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Gnáthamharc

Wednesday, 7 Feb 2018

Written Answers Nos. 240-259

Brexit Data

Ceisteanna (240)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

240. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the additional budget for 2018 or other years, provided to his Department and all agencies and bodies within his remit to plan or prepare for Brexit; the number of additional staff who have been recruited to work on this policy area in each body, agency and his Department; the number of dedicated staff planning and working on Brexit matters in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6314/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Since the UK referendum in June 2016, I, in co-operation with Government, have introduced a range of budgetary measures under the two most recent budgets.

In Budget 2017, I introduced measures to help reduce farm gate business costs, including a €150 million low-cost loan scheme, new agri-taxation measures and increased funding under the Rural Development and Seafood Development Programmes. 

I also announced a €50m Brexit support package in the 2018 Budget, which will be comprised of a number of initiatives. Firstly, in cooperation with my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I established a new “Brexit Loan Scheme” aimed at providing affordable, flexible financing to Irish businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit or who will be in the future. The Scheme aims to make up to €300 million of working capital finance available to SMEs and mid-cap businesses (up to 499 employees), at least 40% of which will be available to food businesses. 

Due to State Aid rules, this new Scheme will not be available to farmers and fishermen, so I am also introducing a separate loan scheme in 2018 similar to the 2017 low-cost scheme, based on €25m funding from my Department to the Scheme. These measures are aimed at enhancing competitiveness within the sector.

I have also introduced supports for Bord Bia for investment in their market insight and market prioritisation initiatives which are aimed at identifying and developing potential diversification opportunities. I have already increased funding to Bord Bia by €10 million since the Brexit vote, and a further €4.5 million is allocated in Budget 2018.

To enhance product diversification, I have also allocated funding to support the development of the new National Food Innovation Hub, which will be located in Teagasc Fermoy, Co. Cork.

On the issue of staffing, shortly after the Referendum I established a dedicated Brexit Co-ordination Unit within my Department’s EU & International Trade Division. This Unit now forms part of a new Brexit and International Trade Division. It comprises eight staff working full-time on the co-ordination of Brexit issues, plus a full-time Head of Division, who in turn reports to an Assistant Secretary General deeply engaged in Brexit issues, in addition to discharging other responsibilities. 

The Unit co-ordinates the ongoing analysis, consultation and engagement activities being undertaken by a large number of administrative, technical and veterinary staff, through an internal Brexit Response Committee comprised of 16 people drawn from the wide range of Divisions affected by Brexit (including, for example, Meat and Milk Policy, Animal Health and Welfare, Food Industry Development, Economics and Planning, and Seafood Policy and Development).  It also feeds into the whole-of-Government co-ordination being undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

While The Brexit Unit has its full complement of staff at present, I will continue to monitor the future workforce needs of both my Department, our Agencies and the Brexit Unit, and will be keeping resource requirements under close review as the negotiations proceed.

The funding allocated to Bord Bia allows them to employ additional staff, some of whom will be based abroad, in line with the Taoiseach’s Global Footprint initiative to double the Team Ireland footprint on the international stage by 2025. The number and deployment of these staff is an operational matter for Bord Bia and the Deputy may wish to contact Bord Bia directly at the agreed Oireachtas contact address : info@bordbia.ie

Departmental Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (241)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

241. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the involvement his Department has had in respect of contracts with a company (details supplied) that provides public private partnership contracts; the nature of the contract; if it was for capital construction or service supply; the duration of each contract; the value of fee commitments; the alternative arrangements he has made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6331/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has or had the following contracts with the company referenced in the PQ:

A contract is in place from 1 September 2014 – 31 August 2018 for the provision of a service for the registration of bovine births, the issuing of bovine passports and the handling and processing of notifications in relation to farm to farm bovine movements and on-farm bovine deaths. The total value of this contract is approximately €20 million. A new public procurement competition (Request For Tenders) will be advertised for this service in 2018, well in advance of the expiry date of the existing contract and should be in place for 1 September 2018

Since 2002, the company has held a number of contracts with my Department for the provision of a service for the handling, processing, verification and recording of pig movement notifications. The current contract, with a total value of €320,000 will be in place until 28 February 2018. The company has recently been selected as the preferred tenderer in a further contract for the same service which is due to commence on 1 March 2018.

