Written Answers Nos. 489-504
489. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if poor public transport between Ballymun and a shopping centre (details supplied) will be addressed; and if Dublin Bus will make an announcement under BusConnects to address this. [8288/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the recently announced Capital Plan provides for investment to progress the BusConnects programme to address growing congestion in the Dublin region in the short to medium term.
BusConnects was launched last summer by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and work is ongoing on the redesign of the bus services network and also on infrastructure proposals for Core Bus Corridors which will be an integral part of the programme. When this work is completed the proposals will be launched for public consultation in the April and May of this year. The results of the public consultation will inform the final decisions to be made on the network redesign, Core Bus Corridors and park and ride facilities.
490. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to mirror the traffic light signalling system used in the UK (details supplied); if a feasibility study has been carried out in regard to the benefit of the signalling system; and his views on the system. [8290/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans at present to implement the traffic light signalling system used in the UK where the amber light appears briefly before the green light and, accordingly, no feasibility study has been carried out to date. My Department will keep this issue under review.
491. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the countries or states within countries with which Ireland has a reciprocal exchange of driving licences agreements, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8330/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis information is already in the public domain and may be found on the website of the National Driver Licensing Service. Besides all of our fellow EU Member States, the countries with which we have bilateral agreements on exchange are -
- Australia
- Gibraltar
- Guernsey
- Isle Of Man
- Japan
- Jersey
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- New Zealand
- Taiwan
- Ontario Province of Canada
- Manitoba Province of Canada
- Newfoundland & Labrador Province of Canada
- British Columbia Province of Canada.
492. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the public service obligation to Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Iarnród Éireann in 2017 and 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8352/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2010 there is no subvention paid directly by my Department for public transport services.
The award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have 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.
493. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request the NTA and Irish Rail to ascertain if the Sligo to Dublin train could stop at Broombridge station, Dublin 7 to enable greater connectivity options to persons from County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8360/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Irish Rail 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.
494. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding changes to the regulation for five axle trucks; if further consultation with the industry will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8379/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFive axle non-articulated trucks (rigids) are a relatively recent phenomenon on Irish roads. Across the EU there is no maximum weight 'norm' for such vehicles and a lacuna in Ireland's Construction and Use of Vehicles Regulations has meant that a maximum weight limit for such vehicles has hitherto remained unstipulated.
It is precisely to correct this regulatory anomaly that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), were tasked with analysing the pavement wear effects of this 39 tonne variant, as well as the associated vehicle standard related requirements attaching to the operation of 5 axle rigids in Ireland
The results of TII's commissioned study concluded that, because of their shorter wheel base they impacted negatively on both our bridge infrastructure and pavements. In circumstances, where in real terms, road maintenance funding has been severely cut over successive years, it was therefore recommended that the maximum regulatory weight limit for such vehicles should be set at 36 tonnes and came into effect on 1 February 2018.
The 5 axle (2 axle tractor unit towing a 3 axle semi-trailer) articulated vehicles experienced a derogation permitting a maximum weight laden limit of 42 tonnes which expired on 30 June 2017. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I must have regard to the overarching need to maintain national transport infrastructure in as cost effective manner as possible. It is primarily for this reason, as well as the time given to the industry to adjust, that the previous derogation has not been renewed.
I have no proposals to revisit the present situation in respect of either 5 axle articulated or 5 axle non-articulated vehicles.
495. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 583 of 13 February 2018, the number of the 76 new buses that will be purchased in 2018 by the NTA for Dublin Bus; the number of these that are replacement buses; the number that are new additional buses to provide additional services, routes and capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8481/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including bus fleet acquisition.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the Authority for an update on the issue raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
496. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the overcrowding and delays in services on the Luas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8482/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPassenger numbers on both lines of the Luas network increased by over 10% to 37.6 million in 2017. With the Green Line now extended to Broombridge, and providing interchange with the Red Line and greater connectivity to rail services, those numbers are likely to grow substantially again in 2018. While it is welcomed that so many new customers are using the extended Green Line, it has meant that, at certain times of the day, some trams are operating at capacity.
The Luas Cross City project included the purchase of seven additional new trams which, at 55 metre length, have a higher passenger capacity than existing trams, carrying up to 379 passengers per tram and increasing overall capacity on the Green Line. The first of these additional trams very recently came into service. Two more are currently in Ireland undergoing final testing and commissioning. One of these is expected to go into passenger service by the end of this week with the second to go into service about a week or so later, at the start of March. The remaining four trams - following the necessary final testing and commissioning - will be put into service progressively over the coming weeks during March, April and May.
In addition, the Green Line Capacity Enhancement project was recently approved by Government. The purpose of the project is to further increase capacity at peak hours on the Luas Green Line and to cater for future demands along the line. The project is proposed in the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035. It includes the lengthening of the 26 existing Green line trams from 43 metres to 55 metres and the purchase of a further 8 new 55 metre-long trams which will greatly increase the passenger capacity of the fleet now and to meet future passenger demand. The capacity increases at peak periods provided by the project will assist in reducing crowding on the Green Line and enhance accessibility for mobility and sensory impaired users during these periods. A necessary complementary investment project, known as the Green Line Infrastructure Upgrade - an investment project to lengthen the platforms at the existing Green Line stations - was completed towards the end of last year and enables the use of the new, longer trams.
