Written Answers Nos. 30-49
30. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Taoiseach the intended purpose of the monitoring and compilation of reports on the social media activities of members of the public; the safeguards and protections in place to guide against a negative effect this could have on freedom of speech; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37168/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the normal operation of the Department’s press office, traditional, print and social media are monitored for content of relevance to the work of the Department. In all cases, this involves only published content that is publically available - whether traditional media, print media or social media.
31. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach his role in defining the different measures, restrictions and guidelines in terms of the 5 levels of Covid-19 restrictions. [37229/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s medium-term approach to managing COVID-19 is set out in Resilience & Recovery 2020-2021 - Plan for Living with COVID-19 which contains a Framework for Restrictive Measures across five levels. Each of the five levels contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time. The Framework is informed by public health advice, but also recognises the need for society and business to be allowed to continue as normally as possible.
The plan sets out the decision-making framework and the respective roles of the National Public Health Emergency Team, the COVID-19 Oversight Group, the Cabinet Committee which I chair and the Senior Officials Group.
Decisions in relation to the measures and restrictions in place at any given time are taken collectively by Government, and reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
32. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach the membership of the high-level technical group on international travel; the remit and responsibility of the group; the number of times the group has met; the advices it has given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37298/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is implementing the new EU ‘traffic lights’ approach to travel. A cross-Departmental Senior Officials Group meets regularly to review the position in relation to international travel, covering issues such as public health advice around travel, approaches to pre-departure and post-arrival testing, and operational issues arising. Membership of the group includes senior representatives of the Departments of the Taoiseach, Health, Transport, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Business, Tourism and the HSE. Advice and policy recommendations in this area are brought to Government by the relevant Ministers.
33. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if clarity will be provided on the matter regarding licence fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37153/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, the playing of music in public places is an act governed by copyright law. The Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000 (the CRRA) gives the owners of copyright works, which includes musical works, certain rights over the use of their works. The legislation provides that users of musical works (such as broadcasters, owners of licensed premises, retails outlets and other places where music is publicly played) are required to pay for the use of copyrighted music.
The CRRA also provides for copyright holders to enter into license agreements with Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) to represent their rights in relation to the public use of their copyright protected works. These organisations are responsible for the collection of royalties from music users and for the distribution of these royalties to rightsholders.
The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) is a CMO that operates as a licensed body under the CRRA and represents the rights of its members (songwriters, composers and music publishers in Ireland). Phonographic Performance Ireland (PPI) is a licensed CMO that represents the rights of record companies. Playing of copyright protected music in public generally requires payment of royalty fees to both organisations.
Under a ‘dual licensing’ system that came into effect in 2016, IMRO administers the granting of copyright music licences, collection of royalties, and related activities on behalf of both organisations. The new arrangement enables businesses that play music publicly to obtain the appropriate copyright music licences by making a single payment. In the absence of a license from IMRO/PPI, the playing of copyright-protected music is not permitted.
As Minister, I do not have any function in the setting of tariffs charged by organisations representing the rights of copyright holders. However, it is open to a person affected by such charges to refer a dispute, under Section 152 of CRRA, to the Controller of Intellectual Property.
Further information on the role of the Controller of Intellectual Property and the options for referring disputes are available at www.ipoi.gov.ie.
34. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans being made regarding the redundancy moratorium; and if his Department has engaged with workers and the trade union movement regarding the matter. [37249/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2020 the Government introduced an emergency amendment to the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 which effectively suspends an employee’s entitlement to claim redundancy from their employer following certain periods of lay-off or short-time work due to Covid-19 during the emergency period. The Government was concerned that the financial impact of significant redundancy claims at this time would have a serious impact on the potential for businesses, and the economy as a whole, to recover which in turn could result in significant insolvency situations, with further permanent job losses.
There has been ongoing dialogue with both employee and employer representative groups on the continued operation of the emergency provision, Section 12A of the Redundancy Payments Act 1967. Most recently, at the meeting of the LEEF Sub-Group on Employment Legislation/Regulation which I chaired on 30th September, I sought the views of LEEF members. Submissions from ICTU, IBEC, Chambers Ireland and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) were received.