The company has indicated to the Department that their focus remains firmly on delivering operational and customer excellence against contracted service levels.

Appointments to State Boards Data

Ceisteanna (242)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

242. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the persons on State boards under the aegis of his Department who also serve on other State boards; the persons on State boards under the aegis of his Department who have previously served on other State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6455/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department and the current board membership is as outlined in the table.  My Department does not maintain records of current or previous service by individuals on other State Boards, as sought by the Deputy. A listing of the current board members of State Bodies is available on www.stateboards.ie 

State Body

Current Board Members

Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board

Imelda Reynolds

Brendan Brice

Prof. Owen McIntyre

Jim Power

Sean Murphy

Michael Sweeney

Bord Bia

Michael Carey

Caroline Keeling

Pat McCormack

Joe Healy

Frank Hayes

John Horgan

Rachel Doyle

Rhona Holland

Tony Keohane

Tom Moran

Raymond O'Rourke

Brody Sweeney

Patrick Whelan

Bord Iascaigh Mhara

Kieran Calnan

Lisa Vaughan

Raymond J Harty

Sean O Donoghue

William Deasy

Damien McLaughlin

Bord na gCon

Philip Meaney

Patrick Creed

Riona Heffernan

William O'Dwyer

Matt Murphy

Frank Nyhan

Colm Gaynor       

Coillte

John Moloney

Fergal Leamy

Dermot Mulvihill

Thomas O Malley

Roisin Brennan

Jerry Houlihan

Julie Murphy O Connor       

Horse Racing Ireland

Joe Keeling

Peter G Nolan

Elizabeth Headon

Bernard Caldwell

Noel Cloake

Robert Nixon

Michael Halford

John Moloney

John Powell

James Gough

Meta Osbourne

Harry R.D. McCalmont

Christy Grassick

Daragh Fitzpatrick

Irish National Stud

Matt Dempsey

Darine Walsh

Mark Weld

Dr. Sean Brady

Jessica Harrington

Seamus Boyle

John Tuite

Marine Institute

Dr. John Killeen

Dermot Clohessy

Prof Alan Dobson

Prof Owen Lewis

Lorcan O Cinneide

Donal Kelly

Prof Patricia Barker

National Milk Agency

Denis Murphy

Aidan Casey

William Lennon

TJ Flanagan

Eoghan Sweeney

Tony O'Driscoll

Frank Tobin

Padraig Mulligan

Timothy Cashman

Richard Donohue

Denis Fagan

John Foster

Michael Kilcoyne

Walter Moloney

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority

Dr. Susan Steele

Andrew Kinneen

Michael O'Mahony

Teagasc

Dr. Noel Cawley

Thomas Cooke

Richard Kennedy

Cliona Murphy

Liam Woulfe

Joseph Larkin

Prof Gerald Fitzgerald

Padraig Gibbons

Alan Jagoe

Veterinary Council of Ireland

Edward Moffitt

Patrick Cusack

James McManus

Peadar O Scanaill           

Michael Sadlier                           

Eoin Ryan

William Cashman

Kevin Anthony McConnell

Rachel Brown

Alison Reynolds

John Matthews

Rebecca Carbery

Joanne Gallagher

National Postcode System Report

Ceisteanna (243)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

243. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has completed a cost-benefit analysis and review of Eircode; the uptake of Eircode; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6133/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department conducted a number of Cost Benefit analyses on the Eircode project in 2008, 2010 and 2015.  These showed that, in addition to the project yielding a positive Net Present Value to both the State and Private Sector, that it would also bring about a wide range of other benefits including accurate location of all addresses in the State, including the 35% of addresses that are ‘non-unique’; make it easier for consumers to shop online and enabling emergency services to quickly locate addresses, particularly in rural areas.

