Post on 08-Apr-2018
Annual Report 2005© Department of Transport
Department of TransportTransport House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel 01-6707444 Fax 01-6709633Email: info@transport.ie
Website: http://www.transport.ie
Copies of this report may be downloaded from www.transport.ie in pdf format.
The Department may be contacted from any part of the country for the price of a local call by dialling 1890-443311
An Roinn IompairTeach Iompair, Sráid Chill Dara, Baile Átha Claith 2, Éire
Tel 01-6707444 Fax 01- 6709633Rphoist: info@transport.ie
Láithair Eangach: http://www.transport.ie
Is féidir teangmhail a dhéanamh leis an Roinn ó aon pháirt den tír le haghaidh praghas glaoch áitiúil má dhiailionn tú 1890-443311
Annual Report 2005
1
Significant progress on implementing the AgreedProgramme for Government has been made bythe Department in the course of 2005.
In 2005 my Department was given anextraordinary opportunity by Government: Toprepare a plan to transform this country’stransport network within a ten-year financialframework. The opportunity was great, thechallenge immense but we met that challenge withthe launch, on 1 November, 2005 of the Transport21 project.
Transport 21 is an integrated solution to Ireland’scurrent and evolving transport needs. Transport21 will underpin our competitiveness, promotebalanced regional growth and enhance the qualityof life for generations to come. This will give ourcountry the transport systems it needs anddeserves.
In addition to the Transport 21 plans I amdelighted with the roll out of State investment inroads and public transport infrastructure whichcontinued during 2005, including:
10 major road openings including DundalkWestern By Pass, Kinnegad/Enfield By
Pass, Sligo Inner Relief Road, SouthEastern Motorway section of M50.
The commencement of work on 15 otherprojects including Dundalk/border on theM1, Arklow/Gorey Bypass on the N11 andthe Monaghan By Pass on the N2;
Major public transport developmentsincluding completion of the DART upgradeproject (extended platforms for 8 car trains,accessibility improvements), entry intoservice of 8 car DART trains, orders for150 mainline railcars (in addition to the 67carriages currently being delivered for theCork line) and continuation of the railwaysafety programme;
Luas carried over 20m passengers in 2005and, at the end of the year, Railway Orderapplications were lodged for extensions toCherrywood and Docklands. Approval wasalso given to extend the trams on theTallaght line by 10 metres, increasing theircapacity by 40%.
The publication of the Government’s Action Planon Aviation published in May, 2005, gave a cleardirection for the development of this criticalsector. It included:
Statement of the Minister
Annual Report 2005
3It is my pleasure to introduce myDepartment’s Annual Report for 2005which reports on progress against ourambitious commitments and objectivesset down in our most recent Statementof Strategy 2005-2007.
A mandate to Aer Lingus to plan for thefuture on the basis that external equitywould be made available and a decision inprinciple that the State sell a majorityshareholding in the airline subject toretaining a stake of at least 25% to protectstrategic interests
The provision of additional terminal and piercapacity at Dublin Airport with Pier Dscheduled for completion in 2007 andTerminal 2 in 2009.
The Railway Safety Bill was enacted and RailwaySafety Commission established on a statutorybasis.
Government approval was given for a Road SafetyAuthority to be a cornerstone for theimplementation of road safety policy. This buildson earlier proposals for a Driver Testing andStandards Authority and incorporates the NationalSafety Council as well as arrangements for vehiclestandards testing and certain functions relating toroad haulage. The legislation for the Authority isexpected to be enacted during 2006. An interimChief Executive was appointed in 2005. The boardof the new Authority is to be established inshadow form early in 2006.
Despite the optimism generated by all theseachievements, I am still very concerned andsaddened about the rising rate of fatalities on ourroads in 2005 against a backdrop of fundingacross Departments in excess of €62m on RoadSafety. While we are doing all we can to improvethe situation through various strategies, includingthe establishment of a dedicated Road SafetyAuthority, increased penalty points andstrengthening legislation, it is up to us all toseriously review our driving habits and to improvethem to the benefit of all our citizens.
Finally, I would like to express my appreciation andthanks to the management and staff of theDepartment for the continuing efforts they maketowards the achievement of the Department’sobjectives.
Martin Cullen, T.D.Minister for Transport
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
4
The year 2005 was a very challenging one for theDepartment of Transport in which we continued tomake sustained progress in delivering on thegoals and objectives set out in our Statement ofStrategy 2005 – 2007 and fulfilling our Mission tounderpin Ireland’s economic growth andcompetitiveness and contribute to socialdevelopment through the efficient and effectivedelivery of an appropriately regulated, sustainable,safe and integrated transport system.
We invested significant effort in the integration oftransport policies within the Department andacross Departments of which the work by acrosscutting team charged with developingTransport 21 was an excellent example. This 10year transport investment framework wasapproved by Government with a budget of €34.4billion and will help underpin Ireland’scompetitveness for many generations to come.
We were responsible for a budget of over €2billion last year, including over €1.7 billion ininvestment in roads and public transportinfrastructure. Some of the highlights of the yearwere 10 major road openings, the completion ofthe DART upgrade project and successfuloperation of Luas which carried over 20 millionpassengers in its first full year of operation. The
vast majority of transport projects are nowcoming in on or ahead of time and budget.
Our reform agenda continued to be challengingas we set out to enhance the efficiency andeffectiveness of the delivery of transport services.The Government’s Action Plan on Aviation wasagreed in May, paving the way for privateinvestment in Aer Lingus, the opening up oftransatlantic air services and the expansion ofcapacity at Dublin Airport. Reforming measureswere also progressed in respect of the NationalRoads Authority and arrangements for the deliveryof Transport 21 through a new Authority for theGreater Dublin Area. Most of the functions underthe Taxi Regulation Act, 2003 were transferred tothe Taxi Regulator in September 2005. Intensivediscussions were held with stakeholders onmodernising the regulatory framework governingthe bus market and replacing the Road TransportAct, 1932. While progress was made in thesetalks, agreement had not been reached by the endof 2005.
The issue of transport safety and in particularroad safety posed particular challenges in 2005as the level of deaths and injury on our roadsremained unacceptably high. Metrication of speedlimits was implemented successfully in January
Foreword by Secretary General
Annual Report 2005
7This is the third Annual Report of theDepartment of Transport, which wasestablished in June 2002.
2005. Significant progress was made on engagingwith the Department of Justice and the Gardai onlegislative measures to underpin road safety,including proposals for speed cameras andextended road-side breath testing, which it isintended to have enacted during 2006 and on theextension of penalty points to 31 additionaloffences from April, 2006. Proposals to eliminatethe back-log of driver tests had not had theanticipated impact by year end but the target forelimination of the backlog remains as mid-2007and progress will be made in 2006.
Government approval was given for a RoadSafety Authority to be a cornerstone for theimplementation of road safety policy. Thelegislation for the Authority completed secondstage in 2005 and it is expected to be establishedduring 2006. An interim Chief Executive wasappointed in 2005. The new Authority willincorporate functions from this Department, theNational Safety Council and the National RoadsAuthority, will be headquartered in Ballina with asub-office in Loughrea and, together with theplanned decentralisation of remaining roadhaulage functions to Loughrea, will fulfil our “earlymover” commitments under the Government’sDecentralisation Programme. The Railway SafetyAct was passed in December 2005, paving theway for establishing the Railway SafetyCommission on a statutory basis in January,2006.
Behind the scenes we maintained a focus ondelivery – on ensuring the Department isorganized, resourced and developed to deliverquality services to our internal and externalcustomers. In 2005, this included strengtheningour HR and Internal Audit function and revampingour Audit Committee. Clear priorities have beenidentified and inform the focus of ourmodernisation agenda. These include targets inthe areas of business planning, PMDS, risk
management, financial systems and humanresources. We seek to inculcate and maintain astrong and embedded sense of partnership withinthe organization and a corporate ethos thatfocuses on results.
I want to acknowledge the efforts of all staffthroughout the year and the contribution theymade to delivering on a challenging agenda. Theyhave had to deal with a considerable degree ofchurn as we continue to re-align portfolios tofocus on priorities and to respond to our dynamicand fast-changing business environment.Organisational change is set to continue with theannouncement in late 2005 that MaritimeTransport functions were to be transferred to theDepartment of Transport with effect from 1January, 2006 - a move which further enhancesthe integration of transport policy.
In concluding I would like to express my thanks toMinister Martin Cullen T.D. and former Minister ofState, Ivor Callely T.D for their leadership andsupport during the year.
Julie O’NeillSecretary General
Foreword by Secretary General
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
8
OBJECTIVE - IntegrationTo further develop andimplement an integratedtransport policy for Ireland.(Responds to High Level Goal: Integration)
In November 2005 the Minister launchedTransport 21 – a 10-year transport investmentframework for the period 2006 to 2015 (SeeAppendix A). Transport 21 will see €34.4 billioninvested in improving our public transport, roadsand regional airports infrastructure in order todevelop a modern state-of-the-art integratedtransport network. A major focus is placed onimproving and expanding public transport,particularly in the Greater Dublin Area and theprovincial cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick andWaterford.
The Minister also appointed a team to makerecommendations on establishing a new transportauthority for the Greater Dublin Area. Theobjective is to put in place an authority that canensure the delivery within time and budget of thelarge and complex public transport projects
planned under Transport 21 for the Greater DublinArea. The team commenced work immediatelyand is expected to report to the Minister with itsrecommendations in early 2006 so that thenecessary legislation can be enacted during2006.
The implementation of Transport 21 and theestablishment of a new transport authority for theGreater Dublin Area are two new strategies for theDepartment, which will be key to the futuredevelopment and integration of transportinfrastructure and services.
The Department participated in numerous cross-departmental fora during 2005 and will continueto do so. These fora allow the Department toensure that transport policy continues to bealigned to and support other Government policies.
The development of Transport 21 during 2005took account of and supports other Governmentpolicy documents such as the National SpatialStrategy and the Regional Planning Guidelines.
Strategy: Take the lead role to ensure theintegration of transport policy withother Government policies.
Strategy: Continue the phased developmentof an integrated transport policy.
Annual Report 2005
11
Integration
Work on developing a common framework for theappraisal and monitoring of transport investmentwas progressed during the year. Economicconsultants, engaged by the Department, reportedin December and their report is underconsideration by the Department.
OBJECTIVE – Spatial and Land Use PolicyTo align transport, spatial andland use policies.(Responds to High Level Goal: Integration)
The Department of Transport participated on theInter-Departmental Committee on theImplementation of the National Spatial Strategy,which is chaired by Department of theEnvironment, Heritage and Local Government.
The Department also participated actively in aSteering Group overseeing the preparation of aconsultancy study, commissioned jointly by Forfásand the Department of the Environment, Heritageand Local Government, concerning investmentpriorities in the Gateways identified in the NationalSpatial Strategy.
The Department continued to participate in variousintegrated land use and transport strategiesunderway in the provincial cities of Cork, Galway,Limerick and Waterford.
OBJECTIVE – SustainabilityTo incorporate the economic,social and environmentaldimensions of sustainability intothe development and deliveryof transport policy.(Responds to High Level Goal: Integration)
The Department’s approach to sustainabilityinvolves seeking to achieve a balance betweeneconomic, social and environmentalconsiderations in the planning and delivery of a
Strategy: Collaborate with other Departmentsand State agencies to develop andimplement policies aimed atreducing the environmental impactof transport.
Strategy: Promote the fuller integration ofsustainable developmentconsiderations into transport policy.
Strategy: Monitor and influence the contentof Regional Planning Guidelines,local development plans andintegrated urban transportstrategies to ensure that theycomplement and support transportpolicy.
Strategy: Collaborate with other GovernmentDepartments, regional and localauthorities and State agencies toensure the implementation of theNational Spatial Strategy.
Strategy: Review and develop the system inplace for the appraisal andmonitoring of transport investment.
Integration (continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
12
modern transport network. We recognise thatgrowing transport activity and the extension of ournational transport infrastructure impacts on theenvironment, particularly in terms of emissionslevels and air quality. In view of this, it is vital thatall of our transport policies and plans aredesigned and implemented in a way thatcontributes to sustainable development, that isdevelopment aimed to contribute now and in thefuture to economic growth, social cohesion andthe protection of the environment. All three ofthese elements are essential for sustainabledevelopment and must therefore be held inbalance.
The Integrated Transport Unit promoted theconsideration of sustainability issues in thedevelopment and implementation of transportpolicy within the Department.
Transport 21, launched in November 2005,represents a major re-balancing of investment infavour of public transport, which is an inherentlysustainable form of transport. The Departmenthas also developed a number of sustainabilityinitiatives which were announced in Transport 21.These include pilot projects for biofuel, hybrid-electric technologies, and eco-driving. Thepurpose of these initiatives is to facilitate themainstreaming of sustainability criteria intotransport investment decision-making and to makecleaner, more environmentally friendly vehiclesavailable, embracing public transport, the haulageindustry and taxis. The Department will beengaging with the relevant sectors in order toprogress these initiatives over the period ofTransport 21.
The Department engaged an EnvironmentalEconomist on contract in 2005, to providespecialised expertise and advice to theDepartment on sustainable transport issues.
The Department participated in a number of cross-Departmental/Agency groups relevant to thesustainable transport agenda, including:
National Climate Change Team (chair:D/Environment, Heritage and LocalGovernment)
The Team’s main activities in 2005 relatedto reviewing progress under the NationalClimate Change Strategy (2000) andoverseeing a consultancy on updatingemission projections, which will inform thenext National Allocation Plan on EmissionsTrading (2008-2012).
Biofuels Strategy Group (chair:D/Communications,Marine and NaturalResources)
This Group assisted in steering aconsultancy by Sustainable Energy Irelandon Policy Incentive Options for LiquidBiofuel, which will inform the development anational biofuel strategy. The Group alsosupported the extension of excise relief onbiofuel production, provided for in Budget2006.
Oil Dependence Study Steering Group:(chair: Forfás)
The Group assisted in steering aconsultancy by Forfás on Oil Dependence inIreland with the aim of assessing relianceon oil as a key input to the Irish economyand making policy recommendations in thisregard.
Biodiversity Group (chair: D/Environment,Heritage and Local Government)
The Group was established in 2005 tooversee the development of the NationalBiodiversity Plan.
Integration (continued)
Annual Report 2005
13
Wider Energy Sub-Group of the Cross-Departmental Team on Housing,Infrastructure and PPPs (chair:D/Taoiseach)
This Group promotes a co-ordinatedapproach on key national energy-relatedissues.
OBJECTIVE – IntelligentTransport SystemsTo use intelligent transportsystems (ITS) to contribute tothe development of thetransport system.(Responds to High Level Goals: Investment, Safetyand Delivery)
Work continued in 2005 on the preparation of anITS strategy for the Department with a view toundertaking a public consultation exercise in thatregard in 2006. In September 2005, theDepartment hosted a workshop on IntelligentTransport Systems in conjunction with the EUCommission.
OBJECTIVE – North/South andBritish-Irish Co-OperationTo co-operate with the relevantauthorities in Northern Irelandand Great Britain in developingtransport policies in a mutuallybeneficial manner.(Responds to High Level Goal: Integration)
Transport Infrastructure Planning
Proposals for road and rail infrastructure underINTERREG IIIA (an EU special initiative for cross-border and inter-regional cooperation) and Trans-European Networks (TENs) were progressed inclose consultation with relevant officials inNorthern Ireland.
Strategy: Work with other administrations inthe British-Irish Council toimplement the work programme andpriorities agreed by Ministers.
Strategy: Work with the Northern Irelandauthorities, particularly within theframework of the North/SouthMinisterial Council, on agreedprojects within the areas selectedfor transport co-operation: strategictransport planning, road safety, railsafety, as anticipated in the Agreedprogramme for Government.
Strategy: Complete a Departmental ITSstrategy and mainstream itsimplementation, particularly ininvestment programmes.
Integration (continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
14
Interreg IIIA
Department of Transport and Department forRegional Development Northern Ireland areimplementing bodies under measure 2.1 of theINTERREG 111A Programme and have receivedEU funding for a number of joint road projects. In2005 the contract for the INSTANT DevelopmentProject (a multi-modal traffic management andinformation system for cross-border trafficbetween Dublin and Belfast) was awarded andsubstantial work was completed within theSouthern section of the Corridor. In addition,preliminary design studies commenced on theN14/13 Lifford /Strabane scheme which is alsoINTERREG funded.
Trans-European Networks (TENs)
TENS- Road
The Dublin-Border section of the Belfast–Dublin corridor has been upgraded tomotorway standard to just south of theBorder. The Dundalk Western Bypass wasofficially opened on 26 September 2005 –5 months ahead of target. Constructioncommenced on the Dundalk to Newry Roadin February 2005 and it is due forcompletion in Quarter 3 of 2007.
In late 2004, a Project Steering Groupbrought forward proposals for cross-bordersupport for City of Derry Airport. In March2005, the Government approved adecision, in principle, to assistdevelopments at the Airport on a joint-funding basis with the British Government.Under the deal, the total contribution fromthe Irish Exchequer will be €7.55 million.
The joint-funding proposal is currentlysubject to State Aid clearance from EUCommission.
TENS – Rail
€1 million in TEN-T funding was approved inDecember 2004 for feasibility, design andtender preparation in relation toimprovements at Limerick Junction andPortarlington, under a programme for theelimination of key permanent speedrestrictions on the Belfast/Dublin/Corkrailway corridor. Design work onPortarlington was almost completed during2005. Initial discussions were also held withthe European Commission in relation toprojects that could potentially qualify forTEN-T funding under the next multi-annualfunding programme for 2007-2013.
Cross Border Rail Safety
Department of Transport and officials from IarnródÉireann met regularly with officials in NorthernIreland to discuss safety issues relating to theoperation of the Enterprise service. The purposeof the ongoing co-operation is to ensure that allissues arising from the transposition of EUDirectives on rail safety in both jurisdictions aredealt with at an early date.
The main issues relate to ‘Interoperability’ and theRail Safety Directive. The Interoperability Directivesfocus on harmonising technical standards acrossEurope to allow trains cross borders easily. TheRail Safety Directive focuses on ensuring that theoperation of a rail service is a safe as possible byputting in place systems and procedures thatpromote a safety culture.
Integration (continued)
Annual Report 2005
15
OBJECTIVE – European UnionTo ensure that Ireland is wellpositioned to influence thedevelopment of EU transportpolicy and legislation.(Responds to High Level Goal: Integration)
During 2005 the Department made an effectivecontribution towards advancing the EU Agenda byattending Transport Councils and Sectoral WorkingGroups. An electronic contribution on EUTransport Policy was posted on the UK PresidencyWebsite by the Department. Briefings for theDepartment of An Taoiseach and the Departmentof Foreign Affairs on EU related transport mattersand overarching issues were made in the courseof the year.
The Department also contributed to interDepartmental Groups on EU affairs and the LisbonAgenda during the year.
OBJECTIVE – RegulationTo promote better economicregulation of transport inIreland.(Responds to High Level Goal: Competition,Regulation and Reform)
The Department, during the year, began theadoption of the recommendations and measuresrecommended in the guidelines issued by theDepartment of the Taoiseach in relation to publicconsultation on policies and on conductingRegulatory Impact Analysis.
Strategy: Ensure that policies developed bythe Department are consistent withthe principles in the GovernmentWhite Paper “Regulating Better”.
Strategy: Improve the quality of regulation oftransport.
Strategy: Ensure a coherent and effectiveapproach to EU policy andlegislative issues impacting ontransport policy.
Integration (continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
16
OBJECTIVE – CorporateGovernanceTo ensure that our Stateagencies achieve the higheststandards of corporategovernance.(Responds to High Level Goal: Competition,Regulation and Reform)
The Department continues to give a clearmandate to each of its State Agencies to operatein accordance with strict commercial criteria, asappropriate to the Agency.
A system through which State Sponsored Bodiesreport compliance with the Code was set upduring 2005.
