Written Answers Nos. 2320-2344
2320. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the development of the connected autonomous mobility sector here; his plans as part of Future Jobs Ireland to amend current road traffic legislation to provide for the testing of autonomous vehicles in order that Ireland can be a global leader in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32425/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe field of transport is in the midst of what is widely acknowledged as a number of very significant changes, including those arising from increased applications of connectivity, automation, alternative fuels, the shared economy and digitisation. These in turn present opportunities but also risks. Governments and authorities worldwide are still developing their responses, taking account of the impacts of these changes on safety, the economy, employment, the environment, security and privacy (including data security). For example, EU Member States have regular High Level Meetings on Connected and Autonomous Mobility (CAM), including representatives of the Commission and a number of industrial sectors, which my officials attend. In turn, the Commission has recently set up a Single Platform for open road testing and pre-deployment of Cooperative, Connected, Automated and Autonomous Mobility (CCAM), with specialised subgroups of national experts on specific aspects.
We intend to lead the development of the Connected and Autonomous Mobility sector in Ireland with due regard to the range of important issues involved, the risks and opportunities. In the near term, and in the context of the Government's new economic pathway, Future Jobs Ireland, we are working on guidelines for testing such vehicles, a strategic roadmap for the sector and an administrative review of the current road traffic legislation in relation to possible testing on the public road.
Good progress has been made particularly with regard to the Guidelines for testing. The outcome of the review of road traffic legislation is currently being examined to determine whether and what formal legal advice may be required. The conclusion of any such legal advice, together with the results of the administrative review and any developments at EU or other international levels, will then inform the decision as to whether amendments to the Road Traffic Acts are needed.
The question of what legislative change may be needed in areas which fall outside the remit of my Department are matters for the responsible Minister.
2321. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of road accidents reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32806/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reporting of road accidents, both minor and fatal, to An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Gardaí.
2322. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected capital spending from 2020 to 2024 for functions within his Department; and the specific projects for which details are available in tabular form. [32952/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra2408. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected capital spending from 2020 to 2024 in his Department by the areas the spending will be directed in tabular form. [32955/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2322 and 2408 together.
Deputy, the Capital Allocation for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the years 2019 to 2022 can be found in the recently published National Development Plan 2018-2027 http://www.gov.ie/en/project-ireland-2040/. We do not have a capital allocation yet for 2023 and 2024.
As part of Budget 2019, it was agreed between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform an amount of €30 million could be transferred from our Capital allocation and used to alleviate pressures on our current expenditure. Our original figure for 2019 was €1,643m.
Capital Allocation
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
€ million |
€ million |
€ million |
€ million |
|
1,613 |
2,058 |
2,526 |
2,405 |
In my Budget Speech 2019 I have listed the priorities within the Programmes within my Department and how the Capital allocations will be spent.
http://www.dttas.ie/press-releases/2018/ross-griffin-track-deliver-over-%E2%82%AC23-billion-transport-tourism-and-sport-2019
Further details on my Department's Capital allocation can also be found in REV 2019 which was published in December 2018.
https://www.gov.ie/pdf/REV2019
2323. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are tourism grants available for the establishment of a coastal cruise business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33258/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development. Implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as other bodies. While the Department provides capital funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism attractions, it does not have any role in the administration of Fáilte Ireland's tourism capital programmes.
I am referring the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
2324. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual yield for motor tax projected for 2020; the yield for the past five years; the way in which the moneys were allocated; and his plans for allocation of the funds in 2020. [33559/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraGross motor tax receipts for the years 2014 to 2018 are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Gross Motor Tax Receipts |
|
2014 |
€1,159,331,931 |
|
2015 |
€1,124,351,805 |
|
2016 |
€1,051,632,444 |
|
2017 |
€1,021,442,924 |
|
2018 |
€981,935,777 |
Gross motor tax receipts to the end of June 2019 were €524,118,295. Receipts for the year as a whole are projected to be in the order of €941m. Receipts for 2020, in the absence of any Budget changes, are projected to be in the order of €902m.
