Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Appointments to State Boards

Catherine Murphy

229. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of all persons appointed by him to State boards in 2014 to date in tabular form; the name of the person and board in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30599/14]

Statutory Instruments

Catherine Murphy

230. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will list and itemise the title and reference of every statutory instrument signed by him from 1 May 2014 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30658/14]

Driver Licences

Catherine Murphy

819. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the driver licence transfer arrangements that exist between this State and individual Canadian provinces; his plans to expand this to cover Alberta where a fully licensed Irish driver staying more than 12 months wishes to continue driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29501/14]

Driver Licences

Catherine Murphy

820. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will list the driver licence transfer arrangements that exist between this State and other non-EU countries; if any transfer arrangements are yet to be agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29502/14]

Sports Capital Programme Eligibility

Catherine Murphy

8. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria used when determining how sports capital grants are allocated; if population growth and demographic development are taken into account; if he has conducted a survey to identify deficits in sports facilities provision; if so, where these deficits are located; the measures he proposes to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21356/14]

Swimming Pool Programme Applications

Catherine Murphy

169. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in respect of the swimming pools programme, if he will provide a full list of completed projects; the projects that are under way; the projects that are intended to be commenced for which approval has been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18119/14]

Rail Network Expansion

Catherine Murphy

227. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will describe the business case for the DART underground project at this stage; if he will specifically indicate in his reply the net cost to the Exchequer of advancing the project bearing in mind private funding sources, European funding sources, the savings on social welfare assistance and income tax revenue from employment created by the project; the income in fares into the long-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17072/14]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Catherine Murphy

189. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision will be made on an application for a sports capital grant in respect of a club (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16855/14]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Catherine Murphy

190. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision will be made on an application for a sports capital grant in respect of a club (details supplied) in County Kildare; the criteria utilised in determining the level of grant assistance to be provided for applicants such as this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16856/14]

Vehicle Clamping

Catherine Murphy

3. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in relation to the regulation of clamping in the State, he has considered following the example in England and Wales where clamping on private land was outlawed recently; if he has further examined the same system in Scotland which has been in place since 1992 to determine the benefits of a similar arrangement here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15337/14]

Public Private Partnerships Cost

Catherine Murphy

5. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total sums paid by the State to each toll operator per year for the previous seven years and in 2014 to date under the terms of a minimum traffic guarantee clause entered into in respect of the Limerick tunnel and the M3 motorway; if this arrangement is a violation of the principles of EU state aid regulations; if he will indicate the terms of the exception received from the Commission to allow this system to operate; if he has investigated the example in Portugal where in 2010 such arrangements were successfully ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15382/14]

Swimming Pool Programme Applications

Catherine Murphy

47. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will indicate the discussions he has had with the local authorities in relation to the swimming pools programme; if it is expected to reallocate funding in the near future toward advancing new builds and refurbishments of pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15150/14]

State Bodies Mergers

Catherine Murphy

50. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way it is envisaged that the relationship between the National Transport Authority and the new body arising from the merger of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency will be structured in the future; if the delivery of transport infrastructure will be improved in terms of strategic regional planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15152/14]

Vehicle Clamping

Catherine Murphy

53. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if in relation to the regulation of clamping in the State, if he has investigated the Scottish regulatory model which outlaws the practice of clamping on private property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15149/14]

Transport Infrastructure Provision

Catherine Murphy

59. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of engagement his Department has in the development of regional transport infrastructure and service planning; the extent of his Department's involvement in the proposed Dublin mayor's office in terms of transport policy and provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15151/14]

Driver Licences

Catherine Murphy

1287. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for substantial delays in the issuing of driver licences to persons who have passed their test; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many people are having to persuade insurance companies to issue successive temporary insurance cover policies to enable them to operate their vehicles during their waiting time; the current waiting times according to each NDLS licence-issuing centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14162/14]

Cycling Facilities Funding

Catherine Murphy

274. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the annual spend on cycling provision, infrastructure, education and awareness in each local authority in 2013; if he will provide a list of all paved cycle tracks which are at a fully separated grade from other vehicular traffic; the number of such tracks currently in planning or construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11218/14]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Catherine Murphy

201. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form, the total expenditure by his Department on external consultancy advice services, including legal services, in 2011, 2012 and 2013; if this spend is in line with the overall value for money objective of his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11190/14]