Eircode use among the public and businesses continues to grow significantly and this, in part, can be seen by use of the free online Eircode Finder app which has had more than 20 million look ups since its launch, with an average daily look-up of 38,000 in November 2017.

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) have integrated Eircodes into their dispatch system which means that the patient’s address and the position of the nearest available ambulance can be accurately pinpointed, using the Eircode, on a digital map, enabling an ambulance to be quickly and accurately routed to someone in need of medical help. NAS are currently fitting their ambulances with digital mobile terminals (MDT) that allow responding crews to have the call details sent to their MDT screens together with the Eircode and a location map to assist with arrival at the correct location.

Eircodes are being used by public sector bodies including, CSO, OSi, National Transport Authority, Student Universal Support Ireland, Local Authorities, Revenue, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Health Service Executive. Other state bodies and agencies that interact with the public have incorporated Eircodes into their operational systems.

Google have integrated Eircodes into Google Maps and TomTom and other satnav providers are currently in the process of integrating Eircodes into their satnav apps for use by consumers and businesses.

To date there are over 800 business organisations who licence and use Eircodes within their business operations across a wide spectrum of sectors. A number of these organisations are both international and Irish SMEs that develop business solutions and apps utilising Eircodes for their customers. One such Irish SME developed free Eircode mobile app based on Google Maps that is used extensively by courier/delivery drivers who deliver parcels every day with Eircodes. This app was used c.100,000 times to give satnav directions in October and over 600,000 times since launch in 2016.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (244, 245)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

244. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband will be rolled out to an area in County Kildare (details supplied). [6140/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

245. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the ESB lines at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare will be upgraded to allow broadband service to the area. [6141/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.

The premises referred to by the Deputy is in an AMBER area on my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.  It is therefore be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).

My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. One company, eir, publicly withdrew from the procurement process on 30 January. While this is regrettable, it is a commercial decision for eir to make.  The specialist NBP procurement team will continue to engage intensively with all relevant stakeholders, including the enet/sse consortium, to ensure the earliest possible achievement of the Government’s objective of providing reliable high quality, high speed broadband to all premises in Ireland. When the procurement process reaches a satisfactory conclusion for Government, a contract will be awarded and the network roll-out will commence.

Prior to the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan State led intervention, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.

Under this Task force, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen.  These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities.  The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure.  There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.

Freedom of Information Data

Ceisteanna (246)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

246. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of freedom of information requests his Department has received in the past eight years; the number which were accepted without further escalation and not accepted, respectively; the number requested which were not accepted that were escalated to the Information Commissioner; the number of those in which the Data Protection Commissioner ruled in favour of the freedom of information request applicant; the number of those in which the Information Commissioner ruled against his Department; the number of those which his Department appealed to the High Court; the number of those in which the High Court ruled against his Department in favour of the applicant; the number of those which were then brought to the Court of Appeal by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6250/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department processes all Freedom of Information requests received and has dealt with a total of 799 requests in the period from 2010 to 2017 inclusive.  As all requests are dealt with on receipt, none have been escalated to the Office of the Information Commissioner as a result of not having been processed. The Data Protection Commissioner has not been involved with any departmental Freedom of Information requests.

Details of finalised non-personal requests received since 2007 can be accessed on my Department’s website at: DCCAE Published FOI Requests and Replies 2007 -2017.

The Office of the Information Commissioner has, following review, annulled two departmental decisions and varied two other decisions over the period 2010 to 2017.  In the case of the latter, my Department has appealed one of the decisions of the Office of the Information Commissioner to the High Court, and subsequently to the Court of Appeal.  Legal proceedings are ongoing and the case is scheduled to be heard in February 2019.

