Robert Troy
Question:141. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the provision of fibre broadband to a property (details supplied). [24569/24]
View answerNational Broadband Plan
Questions (141)
Written answers
Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the broadband map, which is available on my Department's website.
( www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/ ).
The AMBER area is to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
Commercial Fixed line operators Open Eir, Virgin Media and SIRO are delivering high-speed broadband services in the blue area/ non-intervention area of the map.
The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to this premises can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at nbi.ie/map/.
This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
As per the NBI website, the Network build is in progress. It is estimated that high speed Fibre Broadband will be available for this area within the date range July 2025 – December 2025.
Defence Forces
Questions (142)
Matt Carthy
Question:142. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to his appearance before the Oireachtas Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on 24 May 2024, if he has withdrawn his appeal to the arbitration board against the finding of the adjudicator regarding membership of RACO of the Director of Military Prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24492/24]
View answerWritten answers
The General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill included proposed amendments to the Defence Acts to provide that officers assigned to the posts of Director of Military Prosecutions and Military Judge would be prohibited from being members of representative associations. However, having reflected on the matter, in the context of the drafting process, I have decided to further consider how best to support the independence and impartiality of these roles .
The appeal to the Arbitration Board against the findings of the Adjudicator regarding the membership of RACO by the Director of Military Prosecutions is proceeding.
Public Sector Pensions
Questions (143)
Bríd Smith
Question:143. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ retired workers have received no increase in their occupational pension since 2008; if the CIÉ board or management has discussed this or related pension issues with him or his Department officials; if increased funding of the CIÉ regular wages scheme by CIÉ has been considered to allow for a cost-of-living increase for these retired workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24436/24]
View answerWritten answers
The case in relation to the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days. While original indications were that a judgement would be expected in the Autumn of 2022, the matter was deferred on multiple occasions, with the judgment being delivered on 19 April 2024.
In his judgement, Mr. Justice Mark Sanfey found that both CIÉ and the 1951 Scheme members were obliged to provide funding to the pension scheme to resolve any solvency issues. Justice Sanfey instructed both sides to consider what orders should be made on foot of the judgment ahead of a hearing date on 14th June 2024. The Department continues to engage with CIÉ, and advisors in NewERA in relation to this matter.
Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the aspect of Deputy's question related to an increase in pension payments for 1951 pension scheme members to CIÉ 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.
Road Tolls
Questions (144, 147, 148)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:144. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the body that operates profits from the toll bridges on the M50 motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24439/24]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:147. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the scale or structure of the late payment penalties applied to persons who fail to pay their toll charge on the M50 before 8pm the following day; if the penalties increase as time passes; and if so, the rate of this increase. [24442/24]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:148. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he will list the top twenty largest penalties imposed on any individual driver or vehicle owner who failed or forgot to pay their M50 toll charges by the deadline prescribed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24443/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 144, 147 and 148 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads are within the remit of TII.
More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended). Therefore, the contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between TII and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Road Tolls
Questions (145, 146)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:145. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the total amount paid by drivers who drove through tolls on the M50 in each of the past ten years. [24440/24]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:146. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the total amount paid by drivers who drove through tolls on Irish motorways, by toll types, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form [24441/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads are within the remit of TII.
More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended). Therefore, the contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between TII and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Question No. 146 answered with Question No. 145.
Question No. 147 answered with Question No. 144.
Question No. 148 answered with Question No. 144.
Rail Network
Questions (149)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:149. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of tickets sold for the Limerick to Galway train line in the past ten years and to date in 2024; and the breakdown of tickets sold, between adult single, adult return, student single, student return, child single and child return, in tabular from. [24447/24]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 in relation to the number of tickets sold on the Limerick to Galway train line is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Rail Network
Questions (150)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:150. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the cost of operating the Limerick to Galway train line in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [24448/24]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 in relation to the annual cost of operating the Limerick to Galway train line is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
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.
Rail Network
Questions (151)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:151. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the revenue collected from the Limerick to Galway train line in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form [24449/24]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 in relation to the annual revenue collected from the Limerick to Galway train line is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
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.
Rail Network
Questions (152)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:152. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the current price of €175 for a student monthly train ticket from Limerick to Galway, the current cost of an adult monthly ticket from Limerick to Galway of €350 and the current cost of an adult single one-way ticket from Limerick to Galway of €18.40 are appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24450/24]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 in relation to the cost of monthly tickets for students and adults, and the cost of an adult single one-way ticket on the Limerick to Galway train line is a matter for the NTA, in conjunction with Irish Rail.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, and for decisions in relation to the routes of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA and Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Bus Services
Questions (153)
Bríd Smith
Question:153. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the removal of a bus service (details supplied) and the considerable difficulties this causes for older and disabled people; to clarify if there are any plans to resume a service in the area; if not, the alternative arrangements being made to address this gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/24]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Driver Licences
Questions (154)
Paul Kehoe
Question:154. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if it is possible for a person (details supplied) to transfer their driving licence back to an Irish licence; the process for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24478/24]
View answerWritten answers
Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles, and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence, are all set at EU level.
All EU-issued licences are recognised in Member States. A holder of an EU Member State licence who moves to Ireland can drive on that licence until it expires. The licence holder will then need to exchange it for an Irish licence.
My Department does not have access to individual applications. All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the Road Safety Authority, through the National Driver Licence Service (ndls.ie, 0818 700 800/+353 21 462 4810).
Parking Provision
Questions (155)
Pauline Tully
Question:155. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if there was a public call for submissions on the review of the disabled parking scheme; when this consultation closed to submissions; the number of submissions that were made; to detail the groups which were contacted and asked to make a submission; if disabled persons' organisations were contacted directly and asked to make a submission; and the stages that are left in this review process. [24484/24]
View answerWritten answers
Earlier this year my Department undertook a targeted stakeholder consultation process, as part of a broader tripartite review of the Disabled Parking Scheme. As my Department receives and responds to submissions and representations from the public on the scheme on a regular and ongoing basis, it was agreed to seek the direct input of disability advocacy groups and other relevant stakeholders, rather than issuing an open call for submissions to the public.
