Written Answers Nos. 1299-1319
1299. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to the ruling of the European Court of Justice earlier in 2017 which stated that VAT should not be applied to tolls on road journeys, if reimbursements will be provided to persons for their journeys; if so, the way a person can apply for a reimbursement of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19333/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to roads. More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads as well as regional and local roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII (for national roads) and each local authority (for regional and local roads) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
The recent decision on VAT is in relation to state-owned toll roads such as where TII is the toll charger. The position adopted by TII in relation to the M50 and the Dublin Port Tunnel, following the initial finding, it absorbed the cost of VAT within the pre-existing tolls and did not impose an increased charge. In other words, VAT was shown as part of the total toll charge. From 1st April 2017, the toll charge will no longer show a VAT element. There is no variation in the overall cost and there has been no variation in the overall toll cost since 2010.
Noting the above position, I have referred the matter to TII for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1300. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to in effect a 23% increase in toll charges on the M50 which will cause undue hardship on the haulage industry; if his attention has been further drawn to the ruling of the Court of Justice that European toll charges are not subject to VAT; if he will liaise with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to postpone these charges; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these new toll charges, along with current insurance premiums, have the potential to close down haulage companies; and if he will meet the Irish Road Haulage Association to discuss this matter following a request from same. [19363/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to roads. More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads as well as regional and local roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII (for national roads) and each local authority (for regional and local roads) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
The position with regard to VAT on tolls is that, following the initial finding, TII absorbed the cost of VAT within the pre-existing tolls and did not impose an increased charge. In other words, VAT was shown as part of the total toll charge. From 1st April 2017, the toll charge will no longer show a VAT element. There is no variation in the overall cost and there has been no variation in the overall toll cost since 2010.
Given the very clear position of myself as Minister, as set out above, and TII statutory provisions, any meeting regarding tolls would have to be with TII. As Minister I have no role in relation to toll charges or VAT. Noting the above position, I have referred the matter to TII for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1301. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if owners of motorised buggies on golf courses come within the Road Traffic Act; if they require insurance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19591/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Traffic Act, 1961 as amended, compulsory motor insurance applies to vehicles used in a public place. A "public place" means any public road and any street, road or other place to which the public have access with vehicles whether as of right or by permission and whether subject to or free of charge.
Golf caddy vehicles are mechanically propelled vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1961 and if they are used in a public place they must have insurance as set out in the Road Traffic Act, 1961.
The 6th EU Directive on Motor Insurance has been fully transposed into Irish law. There has, however, been a decision in a European CJEU case (Case C-162/13) which could extend the range of motor insurance to include vehicles used even in non-public places. This decision has been under examination by the European Commission with a view to an amendment to the motor insurance directive to deal with any potential unintended consequences of the Court decision.
See http://ec.europa.eu/smart-regulation/roadmaps/docs/2016_fisma_030_motor_insurance_en.pdf.
1302. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the public bus service is a vital piece of infrastructure in rural communities; his plans to support such services; if he will ensure there is an adequate and secure level of public transport provision in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20526/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 77 which I answered on the 22nd March 2017 as follows.
I am fully aware of the important role the bus fulfils in ensuring public transport connectivity for rural communities. This Government has supported that role through the 11% cumulative increase I secured in Budget 2017 for both the Public Service Obligation (PSO) programme and the Rural Transport Programme.
That increase means that in 2017 approximately €277 million be available to the National Transport Authority to support the delivery of these important programmes, which underpin the delivery of taxpayer funded bus services across rural Ireland. I have committed publicly to further increasing the funding of those programmes in the future as resources allow. Publicly funded bus services in rural Ireland are expanding and improving and that is reflected in the increases in passenger numbers, particularly within Bus Éireann's PSO network.
That Exchequer financial support is supported at a policy level by the commitment given within the Programme for a Partnership Government to review public transport policy so as to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs of a modern economy. I am glad to say that this commitment is also reflected within the actions contained within Realising our Rural Potential - Action Plan for Rural Development which specifically references the rural transport dimension and the needs of rural communities.
