Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made on the issues of mutual recognition of penalty points north and south of the border, the A5 and A8 road projects and the development and delivery of north-south safety strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54366/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The mutual recognition of penalty points is being dealt with under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council. Steering and Working Groups have been established to take this work forward and the timetable of key milestones has been agreed for having the necessary primary and secondary legislation in place by 31 December 2014. Both Groups have met on a number of occasions and steady progress is being made.

In relation to works on the A5, I understand that, while the necessary orders have been made to facilitate construction of the two approved sections, the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development's decision to proceed with the scheme is currently the subject of a legal challenge.  In relation to the A8, I understand that works have commenced and are expected to be completed by early 2015.   The sharing of knowledge and experience, including that relating to the lowering of blood alcohol concentration levels for drivers, is continuing between officials from both jurisdictions. The focus remains on the development and delivery of road safety strategies, both North and South, to ensure the best approach towards reducing the number and severity of injuries across the island. 

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the nature and outcomes of north-south cooperation in the area of enforcement of vehicle safety standards and current EU proposals with implications for the transport sector on the island. [54367/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Issues relating to the nature and outcomes of enforcement of legislation relating to vehicles including co-operation between the authorities here and in Northern Ireland are matters for the Road Safety Authority and the Garda Síochána and I do not have a direct function in that regard.

I do understand, however, that there is excellent co-operation between the Road Safety Authority and relevant agencies in Northern Ireland in relation to vehicle safety standards. These include co-ordinated enforcement checks which are conducted on a regular basis to check the compliance of commercial vehicles and their drivers with roadworthiness and drivers hours obligations.  In line with EU requirements, information is exchanged between the Road Safety Authority and the Northern Ireland Authorities where an operator from the other jurisdiction is found to be breaching roadworthiness or driving time requirements while operating in the State or Northern Ireland.

There are a number of EU proposals currently under discussion with implications for the transport sector on the island.  These include proposals relating to roadworthiness of commercial vehicles, roadside inspection of commercial vehicles and tachographs.   We expect that any new EU requirements will apply on both sides of the border and are not expected to impact on the current arrangements for North/South cooperation in relation to enforcement.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the nature of north-south cooperation and contacts regarding Tourism Ireland's Business Plan 2013, the Gathering Ireland 2013 and festivities related to Derry the City of Culture 2013. [54368/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tourism was specifically identified in the Good Friday Agreement as one of the key areas for North/South cooperation and consequently is one on which the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meets in Sectoral format. The Council meets in this format in order to make decisions on common policies and approaches in the area of tourism including decisions on policies and actions to be implemented by Tourism Ireland Limited, the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a tourist destination. 

The most recent NSMC meeting in Tourism Sectoral format took place last Wednesday, 28th November in Armagh. Amongst the agenda items for this meeting was Tourism Ireland's Draft Business Plan for 2013. The Plan outlines Tourism Ireland's targets and strategic priorities for 2013 including how the organisation plans to capitalise on major tourism events north and south next year.  The Council also discussed a specific paper dealing with major tourism initiatives including The Gathering Ireland 2013 and the Derry - Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013, and noted the major role which Tourism Ireland is playing in the overseas promotion of them.  The Council agreed to meet again in Tourism format in Spring 2013 and it is  likely that progress on each of the matters raised by the Deputy will again be discussed.