OBJECTIVE – Data Collectionand AnalysisTo support the developmentand implementation of transportpolicy with targeted datacollection and analysis.(Responds to High Level Goal: Integration)
Work on the development of a data/statisticsstrategy was deferred pending consideration ofhuman resource needs in this area and theoutcome of a detailed evaluation by the CentralStatistics Office of data holdings / needs in anumber of Government Departments, including theDepartment of Transport, known as the SPARproject (Statistical Potential of AdministrativeRecords).
Strategy: Identify priorities and provide theresources for targeted datacollection and analysis.
Strategy: Ensure, through reporting, the fullimplementation by our Stateagencies of the “Code of Practicefor the Governance of State Bodies”.
Strategy: Provide a clear mandate to each ofour State Agencies
Integration (continued)
Annual Report 2005
17
OBJECTIVE – Upgrading ourNational Roads NetworkTo upgrade the National RoadNetwork and expand itscapacity thereby improvingmobility, reliability andaccessibility, leading to reducedtransport costs and absolutejourney times.(Responds to High Level Goal: Investment)
Good progress was maintained in 2005 in theupgrade of the national road network. Exchequerinvestment in the programme amounted to€1.317 billion, €1.264 billion on improvementworks and € 53 million on maintenance. This
Strategy: Promote, oversee, monitor andsupport the efficient and cost-effective implementation throughthe National Roads Authority (NRA)of the national roads improvementand maintenance programmes so asto ensure value for money and theachievements of targets andoutturns.
Strategy: Strengthen the arrangements forthe implementation of the nationalroads programme as identified inthe Agreed Programme forGovernment so as to secure furtherefficiencies in the implementationof the programme
Strategy: To provide a policy, legislative andfunding framework for theupgrading, operation andmaintenance of the national roadnetwork
RoadTransport
Annual Report 2005
19
brought total Exchequer investment in theimprovement programme over the period 2000-2005 to €6.521 billion. There are now continuouslengths of motorway/high quality dual carriagewaystandard road on many of the major routes e.g.M1, N7, N4/N6. Most of the longstanding trafficbottlenecks on our national primary routes havebeen eliminated.
Table 1r Progress on Roads Programme – 2000 to end 2005
Progress No. of Projects Kms
Completed (since 2000) 57 421
Under Construction 24 215
At Tender Stage 11 276
Performance in the delivery of projects on timeand within budget has also improved. 21 of 24major road projects in construction at the end of2005 are within budget and ahead of schedule.This performance reflects the measures taken tostrengthen cost estimation, control systems andprocurement practices.
The launch in November 2005 of Transport 21marked a major development for transportinfrastructure including national roads. Transport21 provides for investment of a further €18.6billion in national roads (€16.6bn Exchequer and€2bn in private finance through PPPs) over theperiod 2006-2015.
Key developments in 2005
10 Projects completed including Dundalk ByPass 5 months ahead of schedule andKilcock/Kinnegad 10 months ahead ofschedule.
15 major schemes commencedconstruction during the year and 9 otherschemes continued construction during2005.
Approval of 34 additional posts tostrengthen NRA staffing in key areasincluding cost estimation and control.
Opening to traffic of 2 PPP projects –Dundalk Western Bypass andKilcock/Kinnegad section of N4/N6.
Increased road-building activity in theBorder Midlands and West (BMW) Region,including the commencement ofconstruction on 7 major projects and theopening to traffic of 5 projects and oneproject that spans both the BMW and theSouth and East (S&E) Regions.
Compulsory Purchase Orders andEnvironmental Impact Statements werepublished for the remaining sections of the5 major inter-urban routes to Cork, Galway,Limerick, Waterford and the Border.
The contract signing of a major north/southproject – Dundalk/Newry scheme.
Road Transport (Continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
20
Completion of the first pilot 2+1 road typescheme located on the N20 Mallow-Rathduff, Co Cork and commencement ofconstruction of a second scheme inCastleblayney. (The 2 plus 1 road typeconsists of two lanes in one direction oftravel and one in the opposite direction.The two-lane section, which provides a safeovertaking zone, alternates with a one-lanesection at intervals of 2km approximately. Itwill be separated by a crash barrier therebydrastically reducing the number of head oncollisions with the potential of halving thedeath toll on these two lane roads).
Continuing investment in pavementrestoration programme on nationalsecondary routes.
Road Transport (Continued)
Annual Report 2005
21
Table 2r National Road Projects completed in 2005
ROUTE PROJECT COUNTY LENGTH ESTIMATED KM FINAL COST (€M)
M1 Dundalk Western Bypass Louth 11 166.4
N2 Carrickmacross By Pass Monaghan 9 51.9
M4 Kinnegad/Enfield Bypass Westmeath 38 550.0
N4 Sligo Inner Relief Road Sligo 5 72.6
N4 McNeads Bridge - Kinnegad Westmeath 5 27.0
N6 Loughrea Bypass Galway 4 18.5
N7 Kingswood Interchange Dublin - 7.0
N21 Ballycarthy/Tralee Tralee 3 13.2
N22 Gortatlea/Farranfore Kerry 4 19.5
M50 South Eastern Motorway Dublin 9.5 569.0
Table 3r National Road Projects started in 2005
ROUTE PROJECT COUNTY COMPLETION ESTIMATED DATE COST (€M)
N1 N.I. Border/Dundalk Louth 2007 91.4
N1 Drynam Interchange Dublin 2006 5.0
N2 Monaghan Bypass, Phase 1 Monaghan 2006 24.9
N2 Castleblaney Bypass Monaghan 2007 115.5
N4 Edgeworthstown Bypass Longford 2006 14.0
N6 Kinnegad/Athlone, Phase 1(Kinnegad/Kilbeggan) Westmeath 2007 220.6
N8/N73 Mitchelstown Relief Road Cork 2006 26.2
N11 Arklow/Gorey Bypass Wicklow/Wexford 2007 179.8
N25 Kinsalebeg Waterford 2006 12.6
N25 Kinsale Road Interchange Cork 2006 47.7
M50 M50 Improvements Phase 1 Dublin 2007 259.0
N51 Navan Inner Relief Road Phase 2B Meath 2007 8.0
N52 Mullingar/Belvedere Westmeath 2007 18.6
N56 Mountain Top/Illistrim Donegal 2008 26.4
N77 Kilkenny Ring Road Extension Kilkenny 2007 31.0
Road Transport (Continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
22
A number of major road upgrade projectsthroughout the country are being implemented bythe NRA, by means of Public Private Partnerships(PPPs), with the private sector being remunerated(in part) by user tolls. This ongoing investment will
ensure earlier delivery of vital national roadinfrastructure. Through PPPs, private sectorinnovation is being harnessed in the areas ofscheme design, construction and long-termoperation and maintenance.
Strategy: Promote the use of PPPs as ameans of delivering the nationalroads programme.
Road Transport (Continued)
Annual Report 2005
23Table 4r National Road projects scheduled to start in 2006
ROUTE PROJECT COUNTY COMPLETION ESTIMATED DATE COST (€M)
N3 Clonee to North of Kells Scheme (PPP) Meath 2009 393.3
N4 Dromod Rooskey Bypass Leitrim 2008 53.0
N5 Charlestown Bypass Mayo 2007 61.6
N6 Kinnegad to Athlone Phase 2 Westmeath 2008 279.7
N7 Limerick Southern Ring Road Phase 2 (PPP) Limerick 2009 242.1
N7 Nenagh to Limerick Tipperary 2009 357.5
N8 Cullahill to Cashel Tipperary 2009 405.6
N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown Tipperary 2009 395.9
N9 Kilcullen/Waterford (Northern Section) Phase 1 Kilkenny 2008 185.3
N9 Kilcullen/Waterford (Southern Section) Phase. 1 Kilkenny 2009 230.8
N11 Enniskerry Junction Improvements Wicklow 2008 4.155
N11 Kilpeddar Delgany Jn. Wicklow 2008 26.0
N25 Waterford City Bypass (PPP) Kilkenny 2009 249.7
M50 M50 Upgrade Scheme Phase 2 (PPP) Dublin 2010 50.0
N80 Mountmellick Relief Road Laois 2008 10.8
The Department of Transport is the ManagingAuthority for the Economic and SocialInfrastructure Operational Programme 2000 to2006 (ESIOP), which is being undertaken as partof the National Development Plan and theCommunity Support Framework for Ireland agreedby the Irish Government and the EuropeanCommission. The ESIOP involves capitalinvestment amounting to €26 billion in majorinfrastructure including national roads, publictransport, environmental infrastructure,sustainable energy, health facilities and housing. Amonitoring committee chaired by a senior officialof the Department oversees the implementation ofthe ESIOP.
Total expenditure under the ESIOP from January toJune 2005 was €1.3 billion. Total ERDF aidreceived during 2005 was €71.928 million. Inaddition, in 2005, Cohesion Fund grant paymentsamounting to €4.4 million were received inrespect of national roads projects.
Table 7r Total Cumulative Expenditure on theESIOP from 1/1/2002 to 30/06/05
NATIONAL TOTAL NDP €billion
Expn. 2002 4,256.99
Expn. 2003 4,385.880
Expn. 2004 4,280.593
Expn. Jan – June 2005 1,293.568
Total €14,217.031
Strategy: Act as Managing Authority for theERDF assisted Economic and SocialInfrastructure OperationalProgramme [ESIOP]
Road Transport (Continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
24Table 5r PPP Schemes opened to traffic in 2005
Route Project County Year Awarded Completion Date
M1 Dundalk Western Bypass Louth February 2004 September 2005
M4/M6 Kilcock-Enfield-Kinnegad Westmeath March 2003 December 2005
Table 6r PPP Concessions to be awarded in 2006 - 2009
Route Project
M50 Upgrade Phase II
N25 Waterford City Bypass
N3 Clonee/South of Virginia Bypass
N6 Ballinasloe Bypass/Galway
N7 Limerick Southern Ring Road (Phase 2)
N8 Portlaoise/Cullahill/Castletown
OBJECTIVE - Road Safety
To promote safer use of ourroads. (Responds to High Level Goal: Safety)
The Agreed Programme for Government containsa commitment that a three-year Road SafetyStrategy will be developed which will targetspeeding, drink-driving, seat belt wearing andpedestrian safety in order to reduce deaths andinjuries.
Following preparation by the High Level Group onRoad Safety, a new strategy for the period 2004 –2006 was published entitled “Road SafetyStrategy 2004 – 2006”.
In preparing the new strategy account was takenof the achievements in meeting the targets set outin the Road to Safety Strategy 1998-2002, acomprehensive review of that strategy, furtherpositive trends established in 2003 and theevolving developments in relation to the EU ThirdRoad Safety Action Plan which has set a target ofa 50% reduction in road deaths across the EU by2010.
The Road Safety Strategy 2004 – 2006 outlines arange of issues that it is intended will be pursuedin the period to 2006. In overall terms, measureswill focus on the areas of education, enforcement,engineering and legislation and will target the keyareas of speeding, driving while intoxicated and
seat-belt wearing.
The primary target of the strategy is to realise a25% reduction in road collision fatalities by theend of 2006 over the average annual number offatalities in the 1998 – 2003 period. Achievementof the target would result in no more than 300deaths per annum by the end of the period of theStrategy and would assist in the achievement ofthe longer term EU target.
The aim of our policies in relation to road safety isto bring us closer into line with the bestperforming nations in the EU.
The principal measures set out in the new strategywere:
An appropriate form of extended roadsidebreath testing will be introduced
A network of speed cameras to beoperated by a private company will bedeveloped
The full system of penalty points will berolled out.
Progress has been made on a number of themeasures set out in the strategy. A revised speedlimit structure expressed in metric valuesincorporating lower speed limits on much of theroad network was implemented early in 2005. Theestablishment of a Traffic Corps was announced inlate 2004 (the number of Gardai in which wereincreased throughout 2005) and work progressedon full implementation of a system of penaltypoints and fixed charges as set out below.
Following a detailed process of consultation withthe Attorney General a system of extendedroadside breath testing was being finalised that
Strategy: Implement the Road Safety Strategy2004 – 2006 as anticipated in theAgreed Programme for Governmentand develop a new strategy for theperiod 2007 and beyond.
Road Transport (Continued)
Annual Report 2005
25
would establish a balance between, on the onehand, the legitimate expectation of society as awhole that the level of road deaths and injuriesmust be dramatically reduced and, on the other,the rights of citizens generally.
New primary legislation will be enacted as early aspossible in 2006 to give effect to theseproposals.
The report of a Working Group on the use ofspeed cameras was approved by Government inJuly 2005 and published in August 2005. TheWorking Group was chaired by the Department ofJustice, Equality and Law Reform and made up ofrepresentatives of the Department of Transport,the Garda Síochána and the National RoadsAuthority. It made recommendations on theengagement of private sector interests in theoperation of speed cameras.
The purpose of this initiative is to enhance overallroad safety and help reduce the numbers ofdeaths and serious injuries on our roads. Thelegislation referred to above will also includeprovisions to enable this initiative to beimplemented.
Throughout 2005, preparations continued for amajor expansion of penalty point offences to beintroduced early in 2006.
Road Fatalities 1997 – 2005
Between 1997 and 2003, road deaths reducedfrom 472 road fatalities in 1997 to 335 in 2003 –a fall of 29%. This was achieved over a periodwhen the number of vehicles, drivers andkilometres travelled on our roads have increasedsignificantly. The increase in road deaths in 2004and again in 2005 places the challenge of
meeting the target set in the Government Strategyfor Road Safety for the end of 2006 into starkfocus.
Vehicle Height
Progress continued on the commitment in theRoad Safety Strategy to consider the regulation ofthe maximum height of vehicles. The publicconsultation process on the issue, which wasinitiated in December 2004 and facilitated by thepublication of a discussion document by theDepartment, resulted in 46 submissions beingreceived. A Department report on the outcome ofthe consultation process for the Minister wasbeing prepared at the end of the year.
Type Approval
During the year, new standards for type-approvalof vehicles were implemented through statutoryregulations which transposed the relevant EUdirectives, viz the European Communities (MotorVehicles Type Approval)(Amendment) Regulations,2005 and the European Communities (MotorVehicles Type Approval) (Amendment)(No. 2)Regulations, 2005. These new regulationsprovided new standards relating to themeasurement of carbon dioxide emissions andfuel consumption, the manufacture of main beamand/or dipped beam headlamps, electro-magneticcompatibility (radio interference), approved test
Strategy: Implement and develop theregulatory frameworks for theenhanced control of road traffic,vehicle standards, motor insurance,driver licensing, driver testing anddriver training.
Road Transport (Continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
26
Road Transport (Continued)
Annual Report 2005
27Table 8r Road Fatalities
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
472 458 413 415 411 376 335 374 399
Table 9r Safety Expenditure across Departments
The table below gives an indication of what is being spent across the relevant Government Departments onroad safety. There is a significant increase in the 2006 Estimate over 2005.
Body/Agency 2005 Expenditure € 2006 Estimate
National Safety Council 5,397,000 5,559,000
Medical Bureau of Road Safety 3,283,000* 9,397,000*
National Roads Authority 13,400,000** 21,600,000**
Driver Testing Centres
(Rent) 1,240,000*** 1,300,000***
(Running Costs) 8,440,634 10,900,000
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 3,039,000 3,560,000
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform 28,000,000**** 34,500,000****
Department of Education and Science N/A 4,000,000*****
Total Expenditure €62,799,634 €90,816,000
* Includes additional funding towards the costs associated with the move of the MBRS from Earlsfort Terrace to Belfield. (€850,000 in 2005 and€7m in 2006)
** Represents expenditure by the NRA on specific road safety measures -does not include expenditure on improvement and upgrading of the roadnetwork generally
*** Rent includes some estimated commencial rental costs on Government owned buildings, Running Costs of Driver Testing Service includessalary T&S, overtime, maintenance, etc.
**** Garda Traffic Corps
***** School Bus Safety Measures
laboratories of tyre manufacturers, measurementof the opacity of the exhaust, and newreplacement catalytic converters.
New vehicles entering into service are required tomeet type-approval standards. This is affected bymeans of statutory regulations, which requireconformity with the type-approval standards.During the year new mandatory standards takinginto account new type approval standards forentry into service for new passenger cars andother vehicles were implemented by means of theEuropean Communities (Passenger Car Entry intoService)(Amendment) Regulations, 2005 and theEuropean Communities (Mechanically PropelledVehicle Entry into Service) (Amendment)Regulations, 2005.
Whole vehicle type approval and entry into servicerequirements, similar to those applicable topassenger cars, were introduced in 2005 for 2 or3 wheel motor vehicles (motor cycles and certainquadricycles). Directive 2002/24/EC is theframework Directive relating to the type approvalof these vehicles and is supplemented by over 12separate directives relating, inter alia, to anti-pollution measures, noise, maximum designspeed, brakes, lights, devices for indirect vision(mirrors), passenger hand holds, indicators etc.The new mandatory standards for entry intoservice of 2 or 3 wheel motor vehicles wereimplemented by means of the EuropeanCommunities (Two and Three Wheel Motor VehicleEntry into Service) Regulations, 2005.
Speed Limiters
Regulations to transpose Directive 2002/85/ECextending compulsory fitment of speed limitationdevices to additional categories of motor vehicleswere made by the Minister in December 2005.
Since 1994 (in accordance with Directive92/6/EEC) goods vehicles over 12 tonne designgross vehicle weight and buses over 10 tonnedesign gross vehicle weight must be fitted withspeed limitation devices.
Directive 2002/85/EC extends the requirementfor speed limitation devices to be fitted and usedso as to include –
all goods vehicles over 3.5 tonne designgross vehicle weight, and
all passenger vehicles having more than 8passenger seats.
Directive 2002/85/EC provides that speedlimitation devices in liable goods vehicles andliable passenger vehicles must be set so that theirspeed may not exceed 90 km/h and 100 km/hrespectively.
Car Testing
During 2005 the car testing service was deliveredby NCTS in accordance with the terms of thePolicy Agreement with the Minister.
Details of the tests carried out by NCTS in 2005and the pass rates for these tests together withthe equivalent data for the years 2000 to 2004are set out in the table, which follows:
The Project Agreement (Contract) between theMinister and NCTS provides for a mid-term reviewby the Minister after the mid-point of the 10-yearcar testing (NCT) contract. The mid-point was 1January 2005. The purpose of the mid-termreview is to review, in detail, the performance ofNCTS and assess a range of strategic issues
Road Transport (Continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
28
including the location and number of NCT testcentres, the content of the test, the quality of theservice, and the responses to a publicconsultation process on the review.
The review is being carried out by the Departmentassisted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).Notices concerning the review and a publicconsultation process were published in thenational and regional newspapers in April 2005.The public consultation element of the review wasconducted in May 2005 and involved invitinginterested organisations and the public to makesubmissions on the service with suggestions forits improvement. It also involved the holding of 7regional public meetings.
A report on the outcome of the mid-term review ofthe national car testing service conducted by PwCwas received in the Department in October 2005and is under consideration.
Revised NCT test fees came into effect from1March 2005. The increases ranged between
0.55% and 1.25% depending on the test categoryand were substantially lower than the inflation ratein the period since the previous increase inFebruary 2001.
Commercial Vehicle Testing
The Department continued to provide support andadvice to local authorities and test centres in theperformance of their functions relating to theroadworthiness testing of commercial vehicles andin implementing the modernisation programme forthe service.
Details of the tests carried out on HGVs (includingtrailers and semi-trailers, buses and ambulances)and LGVs and the pass rates for these vehiclesfor the years 2000 to 2004 are set out in thetable which follows. Details for 2005 were notavailable at time of going to print.
Road Transport (Continued)
Annual Report 2005
29Table 10r NCT Tests
Year No.of Full NCT Pass rate at No.of NCT retests Pass rate attests carried out Full NCT carried out NCT retest
2005 624,619 49% 308,701 90%
2004 614,227 51% 297,380 90%
2003 631,257 52% 303,320 90%
2002 536,071 53% 244,673 90%
2001 378,467 62% 137,064 89%
2000 303,103 48% 155,314 87%
Motor Insurance
During 2005, the cost of motor insurance asmeasured by the Central Statistics OfficeConsumer Price Index fell by 7.42% or 6.4 indexpoints. Further reductions are expected as thework of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board inreducing claim costs continues.
