Cullen, MartinTuesday, 15 February 2005 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
Page of 318
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Priority Questions - State Airports.
Was asked: the reason a second deadline on the future of Aer Lingus has been passed without a decision on the future strategic development of the State airline having been taken; the further reason a decision on...
Was asked: his view on the provision of a second air terminal to provide for increased traffic at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 92 together. As regards the future of Aer Lingus, I reject any claims that there has been a delay on the part of Government to progress the matter. It is import...
I thank the Deputy for her questions, but I disagree with the basis of what she has said. The reason for the three executives leaving the company is a matter for themselves. As I have said before, the...
I had met them shortly before they decided to leave the company. I was quite surprised, as was everyone else, that they did, particularly on the basis of what I had to say to them. However, that is hi...
I want my thanks to the current acting chairman, who is doing a tremendous job, to be recorded. He has certainly garnered the respect of all involved in Dublin Airport for his efforts on this matter.
That has not been decided.
That has not been decided. There is a long way from someone who is in a position of acting chairman——
No, I am not arguing with the Deputy.
The Deputy is asking me straight questions based on her assertions in the three points she has made. I disagree with her; that is all. My role here is to answer questions. I do not accept for a minute...
He is doing a tremendous job——
I have met him on numerous occasions. I know from my engagement with many different stakeholders involved in Aer Lingus, that they are equally confident of his ability and grateful to have someone of ...
——-driving this agenda forward. I said I would bring the matter to Government before Christmas. I did and told the Deputy and others afterwards that because of the Sustaining Progress arrangements, I ...
As the Deputy has said, the numbers are growing massively. That is a mark of the economy’s success in terms of trade and tourism. I have not considered the issue of Baldonnel at this stage. My focus h...
I have not considered it at this stage. I am focused entirely on the issue of providing the second terminal. I hope to be in a position to go to Government shortly to sign off on that issue.
The Deputy raises an important question. Clearly, it is an important issue to be considered in the context of the infrastructure at Dublin Airport and how an airport functions. From the point of view ...
Priority Questions - Rail Network.
Was asked: his views on the optimum manner of providing a rail link to Dublin Airport; and when he expects to make proposals to Cabinet on this.
Was asked: the proposals which exist to provide a commuter rail service to Dublin’s northside and to Dublin Airport; if he remains committed to the development of a metro from Dublin city centre either to the ai...
I propose to take Question Nos. 91 and 93 together. The programme for Government contains a specific commitment to develop a metro for Dublin with a link to Dublin Airport. The Railway Procurement Age...
I agree with the Deputy. There is no doubt that north Dublin is in serious need of a transport solution. I dislike the way it is often presented as an airport solution, because that is not the full ca...
If Deputy Ryan was in charge, they would be sitting there for the rest of his life. I want to conclude this. Since the budget speech, we have been involved in putting these solutions on the table. I a...
That is what I am saying. They are on the table.
I will not come into this House with a few populist items. I want a cohesive solution to be presented in totality, which can bring——
——a marrying of both public and private transport initiatives to get the best value for the public. It will bring safety benefits as well as a modal shift.
I expect to go to the Cabinet sub-committee on this issue next month.
The timeframe will be short. The ten year envelope was only announced in the budget speech in December. I have been involved in intensive preparation and I intend to go to Government at the first avai...
If the Deputy wants me to answer the question, then I will do so. Does the proposal of the development of the metro and the many other proposals present solutions for north Dublin? The answer is that ...
That is a key question. I do not claim to be an expert on public transport. However, some of the issues are clear. If one is to provide the best in terms of maximum capacity on a daily basis, then tha...
I am saying no such thing until I go to Government early in March to address the Cabinet sub-committee. I will bring proposals to Government which will be considered and, subsequently, made public. Th...
Priority Questions - Road Network.
Was asked: the role his Department will play in the possible planning of new orbital motorways around Dublin; the work which has been done to set out the design, cost and possible timescale for the building of s...
I assume the Deputy’s question refers to the concept of a Dublin outer orbital route. Strategic Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 1999 and the Dublin Transportation Office document, Plat...
I am not sure what question the Deputy is putting.
Clearly, he has not listened for the last half hour to the debate between the other Deputies and me.
The debate centred on the provision of public transport in and around the Dublin area.
If the Deputy’s friends and colleagues did not hold up every development in the country, particularly the M50, we might be much further down the road to satisfying the needs of the public.
I reject fully Deputy Eamon Ryan’s assertion that there is a lack of proper thinking. Clearly, there is very good thinking in this area in which regard I acknowledge the bodies engaged in the process ...
There is no question that it is evidence of the growth of the economy in the last few years.
No country could have provided the level of infrastructure Ireland required due to the pace and suddenness of the growth in the economy.
The only thing that is sinking is the Deputy and his colleagues. If they would sink out of the way and let us get on with building the roads and putting in the bus and rail network, we would all be in...
