Written Answers Nos. 215-235
215. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport if his Department/Transport Infrastructure Ireland can provide a rationale for the necessity of conducting ground investigations on the MetroLink site in Dublin on a seven-day basis. [34316/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, MetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new rail line between Swords and Dublin City Centre, the first of its kind in Ireland. It is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30.
Further to the planning application for MetroLink, the Oral Hearing began on 19th February and ran until 28th March. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) engaged constructively with all parties as part of the Oral Hearing. Following the Oral Hearing, An Bord Pleanála instructed TII to make the Oral Hearing documents available for a second public consultation period from August 19th to October 9th.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including MetroLink in conjunction with TII.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
216. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport if his Department/Transport Infrastructure Ireland can clarify the reasons for the granting of weekend out-of-hours work permits for routine investigations, considering such permits are generally reserved for exceptional circumstances. [34317/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, MetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new railway line between Swords and Dublin City Centre, the first of its kind in Ireland. It is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30.
Further to the planning application for MetroLink, the Oral Hearing began on 19th February and ran until 28th March. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) engaged constructively with all parties as part of the Oral Hearing. Following the Oral Hearing, An Bord Pleanála instructed TII to make the Oral Hearing documents available for a second public consultation period from August 19th to October 9th.
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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including MetroLink in conjunction with TII.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
217. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport if he will liaise with Dublin City Council to identify the MetroLink lead within Dublin City Council (details supplied). [34318/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, MetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new railway line between Swords and Dublin City Centre, the first of its kind in Ireland. It is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30.
Further to the planning application for MetroLink, the Oral Hearing began on 19th February and ran until 28th March. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) engaged constructively with all parties as part of the Oral Hearing. Following the Oral Hearing, An Bord Pleanála instructed TII to make the Oral Hearing documents available for a second public consultation period from August 19th to October 9th.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including MetroLink in conjunction with TII.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
218. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to respond to concerns raised respect of a person's position in AirNav (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34320/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised by the Deputy concerns a former employee of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and is an operational matter for the IAA. I have referred the Deputy's questions to the IAA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if a reply is not received from the IAA within ten working days.
219. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the status of N80 safety works in Carlow (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34330/24]
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 Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you in relation to the N80 safety works .
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
220. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the repair works that are planned for the N72 Mallow-Killarney Road between Clonbanin Cross and Lislehane, Cullen County Cork; when this work will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34367/24]
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 Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you in relation to the N72 Mallow-Killarney Road .
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
221. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will instruct his Department to have a bus shelter installed on Greenhills Road at the top of the ‘dip’, stop number 2336 at Tibradden Drive, heading towards Tallaght (details supplied). [34418/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
222. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport to ensure that the buses to Killinarden run more frequently and reliably as it would make a significant difference to the lives of many residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34491/24]
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 request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
223. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will fund the N52 Calliaghstown road safety improvement scheme in County Meath; if he is aware of the ongoing speeding and spate of serious accidents along this stretch of road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34554/24]
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 Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you in relation to the N52 Calliagstown road safety improvement scheme.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
224. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of flights he has taken from Shannon Airport, Cork Airport and Knock Airport since he assumed office. [34586/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra234. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of flights he has taken to or from Shannon Airport, Cork Airport and Knock Airport since assuming office. [34767/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 234 together.
Since taking office I have not taken any flights from Shannon, Cork or Knock Airports.
225. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the contingency plans in place in the event of Dublin Airport being forced to shut down. [34587/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra226. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has modelled the impact and cost on the country of Dublin Airport being forced to shut down; and the cost, per day, to the State of Dublin Airport being forced to shut down. [34588/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.
All operators of aerodromes open for public use, whether certified under European regulation or national regulation, are required to establish an aerodrome emergency response plan. The purpose of this plan is to set out procedures for co-ordinating the actions and response both by the aerodrome operator and Principal Response Agencies (Local Fire Service, National Ambulance Service and An Garda Síochána) in the event of an emergency occurring at, or in the vicinity of the aerodrome. In addition, the operator is required to conduct a full-scale emergency exercise at intervals not exceeding two years and a partial emergency exercise in the intervening year, to test the adequacy and effectiveness of the plan and address any deficiencies which may have been found during the full-scale exercise.
