Written Answers Nos. 76 - 95
76. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the A5-N2 project in terms of the capital plan review being conducted by his Department; his plans for moving this project forward in the context of the Brexit deadline and as part of the national planning framework plan as a catalyst for regional development and growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49140/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities.
The current funding arrangements in relation to the A5 are governed by the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start. This Agreement reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an additional £25 million to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the necessary planning issues have been resolved by the Northern Ireland authorities.
The funding allocated to my Department as part of the Capital Plan Review includes financial provision for meeting the Government's commitment regarding the A5.
In relation to the N2, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Within its annual budget the planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (such as the N2) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual national road projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's Question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my Office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
77. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the tendering of bus routes in County Waterford. [49426/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to determine the appropriate mix of directly awarded and competitively tendered Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus services. Arising from this, it is the NTA's role to conduct the public procurement process relating to its decision to tender out of 10% of the PSO bus network, including the recent tendering of PSO sevices in Waterford.
I have therefore referred 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 deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
78. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure a substantial increase in the financial allocation to Monaghan County Council for the road works programme for 2018 in view of the deterioration of parts of the non-national road network. [49355/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads 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 local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Regional and Local Road allocations under the three main grant categories (Restoration Maintenance, Restoration Improvement and Discretionary Grant) are allocated based on the length of mileage of regional and local roads within the county.
It is expected that regional and local road allocations for 2018 will be notified to local authorities in January 2018. In line with my Department's 2018 roads budget, an increase in allocations to local authorities is anticipated.
79. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding provided for 2018 to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for the upgrade of national primary and secondary roads respectively; when it is planned to agree a major works programme with TII for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49435/17]
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 road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. While the Revised Estimates Volume for 2018 has not yet been issued TII has been advised of its expected overall capital and current allocations for 2018. These are €434 million and €31.6 million respectively.
Within its allocation, 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.
80. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the actions and statements of the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, and the Commission for Aviation Regulation, CAR, in respect of the cancellation of services by a large airline operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49283/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe actions and statements of the CAR and the IAA in relation to the cancellation of services by the airline operator are matters for the agencies concerned having regard to their respective regulatory functions. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to each agency for direct reply. Please advise my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
On the basis of my contacts with both agencies, I am satisfied that they have properly discharged their regulatory functions in this instance.
81. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the potential impact on the future of metro north of forced dezoning of residential lands in north County Dublin, in line with the new draft national planning framework; if he has discussed this matter with Transport Infrastructure Ireland; and his further views on the future of metro north. [49345/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft National Planning Framework (NPF) - which is expected to be finalised and agreed by Government shortly - recognises the statutory arrangements for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area under the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the transport planning policy set out in the NTA’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035. Indeed, the draft NPF includes a National Strategic Outcome to "Deliver the key public transport objectives of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 by investing in projects such as New Metro North, DART Expansion Programme, BusConnects in Dublin and key bus based projects in the other cities and towns".
Following consideration of the Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study and the recommendations of the NTA arising from this study, the Government decided in 2015 that a light-rail link is the optimum long term public transport solution on the Airport/Swords corridor. In addition, the Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to proceed with the metro scheme. Funding of over €700 million has been allocated under the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 for for planning and design work with construction expected to commence in 2021 with a view to delivering the project by 2026/2027 within the 10 Year National Investment Plan that will be pubished shortly.
The NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have commenced preparatory work on the planning and design of new Metro North and a dedicated project Steering Group has been established which is meeting on a regular basis. The design and planning work being undertaken at present on the new Metro North project, will continue to use the most up-to-date information available on population and employment projections to ensure that the final design and service pattern is correctly calibrated to fully meet the transport needs of the corridor, to ensure that due consideration is given to Fingal County Council development objectives while noting that zoning decisions are a matter for council members. The NTA, in collaboration with TII, is undertaking an option analysis and selection study of possible metro alignments and station locations. Arising from this work a final route and station configuration will be established. It is my understanding that the NTA and TII expect that this process will be complete by the end of 2017, after which a public consultation process will be undertaken in 2018.