I have no doubt the Deputy is aware that across rural Ireland the publicly funded bus services are complemented by a huge range of privately operated bus services. These bus services are provided by operators under licence from the National Transport Authority pursuant to the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 and contrary to some reports are not solely focused on major inter-urban routes, but are also frequently found connecting rural towns and villages across the State. In 2015 around 23 million people travelled on a commercial bus service, which represents approximately 9% of all public transport journeys that year.
The National Transport Authority has assured rural Ireland that it has the statutory powers available to it to ensure continued public transport connectivity for communities who may lose services in cases where a commercial operator introduces service changes. The NTA has used those powers in the past and will do so again in the future if required.
1303. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the guidelines issued to An Garda Síochána on use of the equipment (details supplied) provided in roadside drug tests in order to overcome the problems with the operation of the equipment in temperatures below 5° C; the reason this equipment was chosen; and the cost of same. [20649/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Medical Bureau for Road Safety has statutory responsibility for the supply and testing of the roadside drug testing devices. I have therefore forwarded the request to the Bureau for direct reply.
I would ask the deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1304. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the accuracy of equipment provided (details supplied) in order to carry out roadside drug tests; and if he has had discussions on these matters with either the Garda Commissioner or the Road Safety Authority. [20650/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory responsibility for testing, approval, and supply of devices for conducting preliminary drug tests under the Road Traffic Acts rests with the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. I have therefore referred the Question to the Bureau for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1305. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce incentives to Irish emigrants returning home from abroad to help them to reintegrate into society, for example, to obtain driving licences and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20003/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position of returning emigrants in relation to driving licences depends on their particular circumstances.
When an Irish driving licence has lapsed, it may be renewed for up to ten years. This means that a person who held a valid, full, driving licence on leaving the country and whose licence has lapsed by less than ten years may simply renew their licence on returning.
A second set of circumstances is where returning emigrants have been driving in an EU Member State. Under EU law, all Member State driving licences are interchangeable. A person in this set of circumstances may therefore exchange their current licence for the Irish equivalent.
The third category represents people from non-EU states with which we have a bilateral agreement on driving licence exchange. These people too can exchange their current licence for the Irish equivalent.
This leaves people who have a driving licence from countries outside the EU with which we do not have an exchange arrangement. People in these circumstances must pass our driving test in order to get an Irish driving licence. It is worth remembering that driver licensing law exists to set minimum standards which people must meet in order to drive on our roads. Driving is not a right. It is a privilege which is earned. We recognise EU licences because all Member States test drivers to the same standards. When we reach bilateral agreements on driving licence exchange, it is only after we are satisfied following detailed comparison of the systems that the testing regime in that state is comparable to our own.
I do agree however that we should try where possible to reduce the burden on people coming here with full licences from non-exchange countries. At present, we already allow them a waiver from the usual requirement to be a learner for six months before taking the driving test. The requirement to undergo a programme of 12 ‘Essential Driver Training’ lessons for all learners is currently being reviewed by by my officials to see whether a more limited programme can be tailored to people with full licences from non-exchange countries. I do believe a programme of training would be of benefit, given that these are people used to driving in different conditions and with different laws, but I think that the training requirements could be reduced in such cases.
1306. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if sea and river search and rescue vehicles are charged when travelling through road tolls; if the boats they tow are charged separately; and if they have recourse to claiming this money back. [19188/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII, formerly NRA) under Part V of the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015.
The Roads Act 1993 sets out the legislative provisions regarding tolling and section 62 of the Act specifies the categories of vehicles which are exempt from the payment of toll charges. Only ambulance, fire brigade vehicles and vehicles used by members of An Garda Síochána or the Defence Forces, in the performance of their duties as such members, are exempt from the payment of tolls. In that regard, it is important to note that the Irish Coast Guard of this Department, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, mountain rescue teams and other community-based voluntary emergency services and groups are not exempt from the payment of tolls.
