Written Answers Nos. 256-261
256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he has assessed the positives or negatives in the context of the post-Brexit situation here; the extent to which he and bodies under his aegis can utilise opportunities as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22387/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has undertaken extensive consultation on an all-island and sectoral basis with agencies under its remit and other stakeholders on the risks and opportunities that can arise from Brexit in the areas of aviation, maritime, road transport and logistics, and tourism and sport. The outcome of these consultations inform the analyses of the Department and feed into the overall preparations of Government for the forthcoming negotiations on Brexit.
The main transport and tourism headline priorities are clear, i.e. operation of seamless border controls and ease of movement of goods and people transiting the UK, maintenance of maritime and aviation connectivity, retaining competitiveness in the tourism sector, etc. While it is not possible to predict with certainty what the attitude of the Commission and other Member States may be, or what position may be taken by the UK, the Government negotiating team will keep in mind our priorities in its overall objective of minimising any negative impact for trade and the Irish economy.
The question of opportunities is also being considered. It is too early in the Article 50 negotiation process, however, for agencies and other stakeholders to determine the extent to which opportunities will exist.
257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which adequate hotel accommodation remains available to meet the requirements of tourism over the next five years in view of the trends already established and the likely demand in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22388/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFáilte Ireland monitors the performance of tourist accommodation through regular occupancy surveys. This analysis indicates that while the country as a whole has sufficient stock of tourist accommodation, there are capacity constraints in areas of high tourist traffic at times of peak demand and additional capacity is required in certain parts of the country, particularly Dublin city.
In this context, Fáilte Ireland commissioned an assessment of the supply and demand for hotel accommodation in Dublin, which reflected the position to late-March 2016. This in-depth study was subsequently updated in order to take account of more recent data up to December 2016. Although the results confirm the current shortage, they also indicate that there should be sufficient stock - whether being developed currently or being planned - to meet projected demand in the future, with the bulk of new stock due to come on-stream after 2018.
While the overall expectations regarding hotel capacity growth in Dublin up to 2020 have not changed materially between the original analysis and the most recent update, the number of hotel development projects known to be "on-site" has grown significantly in the interim and there is also a higher number of projects/bedrooms in the overall pipeline.
Furthermore, in response to consumer preferences, and in order to boost the economic rationale for investment in hotel development, Fáilte Ireland's revised Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Hotels 2016 came into operation on 1 August 2016. Changes set out in the Regulations should make investment more attractive by allowing hotel operators provide more rooms per square metre and operate at a lower cost base, thereby improving hotel capacity, competitiveness and profitability. Consumers should also benefit in terms of increased room capacity, competition and range of accommodation.
For my part, I engaged in a number of meetings with stakeholders in the accommodation area - including key lending institutions, Fáilte Ireland and the consultants commissioned by Fáilte Ireland to conduct the assessments of supply and demand for hotel accommodation in Dublin – to investigate the matter further and ensure there were no undue impediments to the development of additional room stock in Dublin. Overall, while I would welcome speedier delivery of additional capacity, I am encouraged that the challenges are being addressed.
258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent by which he expects the tourism sector to grow in each of the next five years with particular reference to the economic and job creating potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22389/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government committed to working towards achieving the tourism policy goals set for 2025 including increasing revenue from overseas visitors to €5 billion, growing employment in the tourism sector to 250,000 and increasing the number of visits to Ireland to 10 million. While good progress is being made towards these targets, it is the case that geopolitical and economic events can seriously impact international tourism traffic. In this regard Brexit poses a significant challenge to growth in tourism from the United Kingdom and in this context my Department and the tourism agencies will continue to monitor developments and consider any appropriate actions that may be required.
259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to allow motor vehicle access to cities and towns through good traffic management and adequate parking space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22391/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTraffic management and parking spaces in our cities and towns are a matter for the relevant local authorities which fall under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated daily revenue arising from tolls on the M50; if he will provide a comparison with other tolled roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22392/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to national roads. More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII.
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.
261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to a review of the effectiveness of the fines or multipliers applied in respect of unpaid tolls with particular reference to giving some consideration to enable a penalty to be applied without causing extreme hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22393/17]
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, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII.
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.