Brexit Data

Ceisteanna (247, 248)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

247. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has commissioned economic or regulatory impact assessments of the risks to sectors under the purview of his Department following the decision of the UK to exit the EU and the various types of future relationships that might result; if he will provide a copy of such studies conducted; the persons or body commissioned to conduct this research; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6300/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

248. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the additional budget for 2018 or other years, provided to his Department and all agencies and bodies within his remit to plan or prepare for Brexit; the number of additional staff who have been recruited to work on this policy area in each body, agency and his Department; the number of dedicated staff planning and working on Brexit matters in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6317/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together.

While the outcome of the December European Council and the move on to Phase 2 has marked  progress in dealing with the UK's withdrawal form the European Union, contingency planning is advancing through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade. This work is also informed by ongoing stakeholder engagement. Separately, a new preparedness unit in the European Commission is considering EU-level responses.

The Government’s contingency planning continues to be firmly grounded in the extensive work and outreach that has already been undertaken by individual Departments and agencies, as well as by stakeholder organisations, academics and others.  Much of this is in the public domain.

As the outcome of the negotiations is not yet known, an important focus of the planning and preparation being undertaken through these structures is on deepening the Government’s analysis and understanding of the exact consequences of a range of different possible scenarios.

My Department held a very successful public All Island Brexit Civic Dialogue on Energy in February 2017 in Boyle, Co. Roscommon.  A further Civic Dialogue to address the concerns of the energy industry took place in October 2017.  My Department has regular meetings with stakeholders across its remit, which afford it an opportunity for intelligence gathering and discussion of issues stakeholders identify in relation to Brexit.

Research concerning “Cyber Security and Infrastructural Interdependencies” was completed for my Department in June last year. For confidentiality purposes this research will not be published.

In June 2017 my Department engaged external consultants to consider “the potential implications of Brexit on the National Broadband Plan”. The Department has yet to receive the final version of this report.

Independent research specific to energy has been published, though not commissioned by my Department. However, there have also been a number of other papers and reports published on these issues, including by the ESRI and IBEC

My Department has identified energy as the highest priority sector and has published on its website a summary of Brexit energy priorities.

(http://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/Brexit%20and%20the%20Irish%20Energy%20Sector.pdf.).  Principal amongst the issues identified by my Department are maintenance of secure energy trading between the UK and EU Member States and maintaining the Single Electricity Market across the island of Ireland. The focus of my Department is on seeking to identify the risks and opportunities that may emerge as a result of Brexit and to develop appropriate strategies for these.

Potential impact on any sector will depend largely on the shape of the future relationship between the EU and UK.  As the negotiations are ongoing, it is not possible to provide a detailed assessment.

The focus of my Department is on seeking to identify the risks and opportunities that may emerge as a result of Brexit and to develop appropriate strategies for these.

A range of measures, as outlined above have been undertaken and funded from within existing resources in my Department. All costs relating to Brexit activities in my Department are met by existing budgets.

No specific Brexit related funding has been provided to the Agencies which are funded under the remit of my Department.

The information requested regarding staffing in the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency funded by the Department. I will request those relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.

Departmental Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (249)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

249. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the involvement his Department has had in respect of contracts with a company (details supplied) that provides public private partnership contracts; the nature of the contract; if it was for capital construction or service supply; the duration of each contract; the value of fee commitments; the alternative arrangements he has made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6334/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The company referred to in the Question was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the use of the National Postcode System "Eircode". The payment to the company for  establishing, operating and maintaining the National Postcode System (NPS) is expected to be €33.3m (VAT inclusive) over the life of the 10 year licence.

The Internal Audit Unit of my Department entered into a contract on 14 August 2012 with one of the company's subsidiaries for the provision of internal audit services. This contract ended on 30 June 2013.  This was a joint contract with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The cost of this contract to my Department was €38,546 (VAT inclusive).