Prior to 2018, receipts from motor tax were paid into the Local Government Fund. Since 1 January 2018, following budgetary reform measures provided for in the Water Services Act 2017, receipts from motor tax have accrued to the Exchequer and are paid into the Central Fund. Issues from the Central Fund are used in the day-to-day running of the State and it is, therefore, not possible to link specified revenue to specific expenditure.
2325. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the design manual for urban roads and streets is being reviewed; if so, the planned consultation to be undertaken with local authorities, development interests, environmental interests, road and street user organisations and the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33784/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) is a joint publication by my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG). It was jointly prepared by the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) and Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) in 2013. A working group, consisting of staff from various local authorities, DTTAS and DECLG, was formed in 2010 to produce the document. The working group still meets periodically, and has prepared a number of training courses, updates to the document and other supplementary material.
Minor amendments have been made to various chapters of the 2013 Manual and 4 new Advice Notes have been provided. The updated document, materials and website were launched by DTTAS at the Roads Conference and Exhibition in May 2019.
Advice Note 1 is on Transition Zones and defines the meaning and function of Gateways and Transition Zones as they apply to our towns and villages. Advice Note 2 on Materials and Specifications sets out to expand on the concepts of quality, durability and function and to provide guidance in terms of construction and design, material selection and specification. Advice Note 3 documents the background research and considerations used in the development of the DMURS Geometric Standards and Advice Note 4 on Quality Audits provides a system of design checks that can be carried out to promote 'best practise' design solutions.
A new DMURS website has also been developed and is available at www.dmurs.ie. The website contains all updates and supplementary material, including the advice notes, available for download. This website is designed to be a resource tool with workshop/presentation material available, along with links to key publications and case study material. Local Authorities and private practitioners are also invited to submit projects that demonstrate the application of the principles, approaches and design measures contained within DMURS. These will serve to illustrate 'best practise' street design and place making that will inform practitioners, students and interested persons.
2326. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which in terms of quantification of the coverage, amount of emergency, and periodic repairs a supplier or contractor supplies versus price is measured by local authorities and TII; if it is measured on a euro to square foot basis; if it is measured on a euro to square meter basis; if it is measured on a euro per kilometre of pavement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34600/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra2327. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the line drawn with regard to pavement repairs on local and regional roads when deciding if the repairs are periodic or emergency (details supplied); the person or body that makes the decision which contractor to employ to repair the defect when it is not put to public tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34601/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra2328. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the ways in which the efficiencies of suppliers of emergency and periodic pavement and highway repairs are quantified and measured within TII and local authorities; the way in which the local authorities and TII know the way in which they are getting value for money when engaging contractors in emergency repairs that are not put out to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34682/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra2511. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the calculated costs of closing a national, regional and local road, respectively, for periodic pavement repairs on an hourly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34602/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2326 to 2328, inclusive, and 2511 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. Decisions on whether to undertake works directly or to contract out works are also a matter for each local authority.
Where a contract is being awarded for works, each local authority, as a public authority, is required to adhere to national and EU rules regarding public procurement. The ‘Public Procurement Guidelines - Competitive Process' produced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), sets out the steps to be followed in conducting an appropriate competitive process relating to supplies and services. The latest version of the guidelines can be found on the e-Tenders website www.etenders.gov.ie.
As regards guidance, contracts and other documentation which forms part of the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF), these are available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform website, www.constructionprocurement.gov.ie.
Any specific queries a contractor might have regarding the nature and type of works being undertaken or the form of contract proposed should be directed to the relevant local authority.
In relation to the Deputy’s queries in relation to national roads, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 maintenance 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.