I question what solutions the Deputy has for transport.
He does not want any roads and does not believe in any investment in public transport. Clearly, the Green Party has no interest in Platform for Change 2000, the Dublin Transportation Office, Iarnród É...
The Green Party’s only platform is to object to anything being done in the name of transport. When it comes to making decisions, the Green Party is sadly lacking.
Other Questions - Rail Network.
Was asked: his position regarding the proposal to re-open the Navan to Dublin rail link; his views on whether the re-opening of this line should be a priority in view of the fact that Census 2002 indicated that ...
Was asked: his views on whether the reopening of a rail-link between Dunboyne and Dublin’s city centre as expressed by Irish Rail cannot go ahead unless Irish Rail develops a third intercity rail station in Dubl...
Was asked: if he will report on the factors inhibiting an increase in the number of trains accessing the Dublin city area (details supplied) per hour at peak periods; his plans to increase this capacity; if such...
Was asked: if, in view of his allocation of €5 million for commencement of work on a new rail station in the Dublin docklands, announced during the budgetary Estimates 2004, this money has been allocated to Iris...
Was asked: his views on the proposals from Irish Rail for the construction of an interconnector tunnel linking Connolly and Spencer Dock with Heuston Station with the provision of underground stations linking ex...
Was asked: the extent to which the passenger capacity of the various trains serving Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip and Confey in north Kildare can be increased to meet the ever increasing numbers of commuters who cu...
Was asked: the extent to which it is possible to increase the frequency of the commuter rail services serving Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip and Confey in line with growing demand; and if he will make a statement on...
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 95, 132, 157, 171, 344, 354 and 360 together. Iarnród Éireann has submitted a business case to my Department for the development of a greater Dublin integrated rail ...
I expect to hear of progress regarding decisions on the work done by Iarnród Éireann regarding feasibility. I have already provided substantial funding for the station. We all agree that we urgently n...
I understand the Deputy’s perspective; it is reasonable. When I get the report in progress, I will consider the Dunboyne issue. I will query the next step and ask whether there is any thinking beyond ...
The Deputy is bang on the money in every sense. That is one of the issues with which I am grappling. I have been asking similar questions in recent weeks to try to establish what exactly should be inc...
There is no question that there is a glaring deficit in north Dublin and it must be tackled immediately. There is no prevarication on my part on that issue. However, I am in a stronger position than h...
That is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. Iarnród Éireann is willing to come forward with plans if there is a market and a need for——
——the expansion of that line. I was open in giving my views to the Deputy earlier. I will raise the matter and I have no problem with that. The Deputy made a reasonable point earlier and I will come b...
As regards the three issues, Deputy Eamon Ryan and I clearly have a different view of the world. We will just have to leave it at that. The only one throwing his hands in the air in the House today, t...
It amazes me that when one makes a reasonably sound statement, somebody hijacks it and talks about Trinity College almost being knocked down to accommodate the Luas line. It was never a suggestion of ...
It is nonsense. I do not know where it came from but I can guess. I presume it was stirred up by those not far behind Deputy Olivia Mitchell.
Deputy Eamon Ryan would know a lot about that all right.
I would and I can stand over everything I have ever done. Deputy Shortall’s comment with regard to connecting the Luas lines is true up to a point but not entirely so. It depends on how one routes the...
I disagree with the Deputy about buses. In recent years, the State has provided major investment in CIE for replacement purposes. I do not have the figures in front of me but we have provided approxim...
I know the point the Deputy is making and I will come to it but I just wanted to place on the record what we have done. As regards the Deputy’s point with regard to CIE, of course I want to continue t...
Hang on. Of course, I want to provide new buses for CIE and I will do so——
——but I also want to examine how Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann’s operations are run in order to get the maximum value for them as efficient, well-run companies. This concerns how they organise all their ...
Yes, exactly, but I want to be fair and give them the opportunity to make their points. I agree with both Deputies in this regard — I want to see greater capacity for buses operating in Dublin because...
I will deliver on my commitment.
I said I will.
Other Questions - Road Safety.
Was asked: if he has had discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in regard to private operators conducting speed checks on roads here; if any report on this matter has been conducted;...
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and my predecessor jointly determined in late 2003 to consider the engagement of operators from the private sector in the operation of speed cameras. ...
Written Answers - State Airports.
Was asked: his views on the proposed major rationalisation programme for Shannon Airport that may result in the loss of up to 200 jobs; if further job losses are anticipated at Cork and Dublin airports under sim...
Was asked: the position with regard to the break-up of Aer Rianta; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 108 together. In keeping with the provisions of the State Airports Act 2004, the board of the Dublin Airport Authority has a statutory mandate to do everything ...
Written Answers - Transport Investment Plan.
Was asked: the details of the new Government ten-year transport investment plan; if these proposals have been brought to Cabinet; the specific proposals that are concerned; the amount needed to fund the proposal...
