Written Answers Nos. 525-544
525. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of cars taxed which were registered in each of the years 2000 to July 2008; the number of non-vintage cars registered before 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5873/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the number of vehicles taxed at 31 December 2017, the information requested is set out in the following table:
|
Year of registration |
Number of vehicles |
|
2008 (to 30 June) |
53,409 |
|
2007 |
167,344 |
|
2006 |
150,083 |
|
2005 |
133,104 |
|
2004 |
102,654 |
|
2003 |
76,217 |
|
2002 |
56,063 |
|
2001 |
37,722 |
|
2000 |
35,881 |
|
1999 and earlier |
42,757 |
526. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the imminent collapse of a bridge wall (details supplied) will be investigated and rebuilt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5949/18]
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.
In this context, each year local authorities can submit an application, with bridges ranked in order of priority, to my Department for bridge rehabilitation grants. The bridges submitted for consideration for funding this year did not include a bridge on the L28022.
527. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has discussed the funding of the CIÉ defined benefit pension scheme with the senior management of CIÉ. [5360/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Issues in relation to CIÉ’s defined pension scheme are matters for CIÉ, their employees and the pension scheme trustees.
I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question number 272 answered on 1 February 2018.
I have not had any discussions with senior management of CIÉ regarding the funding of CIÉ's defined benefit pensions schemes.
528. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of the Tourism Ireland budget that is allocated for the promotion of retail here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5365/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
529. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding defined benefit pension schemes in Coras Iompar Éireann (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5371/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIssues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.
I would refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 272 which I answered on 1 February 2018.
530. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of oversight by his Department on the way in which local authorities allocate funds received under the regional and local grant programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5379/18]
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.
The planning and implementation of individual projects within grant programmes is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. Grants are subject to the terms and conditions set by the Department, including, where applicable, competitive tendering for design consultants, advance works and construction contracts.
The Department conducts spot checks on whether grants have been claimed in accordance with its terms and conditions and has also strengthened its road engineering inspectorate in recent months.
531. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the aspects of Bunbeg footbridge that will be upgraded as part of the €40,000 allocated to the project from the specific improvement grant scheme 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5535/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra532. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the aspects of Fintra bridge that will be upgraded as part of the €150,000 funding allocated from the specific improvement grant scheme 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5536/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 532 together.
The 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.
The implementation of individual projects within grant programmes is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. The grant being provided for the Bunbeg footbridge is intended to assist the local authority in progressing the planning, design and acquisition of land in respect of the Bunbeg project. The grant for Fintra bridge will allow a project appraisal, an analysis of the realignment options and planning/design of the preferred option to be undertaken.
533. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times the Limerick to Ennis train line was closed due to flooding in each of the years 2014 to 2017; and his plans to address the problem. [5550/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
534. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has satisfied himself that, further to the appointment of Fingal County Council as the new independent airport noise regulator for Dublin airport in accordance with EU Regulation 598/2014, this does not create a conflict of interest in so far as the fact that DAA is the single largest source of rate revenue for Fingal County Council; the steps he has taken to address this potential conflict of interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5569/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Government has recently approved a proposal to designate Fingal County Council as the noise regulator for Dublin Airport in order that Ireland complies with EU Regulation 598/2014. The full details of how the Regulation will be implemented, including the role and responsibilities of Fingal County Council, will be set out in primary legislation, the drafting of which Government has mandated my Department to commence immediately.
Assuming such legislation is enacted, Fingal’s role will therefore be underpinned by primary legislation.
It is, however, unfair to suggest that local authorities would have a conflict of interest between their statutory regulatory environmental protection and enforcement responsibilities and wider economic and physical development roles. Local authorities already have a wide range of statutory-based regulatory and enforcement functions in relation to environmental quality, planning, enforcement and other areas which necessarily must sit alongside their rateable income and property tax collection functions. It is clear to me that the proposal in relation to the implementation of Regulation 598 is both wholly aligned with that long established multi-functional role played by all local authorities and, moreover, it will also be subject to an independent appeals process.
535. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason car rental companies seek a doctor's note when leasing a car to a person aged over 75 years of age (details supplied); his views on whether this practice is age discrimination on behalf of the companies involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5591/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rental/hire/leasing of a car is a purely private commercial transaction. Any conditions imposed by the private business -other than those statutory requirements relating to driving licences that may be associated with such a commercial transaction - do not come within my remit.
As this appears to be, in the first instance, a question of consumer rights in dealing with a commercial enterprise, the question may be more appropriate to the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
Equality matters fall within the remit of Section 5 of the Equal Status Act 2000, which comes within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
536. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with TII to ensure that motorists are given greater notification regarding the toll charges along the M50 motorway (details supplied); if international transport companies can be requested to draw the attention of persons to this charge in order to avoid penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5592/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to national 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. 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 under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
The introduction of barrier-free tolling and the substantial investment made in upgrades of the M50, has been of significant benefit to drivers. Of necessity, an enforcement process has to be part of the barrier-free toll operation and TII is responsible for that, including assessing appropriate penalties for non-payment of tolls.
My Department has raised with TII the issue of maximising awareness of M50 tolls and it in turn has approached various organisations and companies in order to promote better awareness among tourists/visitors regarding the applicability of tolls.
Noting the above, I am referring the question to TII for direct reply within 10 working days. Please inform my private office if you do not receive the information.
537. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has satisfied himself that SI 323/2000, SI 205/2010 and SI 353/1951 in respect of pension arrangements within an entity (details supplied) are being adhered to; and if he or his officials have received requests in relation to matters arising from the operation of the schemes. [5596/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIssues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.
I would refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 272 which I answered on 1 February 2018.
538. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a regular shuttle bus service to operate between Broombridge Luas station and the Dublin west area in order that persons in the area can use the new Luas service; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many persons in the area are unable to benefit from the new Luas extension to Broombridge in view of the fact there are no public transport services serving Broombridge Luas stop; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that more persons from the area would use the Luas if there was a suitable public transport service to bring them to the Broombridge Luas stop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5624/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for 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.
539. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the N22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5635/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra542. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the N71; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5743/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra543. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Laune bridge in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5744/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 539, 542 and 543 together.
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 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.
540. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5688/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the operation and delivery of the vehicle testing arrangements. For this reason, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on an individual test.
The National Car Test (NCT) is operated to the very highest quality standards and is accredited in Ireland by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) to the ISO 17020 Standard. This standard is awarded to inspection bodies who demonstrate high levels of competence in the field of inspection. All aspects of the NCT process are audited including inspection methods, quality systems, independence, and test integrity.
The NCT is subject to a stringent regime of independent audit and inspection carried out by the Automobile Association (AA).
In relation to the point made regarding any statistical evidence of damage to cars, the RSA can only comment on individual cases as they arise.
541. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the upgrade and or replacement of next stop announcements on DART services will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5739/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for an update on the issue raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
544. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to a number of recent High Court cases in regard to the legality of reducing employees' entitlements (details supplied) in view of the reductions to pensions in payment to persons brought about by the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014. [5789/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS) is currently the subject of on-going legal proceedings by retired members of daa, Shannon Airport Authority, Aer Lingus and the former SR Technics. Those proceedings began in July 2015.
As this matter is sub judice I am unable to comment any further on the issue.