30 stakeholders were invited to participate in the targeted consultation (see table below), 16 of which returned submissions. The initial deadline for submissions of 15 March 2024 was extended to 22 March 2024 upon request.
This stakeholder consultation marked the second stage of the overall review process, the first stage of which, an overview of the current operation of the Scheme, having being published on gov.ie earlier this year ( gov - Review of the Disabled Parking Scheme (www.gov.ie) ). My Department is now undertaking a detailed examination of the legal basis of the Disabled Parking Scheme, and submissions received in response to the consultation will feed into any consideration of the legislative position.
|
Irish Society for Autism |
|
|
AsIAm |
|
|
Aspire (Autism Spectrum Association) |
|
|
Irish Wheelchair Association |
|
|
Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland |
|
|
An Garda Síochána |
|
|
Irish Medical Organisation |
|
|
Association of Occupational Therapists Ireland |
|
|
Vision Ireland |
|
|
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
|
|
National Disability Authority |
|
|
Inclusion Ireland |
|
|
Disability Federation of Ireland |
|
|
National Clinical Programme for People with Disability (HSE) |
|
|
Access Earth |
|
|
Enable Ireland |
|
|
National Disability Services Association |
|
|
Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland |
|
|
Irish Heart Foundation |
|
|
Crann Centre |
|
|
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland |
|
|
Arthritis Ireland |
|
|
Spinal Injuries Ireland |
|
|
MS Ireland |
|
|
Parkinson’s Ireland |
|
|
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI) |
|
|
Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) |
|
|
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland |
|
|
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland |
Greenways Provision
Questions (156)
Seán Sherlock
Question:156. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that where greenways are installed, that proper and appropriate fencing in height, and sturdy character, is erected in order to protect the privacy of householders along the route; if in this context, such a tall and sturdy fence will be erected at a location (details supplied) in view of a recent incident experienced by the householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24529/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Greenways. Project-level funding is administered through the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the TII in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Public Transport
Questions (157)
Robert Troy
Question:157. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the pilot public transport proposal between Delvin and Mullingar. [24565/24]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local Link and the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland, including in County Westmeath, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. 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.
Tax Data
Questions (158)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:158. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected in fuel tax in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, by fuel type, and in monetary value. [24438/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by Revenue that the receipts collected in respect of Fuel Taxes in each of the past ten years up to 2022 are published on the Revenue website at:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/excise/receipts-volume-and-price/excise-receipts-commodity.aspx.
The receipts for 2023 and the provisional receipts for the year to April 2024 are shown in the following table:
|
- |
2023 |
2023 |
January – April 2024 |
January – April 2024 |
|
Fuel Type |
Non-Carbon Component €m |
Carbon Component €m |
Non-Carbon Component €m |
Carbon Component €m |
|
Diesel |
1,149.50 |
446.5 |
432.5 |
159.4 |
|
MGO |
4.4 |
121.6 |
4.5 |
37.9 |
|
Petrol |
412.2 |
107.9 |
160.8 |
40.3 |
|
Natural Gas |
- |
107.2 |
- |
57.3 |
|
Kerosene |
- |
104.9 |
- |
56.2 |
|
Other LPG |
- |
24.9 |
- |
9.7 |
|
Solid Fuel |
- |
19 |
- |
11.9 |
|
Fuel Oil |
0.4 |
1.3 |
0.1 |
0.3 |
|
Auto LPG |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.1 |
0.4 |
|
Aviation Gasoline |
0.3 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
0 |
Fiscal Policy
Questions (159, 160)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:159. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the level of impact built into the revenue projections in the stability programme update from OECD Pillar 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24511/24]
View answerRose Conway-Walsh
Question:160. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the level of impact if any built into the revenue projections in the stability programme update from OECD Pillar 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24512/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.
In October 2021, Ireland, along with more than 135 other countries, signed up to the two-pillar solution to address the tax challenges arising from digitalisation.
Discussions remain on-going at the OECD on a number of key elements of Pillar One which, once agreed, would involve a portion of taxable profits from Irish-based multinationals being reassigned to other jurisdictions and, accordingly, a loss of tax revenue.
For Pillar Two, the EU Minimum Tax Directive was transposed into Irish law in Finance (No.2) Act 2023 giving effect to the new rules from the end of 2023. This means that a minimum effective corporate tax rate of 15 per cent will apply to the profits of ‘large’ enterprises – those whose annual turnover exceeds €750 million – from this year which is expected to increase tax revenue, though it will be 2026 before there is any impact on receipts.
Overall, the net effect of the two-pillar solution on Ireland will be a significant loss of corporate tax revenue.
A first estimate of the net cost of implementation of the overall OECD agreement, i.e. taking into account the loss of tax revenue from Pillar One and expected increase from Pillar Two, was published by my Department in 2020. Annual corporation tax receipts were assumed to decline by €2 billion or approximately 20 per cent of corporation tax revenue at that time. Since then, corporation tax receipts have increased substantially and accordingly, the cost of implementation of the agreement is also likely to have increased significantly.
Estimating the potential impact of the OECD agreement represents a considerable and on-going challenge, not least due to the fact that the negotiations are still ongoing. Given the uncertainty at this stage, the original assumption was retained in the Stability Programme Update with a net loss of €2 billion from both pillars of the agreement incorporated from 2026 onwards.
As negotiations progress and more detail emerges, my Department will publish revised estimates of the impact on the public finances.
Question No. 160 answered with Question No. 159.