Seán Sherlock
Ceist:307. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if driver tests, driver theory tests and NCTs are proceeding under level 5. [32507/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (307)
Freagraí scríofa
Under Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid19, effective from midnight on Wednesday 21 October, for six weeks, the Government has classified some Road Safety Authority (RSA) services as essential services.
The Driver Testing Service, the National Driver Licence Service, the National Car Testing Service and the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing Service have all been recognized as essential services, with certain limitations taking account of the wider public health requirements. Further information can be found on the website of the Road Safety Authority, which is the body responsible for these services.
The Government has not classified the Driver Theory Test (DTT) as an essential service, the provision of the service has therefore been suspended in light of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions.
Where services are continuing, customers can be assured that they are being delivered in line withGovernment policy and health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID 19.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (308, 316, 319)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:308. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if driver lessons can proceed under level 5. [32508/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSeán Sherlock
Ceist:316. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the status of driving lessons under level 5. [32635/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:319. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport if driving instructors are classed as an essential worker; if they will be allowed to operate under the level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32760/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 308, 316 and 319 together.
Regulations introduced on the 21st October by my colleague, the Minister for Health, define the provision of driving instruction as an essential service.
Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (309)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:309. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he and-or his predecessor have conducted a costing regarding the doubling of the rail line from Maynooth to Kilcock, County Kildare; if not, if he plans to do so; if consideration has been given to the idea of doubling the section of line if in the context of the DART+ plan; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32519/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, 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, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, development of rail in the GDA and implementation of the DART+ Programme.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Air Pollution
Ceisteanna (310)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:310. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the status of work of the urban transport air pollution group (details supplied); the work programme of the group; when the group will publish a report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32559/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Urban Transport Related Air Pollution (UTRAP) group was jointly convened by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (now Department of Environment, Climate and Communications) and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (now Department of Transport). It was established to:
- examine transport-related air pollution;
- raise stakeholder awareness of this pollution, its occurrence in urban contexts and its legislative framework;
- review and identify best-practice measures to reduce transport-related air pollution in Irish cities and towns; and
- develop an evidence-based national policy framework within which local authorities could address the projected NO2 exceedance in Dublin and any potential future exceedances.
The group includes representatives from government departments, environmental, health and transport agencies, local authorities, and additional key stakeholders.
Its work programme has included analysis and review of: the nature of Irish transport-related air pollution in general and in cities, public health impacts, the legislative framework, and the nature of the Irish vehicle fleet; available air-pollutant and transport-related pollutant data, on-going research, national and urban-specific air pollutant monitoring processes and models; vehicle emissions standards, tax measures introduced and on-going and projected fleet transition measures in the private and public vehicle fleets, including buses and rail infrastructure; and the profile of transport-related pollutants at critical infrastructure in Dublin on a lessons-learned basis, including major terminal rail stations and the M50, and consideration of the on-going Department of Transport Five Cities Traffic Demand Management Study .
Work is ongoing at present on drafting the Group’s report, which the Group expects to finalise and agree in the coming weeks before submitting it to me. I plan to publish the report when I have received and considered it.
Driver Licences
Ceisteanna (311)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:311. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide information on the changing of a UK driver licence to an Irish licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32564/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Irish driving licences can only be issued to people resident in Ireland. Driving licences issued by the Member States of the EU are mutually recognised. Therefore, a holder of an Irish licence who moves to another Member State can drive on that licence until the licence expires. On expiry, the licence holder will then need to exchange their Irish licence for the licence of the country they are now resident in.
After 31 December 2020, the UK will no longer be a Member State and so a UK driving licence will not be recognised here. Unless a licence exchange agreement has been put in place with the UK, the holder of a UK licence who takes up residence in Ireland will be obliged to apply for a learner permit and undergo driver training before passing the driving test in order to be issued with an Irish licence.
Ireland will pursue a licence exchange agreement with the UK after the transition period has ended i.e. after 31 December 2020. This option will involve a formal agreement with the UK and legislation here in Ireland.