Voluntary and community organisations such as river and sea rescue provide a valuable service but in order to ensure the implementation of a fair and robust system of tolling enforcement, it is essential that it is applied equally to all users. It would be very difficult to provide an exemption for one voluntary or community organisation and not to another. In addition, making the voluntary and community sector generally exempt from tolls would incur a cost to the Exchequer as the PPP toll operators would have to be reimbursed for losses. As far as I am aware, the sector in general has not expressed concerns on the matter.
Noting the above position, I have referred the matter to TII for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1307. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the operating costs, staff numbers and annual budget of the Road Safety Authority. [19192/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1308. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if capital investments are planned at Cork Airport in each of the years 2017 to 2020; his views on whether extending the runway at Cork Airport would generate additional route opportunities; if applications for runway extension funding have been made by the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19193/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, statutory responsibility for the ownership, management and development of Cork Airport rests with the daa which operates to a fully commercial mandate and any proposals in relation to infrastructure and facilities at the Airport are a matter for the company. I have forwarded the Question to daa for direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within 10 working days, please advise my Private Office.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1309. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the percentage of the road network which is designated as country road and urban road, respectively. [19231/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn terms of classification under the Roads Acts and for the purposes of roads management and maintenance, the road network in Ireland is not designated as either country roads or urban roads. Instead, it consists of a national road network which includes motorways and the regional and local road network. A breakdown of the network is as follows:
|
Network |
Length |
% of total network |
|
National roads (including motorway) |
5,594 kms |
5.64% |
|
Regional and local roads |
93,592 kms |
94.36% |
|
Total |
99,186 kms |
100% |
The classification of roads is distinct from provisions governing the application of speed limits, or other geographical information such as classifications used by the Central Statistics Office.
1310. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the division within his Department that has responsibility for local link services operated under the rural transport programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19246/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1311. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional resources which have been allocated to transport co-ordination units under local link that will allow them effectively develop and manage new services in view of the additional funding allocated for local link services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19247/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1312. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria that determine the staffing levels for transport co-ordination units under local link; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19248/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1310 to 1312, inclusive, together.
My Department, through the Public Transport Regulation Division, provides funding for the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) to the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the RTP.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1313. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when applicants for the sports capital programme can expect to be notified regarding their application for funding. [19295/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll of the 2320 applications received under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme will be assessed by officials in my Department over the coming months. Given the number of applications received and the detailed information submitted, it will take a number of months to complete the assessment process with allocations not expected until September.
1314. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money that Sport Ireland has spent on legal fees in 2016 and to date in 2017. [19359/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred it to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1315. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the functions and responsibilities he has in his role as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport by each area of his full ministerial title, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19386/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe list of statutory functions of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, as it currently stands, runs to 118 pages and it is therefore not feasible to replicate it in tabular form for the purposes of this response. However, the details are available on my Department's website at the following link Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport Statutory Functions. As can be seen, the functions of the Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport are set out in numerous pieces of primary and secondary legislation. While this list is not fully comprehensive at present, it is currently being reviewed with a view to being updated.
1316. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will, in conjunction with the NRA, consider reduced speed limits at junctions from motorways at which there is a build up of exiting traffic in order to reduce accidents at these junctions; if he will consider junctions 28, 29 and 30 from the M7 in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19420/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Road Traffic Act 2004 sets default speed limits for various categories of roads, elected members of local authorities, have statutory responsibility for deciding on and making appropriate Special Speed Limit bye-laws for roads within their administrative area, and in the case of national roads, subject to the consent of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
To assist local authorities in the application of Special Speed Limits, my Department's updated Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland, which is available to all local authorities, reiterates the statutory responsibilities of elected members in relation to the making of such Special Speed Limit bye-laws, subject to following Department Guidelines.