At the end of 2005, 45 of the 67recommendations of the Motor Insurance AdvisoryBoard were fully implemented with progress beingmade on the implementation of a number of otherrecommendations.
The Declined Cases Agreement between theDepartment and the Irish Insurance Federationfacilitates acquiring motor insurance for driverswho cannot get a quote or the quote is so high asto be tantamount to a refusal. The Declined Cases
Committee dealt with 246 cases under theDeclined Cases Agreement in 2005 (down from310 in 2004). This decline, which has beencontinuous since 2001, reflects the increase inavailability of insurance and the declining cost ofinsurance.
Driver Licensing
Local authorities that are licensing authoritiesissue driving licences. The Department continuedto support the operation of the driver licensingsystem by licensing authorities by providing adviceand information on regulations.
Records of driving licences issued are held in theNational Driver File, which is operated by theDepartment of the Environment, Heritage andLocal Government.
Road Transport (Continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
30Table 11r Roadworthiness Tests
Year HGVs No. of Pass LGVsvehicles tested rate No. of vehicles tested Pass rate
2005 N/a N/a N/a N/a
2004 141,675 82% 44,462 79%
2003 140,020 83% 41,891 79%
2002 139,717 84% 40,595 79%
2001 127,422 83% 36,060 79%
2000 113,879 83% 40,248 77%
Table 12r Licences Current 2000 - 2005
Year Provisional Full TOTAL % increase in no. offull licences
2000 497,002 1,517,294 2,014,296
2001 462,133 1,574,491 2,036,624 3.76
2002 352,524 1,758,142 2,110,666 11.66
2003 367,807 1,849,269 2,217,076 5.18
2004 380,347 1,904,976 2,285,323 3.01
2005 404,607 1,947,933 2,352,540 2.25
The Driver Theory Test was introduced on 25 April2001. It applies to all persons making applicationfor a first provisional licence in any particularvehicle category on or after that date.The driver theory test is designed to examine thedriving knowledge of novice drivers. Knowledge of
topics such as the rules of the road, riskperception, hazard awareness and good drivingbehaviour are tested. The test is IT based and isin a user-friendly format.
There are three separate theory tests dependanton the vehicle categories which the person wishesto have on their provisional licence or drivinglicence. These are set out in the following table:
Strategy: Ensure satisfactory operation ofPPP arrangements for driver theorytesting.
Road Transport (Continued)
Annual Report 2005
31
Penalty Points
The following tables shows number of drivers with Penalty Points (Table 13r) and penalty points issued byoffence type (Table 14r):
Table 13r Analysis of Penalty Points Issued to 31st December 2005.
County Number of Drivers1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
P.P. P.P. P.P. P.P. P.P. P.P. P.P. P.P. P.P. P.P. P.P. P.P. * TOTAL
CARLOW 2,613 429 1 67 21 3 1 3,135CAVAN 2,561 301 35 6 1 2,904CLARE 4,991 688 118 20 2 5,819CORK 20,801 3,042 9 564 1 109 1 27 2 24,556DONEGAL 4,675 547 21 109 4 18 7 1 5,382GALWAY 8,715 1,087 3 177 31 8 2 10,023KERRY 5,787 804 144 33 1 10 1 6,780KILDARE 11,285 1,889 1 314 56 8 1 13,554KILKENNY 4,166 610 1 105 17 2 4,901LAOIS 3,210 508 70 21 6 1 3,816LEITRIM 1,153 154 1 27 8 2 1,345LIMERICK C.C. 6,609 972 177 40 10 1 7,809LONGFORD 1,978 330 58 14 1 2,381LOUTH 5,939 866 115 23 2 1 6,946MAYO 4,513 566 6 95 1 14 4 5,199MEATH 9,288 1,325 238 39 10 10,900MONAGHAN 2,667 354 54 8 1 3,084OFFALY 3,555 558 2 104 21 1 4,241ROSCOMMON 2,662 419 1 53 21 3,156SLIGO 2,474 336 3 57 6 4 2,880NORTH TIPPERARY 3,038 396 79 15 2 3,530SOUTH TIPPERARY 3,863 557 105 21 5 4,551WATERFORD C.C. 2,511 381 62 7 1 1 2,963WESTMEATH 3,850 537 1 93 15 1 4,497WEXFORD 6,462 1,124 20 224 7 59 3 16 1 3 7,919WICKLOW 7,145 1,136 7 177 1 31 1 4 8,502DUBLIN C.C. 63,065 10,393 22 1,747 1 316 57 3 75,604LIMERICK C.C. 2,049 269 1 39 9 2 1 2,370WATERFORD C.C. 2,003 324 51 14 4 1 2,397NO Driver Number 41,982 6,902 1,805 7 2 50,698TOTAL 245,610 37,804 1,905 5,265 15 1,015 6 201 2 19 291,842
* Receipt of 12 points results in disqualification for six months.
BREAKDOWN OF DRIVERS BY LICENCE TYPE
FULL PROVISIONAL NO LICENCE **217,852 23,292 50,698
** e.g. non national licence holders
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
32
Table 14r Analysis of Penalty Points Notices Issued by Offence Type to 31st December 2005.
County Offence TypesSpeeding Dangerous Careless No No Safety No Safety No Child No Safety No Child TOTAL
Driving Driving Insurance Belt- Belt Front Restraint Belt Restraintreduced to Driver Seat - Front Rear Rear
Careless Child Seat Seat SeatDriving Child Child Child
CARLOW 3,312 1 406 21 35 1 3,776CAVAN 3,081 194 12 11 3,298CLARE 6,160 587 33 44 1 6,825CORK 26,024 4 7 2,869 69 9 104 10 29,096DONEGAL 5,444 1 25 714 16 34 6,234GALWAY 10,646 3 864 32 49 2 11,596KERRY 6,636 1 1,245 53 1 83 1 8,020KILDARE 15,163 1 1,001 29 49 2 16,245KILKENNY 5,174 1 552 22 1 28 5,778LAOIS 4,242 276 17 19 4,554LEITRIM 1,414 1 150 8 5 1,578LIMERICK Co. Co. 8,328 931 32 1 32 9,324LONGFORD 2,482 351 17 23 2,873LOUTH 7,605 471 11 2 17 1 8,107MAYO 5,499 7 458 17 25 6,006MEATH 12,178 582 17 9 32 7 12,825MONAGHAN 3,233 323 7 13 3,576OFFALY 4,771 2 259 20 13 2 5,067ROSCOMMON 3,464 1 255 13 9 3,742SLIGO 3,209 3 141 4 6 3,363NORTH TIPPERARY 3,673 451 8 11 4,143SOUTH TIPPERARY 4,920 460 12 18 5,410WATERFORD Co.Co. 3,111 350 11 25 3,497WESTMEATH 4,761 1 461 20 18 1 5,262WEXFORD 8,423 2 1 28 1,110 55 2 95 3 9,719WICKLOW 9,555 1 1 7 482 15 1 28 1 10,091DUBLIN C.C. 86,233 1 7 15 3,674 74 25 211 48 90,288LIMERICK C.C. 2,471 1 261 13 23 2,769WATERFORD C.C. 2,582 263 14 1 27 2,887NO Driver Number 45,274 107 266 1,449 3,419 98 17 202 23 50,855Total 309,068 111 283 1,551 23,560 770 69 1,289 103 336,804
Annual Report 2005
33
Table 15r Driver Theory Testing Category
Theory Test Driving Licence/ProvisionalCertificate Category Licence Category
A, B, M and W A, A1, B, EB, M and W
C C1, EC1, C, and EC
D D1, ED1, D, and ED
The operation of the Driver Theory Testing Serviceby Prometric Ireland is monitored by theDepartment on an ongoing basis and is operatingsatisfactorily.
Table 16r Driver Theory Testing Service
Year No. of Tests Conducted Pass Rate
2002 101,428 82.9%
2003 118,425 82.78%
2004 137,016 82.72%
2005 157,269 81.61%
Driver Testing
The Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill2004 completed second stage in the Dail on 29June 2005. A government decision of 13 July2005 approved additional functions for theAuthority and agreed that the body would berenamed the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The additional functions includes the transfer tothe RSA of-
road safety functions of the National SafetyCouncil,
research and statistics functions of theNational Roads Authority
functions relating to vehicle standards, roadhaulage and road safety
The Department at present is delivering theselatter functions.
In May 2005, The Minister opened a refurbishedtest centre in Cork.
The driving test was enhanced in 2005 by theinclusion of additional Technical Checks as part ofthe test. In addition the motorcycle test is nowcontrolled by a radio link and a debrief for thistest is included at the completion of the test.
The delivery of the service as reflected in thestatistics for 2005 continued to be unsatisfactorywhen set against customer expectations ofreasonable waiting times. A number of initiativeswere launched in 2005, which will help to reducenumbers waiting in 2006. These included therecruitment and redeployment of additional staffand the publication of a tender to seek an externalorganisation to deliver 40,000 tests. This latterinitiative was challenged under the terms ofSustaining Progress.
Road Transport (Continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
34
Table 17r Driving Tests
2002 2003 2004 2005
No of Applications received 192,016 233,889 177,667 177,216
Driving Tests Conducted 148,983 156,415 154,000 137,500
Applicant did not attend for Appointment 16,873 14,742 19,897 22,620
Number on waiting list at end Year 65,302 118,902 116,048 126,561
Average waiting time for test at end year 10 weeks 29 weeks 30 weeks 32.8 weeks
Average Pass Rate 54.3% 54.5% 54% 53.6%
Number of Testers employed at end year 114 119 117 (including 125(includingsix retirees) six retirees)
Statistics are actual at 31 December 2005
Road Transport (Continued)
Annual Report 2005
35
Road Transport (Continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
36
Table 18r Waiting Times for Tests Weeks Waiting at Driver Testing Centres at End Year
Test Centre 2002 2003 2004 2005
North LeinsterFinglas 15 43 36 49Dundalk 16 48 41 46Mullingar 18 45 37 48Navan 20 52 50 56Raheny 20 53 55 60
South LeinsterChurchtown/Rathgar 27 52 49 53Gorey 22 51 44 56Naas 29 56 51 51Tullamore 18 42 42 54Wicklow 25 53 45 61Tallaght 26 54 48 59
WestAthlone 14 17 31 26Birr 14 32 35 41Castlebar 21 48 40 37Clifden 15 15 20 26Ennis 12 17 20 36Galway 14 36 35 50Loughrea 13 18 25 31Roscommon 17 28 26 34Tuam 13 33 26 38
North WestBallina 23 45 32 39Buncrana 17 21 36 34Ck-on-Shannon 16 43 33 30Cavan 22 52 41 39Donegal 20 34 35 42Letterkenny 14 43 45 51Longford 17 45 37 33Monaghan 18 45 40 33Sligo 15 37 31 43
South EastCarlow 24 53 52 48Clonmel 15 48 50 51Dungarvan 16 54 52 55Kilkenny 18 53 44 34Nenagh 14 52 49 43Portlaoise 24 52 47 64Thurles 17 54 52 48Tipperary 21 53 51 56Waterford 20 54 41 39Wexford 17 47 40 38
South WestCork 13 41 31 37Killarney 18 46 47 44Kilrush 16 38 27 37Limerick 16 47 44 52Mallow 18 43 35 44Newcastle West 19 41 37 39Shannon 18 52 41 51Skibbereen 21 45 43 44Tralee 20 51 31 32
OBJECTIVE – Road HaulageA safer and more professionaland viable road haulage sector.(Responds to High Level Goal: Competition,Regulation and Reform)
During 2005, the Department continued toprogress its work on implementation of theStrategy and Programme of Action for the roadhaulage industry. Particular emphasis was placedon the combating of illegal haulage operations.Enforcement initiatives focused on the effectivetargeting of suspected offenders and visits toconsignors, including freight forwarders andhaulage operators.
These measures involved close liaison and withindustry sources and enforcement agencies athome and abroad. Central to this co-operation isthe structured system set up by the Departmentfor dealing with complaints and tip-offs. Thissystem, which includes a confidential free-phoneservice - 1800 20 27 35, is continuing to provehighly successful in the effective targeting ofillegal operations.
In addition, the Department carried out increasedmonitoring of licences to ensure that operatorscontinue to satisfy the requirements of their RoadFreight Carrier’s Licence or Road PassengerOperator’s Licence.
The introduction of windscreen Transport Disks toreplace the Vehicle Plates, which were previouslyissued by the Garda Síochána, took place inOctober 2005. This facility streamlined thelicensing of vehicles by providing a one-stop-shopfor operators and improved enforcement
For the first time, bus operators who hold a RoadPassenger Transport Operators Licence are alsorequired to have a transport disc displayed inrespect of each vehicle on their licence.
Also, Section 11 of the Road Transport Act wascommenced which required licensed operators tohave adequate parking space and operatingpremises in the State for the vehicles operated bythem.
The Department continued to foster its links withenforcement agencies at home and abroad,through its bi-lateral contacts and participation ininternational organisations such as Euro ControleRoute. A total of 104 multi-agency checkpointswere undertaken in 2005.
Table 19r Multi –agency checkpoints
2002 48
2003 104
2004 110
2005 104
Strategy: Regulate driver hours and restperiods for road haulage and busoperators
Strategy: Oversee implementation of therecommendations of the Strategyfor the Successful Development ofthe Irish Road Haulage Industry andthe Programme of Action for theRoad Haulage Industry.
Strategy: Efficiently manage the system forregulating access to the professionof road haulage operator.
Road Transport (Continued)
Annual Report 2005
37
During the year, funding of €149,215 wasprovided to support development projectsundertaken by the Irish Road Haulage Association.
During 2005 arrangements were finalised for theintroduction of digital tachographs and associatedsmart card technology. In accordance with EU law,these digital devices will eventually replace theexisting analogue recording devices used in thecabs of trucks and buses to record information onthe driving time, breaks and rest periods ofcommercial drivers. The digital tachograph systemwill deliver significantly improved information tooperators and enforcers and will provide greatersecurity against unlawful tampering.
In December 2005 the European Parliament andthe European Council reached agreement on thenew drivers’ hours Regulation which provides thatthe fitting of digital tachographs in new vehicleswill become mandatory throughout the EU twentydays after the publication of the new Regulation in
the EU Official Journal. At the same timeagreement was also reached on a newenforcement Directive which will significantlyincrease the quality and quantity of enforcementchecks that must be carried out by MemberStates.
Work continues to progress on the preparation oflegislation for the introduction a system of fixedpenalty charges for breaches of licensing andtachograph offences. When the system iseventually introduced, it will provide a significantdeterrent to offenders and will free upenforcement resources by reducing the time spentpreparing cases for court prosecutions.
The Regulation is due to be published in April2006, after which digital tachographs will becomemandatory for new vehicles – from early May2006.
Road Transport (Continued)
Annual Report 2005
39
OBJECTIVE – Public TransportInvestment To improve the capacity, safetyand usage of Ireland ’s publictransport system(Responds to High Level Goal; Investment)
Investment in the upgrading of public transportinfrastructure and services was maintained at ahigh level in 2005. Capital investment amountedto €373 million. In addition a total of €270.1million was paid to the CIÉ companies insubvention.
The capital programme funded a number of majorupgrade projects including:
Strategy: Promote the use of non-Exchequersources of funding, including PPPs,to support the investmentprogramme.
Strategy: Promote, oversee, monitor andsupport the efficient and costeffective delivery, through therelevant agencies of the publictransport investment programme toensure value for money and theachievement of targets andoutcomes.
Strategy: Provide the policy, legislative andfunding framework for theimplementation of a prioritisedinvestment programme for publictransport that expands publictransport capacity and usage, in thecontext of the National SpatialStrategy, the Regional PlanningGuidelines, and regional land useand transport strategies.
PublicTransport
Annual Report 2005
41
The Railway Safety Programme 2004-2008: A total of €89.1 million was spent in2005 on the Railway Safety Programme.
Phase 1 of the DART Upgrade Project,which was completed during 2005:2005 was the first full year of operation ofthe 40 DART cars, which were delivered in2004 to complement the DART UpgradeProject. They provided the additional carsneeded to operate 8-car sets. These werethe first air-conditioned DART cars and areproving to be very reliable in service andpopular with customers.
The purchase of new IntercityCarriages for the Dublin-Cork line: 16of 67 new Intercity Carriages weredelivered during 2005. As the train-setscomplete their commissioning process theywill enter service progressively during theremainder of 2006. The provision of hourlyservices on the Dublin/Cork route will bephased in during 2006.
2005 saw Iarnród Éireann commence aprogramme of road crossing automation,which will benefit from €55 million inExchequer funding between 2005 and2009. Some €590,000 was provided forthis purpose in 2005. The roll out of thisprogramme will see significant day-to-daysavings for Iarnród Éireann (circa €250,000per crossing automated) as the currentsituation of manning at each level crossingplaces a significant financial burden on thecompany. It will also allow faster journeytimes and increased hours of operation.
Much of the work on the road crossing automationprogramme will take place in tandem with aprogramme of resignalling that is currentlybeing undertaken by Iarnród Éireann. Some
€16.47 million was provided by the Exchequer forresignalling in 2005. The resignalling projectinvolves replacing mechanical signalling with acentralised computer controlled system over theentire intercity network. This will provide increasedefficiencies in terms of staffing levels and greateravailability of train paths to cater for projecteddemand for rail transport.
Preparatory work for the Corkcommuter rail service involvingconstruction of a rail line from Cork toMidleton: This will provide a new andregular commuter service between CorkCity and Midleton, and a greatly enhancedcommuter service along the 35km stretchfrom Mallow to Cork City on the mainDublin-Cork intercity line, new stations atBlarney and Kilbarry, and extensive Parkand Ride facilities will be constructed at thenew railway stations at Dunkettle, Blarney,Carrigtwohill and Midleton.
In late 2005 Iarnród Éireann extended the scopeof the contract for 120 new high specificationrailcars from Mitsui of Japan to include anadditional 30 railcars (total of 150) to facilitate theexpansion and extension of improvements inIntercity rail services on the Rosslare and Sligolines. This combined order will see the removalfrom service of all older rolling stock and theprovision of improved service frequencies on aphased basis on all intercity routes including aservice each hour on the Dublin-Cork route; aservice every hour at peak and every two hoursoff-peak on the Galway and Limerick routes andservices every two hours on the Sligo, Tralee andWaterford routes. It will also facilitate theredeployment of existing rolling stock on theselines to serve the highest growing demand areason the Dublin commuter network. Delivery of theseunits is due to begin in 2007. In order to providean appropriate maintenance and servicing facility
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
42
for these railcars Iarnród Éireann have purchaseda site in Portlaoise and construction is due tocommence shortly. It is envisaged that this facilitywill be in operation in early 2008, in tandem withthe commissioning of the 150 railcars.
When Transport 21 was launched in November2005 immediate funding for 20 Tri-axle buses wasprovided. These buses can carry greaterpassenger numbers and are fully accessible tomobility and sensory impaired passengers. Theywere acquired on a pilot project basis for highercapacity routes. The buses were delivered veryquickly with all 20 being delivered and in serviceby the end of January 2006.
The beneficial impact of the increased investmentin public transport is evident in the improvedservices being provided and the increased numberof passengers using public transport. The number
of passengers travelling on our railways, forexample, has grown from 34.5million in 2004 to37.7 million in 2005. The railway infrastructureand rolling stock have been upgraded addingmuch needed additional capacity.
Another major development in 2005 was theenactment of the Railway Safety Act 2005including the establishment of the Railway SafetyCommission, which will regulate the railways inIreland. The Commission has wide-ranging powersto monitor and inspect railway infrastructure, toinvestigate and publish reports into railwayaccidents and to take enforcement action where itperceives that unacceptable risks exist on therailway. Many of the provisions of this Act areimplementing the requirements of the EU RailwaySafety Directive 2004/49/EC adopted in April2004.
