Written Answers Nos. 147-160
150. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is compatible with averting further global heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50234/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA passenger cap of 32 million passengers per annum is currently in place at Dublin Airport. This passenger cap is a planning condition attached to planning permission granted for Terminal 2 (condition 3). The condition was put in place principally to limit the amount of traffic pressure on the access road infrastructure at Dublin Airport.
daa has statutory responsibility for the management, operation, and development of Dublin Airport. This includes applying for planning permission for increasing the passenger cap and any infrastructure development at the airport required to support connectivity.
Currently daa anticipates that unconstrained demand for international travel could approach or exceed the 32m passenger cap in 2024. In this regard, I am aware that daa intends to submit a planning application shortly to Fingal County Council to allow it to grow beyond the 32m passenger cap to 40m passengers and for all associated infrastructure required to support this increase in passengers including the construction of new aircraft piers and stands.
Increasing the capacity of Dublin airport is in line with national aviation policy which recognises the strategic importance of Dublin Airport in meeting national social and economic policy goals and includes a specific objective of developing Dublin Airport as a hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets.
As part of its infrastructure investment plan, daa plans to invest €400m in the next four years in sustainable infrastructure upgrades such as solar PV and a widescale electrification of its fleet. This is part of the development required to achieve its stated goal to reduce carbon emissions by 51% by 2030 and to be net-zero by 2050.
Efforts to mitigate the climate impact of air transport operations are generally being pursued internationally through what are known as a 'basket of measures' which include operational efficiencies, technology innovations, sustainable aviation fuels and market-based measures.
My Department has been engaged in work at both EU and international level to develop measures that aim to decarbonise the industry. The most notable of these is the EU-Emissions Trading Scheme which has included aviation since 2012. A more ambitious approach to this Scheme was agreed this year which provides for the phasing out of free allowances to air operators requiring them to either reduce their emissions or purchase additional emissions credits.
Last month, the Refuel EU Aviation Regulation was published the aim of which is to increase the availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) across the EU while maintaining a level playing field. From 2025, it will oblige fuel suppliers to make increasing levels of SAF available, blended with jet fuel, at Union airports, while Union airport management bodies are required to take all necessary measures to facilitate the access of operators to such fuel.
At the same time Aircraft operators will be required to uplift at least 90% of their journey fuel requirement before departing a Union airport to avoid fuel tankering. The SAF industry is a nascent one, and it is anticipated that the introduction of mandates at EU level will provide an appropriate signal to the production industry that there will be a market for these types of fuels.
My officials are also establishing a SAF Task Force to bring together relevant stakeholders with responsibility or interest in SAF policy development.
The main goal of the Task Force will be to assist the Department with the development of a national SAF Policy Roadmap which will help guide policy development and identify the actions necessary to ensure that Ireland can play its part in helping to decarbonise aviation.
151. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he will open a second driving test centre in County Meath given the number of applicants and lengthy waiting times for a test. [50909/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. As such, I have referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
On the broader issue of driver testing delays, the service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which has increased by 28% compared with 2021 figures. The Authority is currently providing an average of 4,000 tests per week, up 25% on this time last year. Anticipating ongoing demand pressures, the Authority reviewed the capacity of the service and, following a request for additional resources, my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers in March of this year. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to 205, which is more than double the 100 sanctioned testing posts in June 2022. This recruitment is underway and I have been advised that the first tranche of new recruits were deployed in September. It is expected that before the end of the year there will be a net increase of approximately 42 driver testers and they will be allocated across the driver testing service with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests. With additional testing capacity in place, the RSA estimates that wait times will progressively fall and that the agreed service level average wait times of 10 weeks will resume in mid-2024.
152. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the amount that Iarnród Éireann will spend on maintenance and or refurbishment works to a station (details supplied); and the works that were carried out at this station, in tabular form [50938/23]
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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including the maintenance and refurbishment of train stations along the DART line.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
153. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA will fund the installation of a shelter bus shelter at Dublin Bus Stop Pole No. 747. [50939/23]
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 responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
154. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the amount that Irish Rail will spend in 2024 on installation of electric vehicle charging point at car parks to train station where there under the remit of Irish Rail. [50940/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 issue raised by the Deputy concerning the amount that Irish Rail will spend in 2024 on the installation of electric vehicle charging points in car parks at train stations is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's request to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
156. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the discussions which have taken place with Meath County Council in respect of progressing the proposed Julianstown bypass which aims to deal with the relentless congestion experienced in the village and separately, the Julianstown traffic calming scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51027/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's query, Meath County Council commissioned the preparation of a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) concerning options in relation to a potential Julianstown bypass. The SAR was submitted to the Department for review in accordance with the then Public Spending Code. The Department is reviewing the submission as a Project Outline Document after consultation with Meath County Council in accordance with the Transport Appraisal Framework. Discussions between this Department and Meath County Council are ongoing in relation to the matters above.
157. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has any current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company; and if so, the value of those contracts. [51055/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days, in line with the Standing Orders.
158. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department or any of its agencies are involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. [51073/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has some engagement with companies based in Israel in order to meet our obligations as part of an EU-wide approach to air travel.
The operation of scheduled air services is supported by a necessary framework provided through an air services agreement. Ireland is a party to EU air services agreements, which are negotiated by the European Commission on behalf of all EU Member States.
One such agreement - the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement - between the EU and Israel was signed on 10 June 2013 and entered into force in 2018. This agreement allows all EU and Israeli airlines to operate direct flights between any airport in the EU and Israel.
In line with our obligations under this agreement, I can confirm that my Department processed and approved the Israeli Airline El Al’s scheduled air services between Tel Aviv and Dublin for the Summer of 2023.
Information regarding the application and approval process for such services is available on the gov.ie website: www.gov.ie/en/service/9773b-scheduled-air-services/.
Certain matters raised in the Deputy’s question relate to agencies under the aegis of my Department. For completeness, I have referred your question to them for a direct reply. Please advise my Private Office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
159. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport when TII will schedule urgent maintenance works on a bridge (details supplied) to alleviate any potential flooding of the nearby house; the timeframe for the completion of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51074/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport when TII will schedule upgrade works on the N59 to the L-5350-0 to improve sight lines for safety reasons; the timeframe for the completion of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51075/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