Was asked: the process which his Department is engaging in to establish the ten-year transport investment plan proposed in budget 2005; the analysis which has been undertaken to help prioritise projects; and the...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 110 together. In his recent Budget Statement, the Minister for Finance agreed in principle that an extended ten-year capital envelope was appropriate in the cas...
Written Answers - Road Signage.
Was asked: if a review of signage policy will be carried out nationally to allow locations in, for example, Donegal to be signposted on exit roads from Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of destination signposting is a matter for the relevant local authority in the first instance. The traffic signs manual 1996 sets out directions given to road authorities by the Minister...
Written Answers - Public Transport.
Was asked: when he expects to introduce a public transport regulator; and the nature and scope that he expects such an office to hold.
Was asked: the progress made to date in the introduction of competition in the bus market in the greater Dublin area; if his Department has a strategy of implementation in place to allow for the introduction of ...
Was asked: his plans for the introduction of private bus operators in the Dublin bus market.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 150 and 154 together. As I have indicated previously, I have met the key stakeholders in public transport and welcome the consensus that both State-owned and priv...
Written Answers - Railway Stations.
Was asked: if there are plans to develop a railway station for Ballyfermot; his views on whether there is demand for such a direct rail service in the immediate area; and if he will make a statement on the matte...
Iarnród Éireann informs me that there is already an operating railway station at Cherry Orchard on the Dublin-Kildare railway line. The company is considering re-locating this station in the context o...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: if, in view of widespread concern surrounding the Dublin Port tunnel in respect of the use of so-called super cube trucks, he will reconsider or reinvestigate the possibilities of making the tunnel ac...
Was asked: the extent to which the Dublin Port tunnel is capable of accommodating all types of trucks currently in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 119 together. I announced on 21 October 2004 that the operational height of the Dublin Port tunnel will not be changed. My decision was based primarily on safe...
Written Answers - Driving Licences.
Was asked: if advance notification of the expiration of their driving licences to all motorists affected, in the form of renewal notifications has commenced; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a st...
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government holds and administers the national driver file licence records, and my Department is liaising with it to have the necessary arrangement...
Written Answers - Airport Development Projects.
Was asked: the number of expressions of interest in the development of a second terminal at Dublin Airport which have been received by his Department; the evaluation of each expression which has been undertaken ...
Was asked: if there have been any further developments with regard to proposals to construct a second terminal at Dublin Airport; his views on reports of an agreement signed between SIPTU and private businessmen...
Was asked: if there have been any further developments with regard to the establishment of a second terminal at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the position regarding the provision of a second terminal at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 120, 155 and 165 together. I already dealt in detail with the position in regard to the development of a second terminal at Dublin Airport in my reply to Priority...
Written Answers - Railway Stations.
Was asked: the plans for the development of Kent Station in Cork; the estimated cost of same; when the work will commence; the most recent communication or meetings he has had on the issue; and if he will make a...
The development of Kent Station is a matter for CIE and Iarnród Éireann to decide. It is intended that the project will be funded by CIE from its own resources rather than from the Exchequer.
Written Answers - Rail Network.
Was asked: further to the recent decision by the Government to sanction the reopening of the rail link to Midleton in east Cork, the progress that has been achieved in this matter in the meantime; the estimated ...
In May 2004, the Government agreed to the development of a commuter rail service for the Cork area. This includes the relaying of track and signalling between Glounthaune and Midleton as well as the c...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: if he has received correspondence from the Garda in respect of the condition of the N81; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department has not received correspondence from the Garda in respect of the condition of the N81. As the Deputy will be aware the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the relevant local authority are...
Written Answers - Rail Network.
Was asked: if he will report on the latest plans with regard to the development of a dedicated rail link from the city centre to Dublin Airport; if his attention has been dawn to the recent comments from the man...
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 93 of today on this matter.
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a section of the Dublin-Galway motorway being built by the private sector is costing more per kilometre than a State-financed section of the same route...
The planning, design and implementation of national roads improvement projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the relevant local authorities concerned — in this case Westmeath ...
Was asked: if he has plans to conduct a buy-out of the deal that has given National Toll Roads control over the West-Link toll bridge until 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The West-Link bridge toll agreement, concluded in October 1987 between the then Dublin County Council and NTR, provides that the toll company, NTR plc, has until the expiry of the agreement in the yea...
Written Answers - Air Services.
Was asked: if he will take action in the growing dispute between Aer Lingus unions and management over the removal of staff’s right to free travel on some Aer Lingus services; his views on whether a successful r...
Both management and unions in the Dublin Airport Authority are continuing their discussions regarding the future of the travel concessions on Aer Lingus flights which are available to certain airport ...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: if the promised safety barriers along the middle of the M50 have been fitted; if these barriers will be permanently in place along the motorway; if they are a temporary measure; his plans to fit such ...
Was asked: if a decision has been made on the retrofit of crash barriers on the M50, before the completion of its upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 122 together. The provision of median barriers on national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, having regard to best practice in road safe...