In compliance with Regulations, Dublin Airport has a detailed Emergency Response and Business Continuity Plan. The Business Continuity events covered by this plan cover both aircraft and non-aircraft incidents. The plan outlines the escalation, notification, and activation triggers for the required teams to keep the airport running under changed circumstances with the objective of recovering the airport operations as soon as possible.
It should also be noted that once the emergency plan has been established for aerodrome certification, licensing purposes, the Irish Aviation Authority conducts oversight of the aerodrome operator’s continued compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
On a Government level, in accordance with the Strategic Emergency Management Framework, my Department is the Lead Government Department (LGD) for emergencies in the transport sector which require the convening of the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) to deliver a ‘whole of government’ response. The emergency planning and crisis management function of the department has been enhanced in recent years, and a revised emergency response framework has recently been put in place. Regular engagement also takes place with all agencies under the aegis of my Department on emergency management and preparedness matters.
In an event where services at Dublin Airport may cease on a temporary basis, passenger traffic could be diverted to our other State airports, Shannon Airport (which can accommodate all aircraft) and Cork Airport. Passenger traffic could also be accommodated by smaller regional airports where appropriate.
227. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the total quality of extra CO2 emissions each year caused by journeys being taken by people who live closer to other airports, being forced to travel to Dublin Airport to take a flight. [34589/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that my Department is not in a position to provide the emissions associated specifically with people, who live closer to other airports, travelling to Dublin airport. While certain data exists to analyse transport emissions across certain specific use cases, this cannot be done to the level of granularity requested here.
The Department does not hold specific data on where the journeys of passengers transiting Dublin airport originate from or the reason they chose to travel to Dublin. Nor does it have any specific data on the proportion of car journeys taken for this purpose that are via e.g. electric vehicles. Such information would be required to calculate the figure the Deputy has requested.
Passengers who decide to travel to Dublin Airport are encouraged to travel sustainably wherever possible.
228. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the cost to the State, on an annual basis, of unused capacity, respectively, at Cork, Shannon and Knock airports. [34590/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that while Shannon and Cork airports are State-owned, Ireland West Airport (Knock) is not, and therefore my response focuses on Shannon and Cork Airports.
National Aviation Policy recognises the important role that regional airports play in their areas and in facilitating regional development. Economic Impact Assessments of both Shannon Airport and Cork Airport, recently published by the respective airports, reflect their strong contribution to the economy and the communities they support.
The Shannon Airport Group report estimated that the Group delivers a contribution of almost €4 billion to Ireland’s GDP, supports over 20,300 jobs across the Irish workforce, and contributes €643m in tax revenues. Cork Airport’s Economic Impact Study shows that it contributes to the employment of 12,650 people in Ireland and contributes €1.045bn in Gross Value Added. While there is no actual cost to the State, on an annual basis, of unused capacity respectively at Cork, Shannon and Knock Airports, one can see from the economic impact studies commissioned by the airports' that a further contribution to our economy is possible as these airports continue to grow.
Both Shannon and Cork airports have seen strong growth since the recovery of passenger numbers following the pandemic, and both are planning for further growth over the coming years. In 2023 passenger numbers at Shannon Airport were 1.96 million, the highest level for 14 years. For the first six months of 2024, passenger numbers are 8% higher compared to last year, with the airport expecting 2 million passengers this year. Shannon Airport's 2024 summer schedule provided services on 33 routes to 11 countries, including a new daily New York-JFK service with Delta Airlines. In total, nine services increased frequencies, providing 130,000 extra seats.
Cork Airport had 2.8 million passengers in 2023. Passenger numbers in 2024 to end July are 11% higher compared to last year, with the airport on track to exceed 3 million passengers this year. Their 2024 summer provided services on 48 routes, providing 2.4 million seats. In July, daa announced new incentives on airport charges at Cork Airport for airlines who move routes and capacity from Dublin to Cork while the passenger cap remains in place at Dublin Airport.
