Niamh Smyth
Ceist:241. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a proposal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22256/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRural Transport Programme Funding
Ceisteanna (241)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department 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 question 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.
Roads Maintenance Funding
Ceisteanna (242)
Tom Neville
Ceist:242. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an application from Limerick City and County Council (details supplied); and the timeframe for completion of same. [22274/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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 road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This also applies to the maintenance and management of national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct 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.
Traffic Regulations Implementation
Ceisteanna (243)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:243. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland is the body with the final say on altering speed limit designations on national secondary roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22326/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While 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.
Road Safety
Ceisteanna (244)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:244. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to Cavan and Monaghan county councils in 2017 for the necessary upgrading and implementation of safety measures on the N54 Clones to Cavan road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22341/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual road projects (including on the N54 Clones to Cavan) 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.
Noting the above position, 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.
Official Engagements
Ceisteanna (245)
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:245. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will be represented in the Irish delegation to the meetings of the UNFCCC SBI and SBSTA in Bonn in May 2017; if it will attend the side events on climate action for transport mitigation and adaptation and strengthening leadership on low carbon transport to deliver long-term climate goals. [22350/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The forty-sixth sessions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), as well as the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement, take place from 8 to 18 May 2017, in Bonn, Germany. These meetings take place annually and are key to making progress on a range of technical matters related to the implementation of the UNFCCC and of the Paris Agreement between each session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC.
A range of side events are scheduled to take place in the margins of these meetings over the course of the two weeks. While not part of the programme of official negotiations, these events afford a platform for observer organisations to engage with Parties and other participants with a view to knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking and exploring options for addressing the objectives of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
Ireland's delegation at these particular meetings comprises officials from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Key stakeholder government departments not represented as part of Ireland's delegation, including my department, participate in regular National Delegation Meetings arranged to assist Ireland's delegation to prepare for participation and to disseminate information and findings. Ireland's delegation liaises regularly with other Departments and agencies, as appropriate, during the meetings as issues relevant to their areas of responsibility arise.
National Cycle Network
Ceisteanna (246, 247, 248)
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:246. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Government is on track to meet the objective in policy 4.1 of the national cycle policy framework that by 2020 the environment in the immediate vicinity of schools will be a safe and attractive low speed environment with speed limits strictly enforced and drop off by car within a given distance restricted. [22353/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEamon Ryan
Ceist:247. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps which have been taken to encourage use by local authorities of special equipment to maintain and sweep off road cycle tracks and cycleways in pursuance of policy 5.4 of the national cycle policy framework. [22354/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEamon Ryan
Ceist:248. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps which have been taken to ensure that local authorities provide mobile guarded bicycle parking facilities to let for special events (details supplied) in pursuance of policy 7.3 of the national cycle policy framework. [22355/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 to 248, 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.
However, 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 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 year.
In response to the specific question about objective 4.1, I would point out that local authorities already have the powers to enforce speed limit and parking restrictions in the vicinity of schools.