Written Answers - Driving Tests.
Was asked: the number of driver testers currently employed by his Department; if this figure has increased since 2002; if he envisages additional testers will be employed in 2005; when he expects this to take ef...
The authorised number of driver testers, including a chief tester and supervisory testers is 130. This number has not increased since 2002. At present there are 103 permanent driver testers and 19 con...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: the proposals which are being developed to create national road infrastructure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The national roads development programme being implemented by the NRA and local authorities is in line with the principles, and with the transport infrastructure priorities, identified in the national...
Written Answers - Road Signage.
Was asked: the number of locations in the country which have to date introduced the new 30 km/h speed limits.
Was asked: if he has instructed local authorities to ensure that appropriate low speed limits are observed at schools and other high risk areas following the changeover to metric speed limits; the reason such lo...
Was asked: if guidelines have been issued to local authorities regarding the implementation of 30 km/h speed limits in the vicinity of schools and other appropriate areas (details supplied); and if he will make ...
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Questions. Nos. 127 and 128 of 27 January 2005, the progress to date; when he will be in a position to facilitate local authorities in carrying out such reviews; and if he wi...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 153, 347 and 364 together. The relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2004 that establish a new system of speed limits based on metric values were commenced ...
Written Answers - Transport Infrastructural Projects.
Was asked: the extent to which the various projects identified by his Department in the context of the national development plan are on time and within cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is expected that all the projects in the public transport sector, which are being funded under the national development plan, will be completed. Projects completed to date have been done on time an...
Written Answers - Regional Airports.
Was asked: his plans for the future funding of regional airports after the conclusion of the current round of funding under the national development plan in 2006; his views on a system of rolling investment by t...
The primary objective of the regional airports measure of the NDP is to provide the airports with financial assistance towards essential infrastructure projects to facilitate continued safe and viable...
Written Answers - Public Transport.
Was asked: the estimated length of new quality bus corridors due to come into operation in Dublin in 2005; the number of new buses that will be added to the Dublin Bus fleet; his views on whether Dublin Bus has ...
A key element in improving bus performance has been the provision of quality bus corridors. So far, there are nine QBCs in operation in the Dublin area — Malahide, Lucan, Stillorgan, Finglas, north Cl...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: the role his Department will have with regard to the possible construction of a new outer orbital motorway for Dublin.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the concept of a Dublin outer orbital route. Both the strategic planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area 1999 and the DTO’s, Platform for Change 2000, identi...
Written Answers - Toll Charges.
Was asked: the outcome of his request to a company (details supplied) to review its plan to introduce a 20% hike in toll charges at the West-Link Bridge on the M50; the details of the request he made to this com...
I made no request to National Toll Roads to review its decision to increase toll charges at the West Link Bridge. The West-Link toll agreement, approved in principle by Government in October 1984 and ...
Written Answers - Regional Airports.
Was asked: his position in relation to a request from the management of Knock International Airport for an increased level of State investment to facilitate its expansion; and if he will make a statement on the ...
The programme for Government provides for the continued support of the six regional airports including Knock Airport and my Department provides a range of financial mechanisms in support of this objec...
Written Answers - Light Rail Project.
Was asked: his views on the reported possible conflict of interest in awarding contracts for the introduction of smart cards on Luas, as highlighted recently in the media; and if he will make a statement on the ...
I assume the Deputy is referring to the procurement process for the substantive contract for integrated ticketing. A 2002 ministerial order gave the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, statutory responsi...
Written Answers - Driving Tests.
Was asked: the reason the new technical requirements of the driving test with regard to knowing the way in which ten parts of a vehicle are checked and serviced were introduced; if he plans to introduce further ...
The technical checks, which form part of the driving test with effect from 14 February 2005, are being introduced to meet our obligations under EU Directive 2000/56/EC on driver licensing. The technic...
Written Answers - Public Transport.
Was asked: the reason CIE was recently granted a fare increase of 5% effective from the start of 2005, and not the 8% rise sought by the company; his views on whether the annual public subvention received by CIE...
Last year CIE applied for a fares increase for 2005 for each of the operating companies averaging 8%. Following a detailed examination of the application and the financial position of each of the comp...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: the input he has into the selection of national roads or proposed new national roads for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The national development plan, NDP, and the national spatial strategy, NSS, provide the strategic framework for the national roads development programme and together with the Economic and Social Infra...
Written Answers - Parking Regulations.
Was asked: the progress made in introducing a new regulatory provision to allow for an increase in the fine for wrongly parking in a parking spot for the disabled; when this regulation will come into effect; the...
The offence of illegally parking in a disabled persons’ parking bay currently comes within the scope of the on-the-spot fines system. The amount of the on-the-spot fine applicable to this offence is €...
Written Answers - Toll Charges.