The matter of a further extension is currently under consideration. In its deliberations, the Government will have regard to the social partners’ views, the criteria and principles underpinning the emergency provision and the public health and labour market situations.
All other redundancy provisions remain unchanged and in force. If an employer is going to make an employee redundant, protections such as notice periods for redundancy and the payment of a redundancy lump-sum to the affected employee still apply.
35. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA Ireland site visits by county in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37154/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen it comes to foreign direct investment (FDI), site visits represent a valuable tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas. However, site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as a significant percentage of all new FDI comes from existing IDA client companies.
COVID-19 has presented undeniable challenges to our ongoing efforts to sustain and grow foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ireland. The introduction of travel restrictions around the world is already disrupting the typical way in which the IDA engages with investors, resulting in fewer numbers of site visits and client meetings. The pandemic has also impacted investor confidence and has likely caused some investment decisions to be delayed or postponed.
As an alternative to site visits, the IDA has migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms. The Agency has developed new digital content and has also put in place an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors.
The following table details the number of IDA site visits per county in each of the years 2016 to 2019, and to date in 2020. The 2020 figures capture the total visits per County taking place with potential new investors. The IDA has hosted 131 In-Person visits and 101 E-Visits to the end of Q3.
|
County |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 to date |
|
Carlow |
9 |
8 |
7 |
9 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
1 |
|
Clare |
18 |
22 |
13 |
28 |
15 |
|
Cork |
49 |
51 |
61 |
68 |
22 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
2 |
8 |
12 |
1 |
|
Dublin |
284 |
327 |
269 |
284 |
86 |
|
Galway |
42 |
62 |
54 |
46 |
16 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
9 |
10 |
5 |
1 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
10 |
8 |
14 |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
10 |
6 |
5 |
13 |
6 |
|
Laois |
6 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
5 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
49 |
42 |
35 |
57 |
18 |
|
Longford |
6 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
|
Louth |
24 |
22 |
20 |
40 |
11 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
7 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
|
Meath |
8 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
20 |
18 |
15 |
29 |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
8 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
|
Waterford |
17 |
11 |
21 |
18 |
9 |
|
Westmeath |
36 |
42 |
22 |
22 |
11 |
|
Wexford |
7 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
|
Total |
638 |
682 |
607 |
700 |
232 |
36. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details of same will be provided. [37175/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the outcome of the UK referendum in 2016 confirming the UK’s intention to leave the European Union, the Government has, while fully respecting that decision, acknowledged that it is regrettable.
Whatever the outcome of the ongoing future partnership negotiations between the EU and the UK, we are preparing for the fact that the UK will leave the Single Market and the Customs Union at the end of this year. This will have significant and lasting implications particularly for Irish businesses trading with the UK, excluding Northern Ireland.
Of particular interest to the Deputy is a 2018 study entitled "Strategic Implications for Ireland arising from changing EU-UK trading relations" a comprehensive and independent expert study that my Department commissioned from Copenhagen Economics. The study examined the implications of Brexit for the Irish economy and trade, quantifying the impact of possible new barriers to trade which might emerge as a result of Brexit.
The study also provided analysis of the likely impact of Brexit on key sectors of the Irish economy. Five sectors were identified that account for 90% of the impact and these are: Agri-food, Pharma-chemicals, Electrical Machinery, Wholesale & Retail, and Air Transport. The rise of non-tariff barriers due to regulatory divergence is the main factor driving the results as opposed to the imposition of the tariff regimes of the EU and the UK on their respective imports/goods.
This analysis was undertaken on the basis of no policy action being taken although this of course is not the case given the extensive Brexit mitigation actions put in place across Government and across all sectors of the economy in the past few years.
All of the scenarios examined in the 2018 study produce a result that is less favourable than a non-Brexit scenario. The scenarios considered reflected four of the possible outcomes from the future relationship between the EU and the UK – an EEA scenario, a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a Customs Union, or a worst-case, no trade deal, WTO scenario.
The WTO scenario was found to have the most negative impact on the Irish economy gradually reducing GDP growth by 7% by 2030; an EEA scenario would be least damaging gradually reducing GDP growth by 2.8% by 2030. The study found that regardless of the scenario modelled, the Irish economy was still expected to record strong, positive growth out to 2030. Brexit would have a dampening impact, however, resulting in a lower growth rate than would otherwise have occurred.