Aviation Issues

Catherine Murphy

119. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the recent memorandum of understanding that was signed between Etihad Airways and College Ireland Aviation Services for the provision of aviation training services during the Government's recent trade mission to the Gulf region; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that part of this MOU includes plans to greatly expand the use of Weston Airport beside Leixlip, County Kildare; if he is further aware that Weston Airport is subject to a number of outstanding planning violations and objections by local residents and that any intensification of the use of the runway there would lead to significant additional problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7726/14]

Appointments to State Boards

Catherine Murphy

751. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will itemise in tabular form the occasions on which his Department has engaged the services of external professional advice such as a company (details supplied) on the appointment of persons to State boards; if he will list the fees paid in respect of such services; the persons who were ultimately appointed on foot of advice received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4995/14]

Appointments to State Boards

Catherine Murphy

752. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will identify any instances where a person appointed to a State Board after recruitment advice was received from professional external consultants was subsequently deemed to be unqualified for the duties and responsibilities attached to the role; the costs incurred in obtaining advice in respect of each such instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5011/14]

Swimming Pool Programme Applications

Catherine Murphy

814. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the local authority swimming pool projects; the total spend to date on the projects; the location of new pools; the status of the project in County Kildare including completed pools, pools construction or redevelopment and planned pools; if any consideration has been given to a pool in the Leixlip area, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3992/14]

Road Improvement Schemes

Catherine Murphy

246. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a junction upgrade (details supplied) has not commenced at this stage; the number of improvements queued at present awaiting funding to begin works in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3312/14]

Climate Change Policy

Catherine Murphy

247. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the research that has been commissioned by his Department on climate change mitigation and or adaptation over the past year; and if he will supply a copy of the terms of reference for any such research. [3334/14]

Climate Change Policy

Catherine Murphy

248. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work being done to develop climate change mitigation policy applicable to his Department and the public participation opportunities incorporated in that work. [3341/14]

Public Transport

Catherine Murphy

22. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if recent reductions in train frequency and number of carriages on trains at stations in County Kildare are in conflict with the requirements laid out in the public service obligation contract between the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann as agreed in 2009; if the most recent amendments to the PSO contract have been made to allow for previously agreed punctuality and reliability targets to be disregarded; if he proposes any increase in service quality for the affected areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54405/13]

Driver Licences

Catherine Murphy

392. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of driving licence centres in the State, broken down by the number of licences issued in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date 2013; if his attention has been drawn to delays in the issuance of new licences in any particular locations; if he will provide a list of average waiting times for the issuance of new licences by issuing location in respect of the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54928/13]

Railway Safety

Catherine Murphy

400. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the resources being made available from his Department to address serious problems at level crossings at each point on the Connolly to Maynooth railway line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54933/13]

Tourism Promotion

Catherine Murphy

29. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered providing State support for an enhanced Hallowe'en festival here in view of the Celtic origins of Samhain and the extent to which Hallowe'en is celebrated around the world, particularly in Britain and the US; if his attention has been drawn to the potential boost to tourism such a festival may represent in view of the large sums spent on Hallowe'en festivities in Ireland's major tourism markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47116/13]

Public Transport Issues

Catherine Murphy

86. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide figures for the amount of money that vandalism and destruction of property at each public transport body under the aegis of his Department has cost the State in each of the past five years; the amount of money that has been spent on providing security services in the same periods; the measures he proposes to tackle this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40873/13]

Park and Ride Facilities

Catherine Murphy

114. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will account for the lack of public park and ride facilities as part of the Luas cross-city project which will be constructed shortly; his views on whether this may hinder the overall aim of reducing the numbers of persons commuting by car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40876/13]

EU Directives

Catherine Murphy

633. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of compliance with European Union directives within his ministerial areas of responsibility; the current fines resulting from non-compliance and potential fines resulting from present non-compliance the State is or may be exposed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40643/13]

Information and Communications Technology Issues

Catherine Murphy

758. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is preparing his Department to adapt to and make maximum use of next generation technologies in information and communications to better enhance the interaction of his Department with the citizen and the internal functioning of his Department; if he intends to conduct a risk analysis in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36111/13]

Appointments to State Boards

Catherine Murphy

775. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the present gender balance of the total members of State boards under the aegis of his Department; if the ratio has changed significantly over the course of the present Government's term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36795/13]