Appointments to State Boards Data

Ceisteanna (250)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

250. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the persons on State boards under the aegis of his Department who also serve on other State boards; the persons on State boards under the aegis of his Department who have previously served on other State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6458/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I am responsible for appointments to the boards of relevant bodies under the aegis of my Department. All appointments are made in accordance with the requirements of the governing legislation and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.  My Department does not hold the specific information sought by the Deputy. However, details of the current membership of all applicable State boards are published on www.stateboards.ie.

Departmental Strategy Statements

Ceisteanna (251)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

251. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on his Department's strategy statement and its commitment to deliver key infrastructure, including broadband and energy. [6002/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government has outlined, in a range of policy guidance documents, including the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP), the Energy White Paper - “Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future, and Ireland’s National Climate Mitigation Plan, a series of policy interventions and measures  for the realisation of Ireland’s energy  infrastructure, including energy networks and interconnection with other countries’ energy systems, and policies for the development of potential offshore renewable energy (wind, wave and tidal) resource to contribute to renewable generation and a strategy to support energy transition.

Key contributors to ensuring a secure and reliable electricity supply in Ireland are on-going investment in our transmission and distribution networks and the exploration of interconnection opportunities with neighbouring countries’ electricity transmission systems. In addition, significant infrastructure investment is currently being undertaken by Gas Networks Ireland to twin a 50km stretch of pipeline of the Southwest Scotland onshore gas system between Cluden and Brighouse Bay, in investment by the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) has maximised its storage in all available storage facilities in Ireland, and further  investment will be undertaken by the State owned ESB  when decisions are made on the most appropriate successor to the Moneypoint generation facility. 

In Budget 2018 I secured over €150 million for investment in  a range of energy policy interventions, including the introduction of a new Support Scheme for Renewable Energy, expanded energy efficiency programmes, the introduction of a new grant  to support heat pumps and  new supports for electric vehicles with the introduction of a new home charger  installation grant and support for enhanced charging infrastructure and demonstration projects. 

In relation to broadband, My Department’s Statement of Strategy 2016-2019 outlines as an objective  “To contribute to the on-going growth and development of Irish economy and society by continuing to develop a stable, innovative and secure digital communications and services infrastructure.” 

The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location.  The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to a high speed broadband connection.  By the end of this year that number will rise to nearly 8 out of 10 premises and by 2020 will reach 9 out of 10 premises. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.

My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area and that procurement process is nearing the final stages. Delivering high speed broadband to citizens across Ireland remains a firm commitment for me and for this Government.

Driver Licence Renewals

Ceisteanna (252)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

252. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a query (details supplied) regarding the renewal of a driving licence. [6348/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Driver licences were previously issued for a fixed period - five or ten years depending on the category - plus the unexpired period on the old licence.   

As EU law requires fixed periods for certain categories of driving licences, the addition of the unexpired period of the previous licence raised difficulties at EU level, and the EU Commission began infringement proceedings against Ireland.  In order to comply with fixed period of licence validity required by EU law, the Irish regulations in this regard were therefore amended to remove the period of validity of the previous licences.

This was effected by the European Union (Duration of Licences) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 176 of 2015), with effect from 31 May 2015.

Rail Services Provision

Ceisteanna (253)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

253. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will discuss with Iarnród Éireann the possibility of providing a morning train serving Thurles and Limerick junction to arrive in Kent Station, Cork at approximately 8 a.m. in view of the fact that the first train to arrive in Cork is the 9.30 a.m. service and does not accommodate rail customers who begin work from 8.30 a.m.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6154/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Fáilte Ireland Funding

Ceisteanna (254)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

254. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is funding available through Fáilte Ireland or other sources for an international event (details supplied) which will attract large numbers of local and overseas visitors. [6168/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy.  Implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as other bodies.  While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland to provide financial and other supports to assist bids to host international conferences in Ireland, the Department does not have a role in the evaluation of applications or in the allocation of funding.  These are operational matters 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Road Signage

Ceisteanna (255)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

255. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the promised directional signs for Nenagh hospital on the motorway bypassing Nenagh will be erected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6179/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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 maintenance of individual roads, including the installation of road signs, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. 