Cycling Policy
Ceisteanna (312)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:312. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to provide grants and-or supports in line with the cycle to work scheme to those in receipt of the old age pension that wish to purchase a bicycle and or bicycle equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32566/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, tax policy is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance in the first instance. In that regard I very much welcome his announcement of increased thresholds under the existing Cycle to Work Scheme as part of the July Stimulus package. The increases are in line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government in relation to the Scheme.
In relation to the specific suggestion of the Deputy, and noting the Minister for Finance’s responsibilities in the area, I do not have any such current plans; however, I do believe the issue can be considered more fully in the context of my Department’s review of Sustainable Mobility policy which is currently ongoing. I intend that the new policy framework will provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government across the sustainable mobility programme, including active travel.
Closed-Circuit Television Systems
Ceisteanna (313)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:313. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce cameras to address motorists illegally parking and to support enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32577/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 81 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 provides for the use of cameras, if so required, by the Gardaí to assist in the detection of certain traffic offences under the Road Traffic Acts. The offences specified include those made under Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 which is the basis for the current Traffic and Parking Regulations covering, among other things, the parking offences mentioned by the Deputy. This power has been successfully used by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), working in partnership with the Gardaí, in relation to speeding offences and it is available to other road authorities to use those powers on a similar basis for other offences.
Given the burden of proof for the enforcement of such criminal offences, however, the same Act specifically requires that any electronic apparatus used to capture evidence of this nature must have been approved in advance either by An Garda Síochána itself or by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
Closed-Circuit Television Systems
Ceisteanna (314)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:314. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce cameras to address motorists illegally using the bus lane and to support enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32578/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The success of bus priority measures is an essential component in people moving from cars to more sustainable modes of transport, thereby reducing emissions and congestion. It is therefore necessary to ensure that we have the best possible system for enforcement of the rules on bus corridors, particularly in the context of BusConnects.
Officials in my Department are currently engaging with the National Transport Authority and other stakeholders to see how this can best be achieved.
National Car Test
Ceisteanna (315)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:315. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if the NCT testing centres will be closed for the duration of the new Covid-19 restrictions with workers pay maintained at least at the level of the TWSS, as they were from March to June 2020; if and when the test centres reopen, if the employers will provide the workers with full and appropriate PPE including masks; if he will provide for test exemptions during periods of Covid-19 travel restrictions for those persons that may have to travel significant distances or across county boundaries for tests due to problems in some test centres with ramps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32630/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that the National Car Test (NCT) has been classified as an essential service with respect to the Level 5 restrictions effective from midnight on Wednesday 21 October and accordingly vehicle owners travelling to or from an NCT test centre are not subject to domestic travel restrictions. Anyone with an existing appointment should attend their NCT centre as normal and the measures taken by the NCT in order to be compliant with public health advice and guidelines are to continue.
Vehicle owners travelling to or from their NCT test centre should bring confirmation of their NCT appointment to assist in the event they are stopped by a member of the Garda Síochána.
Question No. 316 answered with Question No. 308.
Driver Licences
Ceisteanna (317)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:317. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will extend all driver licences due for renewal that cannot be extended online during the current stage of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32680/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is no plan to further extend the validity of driving licences. Irish driving licence law is based on a framework of EU law, and the current extensions bring us into line with the EU legislation.
Under Covid19 Level 5 Government restrictions effective from midnight on Wednesday 21 October, for six weeks, applicants can attend an appointment at an NDLS centre provided they are an essential worker involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets. Details on what is included in the list of essential workers and retail outlets is available on www.gov.ie.
The RSA is also continuing work to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types to enable accessibility on-line rather than by calling to an office. The NDLS hopes to allow all application types to apply online by mid-November and applications for those over 70 years can be processed by post.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (318)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:318. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the repairs which have been undertaken on foot of the 2011-2030 rail network strategy review which highlighted capacity issues in relation to Galway, Rosslare, Waterford, Sligo and Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32700/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy is aware that the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future commits toward a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland.
My Department provides capital funding to Irish Rail for the maintenance and renewal of the heavy rail network under the Infrastructure Manager Multi-Annual Contract (IMMAC). The IMMAC is the funding programme under which an extensive range of infrastructural improvements are carried out. The current IMMAC will provide over €1billion to Iarnród Éireann over the five-year period from 2020-2024 and allow it maintain, renew and improve rail infrastructure, which will deliver improved journey speeds and increased reliability for passengers across the country.