Was asked: the breakdown of the State subsidies of €6.4 million given to National Toll Roads during the period 2002-03; the purpose of these subsidies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The licence fee, also described as the State’s share of the gross toll revenues, payable by NTR to the State under the terms of the West-Link Bridge toll agreement was reduced by €2.902 million in res...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: if he is satisfied with the situation whereby only 54.6% of the main inter-urban routes will be completed by the end of the national development plan; if he remains confident that the major inter-urba...
Work is complete or under way on about 45% of the major inter-urban road routes at present, that is, the routes serving Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Dundalk. Work is due to get under way on t...
Written Answers - Vehicle Height Restrictions.
Was asked: if a decision on the maximum height limit for vehicles will be made; the number of submissions his Department has received in this regard; the reason a maximum height restriction must be made; and if ...
Written Answers - Road Safety.
Was asked: the measures he intends introducing to try to prevent the continued incidence of fatal accidents between cyclists and heavy goods vehicles.
A disproportionate number of cyclists’ fatalities are through collisions with heavy goods vehicles. Developments at EU level will result in new heavy goods vehicles, HGVs, having to comply with higher...
Was asked: the number of schools engaged in safe routes to schools programmes; and the budget for these projects in 2005.
In 2000, an interdepartmental working group, chaired by the Dublin Transportation Office, DTO, was formed consisting of representatives from the Departments of Health and Children, Education and Scien...
Written Answers - EU Regulations.
Was asked: when the new EU regulation to replace the existing drivers hours rules, as set out in regulation 3820/85, will be finally adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - Light Rail Project.
Was asked: the progress which has been made to date on the proposals to link up the two existing Luas lines in Dublin’s city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if he is considering any new proposals to extend the two Luas lines in Dublin; if he is considering any new east-west link; the situation with regard to extending the Luas to the IFSC; and if he will ...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 168 together. The Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, is currently developing proposals for extensions of the Luas to the docklands and Cherrywood. This work incl...
Written Answers - Transport Projects.
Was asked: if, in the context of the national development plan review, the access to Donegal by road, rail and air will be comprehensively reviewed on the criteria of its geographical location next to the fourth...
The north-west region is served by two airports, Donegal Regional Airport and City of Derry Airport. The Government has a long-standing policy of assisting City of Derry Airport on the basis that the ...
Written Answers - State Airports.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the proposals from the Irish Aviation Authority to close air traffic control towers at Shannon and Cork Airports from midnight until 6 a.m.; the number of jobs that ...
The Irish Aviation Authority has statutory responsibility for regulating the technical and safety aspects of civil aviation and for the provision of air traffic services. In 2004 the Irish Aviation Au...
Written Answers - Road Safety.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to new figures from research carried out by a company (details supplied) that fewer than half of motorists are now driving more carefully as a result of the penalty poi...
I am not aware of the research to which the Deputy refers. The effectiveness of the penalty points system can be judged primarily on the basis of the contribution it has made to road safety since its ...
Written Answers - Private Sector Funding.
Was asked: if the Government has made a decision with regard to allowing Aer Lingus to access private sector funding; when a decision on this matter is likely to be made; if discussions on this issue have been h...
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to efforts by Aer Lingus unions to raise their shareholding in the national airline; his views on such a move; the way in which this will affect plans to privatise or s...
Was asked: if he is still considering the privatisation of Aer Lingus some time in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the position in regard to the future of Aer Lingus; the discussions that have taken place with management or workforce; if any conclusions have been reached; and if he will make a statement on the mat...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 169, 170 and 357 together. I dealt in detail with the future ownership of Aer Lingus in response to a priority question on the matter. On staff shareholding in Ae...
Written Answers - Public Transport.
Was asked: the function which will be served by the new Dublin Bus depot at Harristown, which is nearing completion in view of the failure of this Government to fund the purchase of any additional buses for Dubl...
I wish to advise the Deputy that Dublin Bus began to transfer buses to Harristown in October 2004 and the depot will be officially opened shortly. Harristown has capacity for 240 buses and the depot w...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: the amount of funding he has allocated to the NRA for national roads for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Exchequer provision for 2005 for national road improvement and maintenance, including a carryover of €42 million from 2004 is €1.415 billion, an increase of 15% on the 2004 outturn. This allows fo...
Written Answers - Transport Projects.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to a recent report on transport here in 2050 proposing a sub-sea tunnel between County Wexford and Pembroke in Wales and a second Dublin Port at Loughshinny in County D...
I assume the Deputy is referring to the report, A Vision of Transport in Ireland in 2050, published in September 2004 by the Irish Academy of Engineering. The report outlines a vision of transport in ...
Written Answers - Ministerial Appointments.
Was asked: the names, functions and salaries received by special advisers appointed to work with him since he took up his role in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following my appointment to the Department of Transport, I have appointed Colin Hunt as a special adviser in accordance with section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. Mr. Hunt’s contract w...
Written Answers - Road Safety.
