Written Answers Nos. 183-194
183. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if there is an emergency plan for serious incidents occurring on the M50 which entail alternative options other than shutting down the road itself; if consideration has been given to recruit council workers to deal with such scenario in tandem with An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33773/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you regarding contingency planning for the M50.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
184. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 9 July 2024, whether the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2024 was brought to Cabinet, as planned, before the summer recess; the proposed date for the data governance issues to be resolved in order to facilitate granting An Garda Síochána real-time access to the national vehicle and driver file; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33778/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDrafting of the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2024 was approved by Cabinet on 16 July.
As set out in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 9 July 2024, the Department already shares vehicle and driver data with An Garda Síochána. Robust data sharing agreements are in place between the Department and An Garda Síochána, as well as the other agencies that require access to vehicle and driver data. However, the legislation underpinning such access dates from 1993 and requires updating to reflect current GDPR policy and practices, hence the provisions contained in the Bill.
As the Bill progresses, my Department will continue to work closely with An Garda Síochána to develop enhanced data exchanges that will facilitate real-time access to the national driver file database (NVDF) at the roadside.
185. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 151 of 9 July 2024, the proposed timeframe for the upcoming driving licence directive, which proposes the introduction of a standard digital driving licence format [33779/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed Driving Licence Directive provides for a mobile driving licence as the default driving licence in the EU and Member States will be required to recognise each other’s mobile licences. However, drivers will still be able to request a physical driving licence instead of, or together with, a mobile licence.
The proposed Directive is still under discussion and no publication date has been confirmed at this point.
186. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of plug-in hybrid busses purchased for the PSO fleet in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024; the number of fully electric busses purchased for the PSO fleet during the same period; and the number of which are in use currently, in tabular form. [33818/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including, public transport fleet.
The Government is committed to the decarbonisation of the public transport sector in line with the Climate Action Plan. No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for urban public service obligation bus fleets since July 2019, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. The transition to a zero-emission urban bus fleet is currently programmed to take up until 2035, based on replacement of non-zero-emission buses as they reach the end of their efficient service lives.
Electric buses produce no carbon emissions and offer reduced interior and exterior noise levels compared to diesel buses. This transition to electric buses will result in cleaner air and less noise pollution in areas where the buses are operating, while also providing a quieter journey for passengers.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.A
187. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the reason changes have been made to the 103 Bus Éireann service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33838/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The 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.
188. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport to outline the evidence that the proposed upgrades will adequately address the issues raised by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, namely that in the next five years there will be one death and one serious accident on the N52 between the N4 intersection at Kilbeggan to the Tullamore bypass. [33843/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra189. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport if he will reconsider the urgent concerns of the Durrow community and all parties that are adversely impacted by the documented dangers presented by the N52 between the N4 intersection at Kilbeggan to Tullamore bypass. [33844/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport if he will reinstate funding to proceed with the new bypass route as planned and previously agreed, without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33845/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 188 to 190, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
I can confirm that the N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan project did not receive funding in 2024. However, as with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for this project will be kept under review for 2025 and in future years, and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
I understand that TII and Offaly County Council are aware of visibility and safety issues on the N52 at Durrow, and that work is underway to design a new junction.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the progress of this work. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
191. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the reason transport operators here must get a CVRT test on vehicles every year; if there are plans to move away from the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33884/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs well as delivering important road safety benefits, ensuring that motor vehicles undergo periodic roadworthiness testing is a binding obligation under European law.
European Directive 2014/45/EU, on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers, requires Member States to adhere to minimum specified intervals for carrying out commercial vehicle inspections. This requirement is given effect in Ireland by the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (SI 347 of 2013), as amended.
192. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport if the CUPA system for applying for contracts for bus operators is operating satisfactorily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33885/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The 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.
193. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting times for driving tests in each county; and the longest waiting time for driving tests in each county, in tabular form. [33900/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the operation of the National Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the information requested is held by that organisation. I have therefore referred those specific questions to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The Road Safety Authority has recently started to publish detailed monthly information on the driver testing service on the CSO website, including the breakdown of waiting times and distribution of testing capacity by test centre. This information can be accessed at the following link: data.cso.ie/product/rsadts
194. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the number of applicants who had to retake the driver theory test due to their learner permit expiring; and if he will make a statement on extending validity of the learner permit from two years to three years.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33901/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service and my Department does not hold the data requested. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
A learner permit is valid for either one or two years and must be renewed within five years of its expiry. Where a permit has been expired for more than five years, it cannot be renewed and a holder who wishes to continue learning to drive must take the theory test again and apply for a new permit. There are no plans to extend the current five year period for renewal of permits on expiry or the two year maximum validity period.
