Written Answers Nos. 172-191
172. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the wreck of a ship (details supplied) which is grounded at Ballycotton, County Cork; the details of the work of his Department to resolve this issue; and if it is the responsibility of his Department, another Department or Cork County Council. [22760/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra173. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if his Department or its subsidiaries have carried out work to ascertain the body responsible for dealing with the wreck of a ship (details supplied) at Ballycotton, County Cork and to address existing safety concerns relating to the continued presence of the wreck and removal in future. [22761/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra174. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the removal of the wreck of a ship (details supplied) in County Cork. [22762/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the removal of a wreck (details supplied) from Ballycotton, County Cork. [22763/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport the work by his Department or subsidiaries into contracting work involved in the removal of a wreck (details supplied) in County Cork; and the expected costs, obstacles or other details. [22764/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a claims to rights or responsibilities by an individual, body or organisation for the salvaging of a wreck (details supplied) in County Cork; and if efforts have been made to place responsibility on such and the way this effects the salvage and removal of the wreck. [22765/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 172, 173, 174, 175, 176 and 177 together.
The relevant legislation in cases such as that referred to by the Deputy is the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993. This Act sets out the roles and responsibilities of a number of bodies.
Section 40 of the Act provides that the Minister for Transport has the “general superintendence” of matters relating to wrecked or stranded vessels. However, further provisions outline the responsibilities from an operational perspective for other bodies.
Section 51 places the initial responsibility for removing a wreck on the owner of the vessel. However, if the appropriate authority, in this case Cork County Council, considers the wreck is or is likely to become an obstruction or danger to navigation or a threat of harm to the marine environment, it shall proceed to raise and remove the wreck or otherwise render it harmless.
Separate provisions apply regarding ownership, sale and proceeds for wrecks and a Receiver of Wrecks appointed under the Act deals with these matters.
As the appropriate authority under the Act, Cork County Council has taken the lead in dealing with the case in question and has taken a number of steps to date in their duties under the Act.
My Department has been represented by the Coast Guard at a number of inter-agency meetings on the matter. Furthermore, on foot of a recommendation in a report published by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) on the grounding of the wreck concerned, my Department has established a working group to explore the risks and potential costs to the State presented by derelict ships entering Irish territorial waters and coming ashore in Ireland and make proposals for means to identify, monitor, track and interdict derelict ships before they endanger other ships and seafarers in the vicinity.
While the Act does allow for the removal of a wreck, it does not contain provisions in relation to the costs associated with the removal of a wreck where the sale of that wreck is not possible, and the owners of the vessel cannot be located. It is understood that no evidence of ownership or insurance has come to light yet in the case referred to by the Deputy.
My Department is available to attend operational inter-agency meetings on this issue. Furthermore, in light of the recent fire at the site of the wreck concerned, I have asked my officials to engage directly with Cork County Council as the appropriate authority with a view to assessing appropriate next steps.
178. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff in his Department that have had access to files and or email restricted and or revoked as part of a disciplinary process or preceding or following a disciplinary process from 1 January 2018 to date in 2021. [22785/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that one member of staff has had access to files and email restricted as part of a disciplinary process in the period from 1 January 2018 to date in my Department.
180. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 346 of 21 April 2021, the geographic locations of the extra 20 locations for driver test centres. [22947/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details requested are held by the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this 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.
181. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport his plans to continue supporting aviation workers considering the likely continuation of a downturn in aviation industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22957/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has put in place a range of supports for businesses, including the Aviation sector. These supports include the wage subsidy scheme, waiving of commercial rates, deferral of tax liabilities, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme, the Credit Guarantee Scheme, and the SBCI Working Capital Scheme, with some of these now extended to 30 June 2021. Irish airlines and airports have availed of over €200 million through these supports to date. Liquidity funding is also available through the ISIF Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund for medium and large enterprises.
As regards supports specifically targeted at the protection of employment, the Employment Wage Subsidy Schemes (EWSS) has been a key component of the Government's response to the COVID-19 crisis to support viable firms and encourage employment amid these very challenging times.
In November 2020, in recognition of the very difficult circumstances facing the aviation sector, the Government agreed a revised funding package of €80 million specifically for Irish aviation in 2021. A part of this package, over €21 million, is being provided to our Regional Airports Programme (RAP). The new RAP, published on 4 February, gives funding certainty to those airports up to 2025. Those airports eligible for RAP support are Donegal, Kerry and Ireland West (Knock). Additionally, €32 million is being provided to Cork and Shannon Airports through a new one-year COVID-19 Regional State Airports Programme.
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €26 million Irish state aid scheme to compensate airport operators for the losses caused by COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by Ireland to limit its spread. This scheme consists of three measures: a damage compensation measure; an aid measure to support the airport operators up to a maximum of €1.8 million per beneficiary; and an aid measure to support the uncovered fixed costs of these companies.
This scheme will augment the supports already in place and help the industry to maintain connectivity and to make a recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. It cannot be excluded that further targeted supports may be required later in 2021, particularly in the event that restrictions on travel remain in place throughout the forthcoming summer season.