Annual Report 2005
43
Table 1p Capital Investment
Capital €m 2001 €m 2002 €m 2003 €m 2004 €m 2005 €m 2001Investment -2005
Exchequer Investment in CIE Public Transport Safety and Development 217.817 262.376 302.367 165.67 285.124 1,233.354
Public Transport Projects 0.369 7.830 7.807 10.642 23.802 50.45
LUAS Investment 126.672 126.975 128.948 130 82.047 594.642
DTO Capital Expenditure 33.458 28.601 40 37 35.018 174.077
Agreed CIE Borrowings 94.666 0 94.666
TOTAL 378.316 425.782 479.122 437.978 425.991 2,147.189
Table 2p Current Expenditure
Current €m 2001 €m 2002 €m 2003 €m 2004 €m 2005 €m 2001Expenditure -2005
Exchequer subvention to CIÉ forthe provision of socially necessarybut non-commercial services 222.204 233.312 244.98 257.229 270.090 1,227.815
RPA Administration 12.373 12.5 10.28 6.877 42.03
Light Rail Expenses 2.063 2.573 2.427 18.556 0.559 26.178
DTO Current Expenditure 0.858 0.882 0.948 1.006 1.046 4.740
TOTAL 225.125 249.142 260.855 287.071 278.572 1300.763
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
44
Bus Átha Cliath
Table 3p Key projects delivered under the National Plan (NDP) in 2005
Project Digital CCTV installations
Status 2005 saw great progress in installing digital CCTV cameras on buses of the Dublin Bus fleet.This will allow for improved security on board.
Table 4p Bus Átha Cliath Subvention and Passenger Statistics 2001- 2005
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Exchequer Subvention (€million) 54.316 56.063 53.867 61.81 64.900
Number of Buses 1,062 1,062 1,062 1062 1082
Number of Passengers Journeys (millions) 143 147 149 149.8 146
Percentage increase/decrease over previous year 2.79% 1.3% 0.5% -2.53%
Bus Éireann
Table 5p Key projects delivered under the National Plan (NDP) in 2005
Project Customer Complaints Management System
Status In 2005 the exchequer funded the acquisition of a complaints system to deal effectively with allcustomers complaints and resolve them in a timely, professional, effective and equal manner.
Annual Report 2005
45
Table 6p Bus Éireann Subvention and Passenger Statistics 2001 - 2004
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Exchequer Subvention (€million) 24.157 21.766 22.856 23.998 25.199
Number of Buses 694 680 680 682 674
Number of Passengers Journeys – excluding schools (millions) 43.8 46 48.4 47.8 49
Number of Passengers Journeys – schools only (millions) 43.6 43.3 43.6 42.4 43.6
Total Number of Passengers Journeys (millions) 87.4 89.3 92 90.2 92.6
Percentage increase/decrease over previous year 2.05% 3% -1.97% 2.66%
Public Transport in the Cities
Dublin
Luas (Green and Red Lines)
Luas Green line commenced service on 30 June 2004 and Red Line Service commenced on 28September 2004. In 2005 Luas carried 22 million passengers on the two Luas lines: 11 million on theGreen line (from Sandyford to St. Stephen’s Green) and 11 million on the Red line from (Tallaght toConnolly Station). This compares to just 6.6 million passengers on both lines in the period July toDecember 2004
Table 7p Luas (Green and Red Lines)
Red Line Red Line Green Line Green Line2005 2004 2005 2004
Length of Line 15 km 15 km 9 km 9 km
Journey Time 43 minutes 46 minutes 22 minutes 22 minutes
No. of Trams 26 (30m) 26 (30m) 14 (40m) 14 (40m)
Capacity of each Tram 235 235 310 310
Passengers 2005 11 million 11 million
Passengers 2004 6.6 million (July to December 2004)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
46
The Department gave funding approval to theRailway Procurement Agency (RPA) at the end of2005 to enhance capacity on the Tallaght line.This involves increasing the length of the 30 metretrams to 40 metres, thus increasing capacity by40%. It is expected that these extra trams will bein service by 2008.
Transport 21
Transport 21 provides for seven new Luasprojects and Metro North and Metro West. Theseprojects, when completed, will provide capacity
for an additional 80 million passengers per annumon the Luas/Metro networks. (See also AppendixA)
Luas (Extensions)
The RPA submitted applications for Railway Ordersfor Luas extensions from Sandyford toCherrywood and from Connolly Station to theDocklands on 7 November 2005 and 1 December2005 respectively.
In accordance with the relevant provisions of theTransport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001, theMinister directed that public inquiries be carriedout into both of these Railway Order applicationsand appointed Mr. James Connolly SC asinspector to conduct the inquiries. The inspectoracts on an independent statutory basis in theperformance of his functions.
On 24 November 2005, the RPA launched a publicconsultation on five potential routes for linkingboth Luas lines in the city centre.
Metro
Metro North will run from St. Stephen’s Green tothe north of Swords, in the vicinity of Lissenhall.
It will interconnect with Metro West at Ballymun,the Maynooth rail line, the Tallaght Luas line andwith the Sandyford Luas and the DART line at St.Stephens Green.
Metro West will be an orbital Metro line linking theTallaght Luas line and Metro North. It will serviceother places such as Clondalkin, Liffey Valley andBlanchardstown. It will be built on a phased basisstarting at the Tallaght end. The RPA are currentlydeveloping plans for both Metro projects.
Annual Report 2005
47
The RPA is working with the CIÉ Group companiesand with private operators to achieve integrationof Luas/Metro with other modes of transport.
Cork
Cork City Council is implementing a Green RouteTransport Corridor policy for public transportservices in the City. Since 2002, the Departmenthas provided €22.6 million in funding for thedevelopment of Green Routes and Park and Ridefacilities in Cork. This includes €9.8 million in2005. The first two Green Routes were launchedin 2004, and a further three were substantiallycompleted in 2005.
Galway
The Galway Transportation and Planning Studywas adopted in 2003, and City Development Planin 2005. The first bus lane in Galway, which wasfunded by the Department (0.8km on the DublinRoad), was officially opened in February 2005.The road from Parkmore junction towards GalwayCity has been identified as the most suitablestretch of the N17 for initial implementation of aQuality Bus Corridor. Some preparatory work forthis QBC commenced in December 2005. Anexperimental Christmas Park & Ride service atBallybrit in December 2005, which was funded bythe Department, was well used. The City Councilare examining the potential for further Park & Ridein the City.
Limerick
Limerick City Council formally adopted aDevelopment Plan in late 2004, and LimerickCounty Council formally adopted its DevelopmentPlan in early 2005. The two Councils are co-operating on the development of three bus priorityroutes with funding from the Department.
Waterford
The Waterford Planning Land Use andTransportation Study (PLUTS) was adopted in2004 and the Department is in close contact withWaterford City Council regarding theimplementation of the Study. Waterford CityCouncil commissioned two bus priorityconsultancy studies during 2005, with fundingfrom the Department. A pilot Park & Ride servicewith associated bus services to and from the CityCentre, with financial support from theDepartment, was provided during the Tall ShipsRace in Waterford in July 2005 and was well used.The City Council are now examining the potentialfor permanent Park & Ride in the City asrecommended in the Waterford PLUTS.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
48
Investment Monitoring
The Investment Monitoring Division (IMD) continuedto monitor and review progress on the delivery ofthe public transport investment programme underthe NDP 2000-2006 to ensure the achievement oftargets and outcome. The IMD provided allmeetings of the NDP (Public Transport) Committeewith comprehensive reports. Over 80 projectswere monitored ranging in value from €1 million toover €100 million.
Checks were carried out on CIÉ co-financedexpenditure in accordance with Article 4 ofCommission Regulation (EC) No 438/2001 of 2March 2001 laying down detailed rules for theimplementation of Council Regulation (EC) No1260/1999 as regards the management andcontrol systems for assistance granted under theStructural Funds
Financial audits were carried out on expenditureby CIÉ companies for which Exchequer Fundingwas provided under the NDP 2000-2006 for theperiods 1 April 2002 to 31 December 2002, and1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003.Finalisation of these audits is expected during2006. The values of the audit samples taken forthese periods were 8% (i.e. €20 million) and 11%(i.e. €34 million) respectively.
Technical audits of works were carried out on thephysical progress of projects undertaken byIarnród Éireann. 20 such audits were carried outduring 2005. Examples of projects audited during2005 are the Dart Upgrade, and the Mini CTCSignalling System.
CIE Subvention
State subvention to CIE for the provision ofsocially necessary, but non-commercial services,increased in 2005 to €270 million from €257million in 2004.
Revised Memoranda of Understanding on ServiceLevels and Targets for CIE operating companieshave been introduced between the Department ofTransport and the CIE group of companies. Theyreflect the general principles of transparency andaccountability for subvention payments to the CIEcompanies for the provision of public serviceobligation transport services.
The Memoranda set out a shared understanding ofthe quantity and quality of service, which eachcompany intends to provide. They incorporate aperformance indicator system, which providesgreater transparency and accountability in thecontext of the public service obligation payment.
Fares
In December 2005, the Minister approved anaverage 4% fares increase, which resulted in anincrease of 3.8% in fares revenue yield. Bus AthaCliath fares went up by 5 cent or 10 cent and arange of increases across the board in BusEireann and Iarnrod Eireann.
A smart card on LUAS services was introduced inMarch 2005 as part of the development towards anational overall integrated ticketing system.
Strategy: Ensure value for money andtransparency in respect of StatePublic Service Obligation [PSO]payments for public transportservices.
Annual Report 2005
49
OBJECTIVE – Competition,Regulation and ReformUse competition, economicregulation and structural reformto enhance the delivery ofpublic transport services.(Responds to High Level Goal: Competition,Regulation and Reform)
Pending reform of the Road Transport Act, 1932,the Department of Transport continues toadminister the existing arrangements for thelicensing of private bus operators, and theadministration of a notification system forproposed service changes for the State bus
companies, taking due account of the relevantlegislation and the legal advice received in relationto it. The Department of Transport issuesauthorisations and journey forms under EuropeanUnion Regulations and Agreements, in respect ofcabotage, cross border and the internationalcarriage of passengers by coach and bus.
In 2005 the volume of licence applicationsremained high, a reflection of the continuedinterest in bus operations. There was also asignificant increase in the volume of applicationsfor authorisations under EU Regulations andagreements particularly in relation to theinternational carriage of passengers by coach andbus. This has resulted in an increase in theoperation of bus services between Ireland and anumber of eastern European States. The projectto standardise the expiry date of existing annualpassenger licences undertaken in 2004 proved tobe successful in 2005 from both the Department’sand the private operator’s point of view. The mainreason for the project was to facilitate operatorsmany of whom had licences due for renewal atvarious times during the year and to use theDepartment’s resources more effectively. Themeasure is part of an ongoing programme ofimproving customer service and Departmentalefficiency in the bus licensing area.
CIE Reform Programme
Preparatory work on the reform programme of theRoad Transport Act, 1932 and the restructuring ofCIE continued during 2005. Extensive discussionstook place on the reform of public transportbetween officials in the Department, CIEmanagement, private bus operatorrepresentatives, ICTU and CIE trade unions during2005.
Strategy: Restructure the CIE Group
Strategy: Reform the market regulatoryframework for the Dublin andnational bus markets, replacing theRoad Transport Act, 1932.
Strategy: Establish independent structures toprocure and regulate publictransport services.
Strategy: Regulate access to the bus operatorprofession and administer theexisting market regulatoryframework for bus services, underthe Transport Act, 1932, aseffectively as possible, pendingnew legislation as anticipated in theAgreed Programme for Government.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
50
At the launch of Transport 21, the Ministerappointed a team chaired by Professor MargaretO’Mahony to finalise the remit, structures andhuman resource requirements of a DublinTransport Authority. The Minister intends to reviewhow best to proceed with public transport reformafter Professor O’ Mahony’s team has reportedand the Government has made decisions on theproposed public transport authority.
Second Railway Package
Statutory Instrument No. 780 of 2005 transposedDirective 2004/51, amending Council Directive91/440/EEC on the development of theCommunity’s railways, into Irish law. Theseregulations provide for the complete opening ofthe market for international rail freight servicesfrom 1 January 2006 and national freight marketsfrom 1 January 2007. At a practical level, this willmean that from 1 January 2006 any licensedrailway undertaking established in the EU thatwishes to provide international rail freight servicesbetween Member States must be given accessand transit rights on the rail networks of MemberStates to allow it to provide that service. From 1January 2007, any licensed railway undertakingestablished in the EU that wishes to provide anytype of rail freight service, including national railfreight services, must be given access rights tothe rail networks in Member States to provide thatservice.
Third Railway Package
The European Commission adopted the ThirdRailway Package on 3 March 2004 and presentedthe package to Transport Ministers on 9 March
2004. This package contains four separatelegislative proposals dealing with the followingissues:
1. Liberalisation of international rail passengerservices;
2. Train Crew Certification;
3. Rights and Obligations of international railpassengers; and
4. Quality of freight services.
The Council Working Group on Land Transportcommenced its consideration of the Proposals inMay 2004. The Luxembourg and UK Presidenciescontinued their examination of these measuresduring 2005. On the 28 September, the EuropeanParliament adopted its opinion in first reading onthese four proposals. The Parliamentrecommended rejection of the proposal on qualityof freight services after it met with considerableopposition in the Council Working Group andadoption of the other three proposals asamended. The Council of Transport Ministers, attheir meeting in December 2005, reached politicalagreement on the three measures adopted by theEuropean Parliament.
Regulation of the European Parliamentand of the Council on passengertransport services by rail and by road.
The European Commission proposed measureswhich seek to promote competition in theprovision of public transport services by limitingthe circumstances in which a public bodyprocuring transport services can give a directaward of a subvention for local bus and rail
Annual Report 2005
51
services only where the operator is directlycontrolled by a local (non-national) procurementbody. Where such direct control does not exist,tender competitions have to be held. Also wherean operator is in receipt of a direct award subsidy,they are not permitted to enter tendercompetitions in other areas.
The proposal was discussed briefly at theCouncil’s Transport Working Group in 2005 in sofar as it impacts on the rail market accessdirective. The UK Presidency prepared a progressreport for the Transport Council in December2005.
Following its establishment in September 2004,the Commission for Taxi Regulation initiated andcompleted a national review to assess the extentand quality of services currently provided by smallpublic service vehicles. The findings, along with aconsultation document, Roadmap – Towards anew national code of regulation for taxis,hackneys and limousines in Ireland, werepublished in June 2005. Submissions were invitedon the Roadmap by 26 September 2005 followingwhich the preparation of a new regulatory code inrelation to the control and operation of smallpublic service vehicles and their drivers wascommenced by the Commission.
All remaining sections of the Taxi Regulation Act2003, with the exception of sections 35, 36 and44(5), were commenced with effect from 26September 2005. The Commission for TaxiRegulation has taken over from local authoritiesthe regulatory role in relation to the licensing,control and operation of taxis, hackneys andlimousines, and their drivers. The Commission isalso responsible for declaring or altering taximeter
areas and fixing maximum taxi fares. Regulationsmade by the Commission in October 2005 (TaxiRegulation Act 2003 (Fees and Licensing)Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 651 of 2005)), with theconsent of the Minister for Transport, facilitatedthe commencement of a funding mechanism forthe Commission from the phased sharing ofvehicle licence fee revenue with local authorities.
2005 saw the completion of the Taxi HardshipPayments Scheme (THPS) which was administeredand managed by Area Development ManagementLimited (ADM) on behalf of the Department. Thefinal report on the Scheme was submitted to theDepartment in November 2005.
Table 8p Hardship Payment Scheme
Total Cost € 18,098,378
Of which:Hardship Payments € 17,449,000ADM Administrative Costs € 649,378
Taxi Licences held at 21/11/2000 3934
Applications for payment received 1937
Applications successful 1517(78% of applications received
– 82% of valid applications
Applications not successful 326
Applications incomplete 94
A total of 230 appeals under the Scheme werereceived and 32 original application decisionswere revised and paid on appeal, representing14% of appeals received.
Strategy: Pursue and oversee implementationof the Taxi Regulation Act 2003.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
52
OBJECTIVE - Railway Safety To ensure that railwayinfrastructure and services areprovided, managed and used ina manner that protects peoplefrom death and injury.(Responds to High Level Goal: Safety)
Railway Safety Act 2005
The Railway Safety Act was passed into law on 18December 2005.
The principal feature of the Act is theestablishment of an independent statutory publicbody, the Railway Safety Commission, to regulaterailway safety in Ireland. The Railway SafetyCommission was officially established with effectfrom the 1st of January 2006.
The Commission has wide-ranging powers tomonitor and inspect railway infrastructure, toinvestigate and publish reports into railway
accidents and to take enforcement action where itperceives that unacceptable risks exist on therailway.
Investigations into accidents and other incidentswill be carried out by the Railway IncidentInvestigation Unit, which is part of, but functionallyindependent from, the Railway Safety Commission.
The Act is innovative in that it provides for thetesting of safety critical workers for intoxicantsand makes it a criminal offence to be intoxicatedwhile working on the railway.
Many of the provisions of this Act areimplementing the requirements of the EU RailwaySafety Directive 2004/49/EC adopted in April2004.
Railway Safety Programme 2004-2008
Total investment of €512m is proposed for the 5-year period 2004-2008, of which €444m is oninfrastructure and €68m is on enhancing thesafety culture and safety management systems ofthe company.
This level of investment in infrastructure will,among other things, permit the renewal ofapproximately 110 miles of track; the renewal ofover 250 miles of fencing; the closure andupgrading of over 180 level crossings andcontinuing remedial and improvement works onbridges, safety critical buildings, signalling andtelecommunications and on cuttings andembankments.
Strategy: Promote, oversee, monitor andsupport the effectiveimplementation of a prioritisedsafety investment programme forthe improvement of IarnródÉireann’s safety managementsystems and infrastructure.
Strategy: Establish and implement anindependent regulatory frameworkfor railway safety.
Annual Report 2005
53
Audit of Connex
The Interim Irish Railway Safety Commission(IRSC), as part of its remit, carried out an audit ofConnex focusing on the implementation of theirSafety Case. The recommendations made by theIRSC were accepted by Connex.
Heritage Railway Inspections
The IRSC continued its programme of monitoringoperating Heritage Railways. No issues of safetyconcern arose for those inspections conducted in2005.
Level Crossing Working Group
The Level Crossing Working Group, chaired by theIRSC, met four times. The main focus of the groupfor 2005 was bridge bashing due to the concernat the increase in the number of these incidents.
Bridge strikes have increased from 79 in 1996 to203 in 2005. A number of initiatives were takenby Iarnrod Eireann, the Department of Transportand the local authorities, including a mediacampaign and the erection of warning signs.
Inter-Departmental Committee onRailway Emergency Planning:
The Inter-Departmental Committee on RailwayEmergency Planning, chaired by the IRSC, met onfour occasions. The Committee provides anexchange of information and advice to the two railoperators’ emergency plans, Iarnród Éireann andConnex.
Cahir Inquiry
The Chief Railway Inspecting Officer’s report intothe derailment of a freight train at Cahir (inOctober 2003) was submitted to the Minister forhis consideration on 23rd December 2005. Thereport is expected to be published in 2006.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
54Table 9p Rail Safety Investment 1999 – 2005
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Track Renewal (miles) 89 84 74 86 67 39 32
Fencing (miles) 37 67 41 33 42 33 77
Bridges (number) 41 55 16 16 37 13 33
Level Crossings (number) 82 207 175 136 129 36 63
Total Investment (€million) * 90.1 127.5 167.1 148.9 127.5 100.4 89.5
* includes Exchequer, EU and other funding
Iarnród Éireann New Works Approvals
The principal Iarnród Éireann projects which cameinto operation during 2005 and were approved bythe Interim Railway Safety Commission were:
Final phase of the mini-CTC resignallingproject, from Maynooth to Sligo.
Approval for the re-designation of sevenmanually operated gate Level Crossings onthe Mayo line (Kiltoom, Slevin, Fuerty,Correstoona, Carrick, Mossbrook &Bellcarragh) to fully automated CCTVcrossing.
Approval for the re-designation of KillucanLevel Crossing from manual gates to a fullyautomated CCTV crossing.
Approval of two under-bridges, onevehicular, one pedestrian, at McDonaghStation, Kilkenny to facilitate to newdevelopment of land adjacent to the station.