Was asked: if he plans to conduct a review of speed limits for large vehicles following the recent spate of deaths in lorry accidents; the reason larger vehicles were excluded from the speed limit changes introd...
The Road Traffic (Ordinary Speed Limits — Certain Vehicles) Regulations 2005, SI 9 of 2005, made by me on 12 January 2005 prescribe maximum speed limits for certain classes of vehicles from 20 January...
Written Answers - National Car Test.
Was asked: the details of the review of the national car testing service; when the review will commence; the length of time he expects it to last; the level of public consultation that will take place; the main ...
Written Answers - Traffic Management.
Was asked: if Bus Éireann vehicles have been given permission to drive on the hard shoulder of some main roads; if the quality of the road surface on these lanes is sufficient; the speeds at which buses will be ...
Was asked: if proposals are being examined in relation to allowing bus operators to use hard shoulders; the extent to which such proposals are developed; the specific road route ways on which such hard shoulders...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 158 together. Proposals are being pursued in my Department to ensure that measures are taken to improve public transport flows and to reduce congestion. The ob...
Written Answers - Road Safety.
Was asked: his views on the success of Operation Lifesaver for the Christmas and new year period; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of road deaths recorded during this period is back to...
Was asked: if he will report on the success of the Government’s road safety strategy in view of figures showing that road deaths rose in 2004 for the first time in a number of years; if his attention has been dr...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 167 together. The Government strongly pursued the implementation of its first strategy for road safety 1998-2002. The strategy prioritised a systematic and co-...
Was asked: his views on the concerns of local people in Louth over the fact that an area, which has been designated a high accident location by the National Roads Authority between the Dundalk by-pass and the Bo...
Was asked: the extent of consultation between local authorities and the NRA on the designation of speed limits in high accident locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 162. The Road Traffic Act 2004 establishes that the default speed limit on national roads in rural areas is 100 km/h. This provision came into force on 20 Janu...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: when he intends to introduce legislation which will allow for the use of electronic tolling; if it will be possible to convert all existing toll plazas to such an electronic system; and the contracts ...
Electronic toll collection is in use on existing toll plazas and will be used on all future toll schemes. Electronic toll collection does not require legislation for its use. However, the electronic t...
Written Answers - EU Directives.
Was asked: the action he intends to take to control the emission of certain fluorinated greenhouse gases as proposed in Directive 70/156/EEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The proposed directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on emissions from air conditioning systems in motor vehicles and amending Council Directive 70/156/EEC is progressing through the C...
Written Answers - Public Transport.
Was asked: the status of A Platform for Change; if he remains committed to its full implementation; the way in which, in view of the gross underdevelopment of public transport infrastructure in Dublin, the repor...
The Dublin Transportation Office’s report, A Platform for Change, provides the transport planning framework for the development of the transport system in the greater Dublin area up to 2016 and is bei...
Written Answers - Taxi Hardship Panel.
Was asked: the amount from the taxi hardship fund which has been distributed; the maximum amount paid out; the number of persons who have applied; and the approximate timescale for applicants to be heard and rec...
The taxi hardship payments scheme is based on the recommendations and parameters set out in the taxi hardship panel report, as approved by the Government. The report recommended establishment of a sch...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: if he has had communication with the Comptroller and Auditor General regarding his preliminary review of the contract between the State and National Toll Roads plc to determine whether a full value fo...
The Comptroller and Auditor General has informed my Department of his intention to commence a preliminary review of the West Link Bridge toll agreement with a view to determining whether a full value ...
Written Answers - Rail Services.
Was asked: the position with regard to the provision of a Dublin metro service; if any such proposals have been brought to Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The programme for Government contains a specific commitment to develop a metro rail service for Dublin with a link to Dublin Airport. The Railway Procurement Agency has submitted to my Department a de...
Written Answers - Rail Network.
Was asked: if he has received a report outlining the viability of a rail line from Dublin to Dunboyne; and if he will provide investment for this urgently needed public transport infrastructure.
Iarnród Éireann, in consultation with Meath and Fingal county councils, has, in recent days, completed a feasibility study into the development of a spur off the Maynooth to Dublin line at Clonsilla t...
Written Answers - Air Services.
Was asked: the details of his policy priorities for the development of the Irish aviation sector; his preferred strategy for the future of the State airline and for the development of a second airport terminal a...
It is Government policy to encourage as wide a range as possible of safe, reliable and competitive air services to and from Ireland. The central tenet of this policy is the belief that strong, competi...
Written Answers - Departmental Programmes.
Was asked: the process which his Department is engaging in to establish the ten-year transport investment plan proposed in budget 2005; the analysis which has been undertaken to help prioritise projects; and the...
In his recent Budget Statement, the Minister for Finance agreed in principle that an extended ten-year capital envelope was appropriate in the case of investment in transport. This reflects the realit...
Written Answers - Public Transport.
