Written Answers Nos. 644-668
644. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to erect a dangerous junction ahead sign at the junction of the Ahaneboy L10696 road and the N21, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37024/18]
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 query to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
645. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to implement a programme to assist persons with non-visible disabilities to have greater access to public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37039/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. My Department's high level policy goal for accessible public transport is embodied in the concept of 'Transport Access for All'. This policy is based on the provisions of the Disability Act 2005 and related Government strategies, in particular the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. I also recently appointed a director with direct personal experience of disability to each of the public transport Boards under my remit, to ensure that the voices of people with a disability are heard at the top of those bodies responsible for the provision of public transport.
Accessibility features, such as wheelchair access and audio/visual aids, are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage. Newer systems such as LUAS are fully accessible. My Department also funds an ongoing programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade older existing public transport infrastructure and facilities, and this is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the NTA has responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network. In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for further response to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
646. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legal advice his Department received regarding access to a stadium (details supplied) for non-GAA sports in view of the significant public investment in the stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37078/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe advice to which the Deputy refers was received from the Department’s Legal Advisor who has stated that this advice is legally privileged and therefore cannot be divulged.
The decision by the GAA to facilitate the Liam Miller testimonial match in Páirc Uí Chaoimh was welcomed by both Minister Ross and myself. We appreciate that a practical solution was found which allows a significantly higher number of people to attend the event.
647. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the language used in driver theory test publications will be examined as to use of plain English in driver theory books and the driver theory test (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37098/18]
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.
648. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address concerns regarding the high failure rate among those presenting for their driver test in addition to the significant variation in pass and failure rates at different testing centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37137/18]
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.
649. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being taken to address the fact that there are only 98 whole-time equivalent driver testers to cover the entire State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37138/18]
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.
650. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of approved driver instructors registered to deliver essential driver training; the regulation the RSA undertakes on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37140/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe registration of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and oversight of the ADI system are the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
651. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter regarding a penalty notice in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37159/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fixed Charge and Penalty Point systems were designed to improve driver behaviour and make our roads safer for all.
When a driver is served with a fixed charge notice, he/she can either accept the offence by paying the fixed charge, or he can opt to have the matter dealt with by a court hearing. By not paying the fixed charge notice and going before the Courts, a driver has the opportunity to present his/her case.
However, once the motorist pays the fixed charge, he/she has accepted the offence, and it is not possible to subsequently lodge an appeal. Any alleged discrepancy in the number of penalty points endorsed on the driver's licence record is entirely a matter for the Road Safety Authority to address. I do not have a role in such matters.
652. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated full year cost of halving all public transport fares; the estimated cost of providing free public transport for all in full-time education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37162/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for public transport fares and I have therefore 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.
653. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Luas tracks across Dublin can be bicycle proofed; the estimated cost for this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37163/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, including the building and maintenance of cycling infrastructure.
However I can advise the Deputy that I am aware of this issue and I have been informed that installing a rubber insert, or similar, into rail grooves has been trialled abroad. Those trials have not been successful, with the material becoming ripped and dislodged by the tram wheels during operation. Although the search for a solution to this issue is on-going, to date a satisfactory long-term solution has not been identified by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that would provide a hazard-free surface along tram lines, while accommodating significant tram, bus, taxi and cyclist movements.
Noting their responsibility in this matter, I have referred your question to TII for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
654. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address matters (details supplied) regarding the construction of roads. [37236/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no function in respect of the restoration of the Ulster Canal.
Also the planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities.
The current funding arrangements in relation to the A5 are governed by the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start. This Agreement reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an additional £25 million towards the cost of Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane).
The funding allocated to my Department as part of the 2017 Capital Plan Review includes financial provision for meeting the Government's commitment regarding the A5 in three £25 million (sterling) tranches over the period 2019 to 2021. The project is the subject of legal proceedings at present.
The Fresh Start Agreement also includes a commitment to undertake a review of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project with a view to identifying options for its future development, for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) when reconvened. Pending future decisions on the project, there is no specific allocation of funding for a Narrow Water Bridge scheme.
The main design and construction elements of the Naas Bypass Widening Scheme, Osberstown Interchange and Sallins Bypass Schemes are being progressed under one construction contract. The drawdown of funding is subject to achievement of project milestones. Kildare County Council as the contracting authority for the three projects is responsible for the management of the project budgets subject to oversight, on an ongoing basis, by a project board which includes representatives of my Department, TII and the Council. Information on project cost and status is available on the Capital Tracker on the DPER website.
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 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 do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
655. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when it is expected to extend the Leap card benefits to all commuter lines in east County Cork. [37282/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development, operation and maintenance of the Leap Card scheme.
In light of its responsibility with regards to this matter, I have referred your query to the NTA for its attention and direct response. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
656. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a price review for rail services from south County Kildare to encourage public transport in view of the four stations within the south of the county servicing Dublin. [37288/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for public transport fares and I have therefore 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.
657. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the scheduling of a driver test for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37291/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra658. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the scheduling of a driver test for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37292/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 657 and 658 together.
The driving test service is run by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and I have no input into the scheduling of appointments. I accept that current waiting times remain high but 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 other purposes, the RSA will make every effort to accommodate them.
659. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to facilitate a meeting request from a chamber of commerce (details supplied) in County Donegal regarding the proposed TEN-T priority routes project; if a date for such a dialogue has been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37330/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of this request and I can assure the Deputy that all meeting requests received are considered in line with normal procedure.
660. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the release fees being charged by private clamping companies; his plans for a review of the appeals process which is not independent but generally managed by the individual companies themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37345/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 came into full effect on 1st October 2017 and gave the National Transport Authority (NTA) responsibility for the regulation of vehicle clamping activities in both statutory and non-statutory (privately-owned) clamping places throughout the State. Therefore 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.
661. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it will be ensured that all vehicles that are used for bus transport meet a minimum standard for exhaust emissions in the future. [37365/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen a bus is first manufactured it must pass all the necessary safety and quality standards before it can be sold or registered throughout Europe and this is known as European Type Approval. Type approval is essentially a series of stringent tests that a vehicle, or part of a vehicle (e.g., its brakes), must pass before it is allowed to be used on a public road and ensures the vehicles are manufactured to the necessary safety and environmental standards. As a member of the EU Ireland is obliged to introduce all emission regulations on vehicles thus ensuring all new vehicles on Irish roads are compliant with European prescribed emission standards.
662. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to the recent Road Safety Authority report on the 873 bus inspections carried out in the 12 month period to June 2017, the number of these vehicles taken off the road; the penalties incurred for the 445 that failed to comply with safety standards; the penalties incurred for the 268 found to have major defects; the penalties incurred for the 37 found to have dangerous defects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37382/18]
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, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing arrangements.
I have therefore forwarded this Question to the RSA for direct reply to the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
663. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to request the Road Safety Authority to share its risk index with a view to identifying whether these vehicles have been operating under schemes such as the school transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37383/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the operation, oversight and delivery of the risk rating system, which is called CVORI (Commercial Vehicle Operator Risk Indicator). It should be noted that this is an enforcement tool and does not provide information in relation to the status of any particular vehicle.
The question of sharing the information held under this system is a matter for the RSA, having regard to its legal obligations and statutory responsibilities, including matters such as data protection.
I have therefore forwarded this Question to the RSA for direct reply to the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
664. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37387/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the maintenance of public roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in accordance with the Roads Act 1993, as amended.
Under Section 70(2)(a) of the Roads Act 1993, it is also the responsibility of the owner or occupier of land to ensure that any tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation growing on their land is not, or could not become, a danger to people using a public road and that it does not obstruct or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road.
A road authority has powers under Section 70(2)(b) of the Roads Act to serve a notice in writing on the owner of a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation that is a hazard or potential hazard to persons using a public road or where such vegetation obstructs or interferes with the safe use of a public road or with the maintenance of a public road. Where an owner or occupier fail to comply with such a notice, the road authority may then take such action as it sees fit.
Should a road authority consider that vegetation presents an immediate and serious hazard to persons using a public road, it can step in and act immediately to reduce or remove the hazard under Section 70(9).
665. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to award further contracts for the operation of certain bus services in Dublin by way of a competitive public tendering process; if his attention has been drawn to concerns of employees of Dublin Bus regarding such a possibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37428/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the procurement of public transport services. I have therefore 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.
666. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the work of the ministerial committee on road safety; when it last met; when it is due to meet next; the priorities decided upon for this committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37458/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ministerial Committee on Road Safety is chaired jointly by myself and the Minister for Justice, and is made up of all major stakeholders involved in road safety, including the Road Safety Authority, an Garda Siochana, the Health and Safety Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, the Department of Health, the City and County Managers' Association and the Attorney General.
The Ministerial Committee last met on 09 July of this year, and its next meeting is on 01 October.
The main focus of the Committee is to progress the actions in the Road Safety Strategy 2013 - 2020, and the agenda, which is agreed shortly in advance of each meeting, addresses the major issues prevailing in relation to road safety at that time.
667. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the supporting information on the way in which passenger data were calculated to influence the decision to reduce the frequency of commuter trains through Portmarnock train station will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37467/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
668. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding for the proposed changes to the Dublin Bus network is inclusive of the cost of changes to the physical infrastructure which would result as a consequence of developing orbital routes throughout the city. [37468/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that BusConnects involves a blend of infrastructure and system improvement measures alongside a reconfigured bus network. The initiative aims to transform the current bus system in the Dublin Region.
This programme is part of a wider BusConnects programme for Ireland’s cities, starting in Dublin and rolling out to Galway, Cork and Ireland’s remaining cities.
The estimated cost of the initiative is €2.4 billion, and is inclusive of all costings for changes to physical infrastructure.