Government currently supports Shannon and Cork airports under the recently announced Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme. This Programme has a capital budget of €4.225m available to support Cork and Shannon airports’ sustainability plans. Government also continues to support Ireland’s smallest airports that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than one million passengers per annum under the Regional Airports Programme. The Department is currently exploring how policy can better align with Project Ireland 2040’s objective of promoting balanced regional development by undertaking a detailed analysis in relation to the broadening of the scope of Programme eligibility to allow for the inclusion of airports with greater than one million passengers.
A consultation process with relevant stakeholders to consider the potential for the development of a Start-up Aid Scheme for airlines to support strategic route development to and from the regions is also being progressed.
Finally, the Deputy may wish to be aware that Tourism Ireland strongly promotes regional airports (including Cork, Shannon and Ireland West) to overseas tourism markets through the Government’s Regional Access Cooperative Marketing Access Scheme enabling tactical partnerships and activities that will help drive increases in visitors to the regions, amplifying the Ireland message overseas and supporting direct access.
229. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport when the Government’s aviation policy was last updated; and if he will include an objective to increase the number of slots that are assigned to Cork, Shannon and Knock. [34591/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Aviation Policy (“NAP”), published in August 2015, established a policy framework for the development of the aviation sector. The NAP was designed to create an environment that would encourage the sector to enhance Ireland's connectivity, to foster the growth of aviation enterprise and to maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland's sustainable economic growth and development. My Department will soon undertake work to update the NAP taking into account the changes in the aviation sector since 2015. The update will include a comprehensive public consultation as well as close engagement with aviation sector and other key stakeholders.
The Government continues to support Ireland’s smallest airports, those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than one million passengers per annum, under the Regional Airports Programme. Ireland West Airport (Knock), Kerry Airport and Donegal Airport are currently eligible under the Programme. The Department is currently exploring how policy can better align with Project Ireland 2040’s objective of promoting balanced regional development by undertaking a detailed analysis in relation to the broadening of the scope of Programme eligibility to allow for the inclusion of airports with greater than one million passengers.
The Government also currently supports Shannon and Cork airports under the recently announced Regional State Airport Sustainability Programme. A consultation process with relevant stakeholders to consider the potential for the development of a Start-up Aid Scheme for airlines to support strategic route development to and from the regions is also being progressed.
Regarding the question of slot allocation, Cork, Shannon, and Knock airports are not classified as coordinated airports under Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93. Therefore, there are no airport slot coordination controls on their capacities.
It is national policy to grow connections across the island and all potential growth in capacity of the regional airports is encouraged and supported. I am currently engaged in a round of consultations with key stakeholders, including the regional airports to explore how direct access to the regions can be facilitated, especially in a situation where Dublin Airport is constrained.
230. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the measures available to assist a person in Donegal (details supplied) requiring driving lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34597/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service. This includes application matters. My Department does not have access to individual driving licence applications and may not intervene in the licence application process.
I have referred this matter 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.
231. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 174 of 23 January 2024, to outline the progress made to date in establishing an exchange agreement with the Canadian province of Nova Scotia for the exchange of a driving licence within Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34702/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority is currently considering a request for an exchange agreement with Nova Scotia. The review has not yet been completed.
232. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if there is any requirement for toll operators to notify users of unpaid tolls before they issue a penalty fine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34723/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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). Moreover, 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 regarding unpaid tolls to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
233. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the cost of a particular Road Safety Authority advert (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34736/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the promotion of road safety awareness, advertising, and the dissemination of road safety information. In this regard, the information being requested is held by the RSA.
I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
I am aware that the RSA perform market research on target demographics prior to commissioning particular advertising campaigns. Different campaigns may have different target audiences against whom it is anticipated the campaign will resonate.
I should add that I am currently engaged in a wider review of the RSA’s organisation and operations and a decision on its future remit and structure will be made shortly.
235. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position with the provision of bus shelters at two locations in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34768/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