With regard to planning and managing the impact of Luas on other traffic, the Deputy may recall that Dublin City Council and the NTA jointly published the Dublin City Centre Transport Study in 2015 which sets out the various measures proposed for Dublin's city centre to ensure the efficient functioning of transport within the city centre and that also took into account the introduction of the Luas Cross City Project.
A number of changes have been made throughout the city centre over the last six months to accommodate the operation of the new Luas Cross City line. The most significant changes were the introduction of the additional bus lanes along the North and South Quays last August. In addition, there has been a host of other junction and traffic signal changes implemented in advance of the Luas Cross City becoming operational.
Furthermore it was recognised that the College Green area would be unable to cater for the same number of vehicles as it had previously, following the introduction of the Luas trams. Addressing this, a separate proposal for a civic plaza at College Green was developed by the City Council, and this proposal also provides for revised traffic arrangements through this area. The College Green civic plaza proposal is currently with An Bord Pleanála for determination and, if approved, would remove a lot of the conflicting traffic movements that currently exist in College Green.
In advance of a rescheduled Oral Hearing, the NTA, in collaboration with Dublin Bus and Dublin City Council, have proceeded to reduce bus vehicle volumes passing through the area, which would allow the junctions and signals to function more effectively. The combined effect of these changes has been to reduce the volume of buses passing through the College Green and College Street area, by about 20% in order to reduce the delay issues arising in this area.
I am advised that these parties continue to keep the situation under review.
497. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans TII has to add additional tolling points on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8483/18]
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).
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.
498. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure on metro north since 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8523/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including the development of a metro scheme.
I am advised by the NTA that the expenditure on Metro North from 2005 up to the end of January 2018 is approximately €170 million.
As the Deputy may be aware, following consideration of the Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study and the recommendations of the National Transport Authority (NTA) arising from this study, the Government decided in 2015 that an optimised metro rail link as set out in the study is the 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.
The recently published Project Ireland 2040 now proposes to take forward a Metro Link scheme to run from Swords, via Dublin Airport to Dublin’s south city centre (operating in tunnel under the city centre) and onwards to Sandyford using the existing Luas Green Line to ensure that growth along this corridor can be accommodated. This will provide Dublin with a high capacity, high-frequency cross-city rail corridor serving critical destinations such as Swords, Dublin Airport, Dublin City University, Ballymun, the Mater Hospital and existing destinations along the Luas Green Line to Sandyford. Metro Link will provide faster reliable journey times to and from these key destinations while offering interchange with other rail, DART Expansion, light rail and bus services.
The next steps are that the details of the Metro Link scheme (Swords to Sandyford) will put out to public consultation in the coming weeks, with construction expected to commence in 2021 with a view to delivering the project by 2027.
499. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application by a person (details supplied) who has applied for a renewal of a driving licence will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8640/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within ten days.
500. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of vacant habitable dwelling units and vacant derelict residential dwelling units in the ownership of or part ownership of or under the control of both his Department and agencies under his remit; the county in which each unit is located; the length of time each unit has been vacant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8673/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the procurement of office and other accommodation required for Government Departments, including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and accordingly arrangements for vacant property is a matter for OPW.
My Department does not own any vacant habitable dwelling unit or vacant derelict residential dwelling unit. It does, however, own one vacant building, which is under the remit of the Irish Coast Guard and used by it for storage purposes. Details of this property are given in the following table:
|
Vacant Property |
Location |
|
Rocket House, Dun Laoghaire Harbour |
Dun Laoghaire |
The position regarding the agencies under the remit of this Department is a matter for them. I have forwarded a copy of your question to them for a direct reply. If you have not heard from the Agencies within ten working days, please contact my private office.
501. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons on waiting lists for driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8680/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within ten days.
502. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons on waiting lists for driving tests in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8681/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within ten days.
503. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for a 2018 or 2019 sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8729/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) closed for applications on 24 February. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received. In November and December last, Minister Ross and I announced €60 million in allocations to a record 1,800 projects under the 2017 round of the SCP. Full details of all these allocations are available on my Department's website and the priority in the medium term will be on advancing these projects.
In relation to future rounds of the SCP, my Department is undertaking a review of the 2017 round with a view to making recommendations on how to improve the process for future calls. This work is also examining what is feasible in terms of the scale and timing of the next round. I expect this review to be complete in the coming months and an announcement regarding the next round will be made at that stage.
504. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide clarification on the proposals to introduce new penalties for learner drivers specifically the possibility of confiscation of farm or commercial vehicles; the consultations he has had with an agricultural or other stakeholder bodies on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8744/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe possibility of an impact of new laws regarding unaccompanied drivers on tractors or other farming equipment has not been discussed because it does not arise.
In 2016, the Oireachtas decided to create an offence for the owner of a vehicle where the vehicle is driven by an unaccompanied learner driver. As the provision contained drafting flaws it was not possible to commence it, and I shall be proposing to amend it to make it fit for purpose during the passing of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 through the House.
I have also indicated that I will propose an amendment to section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, which allows An Garda Síochána to detain vehicles in certain circumstances. My amendment will add to the list of those circumstances cases where the vehicle is driven by an unaccompanied learner.
Both the 2016 provision and my proposed amendment to the 1994 Act relate, of course, to classes of vehicle where the law requires a learner to be accompanied by a qualified learner driver. These are the B, C, and D categories - cars, minibuses, buses, vans and trucks.
There is no requirement for a learner to have a qualified accompanying driver for the A categories - motorbikes - or for the W category, which covers tractors. The new legislation therefore has no impact of any kind on tractors.