Following the adoption of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Revised Political Declaration (RPD) on the Future Relationship between the EU and the UK last year, my Department undertook further Brexit analysis with Copenhagen Economics. Under this latest study, two additional scenarios for a Free Trade Agreement were examined to take account of the provisions of the RPD published in January 2020. This latest study is also available on my Department’s website at www.dbei.gov.ie.
Overall, the findings from this study suggest that a Brexit outcome based on the RPD is likely to reduce Irish GDP by between 3.2% and 3.9% by 2030 compared with a baseline where the UK remains a member of the EU. This compares to a negative impact of 7% in the no deal (WTO basis) modelled in the previous Copenhagen Economics study.
In response to the various Brexit analysis and studies undertaken across Government I have, over the course of the last three budgets put in place through the enterprise agencies, an extensive suite of enterprise supports to assist businesses to meet the challenges presented by Brexit. They range from liquidity support through short-term and long-term loans, to restructuring aid for businesses in severe operating difficulties. The majority of enterprise supports are open to all businesses, including SMEs, and not just those that are clients of the enterprise agencies.
Budget 2021 allocated unprecedented resources to confronting the twin challenges of COVID-19 and Brexit, with €340 million to be spent on Brexit-related measures. Government has also provided for a recovery fund to assist businesses in the aftermath of COVID-19 and Brexit. A full list is available on my Department’s website www.dbei.gov.ie and on www.Gov.ie/Brexit.
Notwithstanding the overall negative impact on the economy, IDA Ireland has been working hard to capture any possible increase in investment in Ireland as a result of Brexit. This work has resulted in 93 Brexit-related investments to date with an associated employment potential of 5,900. Two-thirds of these investments are in the International Financial Services sector with the remaining third spread out over the Life Sciences, Technology, Business Services, and Engineering sectors. While this is good news, it by no means makes up for the negatives and the expected difficulties that businesses, particularly those that trade with Britain, will face as a result of Brexit.
The Government remains committed to protecting and strengthening the Ireland-UK trading relationship following Brexit and it is the case that the UK has always, and will continue, to be an important market for Ireland.
37. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the employment regulation order on the remuneration of security officers will be signed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37230/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Labour Court on 14 October 2020 received proposals from the Security Industry Joint Labour Committee (JLC) for the adoption of proposals to amend S.I. 231 of 2017 Employment Regulation Order (Security Industry Joint Labour Committee) 2017.
Having examined the proposals and the report of the Chairman of the JLC submitted in accordance with the terms of the statute, the Court, in accordance with the Industrial Relations Act, 1946 at Section 42B(12)(d) declined to adopt the proposals of the JLC. The Court has informed the Chairman of the JLC accordingly.
In those circumstances, the Court currently has no proposals before it from the JLC and consequently will not be forwarding proposals to the Minister at this time. Any further submission of proposals by the JLC will require the Court to consider the adoption of such proposals in accordance with Section 42B of the Industrial Relations Act, 1946 Act.
38. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when his Department will sign and implement the employment regulation order for contract cleaning and security industries. [37243/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Chairman of the Labour Court wrote to me on the 4 November 2020 confirming that the Court has adopted proposals for an employment regulation order ('ERO') in the contract cleaning sector. Accordingly, I have received draft recommendations and a statutory report supporting the legal basis for the ERO. I am giving the matter due consideration.
I understand that a draft ERO concerning proposals for the security sector has been returned by the Labour Court to the Joint Labour Committee ('JLC') on the grounds that it could not ascertain whether the statutory requirements for it to adopt the proposals had been met.
39. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are in place for shopping centres affected by the public health restrictions. [37245/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra40. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are grant supports are available for shopping centres affected by the public health restrictions. [37246/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together.
Budget 2021 provides a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors including a new payment structure for the PUP and amendments to the EWSS.
We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme. We have also announced a six-month reduction in the VAT, going down from 23% to 21% together with a range of additional public capital investment measures to support the domestic economy.