Was asked: the estimated length of new quality bus corridors that are due to come into operation in Dublin in 2005; the number of new buses that will be added to the Dublin bus fleet; and his views on whether Du...
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 123 which I replied to earlier.
Written Answers - Road Traffic Offences.
Was asked: his views on whether cars parked in cycle lanes is an increasing problem for cyclists; if he intends to introduce more stringent measures to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on ...
The statutory basis for the use of cycle tracks is set out in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 and 1998. The regulations prohibit parking in a cycle track. The offence of illega...
Written Answers - National Car Test.
Was asked: the criteria used in selecting NCT centres; if there is any safety requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - Departmental Bodies.
Was asked: the list of expenses paid to the directors of Aer Rianta, Aer Rianta International and CIE in the past five years.
Although some information has been supplied to me in respect of the aggregate expenses of directors of State bodies, in no case have I detailed a list of the expenses paid to individual directors. Thi...
Was asked: the way in which worker directors appointed to State boards, under his authority, are remunerated; and if they are required to carry out their day-to-day duties as members of the company workforce.
Worker directors appointed to State boards of bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport are remunerated on the same basis as other directors and are paid rates as approved by the Departmen...
Written Answers - Rail Network.
Was asked: the situation regarding a new railway station for Dunleer, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I refer the Deputy to my response to an identical question on 29 September last. The situation since then is unchanged. The location of stations on the rail network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. Th...
Written Answers - Traffic Regulations.
Was asked: if the new regulations introduced restricting coaches and buses to the use of the slow lane on motorways and imposing a maximum limit on such vehicles of 80 km/h is at variance with current EU tachogr...
The Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2004 provide powers to the Minister for Transport to prescribe maximum speed limits for classes of vehicles and to regulate for the driving of such vehicles on the public...
Written Answers - Driving Licences.
Was asked: the number of persons holding provisional driving licences; the number of such drivers who are on first, second, third or subsequent provisional licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which administers the national driver file, on which driving licence records are held, has advised me of the number of provisional lic...
Written Answers - Driving Tests.
Was asked: the status of registered driving instructors with regard to the Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Proposals being developed by my Department for the regulation and quality assurance of driving instruction will involve a test of the competence of individual instructors. A working group comprising r...
Written Answers - Rail Network.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied); his views on the matters outlined in the letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if he will meet a deputation (details supplied) to discuss the feasibility study on the Shannon rail link; the actions which will be taken to expediently move towards having this feasibility study pro...
Was asked: if he will meet with the Shannon Rail Partnership to discuss the forthcoming feasibility study on the Shannon rail link.
Was asked: if he will meet a delegation from the Shannon Rail Partnership to discuss a number of issues arising from the feasibility study being undertaken by Iarnród Éireann to consider the viability of the pro...
Was asked: the position concerning the viability of the proposal to develop a Shannon rail link; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 328, 331, 342, 348 and 365 together. The proposed Shannon rail link was examined in the course of the Strategic Rail Review, which my Department published in 2003. The...
Was asked: if EU or other funding for North-South rail projects is available to part fund a rail link via Dunboyne, Navan and Kingscourt.
Iarnród Éireann, in conjunction with Meath and Fingal county councils, recently completed a feasibility study into providing a spur from the Dublin to Sligo railway line at Clonsilla to Dunboyne. It i...
Written Answers - Light Rail Project.
Was asked: if he has received the anticipated application for a light rail order for the green line Luas extension to Cherrywood.
Was asked: if he has received the anticipated application for a light rail order for the green line Luas extension to Cherrywood.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 333 together. The Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, is developing proposals for an extension of the Luas to Cherrywood. This work includes consultation, design ...
Written Answers - Departmental Properties.
Was asked: his views on an Iarnród Éireann proposal to charge customers for the use of its car parks at Dublin suburban rail stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have not received any formal submissions from Iarnród Éireann regarding charging customers for the use of car parks at Dublin suburban rail stations. I understand, however, that the company is givin...
Written Answers - Rail Network.
Was asked: the reason recent media reports of Government orders for new railcars excluded the Dublin to Rosslare Europort route even though new carriages were expected to replace the current commuter trains on t...
Was asked: if he intends increasing the frequency of trains on the Dublin to Rosslare Europort line in line with what is expected to happen on other important railway lines in the country; and if he will make a ...
Was asked: the reason the Greystones to Rosslare Europort line is expected to be the last for the new Iarnród Éireann mini-CTC programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 334, 338 and 339 together. Iarnród Éireann considers the development of the infrastructure and the use of particular rolling stock on a route in the light of the deman...
Was asked: when he will receive the report on the working group on the western rail corridor; when he expects to make a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Last year, my predecessor as Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, appointed a working group to carry out an examination of the proposal to re-open the western rail corridor. The group is under the ...
Written Answers - Driving Tests.
Was asked: the number of persons on waiting lists for a driving test at each of the country’s test centres at present; and the average waiting time nationally at present for the driving test.
