Written Answers Nos. 54-76
54. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Taoiseach the breakdown of the fees received by each external barrister, senior counsel or legal firm engaged by his Department or the Attorney General in relation to a tax case (details supplied), in tabular form. [39282/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of the Taoiseach has incurred no expenditure in relation to the tax case in question.
A total of €4,180,210 in Counsel fees in respect of all related case files has been paid by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO). This consists of an aggregate total of €1,265,487 paid to three Junior Counsel and an aggregate total of €2,914,723 paid to eight Senior Counsel. The CSSO is not in a position to provide a breakdown of fees paid to individual Counsel for data protection reasons.
55. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions Ireland has taken to comply with the 19 July 2024 determination by the International Court of Justice on Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, which states that Member States are under obligation to ‘abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory or parts thereof which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39225/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 19 July 2024 the International Court of Justice delivered an advisory opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
In it advisory opinion, the Court concluded that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful, and that Israel is under an obligation to bring its unlawful presence there to an end as rapidly as possible.
The advisory opinion sets out the consequences arising not only for Israel, but for all states, as well as for international organisations, including the United Nations. While advisory opinions are not binding in and of themselves, they represent authoritative statements of applicable international law, including customary law obligations which are binding on all states and international organisations.
The Court concluded that states are under an obligation not to recognise as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the OPT, and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by the continued presence of Israel in the OPT.
In particular, the Court considered that states are under an obligation to distinguish in their dealings with Israel between the territory of Israel and the OPT. The duty of distinguishing in dealings with Israel encompasses the obligation to abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the OPT or parts thereof which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory.
Ireland made both written and oral submissions to the Court during the course of these advisory proceedings. In its submissions, the Government argued that all states, as well as international organisations competent in the field of external trade (which for Ireland is the European Union) are required to review their trading relationships with the settlements in the OPT and to take steps to prevent trade that assists in the maintenance of the situation created by settlement activity.
As such, the Government’s position was fully aligned with the opinion delivered by the Court.
I issued a statement immediately following the delivery of the Court’s opinion, indicating that I would be engaging with partners, including within the EU, with a view to ending Israel’s unlawful presence in the OPT, and bringing about the full realisation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
The Court found that the precise modalities to bring to an end Israel’s unlawful presence in the OPT is a matter to be dealt with by the UN General Assembly, which requested the Court's opinion, as well as the Security Council, taking into account the Court’s opinion.
Ireland subsequently co-sponsored a resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 September 2024 which seeks to implement the Court’s advisory opinion. The resolution elaborates on the obligations arising for Israel, all states, and international organisations from Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in the field of trade.
International trade falls within the exclusive competence of the EU. As such, Ireland acts through the EU in relation to the conclusion of agreements relating to international trade in goods and services. Trade relations between the EU and its member states and Israel are governed by the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
The Association Agreement provides that relations between the parties will be ‘based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of the Agreement’. Ireland called earlier this year for an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the Association Agreement.
In Ireland’s view the conclusions of the International Court of Justice, and the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, require a fundamental review of EU-Israel relations, including the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
The EU’s international relations are founded on respect for the principles of the UN Charter and international law. The EU and its member states are bound by the legal obligations identified by the Court in its advisory opinion as binding on all states and international organisations.
Ireland, together with like-minded EU member states, will continue to press within the EU for immediate steps to be taken with a view to preventing trade or investment that may assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the OPT.
56. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for long delays in the processing of first-time passport applications. [39270/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued over 870,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are processed within or before advertised turnaround times with the majority of adult online renewal applications issuing within two working days. There are currently no backlogs. The target turnaround time for first time online applications is 20 working days. The current average turnaround time for first time online applications is 19 working days.
The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked third in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 193 countries.
In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport, when processing a first time application, the Passport Service must validate the identity of the applicant and confirm their entitlement to Irish citizenship. In the cases of children's applications, witnessed identity and consent forms are required to ensure that guardians have consented to the issuance of a passport for the child. This ensures that the Passport Service protects the rights of the child and their guardians. Due to the rigorous checking process in place as already outlined the target turnaround time for first time online applications is 20 working days.
The Passport Service remains committed to offering a range of application channels, including a paper-based service for citizens who are not eligible or do not wish to use the Passport Online service. Paper applications, by their nature, will always be a slower process. Therefore, the turnaround time for all paper applications is 8 weeks. Passport Service figures show that only 5% of applicants now use the Post Passport channel.
The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to four times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Passport Online is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.