Details of the wide range of COVID-19 supports available are available on my Department’s website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
The Restart Grant Plus scheme closed as of 31 October and has effectively been superseded as part of Budget 2021 measures by the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners. The CRSS offers a targeted, timely and temporary sector-specific support to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID- 19 of up to €5,000 per week.
A number of minor revisions and updates were made to the NSAI’s COVID-19 Workplace Protection and Improvement Guide, COVID-19 Retail Protection and Improvement Guide, and COVID-19 Shopping Centre Recovery and Protection Guide in recent weeks. This was to take into account level 5 restrictions in the face of growing transmission rates of the virus.
The documents are intended to consolidate practical guidance that is available at time of writing on how to manage business continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic. It addresses risks to both workers and the public and offers guidance on how businesses can continue to trade in a manner that is safe for both employees and the public.
41. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some employers are basing the new wage subsidy scheme off workers contracted hours rather than hours worked or 2019 weekly earnings and that this is affecting many workers whose contracts do not reflect their normal working practices. [37251/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), which is administered by the Revenue Commissioners, was introduced under the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020. I would encourage the Deputy to raise this issue with my colleague, the Minister for Finance, who has the EWSS under his remit.
42. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the response by Ireland to the EU hydrogen strategy for a climate neutral Europe published in July 2020; the steps taken within his Department to assess the potential of the document; and if he plans to publish a national hydrogen strategy for Ireland. [37145/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July, the European Commission published a hydrogen strategy for a carbon-neutral Europe. Ireland has welcomed the hydrogen strategy including the need to support the deployment of hydrogen produced from renewable sources as set out in the Programme for Government. It is clear that renewable hydrogen could play a key role in Ireland's future energy system as we move towards our target of net zero emissions by 2050. Ireland has considerable potential to produce renewable hydrogen from excess renewable electricity, particularly from offshore wind. This would provide a zero emission energy source for use in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise such as heavy goods vehicles and industry. My Department will continue to work with other departments, agencies and stakeholders to inform Ireland's input into the hydrogen strategy. This will include consideration of whether Ireland should seek to develop a stand-alone national hydrogen strategy or whether it would be more appropriate to integrate the actions needed to develop hydrogen into the next iterations of the Climate Action Plan and the National Energy and Climate Plan.
43. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details of same will be provided. [37176/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland regrets the UK’s decision to leave the EU, although we respect it. From 1 January 2021, many aspects of our relationship with our nearest neighbour will change fundamentally as we will no longer share EU membership. The Government remains committed to protecting and strengthening the Ireland-UK relationship following the end of the transition period. Strong and vibrant connections are vital with our closest neighbour and trading partner.
The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Johnson at their meeting in Belfast on 13 August discussed the importance of nurturing and developing the bilateral relationship in a structured way in the context where the UK has left the EU.
While we will work with our UK colleagues on strengthening this relationship, it is also clear that Brexit, in any form, will have significant impacts in Ireland. The Department of Finance has projected over the medium-term the level of GDP would be around 2% – 3.25 % lower relative to a hypothetical status quo scenario.
The Brexit transition period will end in 43 days. Whatever the outcome of the ongoing future partnership negotiations, the UK will be outside the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union, and EU law will longer apply to or in the UK. This will bring significant and lasting change in the relationship between the EU and UK from 1 January, 2021,.
The Government has been planning for Brexit since before the UK referendum to ensure that Irish citizens and businesses are as ready as possible for all possible scenarios. The Government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan, published in September, details the actions Government will take and the actions citizens and businesses should take to prepare for the end of the transition period. Citizens and businesses in the various sectors now need to finalise their readiness work for the end of the transition period.
Brexit planning covers many diverse areas within my Department, including, but not limited to, energy, climate, environmental standards, market surveillance and telecommunications policy.
As regards impacts on policies and sectorial areas relevant to my Department, it would appear difficult to identify positive impacts resulting from Brexit. My Department, and the agencies and bodies under its remit, continue to oversee and engage in preparedness and contingency planning for the post transition period, as appropriate for each policy area and/or sector.
44. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the upgrade of domestic meters to smart meters is compulsory; the alternative meters available to customers whose meters are at the end of their life and due for replacement if they do not wish to have a smart meter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37269/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to ensuring that the energy efficiency potential of smart meters starts to be deployed in 2021 and that all mechanical electricity meters are replaced by 2024. The Smart Meter Upgrade is a meter replacement programme to modern, smart-ready technology. New generation electricity meters are being rolled out across Europe and internationally and when the programme completes in Ireland in 2024, all domestic and business premises will have a new modern meter installed. The programme is being coordinated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities with ESB Networks responsible for rolling out the smart-ready electricity meters.
Where a customer indicates that they do not wish to receive a Smart Meter upgrade at their premises, ESB Networks does not proceed with meter replacement at that time. ESB Networks will re-engage with these customers later as the programme continues and the benefits of the new services are better understood.
Smart meters will be required for all customers who wish to avail of smart services when they become available from electricity supply companies from January 2021 onwards. They will also be required to participate in the micro-generation scheme committed to in the Climate Action Plan.
Smart meters have been used in all new connections and fault repairs since January 2020.
Customer sentiment continues to be positive, with the vast majority of customers accepting the meter exchange appointment. In September 2019 ESB Networks commenced the replacement of over 2 million electricity meters and by end October 2020 over 180,000 electricity meters have been installed.
45. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the enhanced powers for enforcement for the Commission for Communications Regulation as set out in the programme for Government will be granted; the timeframe for the passage of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37328/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraComReg currently has a suite of enforcement and sanction powers available to it in regulating the telecommunications sector. Transposition of the European Electronic Communications Code, a new European regulatory framework will include, inter alia, certain additional provisions relating to enforcement. Against the backdrop of the transposition of the Code, my Department, in collaboration with ComReg, is developing proposals to further strengthen ComReg's enforcement regime, as committed to in the Programme for Government, with a view to developing draft legislative proposals.
46. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport when walkability studies will be available for local authorities. [37162/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is likely aware that a walkability audit template has already been developed and is available for use by local authorities.
The walkability audit template has been developed by An Taisce Green Schools in partnership with other stakeholders including the National Transport Authority. My Department funds An Taisce’s Green Schools Travel programme and I understand that, as part of that programme, 214 walkability audits were conducted in participating schools last year with 129 conducted in 2018. The development of a template means that the audit can be applied by other bodies such as local authorities.
Specifically in relation to schools, and in line with the commitment given in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, Minister of State Naughton and I are very keen to bring the various existing strands of supports together and develop an overarching Safe Routes to School Programme.
I know that Minister of State Naughton met with the National Transport Authority recently in this regard and I look forward to working with stakeholders in the months ahead as we finalise and roll-out the programme.
47. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details of same will be provided. [37188/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the outcome of the referendum in the UK became known my Department has been assessing the implications of the UK’s exit from the European Union. It is fair to say that from a transport perspective, based on these assessments and the analysis that has been carried out, it is not evident that Brexit will have any positive impacts.
What has been made clear, not only by my Department, but by other Departments whose policy areas are reliant on transport connectivity, is that the UK’s decision to leave the EU will fundamentally change the modalities of certain specific business sectors. Any business that moves goods from, to or through the UK, excluding Northern Ireland, will be subject to a range of new customs formalities, SPS checks and other regulatory requirements that do not apply in any form to such trade today.
The Government has been planning for Brexit since before the UK referendum to ensure that Irish citizens and businesses are as ready as possible for all possible scenarios. On 9 September, the Government published its Brexit Readiness Action Plan, which details the actions Government will take and the actions citizens and businesses should take to prepare for the end of the transition period. Citizens and businesses should now finalise their readiness work for the end of the transition period. This work will continue in the weeks ahead.
While many aspects of our relationship with our nearest neighbour will change fundamentally on the 1st January 2021 as we will no longer share EU membership, my Department remains committed to protecting and strengthening the Ireland-UK relationship. From a transport perspective my Department cooperates with the UK in a number of other sector specific international fora and we look forward to this continuing.
48. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure public transport bus links are maintained between Dublin and Belfast in view of Bus Éireann’s decision to suspend the Dublin to Belfast bus route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37191/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra49. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated number of passengers that used bus transport links between Dublin and Belfast in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37192/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
As the Minister for Transport, 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.
The questions raised are a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with bus operators, and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
