mayo telecoms duct. |
€62,500 |
2014 |
The report will not be published, it will be used to assist with the appointment of a Management Services Entity for the duct. |
|
Gemserv |
To provide a privacy impact assessment for the National Postcode System. |
€59,340 |
August 2014 |
The report is published and available on the Departments website. |
|
Ricardo - AEA |
REFIT 3 Review |
€4,500 |
2014 |
This document remains part of the deliberative process and contains commercially sensitive information. |
|
Doyle Kent Planning Partnership Ltd. |
Assistance with the screening of the National Broadband Intervention Strategy for Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment. |
€4,500 |
25 August 2014 |
This report will be published on completion of the consideration of the SEA/AA assessments. |
|
RPS Group Limited |
To undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment / Appropriate Assessment on the Draft Bioenergy Plan |
€54,930 |
September 2015 |
March 2016 |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Review of Designated Events of Major Importance to Society under the Broadcasting Act 2009. |
€82,719 |
23 October 2015 |
The report will not be published, it is used to assist in the review of designated events. |
|
Tekenable |
Provision of TV Licence Database and System Review. |
€36,017 |
29 October 2015 |
This report is commercially sensitive and confidential, and will not be published. |
|
Compass Informatics, |
Scoping Study for a National Geological Data Centre |
€29,625 |
October 2015 |
December 2015 |
|
Ramboll Environ UK |
Corrib Pipeline Consent environmental consultancy services for gap analysis for Corrib pipeline consent to operate |
€85,634 |
August 2015 |
Report published on the Department’s website December 2015. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2/3D offshore seismic survey and exploration drilling applications. |
€21,918 (€3,653 fee payable for each report received). |
April 2016 |
Reports published on the Department’s website. |
|
Norcontel |
Financial advice relating to the concessionaire model for the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANS) |
€22,950 |
30 March 2016 |
This report is commercially sensitive and confidential, and will not be published. |
|
Indecon |
Assessment of the Macro-Economic Impact of Internet/Digital on the Irish Economy |
€74,070 |
30 November 2015 |
Published on the Department’s website on 31 May 2016. |
|
Eamon Halpin & Co. Ltd |
Valuation Report and advice on Waterford & Dungarvan MAN Networks |
€5,000 |
25 November 2015 |
This report forms part of an ongoing legal process and will not be published. |
|
Element Energy
|
Provision of consultancy services to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) for an economic analysis of the Renewable Heat Incentive for Ireland |
€105,500 |
17 May 2016 |
This report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
SLR Environmental Consulting Ireland |
Expert Consultancy Services to provide environmental guidance documentation in respect of mineral exploration activities |
€23,616 |
10 October 2016 |
Ongoing |
|
Crowleys DFK |
Review of the Tax Implications of the Formation of the Digital Hub company |
€12,000 |
31 July 2015 |
This report is commercially sensitive and will not be published. |
|
Indecon |
Review the Impact of Opt-Out Advertising on the Irish Broadcasting Sector |
€45,446 |
11October 2016 |
May 2017 |
|
Cambridge Economic Policy Associates (CEPA)
|
Provision of an Economic Analysis to Underpin a New Renewable Electricity Support Scheme in Ireland
|
€125,700 |
13 December 2016
|
Report not yet complete.
|
|
Risk Solutions |
Review of INFOMAR Programme |
€24,989 |
26 November 2015 |
Completed March 2016On INFOMAR website www.infomar.ie |
|
SLR Consulting |
Report on Social Acceptance of Geoscience Activities and Earth Resources in Ireland |
€21,445 |
Contracts signed late Nov 2015 |
Published online May 2016 (www.gsi.ie/research) |
|
Analysys Mason
|
Review of pricing and access arrangements relating to the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) |
Total cost €90,000 - No payments to date. |
24 March 2017 |
This report will contain commercially sensitive information, and will not be published. |
|
Indecon |
Review of policy underpinning the NDRC endeavour |
Total cost €51,948 of which €10,389 paid to date. |
9 March 2017 |
Ongoing |
|
RPS Group Limited |
To undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the National Broadband Intervention Strategy |
€22,205 |
April 2016 |
This report will be published on completion of the consideration of the SEA/AA assessments. |
|
KHSK Economic Consultants |
Review of the Obstacles that hindered the planned introduction of pay by weight charging in July 2016 |
€10,920 |
29 November 2016 |
This report has not been published to date. |
|
UCC / EPA / Envecon Decision Support Ltd ** |
Irish Times (Phase 3) economic modelling project related to work of the TRAM Group. EPA / UCC led project. GAINS Ireland Integrated Modelling Project. Envecon Decision Support Ltd / EPA led project. |
Total funding for both projects requested by EPA and provided by DCCAE in November 2016 was €320,326.