Was asked: the number of persons on waiting lists for a driving test at each of the country’s test centres; and the average waiting time nationally for the driving test.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 346 together. The following table sets out the number of applicants waiting for a driving test at each test centre at 14 February 2005. The average waiting tim...
Written Answers - Departmental Expenditure.
Was asked: the level of investment made in key transport infrastructure in the west (details supplied) over the past five years, particularly road and rail spend, and corresponding figures for the eastern seaboa...
It is not possible to give a breakdown of the level of key rail expenditure in the west and the eastern seaboard region on the county basis specified in the Deputy’s question. The provision of public ...
Written Answers - Rail Services.
Was asked: the reason Iarnród Éireann suddenly raised its container freight charges by 25% and placed undue pressure on exporters who use this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As part of Iarnród Éireann’s plans to reshape its loss-making operations, the company has restructured its rail freight operations to refocus on the more profitable elements of rail freight and seek o...
Written Answers - Rail Network.
Was asked: if there are plans to purchase more locomotives for the 2005 sugar beet season in the south east given that the number of journeys will increase to 42 per week (details supplied); and if he will make ...
The allocation and deployment of locomotives is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. The company has assured me that it has sufficient numbers of locomotives in its fleet to provide for the demands of the 20...
Written Answers - Departmental Bodies.
Was asked: if it is the Government’s intention to merge the recently established Shannon Airport Authority with the Shannon Free Airport Development Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A working group was established by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment last year to consider options for how Shannon Development and the Shannon Airport Authority can best contribute to ...
Written Answers - Public Transport.
Was asked: his proposals for a public transport connection from Dublin city centre to the airport with a connection to Swords.
I refer the deputy to my earlier answer to Priority Questions Nos. 91 and 93.
Written Answers - Rail Services.
Was asked: his proposals in regard to rail freight; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is my policy that Iarnród Éireann should remain in the rail freight business and I am aware that the company has made great strides in restructuring this element of its operations. As part of an ov...
Written Answers - Airport Development Projects.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to a proposed variation to the county development plan of Fingal County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The zoning of land is a matter for the planning authorities. On the ERM report into public safety zones, I understand that Fingal County Council is fully aware of its contents, having been consulted d...
Written Answers - State Airports.
Was asked: , further to Question No. 264 of 28 October 2004, relating to the airport development plan of March 1968 for Dublin Airport inclusive of developmental restrictions associated with both proposed runway...
I understand that in the late 1960s, in the context of drafting a county development plan, a scheme showing restrictions that were considered necessary for the purposes of air safety was forwarded to ...
Was asked: if a company (details supplied) submitted a hitherto undisclosed report relating to public safety zones at Dublin Airport to his Department in July 2001; if so, the reason such report was not made ava...
Was asked: if a company (details supplied) submitted a hitherto undisclosed report relating to public safety zones at Cork and Shannon airports to his Department in April 2002; if so, the reason such report was ...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together. The Deputy seems to be referring to early drafts of ERM’s report into public safety zones which were sent to the Departments of Transport and the...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: his plans to ensure that the port tunnel is capable of meeting the requirements of the modern transport fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Dublin Port tunnel, when completed, will have an operational height of 4.65 metres. It is the view of Dublin City Council and the National Roads Authority that the Dublin Port tunnel will facilita...
Written Answers - Light Rail Project.
Was asked: the number of passengers carried daily on the Luas; the extent to which this has replaced motor cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I understand that the Luas system is carrying 300,000 passengers per week. The average Monday to Friday carryings are 50,000 passengers per day. During last December, there were days where passenger n...
Written Answers - Public Transport.
Was asked: the action taken to address safety issues at bus stops with particular reference for the health and safety needs of passengers; if bus shelters are required arising any such evaluations; and if he wil...
The power to determine the locations for the provision of bus stops and termini is vested in the Garda Commissioner under section 85 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. Under that section, the commissioner ...
Written Answers - Rail Services.
Was asked: the extent to which the frequency of trains serving commuters in Celbridge and Sallins, County Kildare, can be increased, mornings and evenings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the extent to which the passenger carrying capacity of trains from Monasterevin, Kildare, Newbridge, Sallins and Hazelhatch to Dublin and vice versa can be increased to facilitate the increased demand...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 361 together. The scheduling and timetabling of trains is a day-to-day operational matter for Iarnród Éireann to consider. I understand from the company that s...
Written Answers - Road Network.
Was asked: if there are plans to provide a second ring road west of the M50 for Dublin, and, if so, the details of progress being made to realise these plans.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 94.
Written Answers - Dublin Transportation Office.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the advisory committee of the DTO cannot meet until such time as the Minister confirms the nominations which are now with the DTO since shortly after t...
I am considering the nominations for the advisory committee of the Dublin Transportation Office, DTO, and hope to finalise and approve the nominations in the near future. It is not my intention to abo...
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