Approval of new over-bridge, to facilitatethe re-routing of the R120 at Adamstown inCo. Dublin.
Approval of new over-bridge, at ClonmelshCo. Carlow, to facilitate the construction ofthe N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford scheme.
Approval of new over-bridge, Idrone Park inCarlow Town, part of the inner relief roadphase 2.
Approval of new over-bridge, at Manusmorein Co. Clare, to facilitate the construction ofthe proposed N18 Ennis Bypass roadscheme.
Objective - Public TransportIntegrationTo ensure an integrated andsustainable approach to thedevelopment and delivery ofpublic transport services.(Responds to High Level Goal: Integration
Quality Bus Network
In support of the overall transportation strategyfor the Greater Dublin Area “A Platform forChange”, the Department’s traffic managementgrants provide funding, through the DublinTransportation Office, to local authorities and thetransport providers for investment in trafficmanagement schemes – mostly bus prioritymeasures - throughout the Greater Dublin Area.Traffic management grants expenditure in 2005was in the region of €35m, of which €29.5m wentto QBC/bus priority projects.
Strategy: Work with local authorities in thelarge urban areas to develop andimplement public transport, trafficmanagement and cycling/pedestrianmeasures (as identified in theAgreed Programme for goverment)within the framework of intergratedland use and transport strategies.
Annual Report 2005
55
Table 10p Quality Bus Corridors
11 QBC’s - Fully Completed Kms By Date
LUCAN QBC Lucan QBC N4 - July 1996 12.1 Jul-96 Lucan QBC Extension N4 (St Johns Road) - Q1 2004 2.5 Q1 -2004Lucan QBC Extension N4 (Lucan Bypass) - Q1 2004 2.4 Q1 -2004TOTAL 17
MALAHIDE QBC Malahide QBC - December 1998 7.5 Dec-98TOTAL 7.5
STILLORGAN QBCStillorgan QBC (N11) - August 1999 12.9 Aug-99Stillorgan QBC Extension (Foxrock to Bray) - Q4 2004 10.7 Q4 - 2004TOTAL 23.6
FINGLAS QBC Finglas QBC - July 2000 6 Jul-00TOTAL 6
NORTH CLONDALKIN QBC North Clondalkin QBC - February 2001 12.1 Feb-01TOTAL 12.1
RATHFARNHAM QBC Rathfarnham QBC - March 2001 7.1 Mar-01Rathfarnham QBC (Ballyboden Road) - Q3 2004 1.3 Q3 - 2004TOTAL 8.4
TALLAGHT QBC Tallaght QBC - April 2001 12.2 Apr-01TOTAL 12.2
BLANCHARDSTOWN QBC Blanchardstown QBC - September 2001 16.4 Sep-01TOTAL 16.4
SWORDS QBC Swords QBC - (Whitehall Road) - November 2001 2.9 Nov-01Swords QBC - (Whitehall - City) - April 2001 11.7 Apr-01Swords QBC - (Swords Village to Cloghran) 7 Q4 - 2005TOTAL 21.6
SOUTH CLONDALKIN QBC South Clondalkin QBC - Q4 2005 7.2 Q4 - 2005TOTAL 7.2
ORBITAL QBC Orbital QBC - Q4 2005 6.4 Q4 - 2005TOTAL 6.4
TOTAL 138.4
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
56
Table 11p Passenger Numbers on QBC Routes
Year Numbers of Passengers using (9) QBC Routes Mon-Fri only
1995 38,577,605
1999 43,946,066
2000 46,773,381
2001 51,288,788
2002 53,795,875
2003 54,871,793
2004 54,139,273
2005 53,100,289
Introduction of 9 QBCs accounts for the extra growth (39%) in this period
Table 12p Passenger Numbers on Non - QBC Routes
Year Numbers of Passengers using Non - QBC Routes - per annum
2000 81,201,759
2001 82,651,525
2002 84,681,434
2003 85,951,656
2004 85,737,255
2005 86,100,223
Annual Report 2005
57
Hard Shoulders for Bus Use
The Department supports pilot projects to assesshow hard shoulders can be safely used by busesat ‘congestion hot spot’ locations on nationalroads, including those linking Dublin and satellitetowns
In 2005, the Department funded the following hardshoulder bus lane schemes under the auspices ofthe Quality Bus Network Project Office and therelevant local authorities:
Navan Road: Approaches to Dunshaughlin
Navan Road: Bracetown section
Naas Road: Kingswood Interchange toKylemore Road.
To facilitate such usage of hard shoulders, theRoad Traffic Act 2004 contains a provision toenable local authorities to apply different speedlimits to separate lanes on a road, and in April2005 the Minister issued statutory guidelines inrelation to the application of special speed limits.
In 2005 the Department, in conjunction with theNational Roads Authority and the Department ofEnvironment, Health and Local Government,devised road signs for use at the pilot locations.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
58
Annual Report 2005
59Cycling
Cycle facilities are being developed in conjunctionwith the implementation of bus priority schemes.Grants to the value of €1 million for 2005 wereapproved by the DTO Steering Committee forexpenditure on cycle provision in the GreaterDublin area in addition to those facilities providedas part of bus schemes.
In 2005 the DTO progressed work on a newguidance manual for cycle facilities and inreviewing the future direction of cycling policy forthe Greater Dublin Area.
In June 2005, with funding from the Department,Dublin city successfully hosted the 25thanniversary of “Velo-City”, the premier internationalcycling planning conference series that takesplace bi-annually in a European city. Theconference brought together politicians,professionals, the cycle industry and bicycle userrepresentatives with a view to increasing therecognition of cycling as a healthy, daily means oftransport, and also increasing the levels of bicycleuse.
Operation Freeflow
Operation Freeflow is an annual initiative to helpmanage traffic in the Dublin City area during thebusy Christmas period. It was initiated in 1996,and has been adapted over the years to changingrequirements. Operation Freeflow 2005, which ranfrom 28 November 2005 to 6 January 2006, wasplanned under the auspices of An Garda Síochánaand the Dublin Transportation Office, in close co-operation with the Department of Transport, localauthorities and transport service providers.
Operation Freeflow involved a variety of measuresto improve traffic flow in the GDA in the Christmasperiod. These included significant increases inGarda numbers (140 extra Gardaí, focusing onkey junctions and bottlenecks), a ban on non-essential road works, provision of towing facilitiesto respond rapidly to breakdowns in key locations,and also additional temporary park and ridefacilities.
European Mobility Week/In Town WithoutMy Car Day
In September, the Department worked with theDepartment of the Environment, Heritage andLocal Government, the Dublin TransportationOffice, Local Authorities and transport operatorsto mark ‘In Town Without My Car’ day as part ofEuropean Mobility Week 2005.
In tandem with 33 other countries across theglobe, Ireland organised a series of promotionsaimed at raising awareness of travel options suchas walking, cycling and public transport, as a firststep towards breaking the habit of automaticallydeciding to travel by car.
Events included the opening of a temporary TravelAdvice Centre in Dublin, a ‘Mobility Management atthe Workplace’ seminar, the launch of new busroutes by Bus Eireann and the introduction of thenew LUAS Smartcard launched in March.
.
.
Rural Transport Initiative (RTI)
RTI projects are currently providing publictransport services on a pilot basis for people inrural areas who otherwise would not have accessto transport. The initiative is operational in virtuallyevery county and 34 rural transport projects arebeing funded under the programme. Some73,000 RTI transport services were provided in2005 and over 600,000 passenger trips wererecorded on these services.
Strategy: Review the role and structure of theDublin Transportation Office (DTO)and implement any necessarychanges.
Strategy: Work with other Departments, localauthorities and agencies tofacilitate the provision of publictransport services in new housingdevelopments, poorly servedcommunities and rural areas
Strategy: Implement the Department ’sOutline Sectoral Plan for AccessibleTransport.
Strategy: Support measures to promotebetter integration of publictransport, including physicalinterchanges, park and ride,integrated ticketing, and integratedinformation provision, across thepublic transport network,particularly in the Greater DublinArea.
Strategy: Improve accessibility to publictransport for people withdisabilities and other sociallyexcluded people
Strategy: Work with other Departments, localauthorities and agencies to promotehigher density and mixed-usedevelopment along urban publictransport corridors, so as tominimise long distance commutingand reduce urban sprawl.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
60
2005 Total No of passengers
Having previously extended the pilot phase of the RTI to end 2006, the Minister announced in 2005 thathe would put the RTI on a permanent footing from 2007 onwards. The Department is currently developingproposals for rural transport services for the post 2006 period.
Annual Report 2005
61
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
80000
DECNOVOCTSEPAUGJULJUNMAYAPRMARFEBJAN
42,43347,187 49,129
53,58054,003
52,598
50,965
45,215
61,76162,958
67,554
64,008
Funding of €4.5m was provided for the RTI in 2005, a 50% increase over the 2004 allocation and duringthe year the Minister announced his intention to provide funding of the order of €5m for the initiative in2006. In addition, the Minister announced that in parallel with the implementation of Transport 21, he willdouble the cash funding available to the RTI by 2007 and that thereafter, he will steadily increase thefunding available for rural transport services, ultimately to a cash level about four times the 2005allocation.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
62
<51%
18-254%
26-6519%
School Age21%
>6655%
Age Breakdown 2005
Other Free3%
Fare PayingPassengers
34%Number of FTP63%
2005 Passenger Type
Table 13p RTI Funding 2002-2006
(in €m) 2002 2003 2004 2005 Total
3 3 3 4.5 13.5
Accessibility
In September 2004, in conjunction with thepublication of the Disability Bill 2004, theDepartment published its Outline Sectoral Plan forAccessible Public Transport. The Plan coverspublic transport accessibility issues relating to busand rail public transport, taxi services and airportfacilities.
During 2005, the Department’s Sectoral Plan forAccessible Transport under the Disability Act2005, together with those of five otherGovernment Ministers, was the subject of a nationwide public consultation process organised by theNational Disability Authority (NDA). TheDepartment had previously published its SectoralPlan for Accessible Transport in outline form aspart of the Disability Strategy launched by theTaoiseach on 21 September 2004. By end 2005,work had begun on revising the Department’s Planin preparation for a seminar and series ofworkshops in Dublin Castle early in 2006.Subsequent to this it is intended that the Plan willbe the subject of a further public consultationprocess, prior to being finalised and presented tothe Houses of the Oireachtas before 29 July 2006as required by the Disability Act 2005. In the Plan,the Department expects to bring forward detailedpolicies for the progressive realisation ofaccessible public transport over the comingyears.
During the year the Public Transport AccessibilityCommittee, which is comprised of representativesfrom a number of organisations representing older
people, people with mobility and sensoryimpairments together with representation from theCIE operating companies and the RailwayProcurement Agency / Connex Transport IrelandLtd. (in respect of Luas), continued to meet inorder to advise the Minister on the accessibilityaspects of proposed public transport investmentsand public transport issues generally.
The Department continues to fund public transportaccessibility improvement projects in the CIEcompanies. Most of the improvements under thisProgramme involve the redevelopment of bus andrail stations, and bus stop improvements, toprovide access for people with mobility andsensory impairments.
Park and Ride Facilities andInterchanges in the Greater Dublin Area.
In Summer 2005, the Department approved theDublin Transportation Office (DTO) strategy for rail-based park and ride, and indicated that capitalfunding would be made available for suitableprojects, subject to compliance with theDepartment’s normal requirement for suchprojects. The DTO strategy for rail-based Park andRide envisages facilities at some 22 locations onthe existing and proposed rail network within theGDA. Arrangements for rail-based park and ridefunding will also extend to public transportinterchange projects.
Dublin Transportation Office (DTO)
The review of the role and structure of the DTO isongoing in the context of Transport 21.
Annual Report 2005
63
OBJECTIVE – AirportsTo ensure that the Stateairports respond in asustainable way to the needs oftheir full range of customersand to facilitate thecontribution of the regionalairports to balanced regionaldevelopment.(Responds to High Level Goals; Investment andIntergation)
The State Airports Act, 2004 provides for aframework which will allow for an orderly approach
to the distribution of the assets of Shannon andCork Airports in conformity with the provisions ofthe Companies Acts.
Prior to the assets of Shannon and Cork beingvested in the two new airport authorities, theirboards are charged with making preparations toassume responsibility for the ownership anddevelopment of the airports as well as beingempowered to undertake certain management andoperational functions, on an agreed basis withDublin Airport Authority, during the interim period.
Before any assets transfer to either Shannon orCork Airport Authority, the Ministers for Transportand Finance will have to be satisfied as to thefinancial and operational readiness of the airportauthorities.
At year end the three State airport authoritieswere continuing to work on preparing theirbusiness plans with the Dublin Airport Authority(DAA) coordinating the process. In this contextthere was a range of issues, including the
Strategy: Implement the provision of theState Airports Act, 2004 coveringrestructuring of the State Airports.
AirTransport
Annual Report 2005
65
unsustainable cost base at Shannon Airport, therecent airport charges determination for DublinAirport by the Commission for Aviation Regulationand the optimum mechanisms for the financing ofthe new terminal in Cork, that needed to beconsidered.
In recognition that these are complex issues whichthe airport authorities must consider carefully theMinister did not impose any artificial deadlines onthe business planning process in 2005.
Passenger traffic at Dublin Airport is forecast togrow from its current level of 18.45 millionpassengers per annum to 30 million by 2015 orso. New infrastructure capacity and facilities, bothairside and landside including further terminalcapacity, will clearly be needed to cater for thisgrowth.
As part of the aviation action plan that wasapproved by the Government in May 2005, theDublin Airport Authority will commission thebuilding of a new Pier for aircraft parking stands,available from 2007 and a new Terminal Two atDublin Airport to open in 2009.
In sanctioning Terminal Two, the Governmentapproved a triple safeguard to ensure maximumefficiency and cost effectiveness of the newterminal. The three safeguards are:
consultation by Dublin Airport Authority withairlines;
independent verification of finalspecifications and costs by experts onbehalf of the Government, and
continuing independent regulation by theCommission for Aviation Regulation insetting airport charges to ensure thatcharges reflect appropriate costs.
The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR)published its new determination of the maximumlevel of airport charges at Dublin Airport on 29September 2005.
Effective from 1 January 2006, the averageannual maximum airport charge allowed by theCAR at Dublin Airport will be €6.14 per passenger.This is a 23% increase on the previous averagecharge cap per passenger of approximately €5.The DAA had sought a 50% increase to €7.50 perpassenger.
When announcing its new price cap determination,the CAR indicated that it did not have sufficientinformation or time to analyse the revised capitalinvestment programme for Dublin Airport whichthe DAA announced on 20 September 2005; theCAR indicated that it may be appropriate to reviewits new determination once it has time to fullyconsider the DAA’s latest capex programme forthe airport.
This review is likely to take place following receiptof the verification report by the Governmentexpected in mid 2006.
Under section 40 of the Aviation Regulation Act2001, as amended, users at Dublin Airport,including the DAA had up to the 29 December lastto lodge appeals with the Minister against theCAR’s recent price determination. Two appealswere received by the Minister (i) from the DAA and(ii) from Failte Ireland. This will necessitateestablishing an appeal panel in 2006.
Strategy: Facilitate the provision of additionalterminal and pier capacity at DublinAirport.
Air Transport (continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
66
The Department continued to support regional airaccess through the PSO Programme in 2005. Thiswas achieved by securing three year contractswith Aer Arann and Loganair for the provision ofPSO services between Dublin and the regionalairports in Donegal, Sligo, Galway, Kerry, Knockand Derry. These contracts run from the 22ndJuly, 2005 to the 21st July, 2008.
Strategy: Seek to optimise the role of theregional airports in promoting morebalanced regional development,primarily through a range ofmeasures such as the EU authorisedPSO programme to support airaccess as provided for in the AgreedProgramme for Government.
Air Transport (continued)
Annual Report 2005
67
Table 1a Details of the PSO contracted subvention levels
Route 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 €’000 €’000 €’000 €’000 €’000
Kerry 3,441 4,479 4,497 4,916 4,336
Galway 3,999 4,600 5,105 5,634 4,774
Sligo 2,725 2,681 4,800* * 4,800* * 4,889*
Donegal 1,802 2,083 * *
Knock 1,960 2,388 3,191 3,403 5,174**
Derry 2,306 2,306 2,306 2,583
Total 16,233 18,537 19,898 21,336 19,173
* Sligo and Donegal routes are operated under a combined contract since 2003.
** Knock and Derry routes are operated by Loganair under a combined contract from 22nd July, 2005. Aer Arann operated theKnock route and Loganair operated the Derry route from 1st January to 21st July, 2005.
Capital Exchequer support for the six regional airports in Donegal, Sligo, Knock, Galway, Kerry andWaterford continued during 2005. Under the Airports Measure of the NDP, support for essential safety-related capital investment was made available. Grants were also available towards operational expenditureincurred by the airports on operational expenditure.
The total amount paid to each regional airport under Capital and Operational Schemes, in each of the lastfive years is as follows:
Table 2a NDP Capital Grant Scheme
Airport 2000 € 2001 € 2002 € 2003 € 2004 € 2005 €
Donegal 0 0 252,779 717,595 0 112,575
Galway 258,646 287,807 728,065 944,712 1,276,421 692,015
Knock 0 302,610 0 2,030,996 0 321,218
Kerry 0 0 838,809 854,876 0 394,650
Sligo 0 181,759 470,060 238,694 9,441 55,852
Waterford 0 55,138 0 586,753 998,085 123,709
Total 258,656 827,314 2,289,714 5,373,626 2,283,947 1,700,018
Table 3a Operational Grant Scheme (Marketing, Safety & Security)
Airport 2000 € 2001 € 2002 € 2003 € 2004 € 2005 €
Donegal 126,973 253,947 230,000 280,000 255,000 255,000
Galway 158,717 253,947 230,000 230,000 280,000 280,000
Knock 723,750 444,408 400,000 400,000 400,000 400,000
Kerry 571,382 444,408 400,000 400,000 400,000 400,000
Sligo 126,973 253,947 230,000 280,000 255,000 255,000
Waterford 196,809 253,947 410,000 650,000 650,000 650,000
Total 1,904,604 1,904,607 1,900,000 2,240,000 2,240,000 2,240,000
Air passenger traffic at Ireland’s State airports increased by 13% from 21.78 million in 2004 to 24.48million in 2005
Air Transport (continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
68
Table 4a Passenger throughput at State Airports (millions)
2002 2003 2004 2005
Dublin 15.08 15.86 17.14 18.45
Shannon 2.35 2.40 2.39 3.30
Cork 1.87 2.18 2.25 2.73
TOTAL 19.30 20.44 21.78 24.48
Table 5a TOTAL Passenger Numbers at the Regional Airports
Airport 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Donegal 20,653 21,701 23,977 38,355 42,675 47,776
Galway 99,976 111,660 110,120 137,165 225,430 252,897
Kerry 153,612 156,501 169,812 305,333 382,021 347,489
Knock 173,421 202,853 199,089 247,721 372,974 530,084
Sligo 24,439 23,693 26,316 30,329 41,053 39,593
Waterford 15,523 29,061 34,541 34,919 60,875 74,357
TOTAL 487,624 545,469 563,855 793,822 1,125,028 1,292,196
Table 6a Grand Total Passenger Numbers (State plus Regional) (million Persons)
Grand Total all Airports 2002 2003 2004 2005
19.86 21.23 22.88 25.77
Air Transport (continued)
Annual Report 2005
69
OBJECTIVE – Air ServicesTo facilitate and encourage aswide a range as possible ofreliable, regular and competitivecommercial air services for Irishtourism, trade and industry.(Responds to High Level Goal; Competition,Regulation and Reform)
The Department continues to pursue the principlethat Aer Lingus operates in accordance with strictcommercial criteria, ensuring that financial resultsand shareholder value benchmark favourably withcompetitor airlines.
Aer Lingus continued to expand its network in2005 with the introduction of 15 new Europeanroutes (10 from Dublin and 5 from Cork).Standardisation of its European fleet wascompleted in 2005, with the introduction of 10new Airbus A320. A total of 17 new Airbus A320aircraft have now been introduced into the fleet(replacing aircraft since disposed of).