My Department will continue to engage with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the NTA to ensure alignment between the National Planning Framework and the Transport Strategy for the GDA.
82. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the nature of the roll-out contract for the public bike scheme in Galway city; the tender process; the name of the company awarded the contract; the details of the substitution company; if so, the tender process involved; the duration of the contract; the cost of same; the nature of the maintenance contract, including the tender process; the name of the company awarded the maintenance contract; the details of the substitution company; if so, the tender process involved; the duration of the maintenance contract; the cost of same; if the scheme has been effective; the user volume and trip volumes in comparison to other similar public bike schemes here; the cost-benefit analysis that has been undertaken on the scheme; the value of the sponsorship contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49348/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, but I am not involved in the operation or contract arrangements for particular initiatives such as the public bikes scheme. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the State bodies with responsibility for the development and implementation of the public bike schemes, so I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply with regard to this particular project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
83. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the new bridge at Ballina and Killaloe which is included in the capital programme 2016 to 2021 will be provided in view of the fact there is no information available as to the cost of the project or a timeframe for commencement and completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49423/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads 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 local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
The Shannon Bridge Crossing at Killaloe is one of a number of schemes included in the Capital Plan 2016-2021 designed to address bottlenecks on the road network. The bridge is the 1st phase of the Shannon Crossing/Killaloe Bypass/R494 upgrade scheme. In planning the construction schedule for individual projects included in the Plan, account has to be taken of the annual budgets in the Capital Plan and the need to phase different sections of projects to manage the available budgets.
Following the conclusion of the judicial review relating to the Shannon crossing/Killaloe Bypass/R494 scheme, it is now a matter for the local authority (Clare County Council) to progress the scheme. Clare County Council has been provided with an allocation of €500,000 in 2017.
While a construction timetable has not been decided as yet, my Department will be liaising with Clare County Council in relation to the timing of the construction phases for the Shannon Crossing Section (Phase 1) and the Killaloe Bypass/R494 sections (Phase 2) of the overall scheme.
85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he sees opportunities for the further development of the tourism sector with particular reference to the maximisation of the promotion of this country as a conference location sector; his plans for particular initiatives in this regard and in the promotion of activity tourism such as greenways and the utilisation of this country's culture as a means of developing the tourism sector further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49437/17]
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, which are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
However, I am aware that Fáilte Ireland's Business Tourism Unit, operating under the brand name "Meet In Ireland", promotes Ireland as a leading conference and meeting destination. The team works collaboratively with key stakeholders to secure high profile business tourism events for Ireland.
My Department is currently developing a strategy for the future development of greenways following a public consultation process earlier in the year. The strategy will provide a long term vision and framework upon which Ireland's greenways can be planned in a strategic manner ensuring the best possible return for State investment. I am pleased to have secured additional funding for greenways in the Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan, bringing the total amount available for the development of greenways in the period 2018 -2021 to almost €56m. I expect to be in a position to announce a new round of funding for the development of greenways in 2018, following completion of the greenways strategy.
Finally, cultural tourism is an intrinsic element of all the experience brands but it forms a major part of the appeal of Ireland's Ancient East, which seeks to build on the wealth of historical and cultural assets in the east and south of Ireland. Fáilte Ireland is continuing to promote Ireland's Ancient East in both domestic and international markets.
86. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the transport infrastructure projects that are being advanced to facilitate the sustainable development of the Clonburris strategic development zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49136/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply of the 11th October 2017 to Dáil Question number 25 and subsequent National Transport Authority response of 19th October 2017. The position with regard to the Clonburris SDZ remains as outlined in those responses.
87. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to establish a study on the use of the Dublin Port tunnel with a view to encouraging more car traffic at peak times in order to reduce traffic jams on the M1 corridor, with particular emphasis on the pricing structure at peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49427/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to roads. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects on national roads are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority. For regional and local roads it is a matter for each respective local authority.
