Results 20,241-20,260 of 21,489 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: We have been down the road on this before. The Senator is fully aware that new applicants come under the wheelchair accessible vehicles, WAV, licensing process. Anyone can apply for a licence under that. We have specific issues relating to that area which virtually everyone in this House agrees needs to be addressed. That is the process by which we are doing so.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Those to whom the Senator refers should know that he and I get on very well. We are very fond of one another.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I thank Senators for their comments. These provisions are designed to ensure that a standard will be established and that licences will have no value. I am sure everyone agrees that the scenarios which existed in this area in the past were completely ridiculous. The provisions in question will ensure that applications for licences will be judged on the basis of the suitability of the...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: These are purely technical drafting amendments. Amendments Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, relate to the general provisions of section 3 concerning the making of regulations and orders that must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, which will have the option to pass a resolution annulling a regulation or order. These are drafting amendments which involve many cross-references in order to...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Amendment No. 8 provides that the authority can specify in regulations under section 7 the period within which a renewal application must to be made before the licence expires. Amendment No. 10, which relates to section 9, provides that the licensing authority can determine the documentation, information and fees that constitute a complete application. The authority can also refuse to grant...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Age is creeping up on me - I must put on my glasses.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: It is good to be back in the House. I am delighted to have commenced the Bill in this House, as we have held some good debates. The most substantive of this group of amendments is amendment No. 20, relating to the revocation of licences where there is a change of control of the company holding the licence. While the transfer of a small public service vehicle, SPSV, licence is prohibited...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Programme Funding (15 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: As Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP). Since the 1 April 2012, the NTA has been assigned responsibility for managing the RTP and also has responsibility for implementing the recently announced restructuring of the Programme. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Services Provision (9 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for implementing the restructuring of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) announced by me on 9 July 2013.  The purpose of the restructuring of the RTP is to protect the provision of rural transport services into the future. I am advised by the NTA that during the restructuring of the RTP, their priority is to ensure the...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I move amendment No. 19:In page 67, lines 19 and 20, to delete “small public service industry” and substitute “small public service vehicle industry”.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I move amendment No. 14:In page 57, line 2, to delete "date the" and substitute "date of the".Amendments Nos. 14 and 19 are drafting amendments.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I cannot accept this amendment. The National Transport Authority, NTA, is funded from the Exchequer by way of an administration grant and from revenue received relating to fees generated from SPSV licensing activity. Under section 50(4) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, as amended by the Public Transport Regulation, PTR, Act 2009, income generated from fees that is surplus to the income...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I cannot accept these amendments. The representation of SPSV operators on the Taxi Advisory Committee already provides the flexibility for representation from single and multiple licence holders. These amendments, in my view, do not improve on the current provision in the Bill, which is a restatement of the statute under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. A broad balance is required on this...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: They do not.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I understand the reason for this amendment, but it is unnecessary. The Oireachtas committees have already the power to invite any person to appear before them. I cannot accept the amendment. It is the function of the Taxi Advisory Committee to give advice to the National Transport Authority and to the Minister. The NTA is the deciding authority on matters relating to the regulation of...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: While I will not accept the amendment, I am in full agreement with the principle behind it, which is concerned with transport needs in rural areas and the transport requirements of rural dwellers. No other Minister or Minister of State who dealt with the taxi industry kept referring to the fact that we must regulate it for the entire country. What applies in Dublin does not apply anywhere...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I accept the Deputy's bona fides and understand what he is trying to get across. The issue is that we have market failure in rural areas. There is market failure where I live and we need to deal with this issue. I must be a Minister of State for all of the country, not just for Dublin, Cork or rural towns. I must try to ensure a provision of service. I also have responsibility for rural...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I do not intend to accept this amendment. As detailed on Committee Stage, this provision under section 20(1) of the Bill enables the NTA to make regulations concerning standards of conduct, general behaviour, deportment or dress of persons operating SPSVs. This is a restatement and clarification of the existing provision under section 34(6) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, providing that...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: A compliment from Deputy Boyd Barrett is worth it.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The only reason this amendment cannot be accepted is that it makes a commitment from a financial point of view. I am working to ensure that what is proposed in the amendment happens. Section 19(2) states the authority will:... promote the development of high quality cost effective services by small public service vehicles and their drivers which meet a wide range of customer needs including...