Written Answers Nos. 177-183
177. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps his Department will take in conjunction with the broadband task force to address gaps in the service affecting some homes in rural areas in which telephone lines are not running through a fibre cabinet and are therefore experiencing slow connection speeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1678/18]
View answerThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in areas where commercial operators will not provide this service. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. "Detailed Solutions" submitted by two bidders on 26th September are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. This is the last stage of the procurement process before moving to the final tender stage, which will be followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services, prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention. The Taskforce worked with key stakeholders to produce the December 2016 report available on my Department's website, which contains 40 actions to alleviate some of the deficits.
I published the third Taskforce Quarterly Progress Report in November 2017, which demonstrates that good progress has been made in delivering the actions. I plan to publish an Annual Report shortly. These reports show continuing progress and also the sustained level of engagement between actions owners and industry. The Annual Report will also contain a work programme for 2018, with new actions identified that will lead to improvements for consumers across Ireland.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
178. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2135/18]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in individual cases. I have therefore referred the 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.
179. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the decision to use IRL as an identification mark on car licence plates as compared to an equivalent abbreviation of Éire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2146/18]
View answerThe decision to use IRL as an identification mark on car license plates as compared to an equivalent abbreviation of Éire was agreed by Ireland as a participant at the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic in Geneva in 1949. It was subsequently ratified on 31 May 1962.
180. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the requested speed reduction measures from Lissivigeen roundabout to the Pike Hill, Killarney, County Kerry, will be implemented in order to prevent further fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2166/18]
View answerWhile the Road Traffic Act 2004 sets default speed limits for various categories of roads, elected members of local authorities have statutory responsibility for deciding on and making appropriate Special Speed Limit bye-laws for local roads within their administrative area.
To assist local authorities in the application of Special Speed Limits, my Department's updated Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland, which is available to all local authorities, reiterates the statutory responsibilities of elected members in relation to the making of such Special Speed Limit bye-laws, subject to following Department Guidelines.
Therefore, any decision as to whether to reduce the speed limit from the Lissivigeen roundabout to the Pike Hill, Killarney, Co. Kerry is a matter for Kerry County Council, subject to the consent of Transport Infrastructure Ireland as the road in question is a National Road.
181. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Lewis Road junction with the bypass N22 road in Killarney, County Kerry, will be rectified in order to prevent further fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2167/18]
View answer182. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans regarding the junction in Farranfore village, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2172/18]
View answer183. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans regarding the junction at Poulgorm Bridge at which the R569 meets the N22 in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2174/18]
View answer185. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the requested safety barriers will be erected at Rusheenbeg, Glenflesk, County Kerry, to prevent further fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2201/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 181 to 183, inclusive, and 185 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above, I have referred the Deputy's Questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my Office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