In addition, Aer Lingus announced the introductionof a new long-haul service from Dublin to Dubaiwhich will commence from March 2006 and willoperate three times a week. This is the first timeAer Lingus has offered a long-haul destinationoutside of the USA and it is the first step in theexpansion of its proposed new long-haul network.
Strategy: Determine an appropriateinvestment strategy for Aer Lingusin the light of its future operationaland financial planning requirementsand the implication of that strategyfor the ownership structure.
Air Transport (continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
70
Table 7a Aer Lingus Statistics
2002 2003 2004 2005
Operating Profit/(Loss) €63.8m €83m €107 €72.42m
Net Profit €35.3m €69.2m €1.2m €72.35m
Average Number of Aircraft 33 33 32 32.9
Number of Services 42 47 61 74
Scheduled Passengers carried 6.2m 6.6m 7m 8m
On 18 May 2005, the Government decided toallow the sale of a majority shareholding in AerLingus in order to facilitate an equity injection intothe Company, while retaining a significant stake inthe Company to protect the State’s key strategicinterests. The Government authorised theMinisters for Transport and Finance to commencearrangements immediately to facilitate aninvestment transaction, including appointment ofadvisors to recommend the most appropriatetransaction mechanism, including advice on itssize, type and timing (Phase 1 of the work), aswell as to act as, inter alia, advisors for theselected transaction mechanism (Phase 2 of thework).
Following a competitive tender process, UBS andAIB Capital Markets were appointed to providefinancial advice and assistance to the Minister forTransport and the Minister for Finance in relationto an Aer Lingus sale/investment transaction.William Fry Solicitors and Freshfields BruckhausDerringer were appointed as legal advisors for theassignment. Phase 1 of the assignment, whichinvolves recommending the most appropriatetransaction mechanism, including advice on itssize, type and timing, was completed in December2005 and the report was furnished to Ministers.
Negotiations between the EU and the US about awide-ranging aviation agreement, which began inOctober 2003, were concluded in November,2005 and are expected to be formally adopted atpolitical level by June 2006.
The Minister agreed transitional arrangements forShannon when he met the US Secretary forTransportation, Mr Norman Mineta on 9 November2005. These are now included in the EU-USAgreement.
The key features of the transition are as follows:
Existing Shannon stop arrangementscontinue to end October, 2006.
Commencing from November 2006, toMarch 2008, airlines will be allowed 3services to Dublin for every stop atShannon, and Irish airlines will have accessto three additional destinations in the USmaking 7 in all.
Full open skies between Ireland and the USfrom April 2008 in the context of an EU-USAgreement.
This agreement represents a very good outcomefor Ireland. It will be the only transitionalarrangement in the proposed EU-US agreement.When full Open Skies comes in (after April 2008),Irish, EU and US airlines will have full-unrestrictedaccess from all airports in Ireland that canphysically receive transatlantic flights, to all pointsin the US.
The Minister also initiated, in consultation with theMinister for Arts, Sports & Tourism, thepreparation of an Economic and TourismDevelopment Plan for Shannon Airport to enable itto maximise its potential contribution to regionaldevelopment in the context of open skies.
Strategy: Facilitate greater access for allairlines providing transatlantic airservices to and from the USA, in thelight of developing EU policy onEurope – United States “open skies”
Air Transport (continued)
Annual Report 2005
71
Ireland currently has 23 Bilateral Air ServiceAgreements with non EU/European Economic Area(EEA) States. In 2005 Ireland initialled Bilateral AirService Agreements with Australia, Bahrain andQatar, to take immediate effect, and which will besigned formally at a later date.
OBJECTIVE – Safety andSecurityTo ensure that Irish aviationsafety and security policies andpractices comply with or exceedbest international standards.(Responds to High Level Goal: Safety)
The Irish Aviation Authority continues to ensure ahigh level of safety for Irish aviation activities. Amember of the Department’s staff representsIreland on the European Aviation Safety Agency(EASA) management Board. Late in 2005 theEuropean Commission published a proposal toexpand EASA’s activities into flight activities andlicensing. This will introduce further welcomeharmonisation of European aviation safetystandards.
The Department is currently examining theseparation of the IAA’s two functions (serviceprovider and regulating authority for air navigationservices) in the context of the Single EuropeanSky legislation and the establishment of EASA.
The Department is responsible for the ongoingmonitoring of airlines’ and airports’ compliancewith national and international aviation securitystandards. During 2005, the Department carriedout an intensive programme of monitoring andtesting of security systems throughout the aviationsector. The first EU Commission audit of securitymeasures, at an Irish airport, took place at DublinAirport in April 2005; officers from theDepartment were in attendance. The auditidentified some deficiencies, which theDepartment, with the cooperation of the aviationindustry, moved swiftly to rectify. New EU aviationsecurity regulations came into effect. A number ofDepartmental staff undertook further specialisedaviation security training provided by the EuropeanCivil Aviation Conference (ECAC).
Strategy: Continuously review aviationsecurity monitoring arrangementsand resource requirements.
Strategy: Review the Irish AviationAuthority’s role and structure as asafety regulator and an airnavigation service provider in lightof new and emerging EU policies.
Strategy: Support the safety regulationactivities of the Irish AviationAuthority and the development ofan effective European AviationSafety Agency.
Strategy: Encourage the development of newair services to and from Irelandthrough the conclusion of liberalregulatory arrangements with non-European Economic Area (EEA)states.
Air Transport (continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
72
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) conductsits investigations of aviation accidents andincidents in accordance with Annex 13 to theInternational Civil Aviation Organisation Convention,European Union Council Directive 94/56/EC, andStatutory Instrument No. 205 of 1997.
Of the 77 reported occurrences, 60 occurred inthe State, while 17 occurred outside the State. Ofthese occurrences, 26 are being investigated bythe AAIU, while 11 are the subject of investigationby other national authorities, with the assistanceof the AAIU.
The AAIU published 30 Final Reports in 2005. andthese are available at www.aaiu.ie.
The main purpose of the AAIU is accidentinvestigation and prevention. In its latter role manyReports conclude, where appropriate, with SafetyRecommendations. A total of 25 SafetyRecommendations were made by the AAIU in2005. These Recommendations were made toaircraft operators, airport authorities, aircraftmanufacturers and government agencies inIreland.
Strategy: Ensure that the Department’s AirAccident Investigation Unitcontinues to operate to the highestinternational standards.
Air Transport (continued)
Annual Report 2005
73Table 8a Air Accidents/Incidents/Occurrences
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Accidents Reported 10 12 13 9 18
Serious Incidents Reported 6 7 16 14 14
Incidents Reported 47 30 35 34 34
Occurrences logged and no further action required 10 10 14 11 11
Fatalities 0 2 1 1 6
Injuries 5 2 4 4 6
Final Reports Published 19 14 20 22 30
OBJECTIVE - Air TrafficManagementEnsure an on-going strategicand operational role for the IAAin the provision of Air TrafficManagement (ATM) services.(Responds to High Level Goals; Infrastructure,Integration and Competition, Regulation andReform)
The Department and the IAA are closely involved indevelopments at EU level on the implementation ofEuropean Commission’s Single European Skyproposals an attempt to reform the current airtraffic management system and to increaseefficiency and eliminate delays.
The IAA is both the service provider and theregulating authority for air navigation services.Separation of these two functions is now beingexamined in the context of the Single EuropeanSky legislation, which has implications for theorganisation and management of Air TrafficControl services.
The Irish and UK Administrations reviewed, in2004, a 1966 Agreement on the provision of AirNavigation Services in a major block ofinternational airspace in the North Atlantic, inorder to create a new airspace block off theNorth-West coast of Ireland to be called theNorthern Oceanic Transition Area (NOTA). Thisarea is to be controlled by the IAA and increasesIrish controlled airspace by 95,000sq km.Implementation of the Agreement is over 2 phasesand commenced on 20 January 2005 with fullimplementation from October 2006.
Work to complete the regulatory framework forthe establishment of a Single European Sky, whichis intended to bring about major structuralimprovements to European air traffic managementsystems, continued in 2005. A Regulation layingdown common requirements for the provision ofair navigation services was published on 20December 2005. This Regulation will require all airnavigation service providers, including the IrishAviation Authority and Met Éireann, to be certifiedin accordance with the common requirementsfrom the beginning of 2007.
The EU is seeking to develop strategic capabilityin satellite navigation through the Galileo project,Europe’s proposed civilian-controlled globalsatellite system, which is scheduled to beoperational by 2008. Work continued in 2005 onthe selection of an operator of the Galileo systemand negotiation of agreements with thirdcountries.
Legislation to provide for ratification of the revisedEurocontrol Convention was published on 30 June2005 and passed through all stages in SeanadÉireann during October/November. The Bill isexpected to be enacted in Spring 2006.
Strategy: In conjunction with the IAA,continue to play a proactive part inthe development of EU and pan-European proposals for the futureof ATM, in particular the EU’s SingleEuropean Sky initiative.
Strategy: Implement the EU’s Single EuropeanSky Initiative
Air Transport (continued)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
74
In tandem with the review to be undertaken by theDepartment, the Authority, in line with its mandate,continued during 2005 to focus on measures toimprove its efficiency and effectiveness whilemaintaining the highest level of safety.
Strategy: Arising from the structural review ofthe IAA proposed under the SafetyObjective, to ensure that the IAA isbest positioned to provide ATMservices of increasing capacity andenhanced cost effectiveness.
Air Transport (continued)
Annual Report 2005
75
OBJECTIVE – StaffingA highly motivated, professionaland productive staff workingwith equal opportunity in apositive, harmonious andsupportive environment. (Responds to High Level Goal: Delivery)
During 2005, staff assignments were made takinginto account the business needs of theDepartment and the development needs of theindividual.
As part of the Action Plan for the Departmentdeveloped under Sustaining Progress a target of100% competitive merit-based promotions wasset. Discussions with staff interests concluded in2004 and the agreed policy was ratified inJanuary 2005. Throughout 2005 the Departmentcontinued to work towards establishment of theRoad Safety Authority as an independent StateAgency.
Performance Management & DevelopmentSystem: The most significant event in 2005 wasthe conclusion of the central agreement that nowlinks the PMDS process with other aspects ofhuman resources policy – including promotion andincrements The other significant event in 2005was the continuation of staff training in theprocess of giving and receiving upward feedback.
Information briefings on the new Integrated PMDSModel were delivered to almost 75% of staff withadditional support and information on our website.Almost 80% of staff has now participated inupward feedback training.
Strategy: A structured approach to theassignment, development andpromotion of staff, which meetsbusiness and individual needs andrecognises performance andcapability in accordance with bestpractice.
Organisational
Annual Report 2005
77
Staff Training and Development
In 2005 the Strategic Human Resources Unitfocused on the delivery of training anddevelopment requirements identified by staff andtheir managers through the PerformanceManagement and Development System (PMDS).The total spend on staff training and developmentin 2005 was €1,147,182. This represented 4.6%of total payroll costs.
A total of 1,137 training days were delivered tostaff in 2005. Table 1 shows a breakdown of thecategories of training delivered expressed as apercentage of the overall number of training days.
An innovative programme of training to increaseawareness of racial and cultural diversity issues inthe workplace commenced in 2005 and willcontinue in 2006.
Education Refunds
The Department encourages staff to pursue thirdlevel qualifications in their own time and willundertake to refund up to 100% of certain thirdlevel fee courses, subject to a ceiling.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
78
Health & Safety8%
Financial8%
ManagementDevelopment
7%
PerformanceManagement
7%
PersonalDevelopment
31%
Miscellaneous16%
Business & IT Skills23%
The Department did not suffer any loss ofworkdays in 2005 due to industrial action. Thecontinuing open and proactive approach toIndustrial Relations issues has preserved apositive environment.
The Department promotes and supports family-friendly work initiatives/policies.
Strategy: Continued development of apositive working environment,including effective partnershipstructures within the Department,which is responsive to the needs ofstaff.
Annual Report 2005
79Table 1o Third Level Fee Refund Scheme
2002 2003 2004 2005
Refunds Approved 42 43 46 32
Total Spend €69,509 €74,925 €81,075 €59,036
3rd level qualifications
Masters Degree 2 2 1 2
Primary Degree 2 5 3 4
Higher Diploma 0 0 0 1
Diploma 4 3 2 3
Certificate 2 2 10 2
New PartnershipLogo
The number of staff that availed of the various schemes is as follows:
Table 2o Number of Staff on Family Friendly Policy
Scheme No. of staff participating in2003 2004 2005
Worksharing 80 86 89
Parental Leave 29 23 24
Term Time 8 14 23
In accordance with Government equality policies, the Department has targets in relation to the genderbreakdown of key staff grades. These targets are set out below:
Table 3o Male: Female Ratio in relevant grades 2005
2003 2004 2005 Target by end 2007
HEO 47: 53 55: 45 45:55 50: 50
AP 53: 47 55: 45 55:45 50: 50
PO 88: 12 87: 13 94:6 74: 26
The number of staff with disabilities employed in the Department is 3.5% and this accords with targetsestablished by Government in this regard.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
80
Table 4o Percentage of staff with disabilities
2003 2004 2005
% of staff with disabilities 3.0 3.7 3.5
A help desk operates within Property Management Unit to deal with all day-to-day accommodation issuesincluding all office maintenance requests, furniture and equipment requirements. Several projects werealso undertaken during the year such as the refurbishment/upgrading of offices within the Department andthe relocation of a number of staff to new single-occupancy offices in Dublin city centre.
A series of health promotional activities were undertaken in 2005 including the provision of Flu Vaccineadministration.
Annual Report 2005
81
OBJECTIVE – FinancialManagementFinancial management thatsecures allocates and controlsfinancial resources of theDepartment to ensure deliveryof outputs and value for money.(Responds to high level goals: Delivery)
The Department has secured a capital budget of€34.4 billion euro over next 10 years,representing the largest ever spend in this countryon new transport infrastructure.
The national transport investment strategy,Transport 21, for the first time allocates fundingfor a 10-year period to develop an integratedtransport network that substantially enhancesconnectivity and provides for the development ofan integrated transport network. The approvalreceived for an extended 10-year capital envelopefor transport investment, recognises the reality ofthe long timelines involved in planning and designand completing large transport infrastructureprogrammes.
The Department is committed to providing highquality financial management services to ourinternal and external customers, that are efficientand effective, provide quality management andfinancial information and highly effective financialcontrol. A number of specific measures wereadvanced during the year.
ISO 9000:the National Standards Authorityof Ireland (NSAI) awarded 2001- QualityManagement System (QMS) accreditation tothe Department’s Finance Division for itsprovision of services in the accounts,estimates, payroll sections and theManagement Information Frameworkproject. The QMS is a framework forcontinual improvement and businessexcellence and ISO accreditationdemonstrates that the Finance Division hassucceeded in going beyond compliance inprocedures and processes, and hasembraced continual improvement as amethod of responding to change.
Electronic solutions to create efficienciesand improved service for processes in thefinance area continued to be progressed,including:
- Web Requisitioning and Invoice Manager fully implemented. This provides web-based solutions to purchase ordering andauthorisation of payments as well as electronic access to all invoices.
- Full functionality in relation to Electronic Funds Transfer allowing electronic payment to suppliers for goods and services, including the provision of electronic remittances.
Strategy: Ensure proper administration,monitoring and control of all incomeand expenditure through efficientand effective systems.
Strategy: Seek sufficient Exchequer funds,and where appropriate identifyprivate sector funding, to meet theDepartment’s administrative andprogramme expenditurerequirements.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
82
In order to enhance internal controls acomprehensive Risk ManagementSystemwas implemented, includingprocedures, policy document, guidelinesand database for a Risk Register.Departmental-wide training was alsoprovided to ensure effective use of thesystem.
A management reporting mechanismincluding the use of performance indicatorshas been developed to facilitate thesystematic reporting of financial and non-financial information relating toDepartmental business plans
A Systems Dossier Project was completed,facilitating divisional and subsequentlyDepartmental adherence to documentedprocedures for internal financial control
Tailored Management InformationFramework training courses for seniormanagement developed and provided.
Completion of Department’s input into PilotProject on Resource Allocation, BusinessPlanning and Performance Measurement.Report produced by the Department ofFinance based on the work carried out bythe three participating Departments,including this Department. The conclusionsdrawn from the project formed the basis forthe Government Decision –S180/20/10/0839 - Reform of the Budgetand Estimates Process.
Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997
The Department has complied with the provisionsof the Act during the year ended 31 December2005. In accordance with the Act, interestpayments are incurred in respect of late paymentsof accounts.
New processes implemented have yieldedsubstantial improvements in prompt paymentlevels. The interest payments incurred in 2005were €103.
Annual Report 2005
83
Table 5o Interest payments in respect of late payment of accounts
Prompt Payments
Year No. of Payments Amount €
2002 103 3,282
2003 114 4,239
2004 56 2,324
2005 11 103
284 9,948
OBJECTIVE – OperatingEnvironmentA modern progressive operatingenvironment that deliverspositive outcomes to customers,both externally and internally(Responds to high level goals: Delivery)
Performance Management & Development Systemcontinues to be fully implemented in theDepartment.
The Department is represented on the CustomerService Network, and the Change ManagementNetwork, which is also chaired by an AssistantSecretary of the Department.
The decentralisation of Transport staff toLoughrea is among the priority moves in theGovernment’s decentralisation programme. Thisenvisages the transfer of the Road Haulagefunctions (40 posts) of the Department ofTransport (from their present offices in Park WestDublin) and the transfer of the National SafetyCouncil (NSC 10 posts) from Dublin city centre toLoughrea.
The Government decision to establish a RoadSafety Authority, which will incorporate many ofthese functions, will now impact on the actualposts to be located in Loughrea.
OPW are actively pursuing suitableaccommodation in Loughrea and the Departmentare working to ensure that the posts aretransferred by the first quarter of 2007.
Road Safety Authority
Work on the process of establishing the RoadSafety Authority is well advanced. Originally it wasintended that the new body would be called theDriver Testing and Standards Authority and woulddeliver the driver licensing and driver testingservice only. The Government decided in July2005 to assign a range of additional road safetyfunctions to the new body and to re-name it theRoad Safety Authority. The Authority will be taskedwith playing a lead role in the area of road safety.
The Authority’s functions will include thosecurrently undertaken by the Department relating todriver testing, driver licensing, vehicle standards,certain functions relating to the road haulageindustry, the road safety functions presently beingundertaken by the National Safety Council andcertain functions relating to accident research andstatistics being undertaken by the National RoadsAuthority.
The Authority will also have responsibility for theregulation of driving instructing, the introduction ofcompulsory basic training for motorcycles and theintroduction of vocational training for professionaldrivers in the transport industry.
The Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill,2004 has completed Committee Stage in the Dáiland has now been amended to the Road SafetyAuthority Bill. It is anticipated that the Bill willbecome law by the middle of 2006 followingwhich the Authority will be established on astatutory footing. The Bill provides for a Board to
Strategy: Positive advancement of the publicsector decentralisation programme.
Strategy: Active Participation in the CivilService Modernisation Agenda.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
84
oversee and direct the work of the Authoritycomprising a Chairperson and not less than 6 andnot more than 11 ordinary members. Pending theestablishment of the Authority the Ministerproposes to appoint an interim Board to facilitatethe transitional phase of the establishment of theAuthority.
The Department has two Customer Charters - onefor our road haulage customers and one for therest of the Department’s customers. BothCharters set out the standards of service ourcustomers can expect to receive from theDepartment. Our Customer Service Action Planexplains how the commitments in the Charter areto be met.
From January 2005 these standards are beingmonitored throughout the Department usingvarious tracking systems. An automated systemfor telephone call and a manual tracking systemfor postal and email queries.
Promptness of call answering was very good, withthe average response time to a call measured at4.4 seconds, well within 20 seconds, as per ourCustomer Charter commitment.
The Department has put a monitoring system inplace to ensure that customers receive a full replyto their query within the response targets outlinedin the Department’s Customer Charter, i.e. 15days for postal queries and 12 days for emailqueries.
