Written Answers Nos. 933-951
933. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if concerns have been raised regarding coastguard volunteers having been dismissed from their positions after raising safety issues; and the action he has taken on foot of the raising of such concerns. [1272/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Coast Guard has not dismissed volunteers as a result of raising safety issues. In fact, the IRCG consider this reporting culture as central to the effective management of safety within the organisation. The raising of safety concerns by volunteers is one which the Coast Guard encourages and there are structured systems in place to facilitate this.
The continual improvement in the management of safety issues within the volunteer Coast Guard Units is one which the Coast Guard is dedicated to. The on-going development of the safety management system within the Irish Coast Guard is one whereby all volunteers are duty bound to report, without unreasonable delay, safety issues of which they become aware.
934. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether coastguard volunteers should be granted access to the Workplace Relations Commission or some other independent third party as a means of resolving internal disputes. [1273/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe jurisdiction of the Workplace Relations Commission is constrained by legislation to employment rights and information.
IRCG Volunteers are volunteers and not employees of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
The definition of Volunteer as noted in the IRCG Code is that from The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 which defines a ‘Volunteer’ as a person who does voluntary work that is authorised by a Volunteer organisation and does so without expectation of payment (other than reasonable reimbursement for expenses) or other reward. ‘Volunteer organisation’ means any body (whether or not incorporated) that is not formed for profit and that authorises the doing of voluntary work whether or not as the principal purpose of the organisation.
There is an independent HR Consultancy firm currently contracted by the Department to assist in resolving Coast Guard volunteer grievances using appropriate processes such as mediation.
935. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether coastguard volunteers should have access to a national representative body to advocate for and represent their interests. [1274/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe IRCG is very keen to ensure the views of volunteers are heard and taken into account as they are a vital part in the development and delivery of the Search and Rescue service.
As the Deputy will understand, there is no representative union structure which they can access at a national level since they are not employees per se. However, there is already an existing body in place called the Coastal Unit Advisory Group (CUAG) which is made up of six members elected by the Units independently of management. The purpose of this group is to represent the views of all the Units. The six members are selected on a geographical basis and serve for a period of three years. At all times there should be representation from a coastal search, a boat and a cliff unit. The CUAG meets regularly with the national Volunteers Manager and annually with the IRCG Director. Additional meetings can be called by CUAG or management as necessary.
In addition to this, there are a variety of other avenues through which volunteers raise concerns and advocate their views on issues. These include regular "Sector meetings" in which the IRCG's Coastal Unit Sector Manager for the particular area facilitates an open forum for the volunteers to raise issues. There are also Technical Advisory Committees (TAC’s) with volunteer representation to adviceIRCG management on various technical matters such as personal protective equipment.
In 2019, IRCG also plan to meet with the units on a national basis 3 times a year which, coupled with the sector meetings, will provide additional opportunities for interaction and communication with Coast Guard management.
936. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the progress to date on the upgrade of the N26 road linking Ballina to the N5 in County Mayo as listed under page 40 of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; if the project is at planning, design or construction phase; the phases expected to be completed in 2019; the 2018 and 2019 allocations to the project; the spend to date on the project; the estimated cost of completing the project; and the provisional timetable for completion of this project. [1275/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
937. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting period for practical driver tests in each of the driver test centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1327/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information the Deputy requests is available on the Road Safety Authority website www.rsa.ie.
938. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he is making to ensure there is a reduction in the overall number of persons waiting to sit a full driver licence test nationally; his plans to ensure more testers are employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1345/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI accept that current waiting times remain high but I am assured that measures being put in place by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) will have the desired effect of reducing waiting times for the public. I have approved the appointment of 67 additional Driver Testers, on a phased basis for a period of 12-18 months, to address any surge in driving test applications due to the new legislation in relation to unaccompanied learner drivers. The first cohort of these Testers have been deployed to test centres to conduct driving tests, more Testers are currently in training.
The Authority is also undertaking initiatives in order to increase capacity to deliver extra driving tests. These initiatives include the delivery of 120 extra overtime tests per driver tester who participates, and systems to reduce the number of no-shows and non-conducted driving tests. The Authority plans to introduce a new test booking system in 2019 that will give test applicants much more control over their booking and appointment choice.
939. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons to date on waiting lists for driver tests in Counties Cavan and Monaghan; the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1411/19]
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.
940. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to promote the origin of the festival of Samhain and Halloween in Rathcroghan, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1413/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of developing national tourism policy, while the tourism agencies have operational responsibility for the implementation of this policy.
At agency level, the tourism potential of the various counties and regions is developed and promoted in line with the relevant tourism experience brands, which provide the overarching context for related tourism product development, marketing and enterprise support. In the case of County Roscommon, this is Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, which, I believe, has very exciting potential to deliver sustainable growth for tourism in the region, resulting in higher revenue and additional jobs.