In cases where further supporting documents are required from the applicant, every effort is made to let the applicant know as soon as possible. The Passport Service has a system whereby applications do not go to the back of the queue following a request for further documents. When the Passport Service receives the required additional documentation from the applicant, the application is prioritised for checking.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage her constituents to apply online, well in advance of their travel date, for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
57. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on a foreign birth registration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39284/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate. FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of nine months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
With regard to the specific application to which the Deputy refers, the application and supporting documents were received by the FBR Unit on 5 September 2024. Based on the current processing time of nine months, this application will be reviewed in June 2025.
58. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the rationale for the random selection of passport applications for spot checks following consideration by a checker; when this procedure was introduced; the number of such selections that have been made; the outcomes to date; if he will ensure that decisions are not delayed as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39315/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe integrity of the Irish passport is the foremost priority of the Passport Service. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked third in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 193 countries.
The spot check function is a monitoring and assessment tool to ensure quality of work, in addition to entitlement officers’ adherence to the Passport Service's policies and processes. Spot check enables the Passport Service to identify potential issues and put in place mitigating measures such as additional training for staff as appropriate.
The spot check function has been embedded in passport processing from as early as the 1990s, and it is a key tool in protecting the integrity of the Irish passport and assuring the quality of the work of processing teams. Accordingly, the Passport Service is not in a position to share the rate of spot checks undertaken and the outcomes of same. However, the Passport Service aims to meet the advertised target turnaround time for all application types and spot checks are as far as possible carried out within that time frame.
59. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to review a passport application (details supplied); if he can provide an update on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39344/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
60. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to examine the request for a passport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39346/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). The Act provides that a person must, among other things, be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him or her. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is, in turn, subject to the terms of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended.
Prior to 29 November 2005, spouses of Irish citizens had the option of completing a post-nuptial declaration in order to be recognised as Irish citizens. The Passport Service will accept a valid post-nuptial declaration (i.e. dated on or before 29 November 2005) as evidence of citizenship.
Since 30 November 2005, spouses of Irish citizens without any other claim to Irish citizenship (such as, for example, citizenship by descent) may apply for naturalisation if they wish to establish Irish citizenship. Naturalisation comes under the jurisdiction of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service within the Department of Justice.
In this particular case, if the individual concerned cannot provide evidence of Irish citizenship, the Passport Service will not be in a position to approve any passport application made by them. It is open to the person to make enquiries with regard to their eligibility for Irish citizenship to the Department of Justice.
61. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if all possible assistance will be provided by the Irish embassy to the family of a person (details supplied) seriously injured in an accident, including facilitating accommodation in order that the family can be close to the hospital. [39427/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that officials in my Department and the relevant Irish Embassy are aware of this case and are providing consular assistance to the citizen and their family. I understand that a dedicated case officer has been assigned and that they remain in ongoing contact with the family at this very difficult time.
I further understand that officials in the Irish Embassy have provided the family with information and guidance to assist them locally while they remain in the country, including in relation to securing suitable accommodation in close proximity to the hospital.
Please be assured that my Department will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the family within the remit of the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter.
62. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to create a freshwater fisheries reserve under an updated Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 as highlighted by his officials in 2013; if this reserve will be surreptitiously used to validate the presence of invasive/non-native fish such as pike, roach, carp and tench in special areas of conservation such as Lough Corrib, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39238/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to introduce a national fishing rod licence in the near future with a penalty points-based system akin to the national driving licence for wild brown trout and other native species excluding Atlantic salmon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39240/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 64 together.
The matters raised by the Deputy are relevant to the work underway in my Department to modernise and consolidate the policy and legislative frameworks that underpin and protect our national inland fisheries resource. The inland fisheries policy statement and future legislation will encompass a wide range of issues, including, inter alia, a greater focus on conservation, sustainable funding model for the sector and a review of existing licensing provisions for both recreational and commercial fishing
63. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied with the current perverse salmon angling regulations that compel anglers to return alive rod caught escaped farmed salmon in designated ‘catch and release’ fisheries, considering the huge escape of farmed salmon during August 2024 in Killary Harbour, County Galway, with escaped farmed salmon being detrimental to the integrity of special areas of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39239/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince becoming aware of the escape of farmed salmon in Killary Harbour, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has been monitoring for escaped farmed salmon and has alerted anglers and fishery owners throughout the region to be vigilant for the potential presence of farmed fish in rivers. IFI has also requested that all encounters with potential farmed salmon be reported.