In 2005, the Department continued to place asmuch information as possible on its website -www.transport.ie - with the aim of making it widelyavailable to our customers. The Departmentbegan an examination of the appearance, contentand accessibility of its website in 2005 with a viewto updating it in the course of 2006.
Three issues of the internal staff magazine – Onthe DOT – were published in 2005. The magazinecontinues to contribute to the goodcommunications ethos within the Department.
The staff intranet site – Staffnet – continues to bethe main electronic communication mechanism inthe Department with a large amount of contentnow in place. The electronic Bulletin Board facilityon the site has replaced email in many instancesas a way of circulating information, makinginternal communications within the Departmentmore efficient and targeted.
Information Technology: During the year a numberof projects to advance this objective wascompleted and a number of others significantlymoved forward. Outputs included upgrading of theDriving Test Application system, initiation andsignificant progress on updating the Department’soperating system environment, initiating ateleworking pilot, preparation for decentralisationof Road Haulage Enforcement, and the ongoingmanagement and enhancement of the security androbustness of our infrastructure.
Strategy: Continual Review and Developmentof our communications andinformation systems.
Strategy: Development and implementationof our Customer Service Action Plan
Annual Report 2005
85
Freedom of Information (FOI)
During 2005 the Department continued to meet its commitment to operate within the requirements of the FOI Acts, 1997 and 2003
Requests were received and dealt with as follows:
Table 6o Freedom of Information
FOI Activity June to Dec 2002* 2003 2004 2005
Requests Received 128 156 43 78
Request Granted 22 49 13 17
Request Part granted 16 50 15 22
Request Denied 14 29 10 9
Requests withdrawn or handled outside the Freedomof Information process 16 36 7 9
Requests transferred to other bodies 3 4 0 2
Internal Reviews 2 16 5 1
Appeals to the Information Commissioner 1 4 4 0
*Department of Transport was set up in June 2002
Departmental structure is regularly aligned, from Management Board downwards, to reflect current priorities.
Strategy: Regular Review of the contributionthat Departmental Structure makesto delivery.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
86
Transport 21 was launched 1 November 2005. Transport 21 is the Government’s strategy which will see€9.4 million invested every day for the next 10 years in Irish Transport.
This appendix includes the following:
Relevant Transport 21 completion dates for selected major projects.
Greater Dublin Area Rail Network
National Roads Network 2015
Western Rail Corridor/ Galway - Athenry
Cork Commuter rail
Completion Dates for Selected Major Projects
2006 Introduction of hourly services on Dublin-Cork rail route
Dublin Port Tunnel
2007 New Portlaoise train depot
Delivery and introduction to service of 120 intercity railcars
M1 Motorway
M50 Upgrade (Phase 1)
2008 Joining of the Tallaght and Sandyford Luas Lines in City Centre
Luas extension from Connolly to Docklands
Luas extension Tallaght to Citywest (subject to developer contributions)
Cork commuter rail service to Midleton
Ennis – Athenry rail line (Western Rail Corridor)
Appendix A
Transport 21
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
88
Annual Report 2005
892009 Dublin City Centre rail resignalling project
M3 Motorway
Phase 1 of Navan Rail Link
Opening of new Dublin City Centre rail station
Limerick Southern Ring Road
Waterford City Bypass
Galway – Athenry commuter rail services
2010 Metro West Phase 1 Tallaght to Clondalkin
Kildare rail upgrade
Sandyford Luas line extension to Cherrywood
Dublin- Cork Inter-Urban Motorway
Dublin-Limerick Inter-Urban Motorway
Dublin-Galway Inter-Urban Motorway
Dublin-Waterford Inter-Urban Motorway
M50 Upgrade (Phase 2)
2011 Metro West Phase 2 Clondalkin to Lucan
Athenry – Tuam rail line (Western Rail Corridor)
2012 Metro North
Luas extension from city centre to Liffey Junction
Metro West Phase 3 Lucan to Blanchardstown
2013 Lucan to city centre Luas
Rail Safety Programme completed
2014 Metro West Phase 4 Blanchardstown to Ballymun
Tuam – Claremorris rail line (Western Rail Corridor)
2015 Interconnector completed
Extend Electrification to Balbriggan, Maynooth, Navan, Hazelhatch.
Phase 2 of Navan rail link
Luas extension Cherrywood to Bray
Note: The 2011-2015 road programme will involve the development of approximately 150 km of dual carriageway, 400 km of 2+1roads and 300 km of single carriageway. The sequencing of projects for implementation post-2010 will be decided by theNational Roads Authority at a later date.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
90
The Air Navigation and Transport (Indemnities) Act2005 (No. 13 of 2005)
The International Interests in Mobile Equipment(Cape Town Convention) Act 2005 (No. 15 of 2005)
The Railway Safety Act 2005 (No. 31 of 2005)
S.I. NO. 2 OF 2005 – European Communities(Organisation of Working Time of Persons PerformingMobile Road Transport Activities) Regulations 2005.
S.I. NO. 8 OF 2005 – Road Traffic Act 2004(Commencement) Parts 1 and 2 and sections 27 and32) Order 2005.
S.I. NO. 9 OF 2005 – Road Traffic (Ordinary SpeedLimits – Certain Vehicles) Regulations 2005.
S.I. NO. 10 OF 2005 – Road Traffic (Speed Limit –Traffic Signs) Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 11 OF 2005 – Road Traffic (Traffic andParking) (Amendment) Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 12 OF 2005 – Road Traffic (Construction,Equipment and use of Vehicles) (Amendment)Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 26 of 2005 – Road Traffic Act 2004(Commencement) Parts 3 and 4 Order 2005
S.I. NO. 49 OF 2005 - Iarnród Éireann (Mallow toTralee) (Banteer Level Crossing) Order, 2005
S.I. NO. 50 OF 2005 - Iarnród Éireann (Killarney toTralee) (Farranfore Level Crossing) Order, 2005
S.I, NO. 62 OF 2005 – Road Traffic (National CarTest) (Amendment) Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 164 OF 2005 – European Communities(Motor Vehicles Type Approval) (Amendment)Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 246 OF 2005 - Iarnród Éireann (Mallow toTralee) (Millstreet Level Crossing) Order, 2005
S.I. NO. 274 OF 2005 – European Communities(Compensation and Assistance to Air Passengers)(Denied Boarding Cancellation or Long Delay of Flights)Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 282 OF 2005 – European Communities(Mechanically Propelled Vehicle Entry into Service)(Amendment) Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 327 OF 2005 - Iarnród Éireann (Drogheda toDundalk) (Commons Level Crossing) Order, 2005
S.I. NO. 347 OF 2005 - European Communities(Transport of Dangerous Goods by Rail) (Amendment)Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 412 OF 2005 - European Communities (Twoand Three Wheel Motor Vehicle Entry into Service)Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 610 OF 2005 – Taxi Regulation Act 2003(Part 3) (Commencement) Order 2005.
S.I. NO. 611 OF 2005 – Road Transport Act 1999(Commencement) Order 2005
S.I. NO. 645 OF 2005 – Aer Lingus Act 2004(Commencement) Order 2005
S.I. NO. 683 of 2005 – Road Transport Act 1999(Repeals) (Commencement) Order 2005
S.I. NO. 712 OF 2005 - Iarnród Éireann (Dublin toSligo) (Killucan Level Crossing) Order, 2005
S.I. NO. 731 OF 2005 - Iarnród Éireann (Mallow toTralee) (Rathmore Station Level Crossing) Order,2005
S.I. NO. 756 OF 2005 – Road Traffic (Traffic Signs –Periodic Special Speed Limits) Regulations 2005
Annual Report 2005
93
Appendix B
LEGISLATION PASSED IN 2005
S.I. NO. 757 OF 2005 – European Communities(Interoperability of Electronic Road Toll Systems)Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 772 OF 2005 - European Communities(Driving Theoretical Tests) (Amendment) Regulations2005
S.I. NO. 780 OF 2005 - European Communities(Access to Railway Infrastructure) (Amendment)Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 782 OF 2005 - European Communities(Passenger Car Entry into Service) (Amendment)Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 783 OF 2005 - European Communities(Motor Vehicles Type Approval) (Amendment) (No. 2)Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 831 OF 2005 - European Communities(Installation and Use of Speed Limitation Devices inMotor Vehicles) Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 832 OF 2005 - European Communities(Speed Limitation Devices) (Amendment) Regulations2005
S.I. NO. 833 OF 2005 – Road Traffic (Construction,Equipment & Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations1993 (Revocation) Regulations 2005
S.I. NO. 841 OF 2005 – Railway Safety Act 2005(Part 2) (Establishment Day) Order 2005
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
94
Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2004
Publication Date: 14 December 2004
Annual Report 2004
Publication Date: 14 December 2005
Sustainable Transport Policies
Publication date: 7 December 2005
ESIOP – Progress Report on ProgrammeImplementation end June 2005
Publication Date: 28 October 2005
Statement of Strategy 2005 – 2007
Publication Date: 29 July 2005
Ráiteas Straitéiseach 2005 – 2007
Publication Date: 29 July 2005
Report to the Minister for Transport from theChairman of the Expert Working Group onthe Western Railway Corridor
Publication date: 13 May 2005
ESIOP Annual Report 2004
Publication Date: 1 May 2005
ESIOP – Progress Report on ProgrammeImplementation end December 2004
Publication Date: 29 April 2005
Guidelines for the Application of SpecialSpeed Limits
Publication Date: 19 April 2005
Report into the Buttevant Railway Accident,1980
Publication Date: 12 April 2005
Report into Cherryville Railway Accident,1983
Publication Date: 12 April 2005
Tips for Travellers
Publication Date: 5 April 2005
Public Service Obligation 2005
Publication Date: 18 February 2005
Appendix C
PUBLICATIONS IN 2005
Annual Report 2005
95
AviationAer Lingus
Aer Lingus is a state owned enterprise whoseprinciple business is the provision of scheduledpassenger and cargo services to a range of pointsin Ireland, the United Kingdom, Europe and theUnited States. In 1993, the company wasrestructured into the present Aer Lingus Groupplc.
Aer Lingus Group plcHead OfficeDublin AirportCo. Dublin
Telephone: 00-353-1-8862222Fax: 00-353-1-8863832
www.aerlingus.com
Dublin Airport Authority
Dublin Airport Authority (formerly Aer Rianta) is apublic limited company, responsible for themanagement and development of Dublin Airport.Dublin Airport Authority is also charged with takingall necessary measures to give effect to therestructuring of the State Airports as provided forin the State Airports Act 2004. However, prior tothe completion of the restructuring (i.e. prior tothe assets of Shannon and Cork Airports beingvested in their respective Airport Authorities.)Dublin Airport Authority will remain responsible forShannon and Cork.
Wholly owned subsidiaries of Dublin AirportAuthority include Aer Rianta International whomanage duty-free shops, bars and other airportmanagement activities in overseas locations andthe Great Southern Hotels Group.
Dublin Airport Authority plcHead OfficeOld Central Terminal BuildingDublin AirportCo. Dublin
Telephone: 00-353-1-8141111Email:customer.relations@dublinairport.com
www.dublin-airport.com
Shannon Airport Authority
Shannon Airport Authority plc was incorporated on16th September 2004 and will in due course, ownand operate Shannon Airport. At present the boardof Shannon Airport Authority is charged withpreparing to assume responsibility for themanagement and development of Shannon Airportas well as being empowered to undertake anyfunctions delegated to it by, and in agreementwith, Dublin Airport Authority during the interimperiod.
Shannon Airport Authority plcShannon AirportCo. Clare
Telephone: 00-353-61-712000Email: feedback@shannonairport.com
www.snn.aero
Appendix D
BODIES UNDER THE AEGIS OF THEDEPARTMENT IN 2005
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
96
Cork Airport Authority
Cork Airport Authority plc was incorporated on16th September 2004 and will in due course, ownand operate Cork Airport. At present the board ofCork Airport Authority is charged with preparing toassume responsibility for the management anddevelopment of Cork Airport as well as beingempowered to undertake any functions delegatedto it by, and in agreement with, Dublin AirportAuthority during the interim period.
Cork Airport Authority plcCork AirportCo. Cork
Telephone: 00-353-21-4313131Email: feedback@corkairport.com
www.cork-airport.com
Irish Aviation Authority
The Irish Aviation Authority carries out a range ofoperational and regulatory functions and servicesrelating to the safety and technical aspects of civilaviation.
The Authority ensures that the Irish Civil Aviationoperates to international and European safetystandards and systems in accordance withinternational agreements.
Irish Aviation AuthorityAviation HouseHawkins StreetDublin 2
Telephone 00-353-1-6718655Fax: 00-353-1-6792934
www.iaa.ie
Commission for Aviation Regulation
The principal function of the Commission forAviation Regulation is to regulate airport chargesand air traffic control charges at Irish airports,which have an annual throughput of of in excess ofone million passengers. The Commission also hasresponsibility for slot allocation at Dublin Airport,licensing of air carriers under EU regulations,regulation of the groundhandling market andlicensing of travel agents and tour operators.
Alexandra House,Earlsfort Terrace,Dublin 2
Telephone: 00-353-1-6611700Fax: 00-353-1-6611269 (general)Fax for Travel Trade Licensing: 00-353-1-6612092
www.aviationreg.ie
Public Transport
C.I.E. Group
Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) is a statutory bodycharged with the provision of bus and rail publictransport for passengers as well as rail freighttransport within the state and the operation ofRosslare Europort and CIÉ Tours. CIÉ has threewholly owned subsidiary limited liabilitycompanies: Iarnród Eireann, the national railcompany, Bus Átha Cliath, which services Dublin,and Bus Éireann which operates bus servicesnationally. These were set up under theCompanies Act as provided for in the Transport(Reorganisation of CIÉ) Act 1986.
Córas Iompair ÉireannHeuston StationDublin 8Telephone: 00-353-1-6771871Fax: 00-353-1-7032776
www.cie.ie
Annual Report 2005
97
Iarnród Éireann
The Transport (Reorganisation of C.I.E.) Act 1986sets out the principal objects of Iarnród Éireann asto provide a railway service and a road freightservice.It is the general mandate of the companyto operate commercially to the maximum extentpossible, taking account of the public serviceobligations of the company and to manage,maintain and develop the rail networkinfrastructure.
Iarnród ÉireannConnolly StationDublin 1Telephone 00-353-1- 8363333
www.irishrail.ie
Dublin Bus
Dublin Bus provides bus services in Dublin city andcounty and contiguous areas. It provides anextensive network of bus routes – Radial, CrossCity, Orbital, DART feeder, Airlink, CityspeedXPRESSO, Nitelink, Railink, Schoolink andsightseeing tours.
Dublin Bus59 Upper O Connell StreetDublin 1Telephone:00-353-1-8720000
www.dublinbus.ie
Bus Éireann
Bus Éireann operates a wide range of bus andcoach services throughout the country. Theseinclude: Expressway coach services linking majorcities and towns; local bus services in rural areas;city bus services in Cork, Galway, Limerick andWaterford and Euroline coach services to Britain.Bus Éireann is also responsible for the operationand administration of the national school transportscheme on behalf of the Department of Educationand Science.
Bus ÉireannBroadstoneDublin 7Telephone: 0-353-1- 8366111
www.buseireann.ie
Railway Procurement Agency
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) isresponsible for the procurement of new light railand metro infrastructure projects through anumber of means including Public PrivatePartnership (PPP). It is also mandated to developan integrated ticketing scheme for publictransport, initially in the Dublin region.
Railway Procurement AgencyRPA HouseBlock CParkgate Street Business CentreParkgate StreetDublin 8Telephone: 00-353-1-6463400Fax: 00-353-1-6463401
www.rpa.ie
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
98
RoadsNational Roads Authority
The National Roads Authority has statutoryresponsibility for the management of the nationalroads programme and for the allocation of grantsto specific projects on the national roads network.
While the Minister for Transport has responsibilityfor overall policy and funding in relation to thenational roads programme, the implementation ofindividual projects is a matter for the NRA inconjunction with the relevant local authority.
The NRA, under Section 17 of the Roads Act,1993, has overall responsibility for the planningand supervision of works for the construction andmaintenance of national roads. The responsibilityfor the provision of funding to carry outimprovement work on individual projects also restswith the NRA.
National Roads AuthoritySt Martins House
Waterloo RoadDublin 4Telephone: 00-353-1-6602511Fax: 00-353-1-6680009
www.nra.ie
Dublin Transportation Office
The Dublin Transportation Office was establishedto coordinate the implementation by relevantagencies of an agreed integrated transportstrategy for the Greater Dublin Area, the DublinTransportation Initiative. The DTO is alsoresponsible for carrying out ongoing strategictransportation planning work, including the regularupdating of the transport strategy. It alsoadministers a traffic management grants scheme
on behalf of the Department.
Dublin Transportation OfficeHainault HouseFloor 369-71 St Stephens GreenDublin 2Telephone: 00-353-1-4778100Fax: 00-353-1-4785935
www.dto.ie
Medical Bureau of Road Safety
The Medical Bureau of Road Safety wasestablished in 1968 under Part V of the RoadTraffic Act, 1968. The Bureau’s principal functionsare to carry out analyses, for their drug oralcohol content, of specimens of blood and urine,provided for the Gardaí by people suspected ofdrink or drugs driving offences. The Bureauissues certificates in respect of the results ofthese analyses, which may be used as evidence inprosecutions for offences. The Bureau alsoparticipates in the Evidential Breath TestingProgramme, providing Evidential Breath Testinginstruments and training to Gardai. The Bureau isfinanced by an annual grant from the Departmentand the five member Board is appointed by theMinister for the Environment and LocalGovernment.
Medical Bureau of Road Safety
Department of Forensic MedicineUniversity College DublinEarlsfort TerraceDublin 2Tel: + 353 1 478 1723Fax: + 353 1 478 1103
www.ucd.ie/legalmed/mbrs.html
Annual Report 2005
99
National Safety Council
The National Safety Council was established inDecember 1987 under the Local GovernmentServices (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1971. Itsfunction is to promote road safety, water safetyand fire prevention through education, trainingprogrammes and publicity campaigns.
The Council, comprising 12 members, was fundedin 1999 by grants from the Department of theEnvironment and Local Government and theInsurance Federation together with sponsorships,donations, subscriptions from voluntary localeffort, local authorities, commercial firms andfrom a large number of persons who arededicated to the promotion of safety.
National Safety Council,4 Northbrook Road,Ranelagh,Dublin 6.Tel: + 353 1 496 3422Fax: + 353 1 496 3306
www.nsc.ie
Commission for Taxi Regulation
An Coimisiún um Rialáil Tacsaithe
The Commission for Taxi Regulation is anindependent public body established under theTaxi Regulation Act 2003 with effect from 1September 2004. The principal function of theCommission is the development and maintenanceof a new regulatory framework for the control andoperation of small public service vehicles (taxis,hackneys and limousines) and their drivers. Inexercising this function the Commission pursues arange of objectives which are focused on thepromotion of quality oriented services by all smallpublic service vehicle operators and drivers.
Commission for Taxi Regulation
35 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2
Telephone 00 – 353 – 1 – 6593800
www.taxiregulator.ie
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
100
TRANSPORT STATISTICS
Note: The statistics presented in this Appendix are collected from various sources e.g. the CentralStatistics Office, the C.I.E group of companies etc. If you would like to know our source for any particularstatistic please contact us directly. Most of the data presented below refers to the State sector only. Weacknowledge that to get a fuller picture of transport in Ireland under Air and Public Transport in particularthen, data should also be collected from the private sector. Unfortunately such data is not, as of yet easilyor readily available
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Roads
National Roads Overall expenditure in millions €958.65 €1,135.55 €1,222.54 €1,241.40 €1,317.164
Capital expenditure on improvement workin millions €907.86 €1,083.54 €1,169.145 €1,190.02 €1,263.77
Current expenditure on road maintenancein millions €50.79 €52.02 €53.396 €51.387 €53.394
Length of National Primary Road Network 2,754km 2,754km 2,746km 2,740km 2,754kms Length of National Secondary RoadNetwork 2,681km 2,681km 2,685km 2,682km 2,682kms
The National Road Network comprises both National Primary Roads & National Secondary Roads. Whilethe National Road Network makes up 5% of the total Road Network, 46% of total road travel takes placeon the National Road Network.
