Written Answers Nos. 498-516
498. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the results of the internal audits carried out in 2017 and to date in 2018 by Transport Infrastructure Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22237/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
500. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify the legality of heavy machinery (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22287/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder road traffic legislation such vehicles, when used on the public road or in a public place, must have insurance, road tax and have a registration plate displayed. The driver must also be appropriately licensed to drive the vehicle. Severe penalties (including fixed charge notices, penalty points, court fines and possible seizure of the vehicle) are imposed for not being in compliance with these requirements. Enforcement of the legal requirements is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
501. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify a matter relating to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22299/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the SPSV Driver Entry Test and the licensing of drivers to work in this sector, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
503. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an Irish citizen (details supplied) can exchange a New Zealand driver licence with permission to drive vehicles in classes 1 to 5 for an Irish driver licence with the same entitlements. [22310/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fundamental purpose of having a driver licensing system is public safety. We issues licences to people on the basis that they have been tested to defined standards. These standards are set at EU level. On these grounds, all EU driving licences are interchangeable.
In the case of non-EU jurisdictions, Member States may reach bilateral agreements on the exchange of driving licences. These agreements are reached only when detailed study of the two licensing regimes has taken place and both sides are satisfied that the standards of the two systems are comparable. On this basis, Ireland has reached agreements with Australia and New Zealand. However, the agreement with Australia covers truck licences, among others, while that with New Zealand is restricted to cars and motorbikes. These distinctions are based on considerations of public safety based on the differing standards applied in the different jurisdictions.
It is not correct that it would be possible for the individual in this case to exchange his New Zealand truck licence for a French equivalent and then exchange that for the Irish equivalent. Bilateral arrangements of this type apply only to the Member States which make them. This matter has been tested and ruled on very clearly by the European Court of Justice. In the case suggested, a French truck licence given in exchange for a New Zealand truck licence could not be exchanged for an Irish truck licence, because the person originally qualified for a New Zealand truck licence, which Ireland does not accept for exchange.
504. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to the possibility of renaming Dublin Airport as Lemass international airport Dublin; and if he will re-examine plans from 2009 with a view to bringing this forward (details supplied). [22312/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I advised the Deputy on a previous occasion, it is my understanding that the suggestion to rename Dublin Airport as Seán Lemass Airport arose a number of times in the past and was given serious consideration back in 2010. However, previous Ministers decided against such a change. I can confirm again that I agree with those decisions of previous Ministers and that I have no plans to change the name of Dublin Airport.
505. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a matter relating to a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22317/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe driving test service is run by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and this Department has no input into the scheduling of appointments. I accept that current waiting times remain high but I am assured that measures being put in place by the RSA are working towards reducing waiting times for the public.
The RSA provides a facility where driving test cancellations are made available to applicants who may need an urgent appointment. An applicant should contact the RSA directly and request that they be placed on the cancellation list. In order to be fair to all applicants, cancellation places will be assigned in order of the date of placement on the list. If an applicant requires a driving test urgently for employment or emigration purposes, the RSA will make every effort to accommodate them.
506. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a follow-up meeting request from a committee (details supplied) will be facilitated with a view to discussing transportation projects in the north west; if so, when such a meeting will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22318/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was pleased to meet with a member of this committee last year to update them on transport plans for the Donegal area. Since that time Government has published "Project Ireland 2040", comprising the National Planning Framework, which sets out a new spatial strategy for Ireland, together with our infrastructure investment programme for the next 10 years, the National Development Plan, which backs up the spatial strategy.
As I have no further update on developments since the publication of Project Ireland 2040 or my follow-up correspondence to the committee member earlier this year, a further meeting at this time would not seem to be particularly useful. I would, however, be more than willing to meet at some future stage.
508. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the proposed footbridge will be completed at Carlow train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22371/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIssues relating to the provision of infrastructure at train stations on the heavy rail network outside of the Greater Dublin Area and the cities - such as the matter of a bridge at Carlow train station - are an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann which receives Exchequer funding via the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Noting the role of Iarnród Éireann and NTA in the matter of public transport infrastructure, I have referred your question to both bodies to provide information on the issue raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
509. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to ensure that imported vehicles (details supplied) are complying with standards to ensure their roadworthiness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22451/18]
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 10 days.
510. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it is acceptable for the National Transport Authority to refuse to attend a council meeting and engage with locally elected representatives. [22494/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority and I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private Office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
511. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be allocated to Cavan County Council in 2018 towards necessary improvement works on a national route (details supplied); if consideration will be given to this request in view of the need to implement safety measures at the location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22509/18]
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.
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.
512. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in view of Brexit, he will bring forward to 2018 the review of the national ports policy, as has been requested by Galway Harbour Company. [22522/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe core objective of National Ports Policy, published in 2013, is to facilitate a competitive and effective market for maritime transport services. Galway Harbour Company is designated under National Ports Policy 2013 to transfer to Galway City Council.
The due diligence process to facilitate the transfer of Galway Harbour Company to the Council is currently ongoing.
513. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the research that has been carried out to alleviate traffic congestion on the south link road in Cork city, the Jack Lynch tunnel, the north ring road, the N40 and N20; and the actions he plans to take in the next six months to alleviate traffic congestion. [22524/18]
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 operation of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) 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.
514. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is not his policy decision to introduce toll gradients on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22602/18]
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 operation of individual roads, such as the M50, is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
One of the conditions attached to an Bord Pleanála's approval of the upgrade of the M50 which was completed in 2010 was the publication of a scheme of demand management measures. TII in conjunction with the relevant local authorities published its M50 Demand Management Report in April 2014.
While the 2014 M50 Demand Management Study recommended the introduction of multi-point tolling on the M50, my consistent position has been that I do not propose to introduce such tolls as the likely impact of multi-point tolling would be to push vehicles on to other roads and through local communities.
My view is that the emphasis at this point needs to be on addressing congestion across the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services over the next two decades. Addressing urban congestion on both the strategic road network and locally in certain locations is an important theme in the Strategy.
515. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria used in the selection of the 24-hour routes operated by Dublin Bus; and if there are plans for further expansion. [22615/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Dublin Bus, 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.
516. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Sutton to Sandycove cycle route; and the details, costings and timeline for completion. [22616/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport. With the increased multi-annual capital funding that I secured as part of Budget 2018, there is €110 million specifically allocated to developing "active travel" (i.e. cycling and walking) infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, and in the cities of Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford over the period 2018-2021. This programme will provide safe alternative active travel routes to help alleviate congestion by providing viable alternatives and connectivity with existing public transport infrastructure. This investment is in addition to the substantial improvement in cycling infrastructure that will be carried out as part of both the BusConnects programme and the investment that is allocated for sustainable urban transport initiatives.
I am not, however, involved in the day-to-day delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure projects. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including the Sutton to Sandycove cycle route.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, 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.