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Aviation Industry Regulations

Ceisteanna (256)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

256. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the length of time the Commission for Aviation Regulation is taking to process claims under EU Regulation 261/2004 for airline delays cancellations; his views on this timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6185/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) is the competent authority in the State relating to the application of the provisions of EC Regulation 261 of 2004 on establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in event of denied boarding, cancellation or long delays.  While airlines have the responsibility to process claims of passengers made under the regulation, passengers who are unsatisfied with the outcome of their claim process with an airline may refer the matter to the CAR. As the processing of such matters is under the remit of CAR I am forwarding your question to them for direct answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please inform my private office.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Rail Network Maintenance

Ceisteanna (257)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

257. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to request that all major upgrade capital works on the heavy rail network will in future be put out to public tender and an opportunity provided to private companies to tender for the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6258/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As 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 conjunction with the NTA, Iarnród Éireann operates the heavy rail network and is responsible for assessing requirements for the heavy rail network.

Noting the responsibility of the NTA and Iarnród Éireann in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA and Iarnród Éireann for a response on this matter. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

The referred replies were forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Noise Pollution

Ceisteanna (258)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

258. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he has appointed Fingal County Council as an independent noise regulator in respect of airport noise; the reason he plans to introduce less restrictive noise regulations; if his attention has been drawn to ongoing complaints from persons in north County Dublin concerning aircraft noise at night arising from works being undertaken on the main runway in Dublin airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6271/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government has recently approved my proposal to designate Fingal County Council as the noise regulator for Dublin Airport in order that Ireland fully complies with EU Regulation 598/2014, which came into effect in 2016.  That designation will be formalised through primary legislation, and I will be publishing a draft Bill later in the year.  The Government is required under EU law to have a noise regulator in place for Dublin airport, and it has agreed that Fingal County Council is best placed to carry out that function.  The Bill will reflect the airport noise regulatory regime as set out in the EU regulation, which applies to all major airports across each Member State and which is based on best practice noise management measures agreed at the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation.

I am aware that there are some local issues with redirected flights as a result of works being undertaken at Dublin airport.  Flight path management is, in the first instance, a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority which, in coordination with the DAA, manages inbound and outbound flights in accordance with international air traffic control rules and regulations. I have asked my Department to bring the concerns raised to the attention of the IAA.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (259)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

259. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a situation regarding driving licences (details supplied) will be reviewed. [6278/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This issue has been raised with me and with my predecessors many times, and my Department has been working with my colleague Minister Ciaran Cannon, who has responsibility for the Diaspora, to examine ways in which we can ease the burden placed on returning emigrants on the issue of driver licensing.

The reason for having a driver licensing system is to be sure that people licensed to drive on our roads meet certain minimum standards.  The EU sets these standards for all Member States.  On this basis, people who take up residence in Ireland and hold an EU driving licence may exchange their licence for the Irish equivalent.  In the case of non-EU states, we may reach bilateral agreements on mutual recognition of driving licences for exchange.  These agreements are dependent on the two licensing regimes having compatible standards.

It has not been possible to have a bilateral agreement with USA, because US driver licensing operates at state rather than federal level.  This means that there are 50 different licensing regimes with widely varying standards.

In the absence of a verifiable standard of driving, we must ask people to take an Irish driving test.  I do not propose to make exceptions for people returning to Ireland who previously held an Irish driving licence which has now lapsed by more than 10 years - the period within which a licence may be renewed.  These people are in the same position as those resident in the State whose licences have expired by more than 10 years.

The main source of concern, in terms of time, money, and annoyance, for returning emigrants seeking to obtain an Irish driving licence is the requirement to undergo the 12-lesson Essential Driver Training (EDT) course.  I am currently considering proposals from the Road Safety Authority for a 'Short EDT' for people with full but non-exchangeable driving licences.  This will considerably ease the burden for returning emigrants.

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