Written Answers Nos. 1374-1395
1374. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide a proper road intersection at the junction of Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown, Dublin 20 and the N4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20295/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the improvement and maintenance of roads in its area is a statutory function of the relevant road authority in accordance with the provisions of the Roads Act, 1993, as amended, development of proposals in relation to such a road scheme is a matter for the local authority. In this context the NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035 sets out principles for future road development in the GDA.
1375. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on current and future initiatives of further safety measures regarding pedestrian crossings around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20332/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe planning, design and installation of pedestrian crossings on regional and local roads is a matter for local authorities, and on national roads it is a matter for local authorities in consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. I am not aware of any concerns raised by individual local authorities regarding the safety of such crossings. Pedestrian crossings have an important role to play in urban areas and guidance on their use is set out in both the Traffic Management Guidelines (TMG) and my Department's Traffic Signs Manual (TSM). The legal requirements for such crossings are set out in Road Traffic Regulations. My Department does not have any plans to undertake a review of pedestrian crossings at this time. They have a proven record in many countries, and suitable advice on their use in Ireland is set out in the aforementioned documents.
1376. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 642 of 5 July 2016, if his views have changed on a matter (details supplied); and if so, his plans in relation to same. [20333/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. The Capital Plan published in September 2015 outlined proposed transport investment priorities to 2022. The transport element of the Capital Plan did provide for some targeted investment in a number of new projects in the Munster region including the N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange and the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom schemes. In addition, a number of other schemes targeted at removing bottlenecks and upgrading port access, will commence subject to necessary consents. It was not possible to include the M20 in the Capital Plan as the scale of investment to deliver it was not affordable.
I am conscious of the potential regional development benefits of an upgrade of the Cork to Limerick link and the significant interest in finding a means to at least restart planning work on the route. In this regard I agreed to TII spending €1 million to undertake some preliminary work on the project. However, as things currently stand, I do not have the funding available to enable this scheme to progress to full planning approval stage. I do expect, however, that the status of the Cork to Limerick road link will be examined as part of the Review of the Capital Plan.
As TII has some of the preliminary work underway, 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.
1377. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a sports capital programme grant application by a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20420/17]
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 2320 applications received 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.
1378. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for a railway line (details supplied) in County Cork. [20421/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that Cork County Council are progressing plans to develop this disused rail line as a greenway and so the Council would be best placed to advise on the current status of those plans.
1379. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of funding for the next stage of the construction of the greenway along the Royal Canal from Kilcock to west County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20474/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation to Kildare and Meath County Councils for the delivery of the next stage of greenway along the Royal Canal is currently being considered by my Department. I would hope to be in a position to update the Deputy in the near future.
1380. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with the National Transport Authority with a view to providing additional bus services for a specific route (details supplied) in County Cork. [20476/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the NTA did carry out and publish an assessment prior to the withdrawal of the X7 Expressway service from Clonmel to Dublin. That assessment is available to view on the NTA's website and made some alterations to the scheduling of certain rural transport services to ensure continued connectivity with the other licensed bus services which operates the Clonmel to Dublin route. In publishing its assessment, the NTA invited feedback from interested parties and I am sure they would be interested to hear any views the Deputy might have. While it is open to the Deputy to directly contact the NTA to provide feedback on their published assessment, 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.
1381. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the long waiting time to take a driving test in a test centre (details supplied) in County Limerick; the number of persons on a waiting list for the Newcastlewest driving test centre and the number of tests that were carried out in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20479/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in these matters. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1382. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to potential conflicts of interest within the NTA; and if he will ensure that no staff or member of the management team that can influence or decide on the awarding of routes to private bus operators have previously worked at or with the same bus company. [20504/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo, my attention has not been drawn to any such potential conflicts of interest within the National Transport Authority (NTA). The Deputy is presumably aware that section 37 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (Disclosure of interests by members of staff) sets out the legal framework as regards disclosure of interests by NTA employees. In addition employees above certain grades are of course also subject to the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts. In addition to this statutory position, the NTA also has its own "Code of Conduct for Staff Members" which is available to view on their website www.nationaltransport.ie. This Code provides a framework to guide the work of the NTA in order that ethical practices are followed and confidence and trust in the Authority is established and maintained and I note that the first of the five main principles covered by that Code is "Conflict of Interest".
I am satisfied therefore that issues relating to any potential conflict of interest are sufficiently provided for in both statute and the NTA's own Code.
1383. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the sports capital programme grants for 2017 will be announced. [20587/17]
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.
1384. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a response will issue to an interim reply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20606/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe interim reply issued relates to a diary matter which is still under my consideration. I will keep the Deputy informed of developments in the matter.