I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply directly to the Deputy regarding their plans for County Roscommon generally and the Rathcroghan archaeological complex specifically, including anything aimed at promoting its historic, prehistoric or mythical connections. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
941. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to date of the Wild Atlantic Way cycle project under each heading in which payments have been made; if there are outstanding costs; the tendering process involved; the number of bidders who participated in the process; his plans for the future of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1440/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the development, management or promotion of particular tourism initiatives, which are matters for the tourism agencies.
With specific regard to the Wild Atlantic Way cycle sportif group participative event, which the Deputy kindly clarified is the cycle project referenced, this is an event initiated and supported by Fáilte Ireland. In that regard, although my Department provides funding to the agency for investment across a range of areas (including participative events and festivals), my Department has no involvement in the management of funding programmes or in related tendering or contractual processes.
Accordingly, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply directly to the Deputy in regard to the matters raised. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
942. 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. [1483/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no power to intervene in individual cases. 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.
943. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Irish Rail is changing and-or upgrading its ticket machines at stations nationwide; and if all stations that have staff selling tickets will get a new machine and continue to offer this facility. [1508/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra944. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if some rail stations, including Castlebar, Claremorris and Ballina, County Mayo, will be losing their staff and will no longer have a machine at the end of March, start of April 2019, which allows staff members to sell tickets with only the self-service machines available. [1509/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra945. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Irish Rail plans to upgrade its ticket machines at the end of March 2019 or any time in 2019; and if Castlebar, Claremorris and Ballina, County Mayo, will be given a new machine to allow staff to continue to sell tickets to passengers. [1510/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra946. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Irish Rail plans to remove its staff from Castlebar, Claremorris and or Ballina train stations; and if staff will be moved or offered redundancy. [1511/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 943 to 946, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Operational matters such as those described by the Deputy are a matter for Iarnród Éireann, in consultation where appropriate with the National Transport Authority.
In light of the Iarnród Éireann's responsibilities on this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to it for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
947. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of incidents in which damage was caused to the Limerick tunnel due to oversized vehicles in each of the years 2010 to 2018; the cost of repair for each of these incidents in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1528/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra948. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times the Limerick tunnel was closed in each of the years 2010 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1529/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra949. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of vehicles that used the Limerick tunnel in each of the years 2010 to 2018; the amount in revenue raised from tolls in each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1530/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra951. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount paid in respect of traffic guarantees to the operators of the Limerick tunnel in each of the years 2010 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1553/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 947 to 949, inclusive and 951 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
950. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the preventative measures put in place to ensure the flying of private drones does not interfere with the operation of Shannon Airport; if incidents in this regard have been reported to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1531/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new EU Regulation 2018/1139 on common rules in the field of civil aviation, provides for the regulation of drones and drone operators, including licensing and registration. This Regulation lays down detailed standards for all aspects of the design and operation of drones and the first set of implementing rules for the operation of drones are currently being developed. Until these new pan-European rules enter into force, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) will continue to apply the existing national regulatory requirements in accordance with S.I. 563 of 2015 for registration and operation of drones.
Ireland is to the forefront in regulating drone use and was one of the first States globally to require the registration of drones in 2015. Ireland remains one of only a small number of EU States that currently have a drone registration system in place.
Currently all drones operating in the State with a mass of 1 kg or greater are required to be registered via a portal on the IAA website. Registration is also required for drones with a mass of less than 1 kg, where the operator wishes to fly at or above 15 metres above the ground (or water). When a drone is registered, there are restrictions where it may be flown and it is limited to an operating height of 120 metres above the ground (or water), unless specifically permitted by IAA.
For aerodromes within controlled airspace, such as Shannon Airport, S.I. No. 563 of 2015 prohibits the operation of drones except as permitted by the IAA.
Currently the IAA has prescribed two methods for permitting the operation of drones within controlled airspace -
- Aeronautical Notice U 02 – provides for a permission to be obtained from the IAA for drone operations within controlled airspace, under strict conditions. This specific operating permission can provide for managed drone operations in close proximity to an aerodrome, and will only be issued to IAA approved drone operator organisations.
- Aeronautical Notice U 04, which permits the operation of registered drones, from surface to 50 feet above ground level, without a specific operating permission in certain areas within controlled airspace. These areas are depicted in the Notice and are outside the vicinity of aerodromes by a minimum of 3000 metres. The no fly zones can vary in dimension. The extent of these dimensions have been derived using a risk based approach coupled with ICAO Annex 14 aeronautical surface penetration calculation criteria.
There has been no report of drone activity at Shannon Airport to date.