In the case of the junctions referred to in the Deputy's question, it is a matter for Limerick City and County Council, in conjunction with TII, to consider the various options for addressing any traffic or safety matters raised by the Deputy.
In addition, any decision as to whether the introduction of Special Speed Limit by-laws for these junctions is an appropriate solution is a matter for the Council in conjunction with TII. Responsibility for making Special Speed Limit bye-laws rests with Limerick City and County Council and is subject to the prior written consent of TII in the case of all national roads.
1317. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of increasing funding for the Coast Guard by 5% in 2017. [19524/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding allocation to the Irish Coast Guard, a division of my Department, for 2017 was €66,855,000 for Current Expenditure and €4,630,000 for Capital Expenditure.
A 5% increase in these amounts would cost an extra €3,342,750 in Current and €231,500 in Capital costs.
1318. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding received by the Coast Guard in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and the staffing costs, operational costs, administrative costs and all other relevant costs within the Coast Guard for each of the years. [19525/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
The allocation figure is the amount that was budgeted each year for IRCG and the expenditure figure is the final output for each year. The Expenditure figure for 2017 is spend to date.
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Total allocation |
Expenditure |
|
2011 |
32,348,000 |
8,000,000 |
40,348,000 |
42,796,821 |
|
2012 |
37,826,000 |
10,200,000 |
48,026,000 |
43,277,354 |
|
2013 |
55,848,000 |
15,235,000 |
71,083,000 |
70,763,735 |
|
2014 |
63,295,000 |
8,267,000 |
71,562,000 |
70,917,808 |
|
2015 |
62,665,000 |
4,940,000 |
67,605,000 |
68,103,715 |
|
2016 |
65,855,000 |
4,600,000 |
70,455,000 |
69,594,858 |
|
2017 |
66,855,000 |
4,630,000 |
71,485,000 |
18,342,210 |
The spend on Coast Guard staffing in the operational and engineering areas is as follows:
|
Operations |
Year |
Total |
|
|
2011 |
€3,890,034.75 |
|
|
2012 |
€3,567,353.45 |
|
|
2013 |
€4,047,239.84 |
|
|
2014 |
€3,851,329.37 |
|
|
2015 |
€3,844,732.06 |
|
|
2016 |
€3,799,140.32 |
|
|
2017 |
€1,309,923.61 |
|
Engineering |
Year |
Total |
|
|
2011 |
€583,379.12 |
|
|
2012 |
€526,468.03 |
|
|
2013 |
€477,445.11 |
|
|
2014 |
€400,691.75 |
|
|
2015 |
€392,497.17 |
|
|
2016 |
€404,093.13 |
|
|
2017 |
€141,269.18 |
Since its inception in 2013 the Maritime Services Division (MSD) of my Department has provided administrative support to both the Coast Guard and the Marine Survey Office. MSD operational costs are as follows:
|
MSD |
Year |
Total |
|
2011 |
€0.00 |
|
|
|
2012 |
€0.00 |
|
|
2013 |
€7,360.43 |
|
|
2014 |
€1,303,388.32 |
|
|
2015 |
€1,372,063.89 |
|
|
2016 |
€1,388,371.21 |
|
|
2017 |
€507,459.37 |
1319. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce a system of licensing and regulating the use of horse-drawn vehicles on public roads in a number of areas (details supplied); and if a country-wide ban on sulky racing similar to the by-laws created in Kilkenny city and county will also be considered. [19526/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to advise the Deputy that drivers of horse-drawn vehicles, like all vehicles used in a public place, are required to comply with road traffic legislation, and are responsible for behaving in a safe manner. It is an offence to organise an unlicensed race on a public road.
There is at present no licensing regime for drivers of animal-drawn vehicles comparable to the system of driver licensing for mechanically propelled vehicles, nor are animal-drawn vehicles subject to NCT-type tests. I have no plans at present to change the law in this regard. The matter of licences for horse ownership, as well as the question of chipping animals, and animal welfare, fall within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Agriculture.