1385. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money that has been spent under the capital plan on the Wild Atlantic Way; the amount expected to be spent in 2017; the funding which is available for the development and promotion of Tullaghan, County Leitrim's only coastal village along the Wild Atlantic Way; if Tullaghan is considered a discovery point in national tourism policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20636/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects, such as the Wild Atlantic Way. This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1386. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the protection which exists under the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2016 to protect persons who are on prescribed medication that contain opiates (details supplied) from the operation of the recently introduced drug driving legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20643/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new legislation on drug driving has no implications for people who have been prescribed opiates where their driving is not impaired. The drug driving provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2016, which I commenced from 13 April last, create new offences of driving while over a specified limit of three drugs, cannabis, cocaine, and heroin. None of these drugs is a prescribed opiate. It is already an offence under the Road Traffic Act 2010 to drive or be in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of controlling the vehicle. An intoxicant in this sense means any intoxicant, whether alcohol or drugs, legal or illegal, prescribed or not. There has been no change to the legislation in this regard.
The new roadside preliminary drug tests, introduced in April, can detect opiates, among other classes of drug. A person on prescribed opiates who tests postive for this drug at the roadside is not committing an offence, unless they are actually under the influence of their medication to such an extent as to be incapable of controlling the vehicle. This offence, as I say, is not new.
A person who has been prescribed an opiate, or any other medication, should always take their medication as prescribed. If they suffer from effects which would impair their driving they should not drive until those effects pass. If in doubt, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
1387. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the sudden cancellation of the Dublin Airport Authority's annual general meeting that was due to be held on 25 April 2017; and if this decision was taken in case the announcement of historically high profits would negatively impact on staff ballots on new pay and terms and conditions proposals which are due to conclude on 28 April 2017. [20645/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe DAA notified my Deparment of its intention to postpone their AGM planned for 25 April last as key personnel were unavailable to attend. I understand that the AGM is being rescheduled for 23 May. However, as the scheduling of the AGM is a matter for the company in the first instance, I have accordingly forwarded your parliamentary question to the DAA for their attention and direct reply to you. If you do not hear from the DAA within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1388. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has satisfied himself that the equipment (details supplied) selected for use in the conducting of drug tests for drivers is fit for purpose, in view of the manufacturer's warning that accuracy is affected in temperatures less than five degrees. [20648/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe testing and approval of equipment for use in preliminary drug testing is the statutory responsibility of 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.
1389. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason provision for a new footpath on the L4501 has not been awarded funding for upgrade and extensions; the reason a costing could not be provided when requested; the timeframe for delivery of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20659/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Cavan is the statutory responsibility of each Local Authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. Decisions on the selection and prioritisation of such works are made by the Council.
1390. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the marine tourism strategy report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20798/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. Fáilte Ireland is the contracting authority in respect of the report entitled "Shared Strategy to Maximise the Economic Growth of Cruise Tourism across the Island of Ireland". Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1391. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase services on the Maynooth and Dunboyne M3 parkway lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20843/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in consultation with 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.
1392. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that have been taken by his Department or agencies under its aegis to ensure that road designers cycle all routes for which they are producing designs, in pursuance of policy 2.9 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [20855/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1393. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that have been taken by his Department or agencies under its aegis to provide support to carrying out new experiments in road design, traffic management and use of space in urban areas, in pursuance of policy 2.11 of the National Cycle Policy Framework; and the locations at which such experimental approaches have been implemented. [20856/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1394. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the schools for which audits of routes from residential areas have been carried out in pursuance of policy 4.1 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [20857/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1392 to 1394, inclusive, together.
While significant progress has been made under a number of objectives contained in the National Cycle Policy Framework (NCPF) it has not been possible for my Department, other Government departments and local authorities to deliver on many of the objectives due to the significant scaling back in overall public investment since the launch of the NCPF in 2009.
The 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 delivering cycling infrastructure all local authorities are currently requested to observe the guidance contained in the National Tranport Authority's on-line National Cycle Manual (www.cyclemanual.ie) and in particular the guidance underpinning this. Where projects are delivered in a rural setting reference should be made to the guidance set out in Transport Infrastructure Ireland's Rural Cycle Scheme Design (http://nrastandards.nra.ie/document/?id=239)
In 2013 and 2015 my Department requested local authorities and other stakeholders for an update on progress on implementation of the actions set out in the NCPF. The Department now intends to undertake a full review of the framework and we will be pursuing this this year.
1395. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will undertake a full review of the rights of artists here including a thorough examination of existing copyright laws and the current Competition Act. [19727/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to Parliamentary Question No. 798 put down by the Deputy on 7 March 2017, I informed the Deputy that Government had approved the General Scheme of a Copyright Bill, the main purpose of which is to respond to certain of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Copyright Review Committee entitled “Modernising Copyright”, which was published in October 2013. Formal drafting of the Bill with the office of Parliamentary Counsel is currently in progress.
Artists who are employees in Ireland have the same rights as all other employees. In cases of self-employed artists, as with other self-employed workers, the application of competition law would only be a consideration if there are allegations of anti-competitive behaviour.