In catch-and-release designated fisheries where suspected farmed fish have been reported to be present, IFI allocated authorised officers to patrol and liaise with anglers to enable any samples to be retained. However, verification of farmed salmon based only on visual inspection of the exterior of the fish can in some instances prove very difficult and full verification of the farm origin of a fish is only possible through more detailed investigation (scale reading, internal dissection, genetic analyses of tissue samples). This is due in large part to farmed salmon not having any clear visual external markers that distinguish them from wild salmon with a high degree of certainty.
If the harvest and retention of “suspected” farm salmon in catch-and-release fisheries was permitted, it would increase the likelihood that wild salmon may be culled in error and potentially undermines the protection and conservation of wild salmon, particularly on those catch-and-release fisheries which are not currently exceeding their conservation limits.
65. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or his officials have ever issued a ministerial consent under ‘ARC 02’ for the stocking of Oughterard Hatchery trout fry into Lough Corrib special area of conservation as required under Regulation 30 of S.I. No. 477/2011 - European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 and/or Section 5 of S.I. No. 384/2022 - European Union Habitats (Lough Corrib Special Area of Conservation 000297) Regulations 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39241/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe stocking of Oughterard hatchery is carried out by IFI with the required Ministerial authorisation under Section 14 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, as amended. Any associated activities are monitored by officers of Inland Fisheries Ireland to ensure compliance with all relevant conditions of any licences issued.
66. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of WTE fisheries officers employed by Inland Fisheries Ireland in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased before the end of 2024. [39251/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in the Question, which has been provided by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), is set out in the table below:
|
As at 31st Dec 2022 |
As at 31st Dec 2023 |
As at 30th June 2024 |
|
|
Number of Fisheries Officers Employed |
124 |
129 |
127 |
IFI also employ approximately 40 Seasonal Fisheries Officers each year, in addition to the numbers above, for a 6-month period from April to October.
The number of Fisheries Officers is not expected to increase before the end of 2024.
67. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the ongoing issues faced by PhD researchers funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) regarding the implementation of the recommended stipend increase from €18,500 to €25,000 (details supplied); the steps being taken to ensure that the necessary additional funding is allocated to support this increase; if the SEAI has received any additional funding to support the stipend increase; the measures that are being taken to ensure that all eligible PhD researchers receive the increased stipend as recommended; if he will commit to addressing this funding shortfall to support young researchers and promote research and innovation in Ireland; if he will take immediate action to resolve the financial difficulties faced by researchers due to rising living costs and inflation, given the importance of supporting research and innovation for Ireland’s future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39384/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the outcome of the independent “National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers”, directed by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, SEAI announced in 2023 that the eligible research stipend budget contribution for SEAI funded PhD students was increasing from €18,500 to €25,000 per annum effective from 1 January 2024.
This was applied immediately to the 2023 Call of the SEAI Research, Development and Demonstration Programme. The 2023 Call announced, together with co-funding partners, 40 new research projects had been awarded €20M in Government funding.
Prior year grantees (pre-2023) were also advised to accommodate the stipend increase. SEAI has received feedback from a small number of grant holders where this has proven difficult. SEAI is engaging with the Universities to deal with these cases.
68. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if steps can be taken to enhance the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme which has not paid out an increase for the past sixteen years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39206/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom the outset I would like to clarify that I, as Minister for Transport, have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ, Group and their employees.
Concerning increases for 1951 Scheme pensioners, it is understood that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Scheme is capable of sustaining such increases. CIÉ are actively engaging with the Department to give effect to labour court recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by a ballot of trade union members in May 2021, in order, and minimise risk and liability to the 1951 Scheme. Further, changes are required to bring the scheme into compliance with the IORP II EU Directive, transposed into Irish law in 2021, of which the scheme is currently non-compliant.
For the first time in many years the 1951 Scheme now meets the Pensions Authority’s Minimum Funding Standard (MFS), but the scheme deficit remains significant. The MFS indicates the scheme’s ability to ‘wind-up’ as it currently stands, as opposed to its ability to fund an increase in pension benefits. The CIÉ Board has been advised by the Scheme Actuary that the current MFS position does not create sufficient headroom to grant pension increases at this time, as such a move would put the Scheme at risk of having a deficit on an MFS basis again. In line with industry norms, and in order to achieve stability and security for all members, a MFS funding level (including the Risk Reserve) of materially in excess of 100% is required to give the Scheme sufficient resources to withstand the investment losses that could result from investment market falls.
Any proposal to increase pension benefits would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed and must be done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes. Awarding discretionary pension increases remains a goal of the CIÉ Group, but it is not envisaged that any such increases can be awarded from the Scheme in the near term.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
69. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the number of service-related fines Go Ahead has received in the past three years, broken down by the relative route/reasoning. [39254/24]
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.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
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.
70. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will arrange for an engineer’s report into an ongoing hazardous water lodging situation with a junction (details supplied) where the examination is carried out on a day when it is raining, or where the engineer’s examination is carried out on a monitoring basis over a fixed timeframe. [39275/24]
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.
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.
71. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if clarity will be provided on this issue and make a statement on same. [39290/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll enquiries relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver License Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under Section 4 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (No.14 of 2006). My Department does not have access to individual applications.
Under data protection rules regarding the sharing of personal data, you will need to contact the RSA directly on this matter.
The RSA can be contacted on 096 25000 or by email to lqueries@rsa.ie.
72. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport if he will approve funding for the runway extension at Waterford Airport; if he will set out a timeframe for a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39294/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for his continued interest in the development proposal put forward by Waterford Airport and I am happy to share an update on the matter.
Since last raised by the Deputy, my Department has undertaken a detailed appraisal of the development proposal put forward by Waterford Airport. This appraisal has included the assessment of significant documentation and responses to queries raised by Department officials and addressed by the airport up until 17 July. This level of appraisal is necessary to ensure that due diligence is exercised in accordance with my Department’s “Transport Appraisal Framework” and the Government’s “Infrastructure Guidelines” (previously known as the Public Spending Code).
The Transport Appraisal Framework requires that in the transport sector, where the proposal has an estimated potential cost of €15m or more, the Sponsoring Agency (in this case Waterford Airport) must produce a Project Outline Document, to be reviewed by the relevant Approving Authority (in this case the Department of Transport). The purpose of the Project Outline Document is to outline the rationale for an intervention and the intended impacts; verify the alignment of the proposal with wider government strategy and policy; and describe the appraisal, governance, and financial approach.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has completed its assessment of the detail submitted by Waterford Airport in line with the Project Outline Document requirements. This assessment was recently submitted to both Minister Ryan and I for our consideration.
While I understand that the Deputy is seeking clarification on a timeframe for a decision to be reached on this matter, it is important that both Minister Ryan and I give this assessment our full consideration. Next steps will then be determined.
I wish to assure you that my officials have and will continue to keep Waterford Airport fully informed of where the project is in the appraisal process.
73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if an update in respect of the commencement of the W6 bus route can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39305/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State, and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
New bus services in Dublin are already being delivered, with the first five phases of the Network Redesign rolled out in recent years.
The first of these Spines—the H-Spine—launched in June 2021 and serves Howth and Malahide. The second Spine—the C-Spine serving the Lucan/Leixlip/Celbridge corridor —launched in November 2021.
Phase 3—the Northern Orbital routes—was rolled out in May 2022, connecting Blanchardstown with the Point and Finglas with Howth Junction. Phase 4, comprising the G-Spine and Route 60 connecting Ballyfermot with the Docklands via the City Centre, was launched in October 2022.
Phase 5a, the Western Orbitals, launched in June 2023 connecting the West of Dublin to Kildare. Phase 5b, the Southern Orbitals, was launched in November 2023 connecting the Southern and Western areas of Dublin.
The redesign of the entire network will continue in the coming years subject to funding and driver availability.
Overall, BusConnects will transform bus services in our cities, allowing passengers to travel more conveniently, quickly and sustainably, and I look forward to its full implementation.
The NTA has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
74. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if the radar and associated communications infrastructure at a location (details supplied) has been decommissioned and no longer in use; if not, the plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39306/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe maintenance and operation of radar and communications infrastructure for civil air traffic services is the responsibility of AirNav Ireland, the national air navigation service provider.
While no communications infrastructure is present on Gallow Hill, there are currently operational radar and communications facilities operating in the adjacent area of Woodcock Hill operated by AirNav Ireland.
The equipment present on Woodcock Hill is essential equipment required for the provision of air traffic management services in the surrounding area. There are no plans to decommission this equipment, with plans for the system to be in operation for at least the next 25 years and likely much longer.
75. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the amount expended by the Road Safety Authority and the National Transport Authority on external communications advice or training for its senior leadership team in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the external companies engaged; and the topics or the issues that the training or advices related to, in tabular form. [39311/24]
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. In regards to the Road Safety Authority, this is a matter for the RSA and I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
76. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of putting in place a rapid bus transit system alongside the Midleton to Youghal greenway in east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39331/24]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.
The roll-out of transport services in County Cork under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan is dependent on the annual Estimates process.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the roll-out of new and enhanced services, including in County Cork, 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.