Appendix E
Annual Report 2005
101
Road Safety 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Road Safety Expenditure (only includes expenditureof NSC & MBRS in millions €4.237 €4.669 €4.825 €6,291* €8,680m**
* (incl. NSC Metrication Campaign expenditure)
** (See also Table 9r)
Road Deaths 411 376 335 374 399 Penalty Points Issued n/a n/a 93,364 105,200 291,842
31/10/02 –31/12/03
Drink Driving Detections 12,841 13,411 11,344 12,307 13,727
Vehicle Testing - NCT
Number of Tests 536,071 631,257 614,227 624,619
Full NCT Pass Rate 53% 52% 51% 49%
Public Transport 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
State subvention to CIÉ €222.3m €233.3m €245m €257.23m €270.09m
Expenditure on the Rural Transport Intitiative (RTI) n/a €2.95m €3m €3m €4.5m
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
102
Bus 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Number of buses (Dublin Bus) 1062 1062 1060 1062 1082
Number of wheelchair accessible Dublin Buses 307 360 450 460 553
Number of Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs) 9 9 9 9 11
Number of Buses (Bus Éireann) 694 680 680 680 674
Rail 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
State Investment in Railways €175.9m €232.5m €245.9m €240.2m €279.6m
Number of Railcars 64 64 144 144 180
Number of DART cars 118 118 118 154 154
Passenger Numbers Dublin Bus 143m 147m 150m 149.8m 146m
Bus Éireann 87.4m 89.2m 92m 90.2m 92.6m
Rail 34.2m 35.4m 35.5m 34.55m 37.7m
DART & Suburban Rail 23.4m 24.1m 24.2m 23.24m 26.6m
Intercity Rail 10.8m 11.3m 11.3m 11.3m 11.1m
Taxis 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Total Number of Licensed Taxis 9,257 11,630 12,845 13,563 N/A
Total Number of Licensed hackneys n/a n/a 4,868 4,938 N/A
Air 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Airports
Aid to regional airports (Capital) €827,314 €2,289,714 €5,373,626 €2,283,947 €1,700,018
Grants to regional airports (marketing etc) €1,904,607 €1,900,000 €2,240,000 €2,240,000 €2,240,000
PSO Expenditure €16, 233 €18, 537 €19,898 €21,336 €19,173
Annual Report 2005
103
Passenger throughput at StateAirports (million persons) 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Dublin 14.3m 15.1m 15.9m 17.1m 18.5mShannon 2.4m 2.35m 2.4m 2.4m 3.3mCork 1.8m 1.9m 2.2m 2.25m 2.7m
Aer Lingus
Average number of aircraft 37 33 33 32 32.9
Number of services 42 42 47 61 74
Air Accident
Accidents reported 10 12 13 9 19
Serious Incidents reported 6 7 16 14 14
Incidents reported 47 30 35 34 34
Fatalities 0 2 1 1 6
Injuries 5 2 4 4 6
Management Support
Number of Freedom of Information requests received 128 156 43 78
Male/female ratio by grade
Principal Officer 89.5:10.5 88:12 87:13 94:6
Assistant Principal 53:47 53:47 55:45 55:45
Higher Executive Officer 47:53 47:53 55:45 45:55
Numbers of staff on family friendly policy 103 117 123 136
Training expenditure (€m) €1.2m €0.85m €0.92m €0.95m
Education Refunds (€000) €69,509 €74,925 €81,075 €59,036
Late payment of accounts €3,282 €4,239 €2,323 €103
It is not possible to give Management Support data for 2001, as the Department of Transport wasestablished in June, 2002.
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
104
Staff Numbers
GRADE Numbers at Numbers at Numbers at31/12/03 31/12/04 31/12/05
Secretary General 1 1 1Assistant Secretary 5 5 5Principal Officers 17 17 17Assistant Principal Officers 43.5 42.5 45Administrative Officers 9 7 7Higher Executive Officers 57 55.5 57Executive Officers H.D.A. 1 1 1Executive Officers 65.5 67 72Staff Officers 15.5 6.5 15Transport Officers 9 9 9Clerical Officers 130 123.5 125Ministerial Staff 8 9 5Services Officers / Attendants 16 17 16Telephonists 2.5 2.5 2Information Officer 0 0 0Accountant Grade 2 1 1 1Senior Economist 1 1 1Chief Railway Inspecting Officer 1 1 1Principal Railway Inspecting Officer 0 0 1Senior Railway Inspecting Officer 0 0 1Railway Inspecting Officer 2 2 1Chief Aeronautical Officer 1 1 1Aeronautical Officer Grade I 2 2 2Aeronautical Officer Grade II 2 1 1Staff Engineer 1 1 1CEO Designate Road Safety Authority 0 0 1Senior Adviser (Roads) 1 1 1Senior Vehicle Tester 1 1 1Vehicle Tester 2 2 0Driver Tester 103 103 100Contract Driver Tester 19 19 19TOTAL 517 508.5 510
Annual Report 2005
105
MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD IN 2005
Martin Cullen (appointed as Minister for Transport on 28th September 2004)
Ivor Callely (appointed as Minister of State on 29th September 2004; served until 8 December2005)
Julie O’Neill (appointed Secretary General of the Department of Transport in June 2002)
John Lumsden (appointed Assistant Secretary in February 1990; in 2005 he was responsible forthe Roads sector within the Department)
Pat Mangan (appointed Assistant Secretary in June 1995; in 2005 he was responsible for thePublic Transport (Investment) sector within the Department)
Andrew Cullen (appointed Assistant Secretary in March 1999; in 2005 he was responsible for thePublic Transport (Reform) sector within the Department)
John Fearon (appointed Assistant Secretary in October 2000; in 2005 he was responsible forthe Corporate Services sector within the Department)
John Murphy (appointed Assistant Secretary in 2001; in 2005 he was responsible for theAviation sector within the Department)
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
106
MINISTERS AT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT 2002 - 2005
Name Title From To
Seamus Brennan, T.D. Minister for Transport June 2002 28 September 2004
Martin Cullen, T.D. Minister for Transport 28 September 2004 Date
Dr. Jim McDaid, T.D. Minister of State June 2002 29 September 2004
Ivor Callely, T.D. Minister of State 29 September 2004 9 December 2005
Annual Report 2005
107
Appendix H
Organisation Chartfrom 6 February 2006
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
108
Julie O’ NeillSecretary General
Ciaran Whelan(AP1)
Noel BrettInterim CEORoad Safety
Authority
Andrew CullenAssistant Secretary
Land TransportRegulation CIE
John FearonAssistantSecretary CorporateServices
John LumsdenAssistant Secretary
Roads and Ports
Maurice MullenAssistant Secretary
Maritime Safety
John MurphyAssistant Secretary
Aviation
Pat ManganAssistantSecretaryIntegartedTransport
Vacancy (RSALoughrea)
VehicleStandards/
Road Haulage
JimHumphrey’s
P.T. Investment andRail Safety & CIE
Corporate
VacancyOperator
Licensing/Taxi/Motor Insurance
John WeaferBus Route
Licensing/Bus RailReform
Des CoppinsP.T. Planning
AustinMcGarry
HR Development
DanCommane
Finance
Liam Dolan(RSA)
Driver Testing &Licesing
DoreenKeaneyPerm Rep
MattBenville
Communications& Information
Jean Kelly(AP1)
Personnel
MichaelHarper
Roads Policy
Mary LallyRoads Safety (incl.RSA in due course
Fintan O’ Brien Roads Safety (incl.RSA in due course)
Martin DiskinMaritime Safety
Fintan ToweyAer Lingus
Liam DalyAirports
Robin McKayAviation
International
MauriceTracey
Transport 21
MaevNicLochlainn
& DermotMaCarthy
PeterMcEvoy
Luas & Metro
Tom Sneyd1/2 Integrated
Transport
John BrownInvestmentMonitoring
The following is financial information for the year ended 31 December 2005 anaylsed by strategicobjective as set out in the Department’s Statement of Strategy.
2005 Budget 2005 €000 Outturn 2005 €000
Voted Expenditure 2,189,213 2,080,216
Non-Voted Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 2,189,213 2,080,216
Appropriations in Aid 29,498 35,538
Net Expenditure 2,159,715 2,044,678
Staff No. 516.5
To further develop and implement an integrated transport policy for Ireland
Integration (Cross Cutting) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 14,428,100 14,084,194
Capital - -
Total 14,428,100 14,084,194
Admin Expenditure Pay 287,232 307,012
Non-Pay 44,526 53,126
Total 331,758 360,137
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 14,759,858 14,444,332
Appropriations in Aid 80,000 143,784
Net Objective Expenditure 14,679,858 14,300,548
Number of Staff 6.5
Appendix I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Annual Report 2005
109
Work with the Dept of the Environment and Local Government as lead Department to align transport, spatial and landuse policies in a coherent fashion that recognises the inter-dependence between transport and land use
Integration (Cross Cutting) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 1,251,560 1,241,640
Capital 29,275,940 24,328,756
Total 30,527,500 25,570,396
Admin Expenditure Pay 12,566 13,704
Non-Pay 450 459
Total 13,016 14,162
Support Expenditure
Total Gross Expenditure 30,540,516 25,584,559
Appropriations in Aid 236,520 340,600
Net Objective Expenditure 30,303,996 25,243,959
Number of Staff 0.5
To incorporate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability into the development and deliveryof transport policy
Integration (Cross Cutting) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 1,649,040 1,696,692
Capital 29,275,940 24,328,756
Total 30,924,980 26,025,449
Admin Expenditure Pay 468,996 454,071
Non-Pay 55,973 54,557
Total 524,969 508,628
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 31,449,949 26,534,077
Appropriations in Aid 236,520 340,853
Net Objective Expenditure 31,213,429 26,193,223
Number of Staff 9.5
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
110
To support the development and implementation of transport policy with targeted data collection and analysis
Integration (Cross Cutting) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 244,880 471,813
Capital 10,000 44,000
Total 254,880 515,813
Admin Expenditure Pay 19,747 16,887
Non-Pay 1,398 3,875
Total 21,145 20,763
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 276,025 536,576
Appropriations in Aid - -
Net Objective Expenditure 276,025 536,576
Number of Staff 1
To contribute to the provision of safer, more sustainable and more effective transport of people and goods usingintelligent transport systems (ITS)
Integration (Cross Cutting) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current - 15,220
Capital - -
Total - 15,220
Admin Expenditure Pay 111,302 101,150
Non-Pay 54,856 41,738
Total 166,158 142,888
Support Expenditure
Total Gross Expenditure 166,158 158,108
Appropriations in Aid - -
Net Objective Expenditure 166,158 158,108
Number of Staff 1
Annual Report 2005
111
To co-operate with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland and Great Britain in developing transport policies in amutually beneficial manner
Integration (Cross Cutting) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 1,374,000 1,477,547
Capital 29,280,940 24,350,756
Total 30,654,940 25,828,303
Admin Expenditure Pay 22,440 22,147
Non-Pay 1,149 2,396
Total 23,589 24,544
Support Expenditure
Total Gross Expenditure 30,678,529 25,852,847
Appropriations in Aid 236,520 340,600
Net Objective Expenditure 30,442,009 25,512,247
Number of Staff 0.5
To ensure that Ireland is well positioned to contribute to the development of EU transport policy and legislation, thatthe EU takes due account of our particular circumstances as an open economy and a peripheral island state and todischarge our EU Presidency responsibilities as effectively as possible
Integration (Cross Cutting) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 30,615,600 30,261,450
Capital 29,275,940 24,394,756
Total 59,891,540 54,656,206
Admin Expenditure Pay 179,520 170,702
Non-Pay 26,146 36,086
Total 205,666 206,789
Support Expenditure
Total Gross Expenditure 60,097,206 54,862,994
Appropriations in Aid 236,520 340,600
Net Objective Expenditure 59,860,686 54,522,394
Number of Staff 4
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
112
To provide a policy framework for the transparent and effective economic regulation of transport in Ireland
Competition, Regulation & Reform (Cross Cutting) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current - -
Capital - -
Total - -
Admin Expenditure Pay 71,808 64,364
Non-Pay 4,960 6,556
Total 76,768 70,920
Support Expenditure
Total Gross Expenditure 76,768 70,920
Appropriations in Aid - -
Net Objective Expenditure 76,768 70,920
Number of Staff 1.5
To ensure that our State agencies achieve the optimum service delivery and value for the public and conform to thehighest standards of corporate governance
Competition, Regulation & Reform (Cross Cutting) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 20,594,640 20,044,223
Capital 9,275,940 24,416,756
Total 49,870,580 44,460,980
Admin Expenditure Pay 342,434 244,815
Non-Pay 68,332 32,517
Total 410,766 277,331
Support Expenditure
Total Gross Expenditure 50,281,346 44,738,311
Appropriations in Aid 3,252,960 3,603,186
Net Objective Expenditure 47,028,386 41,135,124
Number of Staff 6.5
Annual Report 2005
113
To upgrade the national road network and expand its capacity thereby improving mobility, reliability and accessibility,leading to reduced transport costs and absolute journey times
Investment (Roads) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 56,320,200 55,873,800
Capital 1,171,037,600 1,094,794,028
Total 1,227,357,800 1,150,667,828
Admin Expenditure Pay 615,305 692,527
Non-Pay 53,517 48,520
Total 668,822 741,047
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 1,228,026,622 1,151,408,875
Appropriations in Aid 10,643,400 15,327,000
Net Objective Expenditure 1,217,383,222 1,136,081,875
Number of Staff 12.5
To promote safer use of our roads
Safety (Roads) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 6,300,600 9,953,118
Capital 250,000 880,000
Total 6,550,600 10,833,118
Admin Expenditure Pay 9,519,048 9,035,382
Non-Pay 3,126,575 3,424,292
Total 12,645,623 12,459,673
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 19,196,223 3,292,792
Appropriations in Aid 9,420,000 8,767,799
Net Objective Expenditure 9,776,223 14,524,993
Number of Staff 210
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
114
Promote the development of a more professional and viable road haulage sector
Competition, Regulation & Reform (Roads) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 265,000 151,645
Capital - -
Total 265,000 151,645
Admin Expenditure Pay 1,637,222 1,331,645
Non-Pay 285,856 319,745
Total 1,923,078 1,651,389
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 2,188,078 1,803,034
Appropriations in Aid 300,000 680,924
Net Objective Expenditure 1,888,078 1,122,110
Number of Staff 35
To expand the capacity, improve the utilisation and enhance the quality of the public transport system and therebyimprove modal split and attract increased patronage on to public transport
Investment (Public Transport) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 2,523,000 487,067
Capital 272,724,480 272,634,240
Total 275,247,480 273,121,307
Admin Expenditure Pay 714,938 887,590
Non-Pay 162,104 103,931
Total 877,042 991,520
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 276,124,522 274,112,828
Appropriations in Aid - -
Net Objective Expenditure 276,124,522 274,112,828
Number of Staff 16
Annual Report 2005
115
To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of public transport services through competition, economicregulation and structural reform
Competition, Regulation & Reform (Public Transport) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 191,050,920 185,911,440
Capital 13,600,000 11,593,889
Total 204,650,920 197,505,329
Admin Expenditure Pay 1,405,642 1,395,552
Non-Pay 251,115 338,739
Total 1,656,757 1,734,291
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 206,307,677 199,239,620
Appropriations in Aid 300,000 340,924
Net Objective Expenditure 206,007,677 198,898,696
Number of Staff 28
To ensure that railway infrastructure and services are provided, managed and used in a manner that protects peoplefrom death and injury
Safety (Public Transport) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current - -
Capital 136,362,240 136,317,120
Total 136,362,240 136,317,120
Admin Expenditure Pay 655,697 720,236
Non-Pay 180,293 693,439
Total 835,990 1,413,675
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 137,198,230 137,730,795
Appropriations in Aid - -
Net Objective Expenditure 137,198,230 137,730,795
Number of Staff 13
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
116
To ensure an integrated and sustainable approach to the development and delivery of transport services
Integration (Public Transport) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 40,775,240 39,866,847
Capital 17,045,280 17,039,640
Total 57,820,520 56,906,487
Admin Expenditure Pay 408,408 332,185
Non-Pay 50,706 55,538
Total 459,114 387,723
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 58,279,634 57,294,210
Appropriations in Aid - -
Net Objective Expenditure 58,279,634 57,294,210
Number of Staff 7
To ensure State airports are in a position to provide cost competitive and appropriate infrastructure to meet thecurrent and prospective needs of airline and other aviation companies, consistent with a commercial mandate; toassist in optimising the contribution of the country’s network of regional airports to balanced regional development
Investment/Integration (Aviation) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 20,002,000 21,643,676
Capital 4,200,000 1,700,000
Total 24,202,000 23,343,676
Admin Expenditure Pay 515,222 513,755
Non-Pay 66,356 48,944
Total 581,578 562,699
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 24,783,578 23,906,375
Appropriations in Aid - -
Net Objective Expenditure 24,783,578 23,906,375
Number of Staff 10
Annual Report 2005
117
To facilitate and encourage as wide a range as possible of reliable, regular and competitive commercial air servicesfor Irish tourism, trade and industry
Competition, Regulation & Reform (Aviation) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 231,000 233,199
Capital
Total 231,000 233,199
Admin Expenditure Pay 916,450 775,876
Non-Pay 381,654 153,041
Total 1,298,104 928,917
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 1,529,104 1,162,116
Appropriations in Aid - -
Net Objective Expenditure 1,529,104 1,162,116
Number of Staff 18.5
To ensure that Irish aviation safety and security policies and practices comply with or exceed best internationalstandards
Safety (Aviation) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 500,000 516,954
Capital
Total 500,000 516,954
Admin Expenditure Pay 924,079 920,428
Non-Pay 369,123 361,949
Total 1,293,202 1,282,378
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 1,793,202 1,799,332
Appropriations in Aid - -
Net Objective Expenditure 1,793,202 1,799,332
Number of Staff 18
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
118
Ensure an ongoing strategic and operational role for IAA in the provision of Air Traffic Management (ATM) services
Investment/Integration Competition, Regulation & Reform (Aviation) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 5,562,780 5,112,261
Capital
Total 5,562,780 5,112,261
Admin Expenditure Pay 137,333 139,019
Non-Pay 34,648 29,598
Total 171,981 168,617
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 5,734,761 5,280,878
Appropriations in Aid 4,165,560 4,505,477
Net Objective Expenditure 1,569,201 775,401
Number of Staff 2.5
A highly motivated, professional and committed workforce with equality of opportunity working in a positive,harmonious and supportive environment
Delivery (Corporate) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current - -
Capital - -
Total - -
Admin Expenditure Pay 2,516,422 3,699,385
Non-Pay 1,919,579 1,990,786
Total 4,436,001 5,690,171
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 4,436,001 5,690,171
Appropriations in Aid 237,000 413,030
Net Objective Expenditure 4,199,001 5,277,141
Number of Staff 52
Annual Report 2005
119
Financial management systems, including internal audit, that deliver effective financial control and fully support theaims of the Strategic Management Initiative, particularly in the change of focus to outputs and outcomes
Delivery (Corporate) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current 128,888 52,550
Capital
Total 128,888 52,550
Admin Expenditure Pay 1,457,702 1,165,261
Non-Pay 410,356 362,196
Total 1,868,058 1,527,457
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 1,996,946 1,580,007
Appropriations in Aid 153,000 393,410
Net Objective Expenditure 1,843,946 1,186,597
Number of Staff 31
A modern, progressive, operating environment that delivers positive outcomes for the internal and external customersof the Department
Delivery (Corporate) Budget 2005 € Outturn 2005 €
Programme Expenditure Current - -
Capital
Total - -
Admin Expenditure Pay 1,645,750 1,598,233
Non-Pay 1,646,517 1,534,320
Total 3,292,267 3,132,553
Support Expenditure - -
Total Gross Expenditure 3,292,267 3,132,553
Appropriations in Aid - -
Net Objective Expenditure 3,292,267 3,132,553
Number of Staff 32
Department of Transport
Annual Report 2005
120