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 Port Tunnel was built to facilitate Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) access to Dublin Port and to reduce HGVs in the city centre. That is the reason the toll structure was designed in the way it works.
However, I will ask TII to reply in more detail to the Deputy.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
88. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a team in his Department working on the consolidation of Road Traffic Acts in view of the fact that the Taoiseach has said it should be a priority; if the Law Reform Commission is also involved in this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49138/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic Acts are based at present on legislation dating from 1961, which has been updated numerous times. There is general agreement among experts in the legislation - whose views I share - that this legislation would benefit from being consolidated and updated.
The issue of consolidation has often been misunderstood. Consolidation is not a simple matter of taking all of the Road Traffic legislation currently in force and re-enacting it in a single Bill. It will be necessary to consider, point by point, whether the matters addressed in the legislation are in fact being addressed properly and in a manner appropriate to current circumstances. There would be little value in undertaking a project of consolidation only to replicate all that is already on the statute books. We would find ourselves having to amend and update the consolidation immediately and repeatedly. An exercise like that would be a waste of time and resources.
Beside updating the legislation where necessary, in cases where matters are already addressed satisfactorily in the current legislation, it would still be necessary to scrutinize that legislation to see if it could be better expressed. The project in question is large and will take a great deal of time. A reasonable estimate at this stage is that a team would need to be allocated to work on it for approximately three years.
I do not believe that the Law Reform Commission is the appropriate body to undertake this work. The Deputy may wish to note that the Commission operates on the basis of a multi-annual programme approved by the Government as a whole, and does not undertake such projects at the direction of an individual Minister.
My Department has, unavoidably, been working in recent years to update aspects of the Road Traffic Acts which require urgent updating. In light of the fact that my officials are currently working on a number of Bills, most of which are primarily focused on road safety, it is not possible to commence such a consolidation project at this time.
My priority is the progression of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017. Following the passage of this Bill, I will give further consideration to the consolidation matter.
89. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the A5; if he will report on his engagement with his counterparts in Northern Ireland on this project; the funding that will be made available for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49141/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities.
The current funding arrangements in relation to the A5 are governed by the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start. This Agreement reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an additional £25 million to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the necessary planning issues have been resolved by the Northern Ireland authorities.
In the absence of the Northern Ireland Executive, the North South Ministerial Council is not meeting at present. The North South Senior Officials Group is, however, continuing to meet regarding implementation of the commitments in the Fresh Start Agreement and my Department is represented on that Group.
92. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Bonagee link road project in County Donegal; the timeframe for this project to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49142/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's Question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my Office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days work.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
93. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to examine road connectivity between Rosslare Europort and the west of the country; his plans to link the M11, N24, M3, M4 and M7 in view of the importance of increasing direct accessibility between the west and continental Europe, avoiding likely UK customs delays post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49134/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 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.
My Department, in conjunction with the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), is commencing a study into the use of the UK Land bridge by Irish importers and exporters. The purpose of this research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK Land bridge at present, the likely consequences that Brexit will have on Land bridge usage and the various alternative options that may be viable. I expect this piece of research to be completed in Q1 of 2018.
My officials will continue to work with the maritime sector and with other stakeholders to identify and plan for the implications of Brexit.
95. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views, and the actions taken by his Department, in response to recent media reports that indicate that concerns were raised repeatedly with a group (details supplied) in the past number of years regarding locator beacons on life jackets which were not installed correctly; if the attention of the Irish Aviation Authority was drawn to these complaints; and if so, when it became aware of these complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49285/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is absolutely vital that all of the factors around the R116 crash are fully investigated by the expert aviation investigators in the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU). The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) investigates on a wholly independent basis and is charged under domestic law and international obligations with examining all relevant issues it determines are pertinent to the incident it is investigating.
We owe it to the families and to the colleagues of the crew that the AAIU investigate this thoroughly and without outside interference or conjecture of any kind, and to report all findings for action across the world. The investigation is still ongoing. I can say no more about the issues surrounding it. Once the final report issues, I can assure you that all findings and recommendations will be pursued with all relevant parties as a matter of priority.