My officials and I have maintained regular contact with key stakeholders throughout this crisis. On 5 March 2021, I chaired a special meeting of the Steering Committee of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum. A sub-group of the NCADF, specifically tasked with developing an Aviation Restart Plan at the meeting on 5 March, submitted a report dated 14 April with proposals that they believe will best provide for the restart and recovery of the aviation sector in Ireland. My department has written to the NCADF seeking additional information and clarity on the operational readiness of the sector regarding a resumption of international travel, including detail on how passengers will travel through our airports in a safe and COVID-19 compliant manner. I will review this report and its proposals, and will also engage with other ministers and Government as required.
Under the auspices of the Labour Employer Economic Forum, an aviation sub-group has also been charged with looking at the needs of the aviation sector in Ireland in the context of the impact of COVID-19. This sub-group, which I chair, is attended by delegations from labour and employer representative bodies.
The Government is fully alert to the devastating impact of the global pandemic on international travel and values the critical role that aviation plays in the Irish economy. It is expected that it may be some time before it is possible to permit a large-scale return to air travel, but we are committed to progressing the work that will allow the sector to quickly rebound when circumstances allow.
182. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he has been informed of any plans by a company (details supplied) to remove assets from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22958/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials and I maintain regular contact with all aviation stakeholders, including Aer Lingus.
It is understood that Aer Lingus is planning to commence services on a small number of transatlantic routes from Manchester later this year. The airline has confirmed that the proposed new routes do not involve the use of aircraft that would otherwise be deployed in Irish airports.
It is understood that the Aer Lingus fleet plan, and the aircraft within its fleet, is sufficient to allow the airline to launch services from regional UK to North America and to also execute plans out of airports in Ireland. In any event, decisions concerning the operation of air services by Aer Lingus is entirely a commercial matter for the company.
183. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if the new chairperson of Shannon Airport will be appointed in June 2021. [22963/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the appointment of a new chair of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22980/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 187 together.
I would like to thank the Deputies for this and their previous questions in relation to the appointment of a Chair to the Board of Shannon Group.
I want to assure the Deputies that I am fully aware of the importance of filling this important position. My Department is working with the Public Appointments Service to progress the process so that I can be in a position to appoint a new Chair to the Group as expeditiously as possible.
184. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a full list of changes made by public transport providers on and inside public transport vehicles to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and its variants, including ventilation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22971/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe continued operation of public transport services has been a priority throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is working closely with all transport operators to ensure that public transport services continue to operate in a safe manner during the crisis.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
185. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the actions that have been taken to ensure Shannon Heathrow connectivity given that the seven-year ownership of the Heathrow slots expires in 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22978/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAer Lingus entered into certain commitments at the time of its acquisition by IAG in 2015 in relation to the operation of its London Heathrow slots. Subject to certain conditions being met at Irish airports, Aer Lingus's connectivity commitments will remain in effect until 1 September 2022.
There is no existing provision to further extend these commitments, and the operation of particular routes after this point will be commercial matter for the airline.
Financial supports have been made available to Shannon Airport to support the recovery of routes in light of Covid-19 disruption.
186. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed transfer of ownership of existing Shannon Heritage sites to another entity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22979/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for his question in relation to Shannon Heritage.
As the Deputy is aware Shannon Group is a commercial semi State Body with statutory responsilites for the management of its subsidiaries, including Shannon Heritage. That said, I can confirm that there is ongoing engagement between my Department and Shannon Group and that options to secure the future of Shannon Heritage are currently being considered by Shannon Group but no decision has yet been taken in this regard.
188. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the delivery of a restart plan for the Irish aviation sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22981/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the recent aviation restart plan produced by the aviation industry participants of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF). This report contains many recommendations for consideration across a number of Government Departments.
I have written to the NCADF seeking additional information and clarity on the operational readiness of the sector regarding a resumption of international travel, including details on how passengers will travel through our airports in a safe manner and in compliance with public health measures.
Getting international travel back up and running is vital for the continued economic well-being of the country and remains a priority for the Government; however, this can only be accomplished through consideration of the progression of our COVID-19 national vaccination programme, developments at EUand international level, and public health advice.
While we are not yet able to permit the restoration of international travel or commit to a definitive timeline for the delivery of an aviation restart plan at this time, work is underway to ensure we are prepared. Until then, Government will continue to provide a range of financial supports to the aviation sector.
189. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the status of plans to extend the Luas to Lucan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23089/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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, including the provision of light rail.
As the Deputy may be aware, the NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, published in 2016, proposes a Luas line for the Lucan Area and the National Development Plan published in 2018 provides funding for the appraisal, planning and design of LUAS network expansion to Lucan.
Given their responsibility in relation to this matter, I have forwarded your query to the NTA for a direct reply. Please notify my office if you have not received a response within 10 working days.
190. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the status of the provision of funding for the section of the Royal Canal on the Dublin, Kildare border; the status of the progression of the Grand Canal greenway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23097/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport generally. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public and sustainable transport infrastructure, allocating the funding provided by my Department at project level and working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. This includes the projects mentioned by the Deputy, namely the continuation of the Royal Canal Greenway and the Grand Canal Greenway.
On these particular projects, I understand that the NTA and the relevant local authorities are also working with stakeholders such as Waterways Ireland in ensuring a safe and connected cycle network between the canals. As Waterways Ireland falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Deputy may also wish to follow up on this matter with that Department.
Noting the NTA's responsibilities in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