Irish Times project funding requested was €152,794. Funding for GAINS project was €167,531. |
January 2016 |
Contract ended 31 December 2016. New contracts may be entered into as part of TRAM Group work. |
|
Envecon Decision Support Ltd ** |
Engagement of consultants to support work of the Technical Research and Modelling (TRAM) Group.
|
€352,200 due under contract for whole of 2017. Total paid to end March is €129,270. |
30 January 2017 |
Contract will end 31 December 2017. NMP will be published as soon as possible following approval by Government of Final National Mitigation Plan in June 2017. |
*These costs are recouped from the Operator of the Corrib gasfield project
**Technical support for the development and management of key operational elements in the national climate and energy policy process is provided by the Technical Research and Modelling Group (TRAM). TRAM has assisted the Government in developing the NMP. TRAM research is paid for from the Subhead F7 of the DCCAE Vote and in 2017 €1.75m was allocated for this work.
304. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the meetings the UK Ireland contact group on radiological matters has held since January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17446/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra305. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the correspondence his Department has held with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Office for Nuclear Regulation with regard to the UK's decision on withdrawal from EURATOM Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17447/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 305 together.
The UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters normally meets twice a year. The Group last met in London on 9 November 2016. The Group is scheduled to meet again on 27 April 2017 in Dublin and on 10 October 2017 in London.
Actions agreed at meetings of the Group are followed up between meetings. My officials maintain on-going contact with their counterparts in the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy throughout the year as necessary. This is also the position in relation to the respective regulators, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
My Department has not had correspondence with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy or the Office for Nuclear Regulation in relation to the UK's decision to leave the EURATOM Treaty. The subject will be discussed at the next meeting of the UK-Ireland Contact Group.
306. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17187/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána's Fixed Charge Processing Office inform me that all Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) are printed and posted on the same date, and that the date of issue printed on the notice is actually the following day, so that individuals receiving an FCN have a full 28 days to pay the fixed charge at the amount stated, and then a further 28 days to pay at the amount stated plus 50%.
Sending FCNs by registered post will not speed up their delivery; in fact it may cause delays if an individual is not at home to sign for a letter and is then obliged to travel to their nearest sorting office.
Neither myself nor my Department have been made aware of any issues in the late delivery of FCNs by an Post, and therefore I have no plans at present to amend the existing procedures.
307. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a capital sports grant application by a school (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. [17194/17]
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 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. It is not possible to estimate how many allocations will be made in advance of completion of the assessment process.
308. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget allocation for Tourism Ireland for each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17220/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTourism Ireland Limited was formed by the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive, under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), to be the overseas marketing arm of tourism for the island of Ireland. As such Tourism Ireland receives it's funding from both jurisdictions.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland to confirm the information sought. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
309. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the causes of the drop in tourist numbers coming to Ireland from Britain in the past few months has been identified; his plans to reverse this very recent trend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17265/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverall responsibility for publication of tourism statistics lies with the Central Statistics Office (CSO). According to the CSO, the overall number of overseas visits to Ireland increased by 3% year-on-year in the period December 2016 - February 2017. Within this, there was a decrease of 5.9% in the number of overseas visits from Great Britain. It is worth noting, however, that while the December - February 2017 figures for visits from Great Britain were down on the previous year, they were still up 14% on the same period two years earlier.
In common with the rest of Government there has been deep analysis of the challenges which industry and the commercial sectors, including the tourism industry, face because of the outcome of the UK Referendum. While it is too early to be definitive as to why there has been a reduction in visitor numbers from Great Britain, Tourism Ireland has, in the context of Brexit, highlighted the strong likelihood of a reduction in the number of British residents expected to travel abroad on holidays, including a reduction in the number expected to travel to Ireland.
A key element of Tourism Ireland's strategy since 2014 has been market diversification. In 2017, Tourism Ireland will continue to implement its market diversification strategy and intends to maximise holiday revenue through investment in Mainland Europe and North America. In addition the depreciation of sterling against the euro since the UK referendum means that value for money will be a key message for Tourism Ireland in Britain this year. Looking to the medium term, Tourism Ireland's plan for the period from 2017-2019 includes the agency's response to marketing Ireland in a more focussed manner in Great Britain in order to maximise return on marketing spend.
