Written Answers Nos. 479-489
480. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he has taken in his Department further to the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's statement (details supplied) that the Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018 is needed to provide a legal basis for certain data transfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31618/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Data Sharing and Governance Bill is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and was published on 8 June 2018 and is currently at Report Stage in the Seanad.
The purpose of the Bill is to promote and encourage data sharing between public bodies by providing a statutory framework for data sharing for legitimate and clearly specified purposes that are compliant with data protection law; and to improve the protection of individual privacy rights by setting new governance standards for data sharing by public bodies.
National and EU data protection law requires that data sharing needs an explicit legal basis. Data sharing is currently carried out by the public service under existing sectorial legislation.
Access to the legislative schedule is limited, however, and, as a result, the process of obtaining any new powers required to share data can be very slow for public bodies. Furthermore, the reliance on sectorial legislation for sharing has resulted in a piecemeal set of data sharing laws that are complex and not very transparent to the public.
The Data Sharing and Governance Bill, therefore, provides a flexible legislative gateway for data sharing by public bodies that will simplify the complex legal landscape that currently slows the pace of our efforts to modernise and improve public services. The Bill also provides a framework for public bodies to share data in a manner that is compatible with data protection law, including the new General Data Protection Regulation that came into effect on 25 May.
481. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of wheelchair accessible taxis in each county; the number of wheelchair accessible taxis which have become available under the new WAV grant scheme; the number and value of all WAV grants provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31096/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the licensing of wheelchair accessible taxis, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. It is the NTA which administers the wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) grant scheme for the SPSV sector.
Accordingly, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
482. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the completion date for the ongoing road widening works on the M7 at Naas. [31102/18]
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 operation of individual roads 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.
483. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the development of Rosslare Europort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31160/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra485. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his strategic plans for Rosslare Europort post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31162/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 483 and 485 together.
The Deputy will be aware that Rosslare Europort is unique among the State-owned ports as it is not a stand-alone commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann. The status of the port, and whether its current status potentially inhibits its development, was most recently considered in a strategic review, commissioned by my Department, and carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants.
That report concluded that the creation of an independent port authority would be extremely difficult, given the Port's complex legal structure. Instead, it was recommended that the port remain in public ownership and that the possibilities for increased private sector involvement be investigated.
In order to assist Iarnród Éireann's overall consideration of how best to move forward, the company then engaged consultants to assess market interest. The assessment was largely positive in terms of the potential for increased private sector investment in the port; however, it did identify possible implementation issues due to the complicated legislative basis of the port.
Following that assessment, my Department sought and received detailed advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the matter. That advice identified a number of legal issues with any such proposal and those issues remain under consideration by my Department.
The Deputy may also be interested to know that Iarnród Éireann has advised that it has completed a commercial review of Rosslare Europort and will now prepare a business plan, to include consideration of the implications of Brexit for the port.
In addition, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) in conjunction with my Department has undertaken a study into the use of the UK landbridge by Irish importers and exporters. The purpose of this research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK landbridge at present, the potential consequences that Brexit will have on landbridge usage and the various alternative options that may be viable. This Study is expected to be finalised shortly and to be published thereafter.
Finally, I would add that I recently visited Rosslare Europort and was briefed by the Europort’s management on the port’s commercial position.
This was a particularly valuable opportunity for me as Minister to witness the central role that Rosslare Europort plays within the economy of Wexford, and indeed the wider south-east, and to see at first hand its potential in terms of future development as a vital part of our country’s trading infrastructure.
484. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the recent announcement about a ferry (details supplied) closing its services in September 2018 in view of his comments that Rosslare Europort was of strategic importance. [31161/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish ferries is a private commercial company and the services operated by the company are market driven. The Irish Ferries Rosslare Europort–Cherbourg service will be suspended in September 2018 and it will operate on a seasonal basis thereafter between April and September, catering for peak tourism demand. The Irish Ferries vessel the Epsilon operates all year on its Dublin to Cherbourg route. In Rosslare, the Irish Ferries vessel the Isle of Inishmore will continue to operate a twice daily service from Rosslare to Pembroke.
Stena Line operates ferry services twice daily between Rosslare and Fishguard on the vessel Stena Europe. In March 2014 they also acquired the Rosslare Cherbourg ferry service from Celtic Link. They operate one ship, the Stena Horizon, on the route with a capacity for up to 1000 passengers, 200 cars and 120 freight units on its three return weekly sailings.
Rosslare Europort remains of National Strategic Importance. The port is recognised as a Port of National Significance (Tier 2) in National Ports Policy along with the Port of Waterford. The port is also recognised at a European level through its inclusion in the ‘comprehensive network’ in the Ten-T Regulation.
Rosslare Europort is unique among the State-owned ports as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann.
The Deputy may wish to note that Iarnród Éireann has advised that it has completed a commercial review of Rosslare Europort and is currently in the process of preparing a detailed business plan for the port, to include consideration of the implications of Brexit.
486. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding Iarnród Éireann and the south-east region railway connection from Gorey, Enniscorthy, Wexford town and Rosslare Europort and suggestions that the rail service be terminated at Gorey. [31163/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann report on the Rail Review was published in 2016. Since then, the NTA has held a public consultation on the Review. Over 300 submissions were received in response to that consultation process.
A report of those submissions has been submitted to my Department by the NTA and I intend to bring the report to Government for consideration.
It is my intention that the NTA's report on the consultation would be published by the NTA following consideration by Government. In advance of that, no decisions have been taken regarding matters such as the future of individual rail lines.
I have stated previously that there are no plans for the closure of any parts of the rail network. The Taoiseach has also given assurances in the Dáil in recent months that there are no plans in this regard.
487. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details relating to the €210,000 payment made to a company (details supplied) in 2017 for double crew cab pick-ups; the further details regarding the payment of €372,739 for double crew cab pick-ups in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31168/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis expenditure relates to ongoing investment by the Coast Guard in a fleet of Toyota Hilux Double Crew Cab Pick Ups used in the context of their role as a search and rescue service. The expenditure of €372,739 in 2016 and €210,000 in 2017 relates to the purchase and fit out of vehicles in this period.
The procurement was conducted on a competitive basis through an open tendering procedure via the Official Journal of the EU and eTenders.
488. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the €759,273 paid to a company (details supplied) for a supply of all terrain vehicles in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31169/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis figure relates to spend in 2016 by the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), a Division of my Department, on a fleet of Polaris All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). An additional €376k was spent in 2017. These ATVs replaced older "Quads" following a risk assessment conducted based on actual usage by the IRCG and safety concerns arising from this.
489. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of part-time and full-time media advisers employed in his Department; the Civil Service grade of each media adviser; and the cost over a full year of employing all such advisers. [31255/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of my Special Advisers operates as a full time media adviser with a salary band of €84,973 to €104,507 per annum.
My Department's Press Office is staffed as per the following table.
|
Grade |
Number |
Salary band |
|
Acting Assistant Principal Officer |
1 |
€65,837 - €81,485 per annum |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
€27,657 - €47,082 per annum |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
€442.84 - 742.14 per week |
In addition, an Assistant Principal Officer has communications responsibilities as part of their role.