Road Projects Contracts

Catherine Murphy

258. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to the proposed road project in County Kilkenny known as the Kilkenny central access scheme, the contracts, if any, that have been entered into; the commitments or undertakings that have been given to any prospective or agreed tender parties; if preferred bidder status has been announced in relation to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34091/13]

Road Projects Contracts

Catherine Murphy

259. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to the proposed demolition of Nos. 20-22 Vicar Street, County Kilkenny under the Kilkenny central access road scheme, which form part of the medieval complex of St. Canice's Cathedral, the proposed timeline for the works envisaged; the specific heritage obligations that are necessary in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34094/13]

Taxi Regulation Review Report Implementation

Catherine Murphy

1079. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will indicate the extra provisions that have been made for the enhanced enforcement function of the Taxi Regulator in view of the proposed legislative changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26777/13]

Light Rail Projects Status

Catherine Murphy

23. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm the progress of Ireland's application for European Investment Bank loan funding for the Luas cross city project; if he has identified other infrastructure projects which he is considering making an application for funding to the EIB; if he will list such projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22689/13]

Public Transport Provision

Catherine Murphy

79. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline any adverse implications that upcoming planning permission expirations in relation to the development by the Spencer Dock Development Company at Spencer Dock, Dublin 1 may have upon future plans by the State to construct key elements of the DART underground rail interconnector at the site or adjacent to it; the way he intends to deal with these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22770/13]

Fáilte Ireland Funding

Catherine Murphy

1386. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in view of the importance of The Gathering, his Department, either directly or indirectly through State agencies involved, has expressed concerns regarding the Cork film festival on the way this may affect State support for the festival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16976/13]

Rural Transport Services Provision

Catherine Murphy

628. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will describe, with respect to rural transport, the expected efficiencies to be achieved from the proposed establishment of transport coordination units to regionalise transport planning and delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15336/13]

Public Transport Provision

Catherine Murphy

262. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the DART underground project; his future plans in relation to this project; if any developments are expected in the coming months to advance the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11786/13]

Swimming Pool Projects

Catherine Murphy

103. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm when funding for a new round of applications under the local authority swimming pool programme will be put in place; if he will provide a list of successful applications under the programme broken down by local authority from 2005 until the suspension of the grant assistance; if he will confirm if the use it or lose it element of the grant aid remains in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8732/13]

Public Transport Provision

Catherine Murphy

187. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will be placing sustainable public transport at the centrepiece of any national plan which will be the successor to the National Spatial Strategy; his views on whether spending on public transport, in particular rail, should take precedence over continued expansion of the road network over the next decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8531/13]

Smarter Transport

Catherine Murphy

750. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm the way in which the design manual for streets objective referred to in the Smarter Travel policy document has progressed since his taking office; if the National Transport Authority has identified city and town-specific models to achieve an optimal sustainable travel pattern in urban centres around the State; if he will provide this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8733/13]

Coast Guard Station Closures

Catherine Murphy

1127. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he reversed the recommendation to close the Coast Guard Stations at Malin Head and Valentia Island. [58200/12]

Transport Policy

Catherine Murphy

32. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the most recent data from the Central Statistics Office which show continued and marked increases in numbers commuting by car for both workers and school students, the measures he intends to introduce to reverse this trend in the lifetime of this Government; in particular, the initiatives he intends for the greater Dublin area where 55% of commuters travel to work by car; the measures he intends to implement to reduce the numbers of school students travelling to school by car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57196/12]

EU Funding

Catherine Murphy

37. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline his involvement in developing the transport element of the connecting Europe facility; if he will state the specific projects that he is likely to fund through the various financial instruments available under the facility; if it is the his preference to fund road infrastructure from the fund; if so, the proportion of funds available to Ireland that are intended to go to road infrastructure; if he will state his priorities for the forthcoming EU Council presidency in relation to EU transportation development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57190/12]

Parking Regulations

Catherine Murphy

136. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to make provision to allow for the partial review of local authority parking by-laws; if such an arrangement is possible under the Local Government Act of 2001 either in respect of the powers granted to local authorities or by statutory instrument; if he is considering such a proposal with the aim of reducing administrative costs and burdens placed upon local authorities which wish to revise some parking by-laws without having to engage in an entire review process as is the current situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54670/12]

The Gathering Expenditure

Catherine Murphy

124. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in relation to proposed tourism initiatives such as The Gathering, he has met with airline, rail and ferry companies to discuss the arrangement of special-purpose packages to encourage persons overseas to come and visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52683/12]