I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for any further information they may be able to provide. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
310. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Garda national roads policing bureau and the Director of Public Prosecutions communicated with his Department in May 2015 on SI 332 of 2012 which removed the legal obligation on cyclists to use certain cycle facilities; and if so, the reason for these communications. [17292/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda National Roads Policing Bureau (GNRPB) communicated with my Department in May 2015 in relation to SI 332 of 2012. This communication referenced advice received by the GNRPB from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The reason for this communication arose due to work by my Department and the GNRPB on the introduction of fixed charge notices for certain cycling offences, including offences relating to cycle tracks.
311. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there have been any results from the examination of the success of additional planning guidelines and instruments (details supplied) as devices to facilitate producing cycling friendly urban planning, which was to be undertaken in pursuance of policy 1 of the National Cycle Policy Framework; the way he will ensure, in accordance with that policy, that the most successful tool is used more extensively in order that future developments are planned in a cycling friendly way; if he will provide documents resulting from the examination; and if this examination is not complete, the work done to date and the anticipated timescale for completion. [17293/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made in carrying out a study on bicycles, planes and airports in pursuance of policy 8.10 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [17294/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra313. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress in developing cycling demonstration towns in pursuance of policy 1 of the National Cycle Policy Framework; and the detail of evaluations which have been done of such progress and the future work planned in this regard. [17295/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 311 to 313, inclusive, together.
I am acutely aware of the crucial role that strategic planning plays in ensuring that future developments are planned in a manner that facilitates sustainable modes. My Department's input to date into the development of the new National Planning Framework has emphasised the need for more formal integration between land use and transport planning.
The National Cycle Policy Framework (NCPF) has been integrated into the Development Plans of the majority of local authorities so ensuring that the objectives and policies to support and promote cycling are taken account of in current and future planning. In addition, the National Transport Authority (NTA) published the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) Cycle Network Plan covering the seven local authority areas in the GDA in 2013.
The Deputy will recall that the precise targets set out in the Smarter Travel policy and the NCPF were largely predicated on the availability of the substantial funding which did not transpire because of the significant scaling back in overall public investment in response to the economic and fiscal crises and priorities had to be made for the delivery of specific actions. Nevertheless, despite this, considerable progress has been made and continues to be made in providing the infrastructure and other interventions that support modal shift. The Department is currently undertaking a full review of the National Cycling Policy Framework and action 8.10 will form part of that work.
Three towns, Limerick, Westport, and Dungarvan were awarded funding under the Smarter Travel Areas funding programme to develop smarter travel demonstration towns. The Programme ran from 2012 to 2016 and has recently finished. The three projects are now being independently evaluated and this work will inform future policy on investment in Smarter Travel and what works best in an Irish context.
314. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will intervene in the current industrial relations dispute which has seen Bus Éireann services withdrawn across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17316/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the decision by both management and unions to accept the invitation of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to recommence discussions. As I have repeatedly stated, the appropriate forum for resolution of this dispute is the WRC, assisted if required by the Labour Court, and I hope that both parties can use this opportunity to agree upon an acceptable and fair deal.
The Deputy is aware that I have consistently stated that I will not intervene in areas where Ministerial intervention is not appropriate and I am clear that negotiations relating to the internal organisation of a company is such an area.
However, I have acted in areas where I believe it to be appropriate to do so. I have increased the amount of funding available for socially necessary, but financially unviable PSO services and I have committed toward further increasing that funding as resources allow. I have instructed my Department to work with the Department of Social Protection in examining the funding associated with the Free Travel Scheme and I expect a satisfactory conclusion to that examination. I have assured rural Ireland that the NTA has the statutory powers and resources required to ensure transport connectivity is maintained where commercial bus services are altered. I have invited members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee to submit their views on the commercial bus licensing system and stated my willingness to consider amending current legislation in cases where improvements can be identified. I have stated I am open to meeting all relevant stakeholders on issues relating to public transport.
My actions alone will not resolve this situation. Resolution will only be possible through both management and unions agreeing upon an acceptable and fair deal and I hope that their discussions, facilitated by the WRC, will result in such a deal and that the ongoing disruption to transport services ends.