2329. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the primary legislation enacted since May 2016; and if the legislation in each case placed additional regulatory burdens on small and medium enterprises. [31489/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the Legislation information on my Department's website www.dttas.ie which lists all primary legislation enacted since May 2016. The Acts enacted since 2016 do not place additional regulatory burdens on small and medium enterprises.
2330. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the secondary legislation enacted since 1 January 2018; and if the legislation in each case placed additional regulatory burdens on small and medium enterprises. [31497/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the Legislation information on my Department's website www.dttas.ie which lists all secondary legislation enacted since 2018 and includes an explanatory note on each.
2331. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the transport usage and journeys made in 2018 or the latest available date by mode of transport and age group in tabular form. [31605/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport 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.
2332. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated fare revenue that would be lost if a cap was placed on the maximum weekly transport fares at the same rate of caps in place on Leap card travel in Dublin, that is, €27.50 for an adult, €20.00 for a student and €8.50 for a child. [31606/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra2333. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual cost of implementing the daily and weekly transport fare cap in Dublin, that is €27.50 for an adult, €20.00 for a student and €8.50 for a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31607/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2332 and 2333 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
2334. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be granted to an organisation (details supplied). [31612/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
The NTA is to provide funding towards the development by the National Council for the Blind Ireland of the National Transport Training Centre (NTTC) referred to by the Deputy.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
2335. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of reviews carried out by his Department pursuant to Standing Order 164A of Dáil Éireann; the pieces of legislation to which each review refers; the number and title of each piece of legislation in respect of which a review pursuant to Standing Order 164A has not been undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31638/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the information contained in the attached table:
|
Name of Report |
Date of Publication |
Name of Enactment Report |
Date of Post Enactment Report |
|
Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014 |
25 December 2014 |
Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014 (No. 43 of 2014) Dáil Éireann – Post-Enactment Report Standing Order 141A |
21 January 2016 |
|
Post Enactment Report – State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014 (No. 27 of 2014) |
Laid before Houses of the Oireachtas 22 April 2016 |
Post Enactment Report – State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014 (No. 27 of 2014)See column 2 |
22 April 2016 |
|
Post enactment Report Sport Ireland Act 2015 (No. 15 of 2015) |
Laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 14 September 2016 |
Sport Ireland Act 2015 (No. 15 of 2015) |
June 2016 |
|
Harbours Act 2015 (No.61 of 2015) |
Laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 12 December 2016 |
12 December 2016 |
|
|
Roads Act 2015 (06/05/2018) Post Enactment Report |
Laid before Houses of Oireachtas 13 March 2018 |
Roads Act 2015 Post Enactment Report |
13 March 2018 |
2336. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the value of current transport infrastructure programmes as referenced under action 97 of the Climate Action Plan 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31699/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra2388. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the funding for cycling to a minimum of 10% of the transport infrastructure programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32410/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2336 and 2388 together.
The Deputies will be aware of the significantly enhanced funding now being made available to support walking and cycling, whether that is in the form of active travel or leisure related activity.
Over the period 2018 to 2021 my Department’s programmes will include –
- €110 million specifically dedicated to walking and cycling infrastructure in our major urban areas;
- €135 million for sustainable urban transport measures;
- €53 million to support the development of new Greenways; and
- approximately €750million towards the BusConnects programme in Dublin which will include the delivery of around 200 kilometres of segregated cycling lanes, where possible.
There is also additional, and substantial, funding available through Project Ireland 2040 ’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund and Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which fund active travel improvements across the State, often with co-funding provided through one of my Department’s programmes.
Other funding sources include the Department of Rural Community and Development-led Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which supports walking and cycling leisure related infrastructure improvements.
It is important that the totality of this funding is included when one looks at the levels of investment.
I can inform the Deputies that implementation of Action 97 of the Climate Action Plan 2019 will be progressed in line with its Q4 2020 timeline.