The Deputy is no doubt also aware of the contract for the manufacture and delivery of 41 InterCity Rail Cars (ICRs). The additional 41 ICRs will be deployed across a number of lines and will be used to extend the existing train sets, providing additional capacity where those train sets are used.
Construction of the first of the 41 additional ICR carriages is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Additionally, both the construction of the National Train Control Centre and completion of the City Centre Resignalling Project next year will enable and facilitate increased/improved services across the network generally.
In relation to inter-urban rail, I have also recently agreed with my Northern colleague Minister Nicola Mallon, MLA, the need to develop further existing draft terms of reference for a proposed study of rail speeds on the Belfast-Dublin-Limerick Junction-Cork corridor, designated at EU level as a TEN-T Core Corridor.
This study will be a comprehensive assessment of the potential for high-speed rail on the island of Ireland and will be conducted in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland. Importantly the study will also examine and consider the interactions and implications between the TEN-T Core Corridor and the wider rail network.
Our Departments will work together with other relevant stakeholders in finalising the terms of reference and moving forward with the procurement of consultants.
I look forward to the commencement of this important study in due course.
Question No. 319 answered with Question No. 308.
National Car Test
Ceisteanna (320)
Joe Carey
Ceist:320. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport his plans to further extend the NCT certificate dates in view of the whole country now being at level 5 Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32815/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, on the 20 April 2020, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport at that time, Shane Ross TD, signed the Road Traffic (National Car Test) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 into law. These Regulations provided that a 4 month extension was given to test due dates for vehicles under two specific circumstances:
- vehicles that had an National Car Test (NCT) certificate in force on 28 March 2020; and
- vehicles with a first test due falling during the period beginning on 28 March 2020 and ending on 31 July 2020.
This extension was given as a direct result of the suspension of the National Car Test roadworthiness service (NCT) on 28 March 2020. With respect to the current Level 5 restrictions, the Deputy will note that the NCT has been classified as an essential service (see Part 2, Item 14(x) of Schedule 3 of SI 448/2020) and accordingly the service has not been suspended. For this reason no additional extensions to test due dates for NCT inspections are anticipated at this time.
Search and Rescue Service Provision
Ceisteanna (321)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:321. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered the potential of the Air Corps to participate in the search and rescue operations; if this has been factored into future plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32858/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Air Corps currently provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations on an “as available” basis. A Service Level Agreement is in place setting out their roles and responsibilities in this regard. I have no plans to change this current position.
As regards their role in a future service, a process has commenced to consider options for the next generation SAR aviation contract. The Department of Defence and the Air Corps are fully engaged in these deliberations as key stakeholders in this process including as members of a Steering Group for the procurement of the new service which is chaired by the Director of the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG). This process is on-going and the decisions on the scope, nature and procurement of the next service will ultimately be a matter for Government.
Driver Test
Ceisteanna (322)
Emer Higgins
Ceist:322. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if a driver test will be expedited for a person (details supplied) who is an essential worker. [32867/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The scheduling of candidates’ driving tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and as Minister, I have no power to intervene in individual cases.
The Road Safety Authority has advised during Level 5 it is prioritising driver testing for essential workers and it has set up a dedicated email, urgentdrivingtest@rsa.ie, where applicants can request to be given priority and supply supporting documentation. Details on what is included in the list of essential workers and retail outlets is availalbe on www.gov.ie.. These requests will be prioritised during the scheduling process with cancellation slots being offered where possible.
Question No. 323 answered with Question No. 284.
Driver Licences
Ceisteanna (324)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:324. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if guidance can be offered to persons that need to apply or already have appointments to have their UK driver licence transferred to an Irish licence before Brexit but are not essential workers under level 5 guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32925/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Covid19 Level 5 Government restrictions effective from midnight on Wednesday 21 October, for six weeks, applicants can attend an appointment at an NDLS centre provided they are an essential worker involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets. Details on what is included in the list of essential workers and retail outlets is available on www.gov.ie.
The RSA is also continuing work to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types to enable accessibility on-line rather than by calling to an office. The NDLS hopes to allow all application types to apply online by mid-November.