2337. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Garda accident figures or other road safety reports were taken into consideration when the resurfacing and road lining contracts for N22 stage X and Kilcondy junctions were being prepared; if so, the reason no road lining changes were proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31700/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. The Roads Acts 1993-2015 prescribes the roles and responsibilities of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, for the delivery of the National Roads Programme. Among these roles and functions, TII and local authorities are responsible for the upgrading, improvement and maintenance of individual 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.
2338. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the substantial cuts imposed on members of a pension scheme in advance of the sale of the stake in a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31785/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS) is currently the subject of on-going legal proceedings. As this matter is sub judice it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further on the issue.
2339. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when plans for the MetroLink will be lodged to An Bord Pleanála; when construction of the project will commence; the amount allocated for this capital project for 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31832/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including specific projects such as MetroLink.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
2340. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the extension of the DART to Balbriggan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31833/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra2341. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the DART interconnector, that is, DART underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31834/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2340 and 2341 together.
As the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART Expansion Programme which includes the extension of the DART to Balbriggan.
As part of Project Ireland 2040 the funding priority in relation to the DART Expansion Programme is to ensure delivery of the non-tunnel elements of the programme over the next ten years.
The initial sequencing of investment will therefore focus on -
- electrification of the Northern Line to Drogheda (including Balbriggan),
- electrification of the Kildare Line to Hazelhatch,
- electrification of the Maynooth Line to Maynooth and M3 Parkway ,
- better utilisation of the Phoenix Park Tunnel,
- expansion of the rail fleet, and
- other measures such as re-signalling and junction/station changes.
The DART Expansion Programme's remaining element is the DART Underground Tunnel (also known as the DART Interconnector) as referred to by the Deputy. Project Ireland 2040 commits toward establishing the route of the DART Underground Tunnel and ensuring its protection to allow for its future delivery.
Noting the NTA's responsibilities in the matters raised, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
2342. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of legal proceedings instituted by the Marine Survey Office against vessel owners, small passenger vessels, fishermen and-or larger commercial vessels for alleged breaches of national, EU and-or international rules and regulations in the past five years; the percentage of those which were successful; the cost to date of these legal proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31868/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Marine Survey Office is a Division within my Department. Prosecutions are taken by me as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, unless the charges are on indictment (in which case it is the DPP).
The Department’s primary concern in the Maritime area is Maritime Safety, both the safety of passengers and that of seafarers, including fishers. All who use the water for work or leisure are obliged to comply with the maritime safety legal framework and compliance is enforced by the MSO and its surveyors using the suite of compliance tools available to them. These include surveys and inspections of vessels as well as prosecutions.
I have indicated the number of instances which have resulted in convictions in the table below. However it is important to note that the outcome of court cases is a matter for the Courts which may issue convictions and fines but also invoke the Probation Act. It is also important to note that a single incident may result in more than one charge against more than one person or company.
I do not have information in relation to the cost to the CSSO or DPP in bringing cases to court however in general costs are borne by the accused in cases where convictions or fines are imposed. I have indicated an approximate figure which would cover items such as witness expenses.
Our records show:
|
Cases instigated since 10/7/2014 |
16 |
|
Cost to DTTaS |
€1000 approx |
|
Convictions and/or Fines imposed |
11 |
|
Dismissals |
1 |
|
Proceedings Ongoing |
4 |
2343. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of legal proceedings taken by vessel owners, persons and or other institutions against the Marine Survey Office in which the office incorrectly applied national, EU and or international law; the number of cases lost by the office; the cost to date of these legal proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31869/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the 10 year time frame requested by the Deputy, my Department will require additional time to collate the requested information. The Department will revert to you directly within 10 working days.
2344. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the Sligo to Connolly station train servicing Mullingar only has four carriages (details supplied). [31885/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation and provision of services on the rail network are matters for Iarnród Éireann, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. The safe operation of the rail network and services is the priority of both the company and the Commission for Railway Regulation, which is the independent, statutory body charged with overseeing safety on the railway.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in the matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
