Results 20,501-20,520 of 21,489 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Dublin Bus Services (15 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: I have not read the report which is only being published at 3.30 p.m. today.

Other Questions: Rail Services (15 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: This question is about planned investment in Irish Rail in the light of recent announcements on roads investment. I assume the Deputy is referring to the recent signing of a public private partnership road contract. This is the  first transport PPP since 2007 and  provides a significant confidence boost and evidence of continuing recovery in the economy. In implementing the...

Other Questions: Rail Services (15 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: Until the next capital programme is being considered we will not look at alternatives in regard to the DART or metro north. I am aware of the proposal for a spur to Dublin Airport to which the Deputy referred. The viability of that being included in the next capital programme is something we will have to consider closer to the date but I can confirm to the Deputy that we are not examining...

Other Questions: Rail Services (15 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: I understand that during the impact assessment period in respect of these projects impact assessment on other services is analysed. However, I would not like the Deputy to conclude that rail services are diminishing in regard to the type of service offered. To reiterate, we simply do not have the money for capital investment but a great deal of other work is taking place and we have put a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bus Éireann Services (15 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: This question is about an Expressway commercial bus service. This is a commercial decision for Bus Éireann, as I am sure the Deputy is aware, and not one in which I have any role. However, I contacted the National Transport Authority for clarification, and the position is as follows. The NTA is responsible for securing the provision of public passenger transport services through...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bus Éireann Services (15 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: I am glad to see Deputy Donnelly is interested in constituency issues. No doubt that is noted.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bus Éireann Services (15 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: Deputy Donnelly is beginning to follow Deputy Ring's way of doing business. I did take the time to examine the changes that have taken place on this route. Decisions were made in early 2012 and some of them were amended on a number of occasions in May, August and September. Bus Éireann is even examining the introduction of new bus stops along the route and is engaging with local...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bus Éireann Services (15 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: I have no problem engaging with the officials and asking them to re-examine it. That is not an issue. A number of stops have been put in recently and they are looking at rejigging the stops. They are engaging with the local authorities on that. Maybe I will forward the information to Deputy Donnelly; he might not have all that detail. This is one of many routes that can be examined. We...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bus Éireann Services (15 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his confidence. I appreciate that.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (15 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: The Programme for Government set out its commitment to invest in the National Cycle Policy.  As you would expect, the greatest potential for increasing cycling numbers will occur within urban areas and my Department is aiming to improve the urban cycling experience through direct investment in cycling infrastructure. In 2012, I launched a €65 million multi-annual...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Programme Issues (15 May 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).  Following the Government Decision of 26 January 2012 in relation to integrated local and rural transport, responsibility for the management of the RTP was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA). Noting this I...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: Before concluding Report Stage, I ask the Acting Chairman to direct the Clerk of the Seanad, in accordance with Standing Orders, to make a correction to the Bill in order to rectify a technical printing error that occurred in the reprinting of the Bill as amended in committee. The correction is that section 15 should appear before section 14 in the order in which the sections are arranged.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: I genuinely do not doubt the Senator's sincerity, but I believe he is in a minority of one with regard to some of his views on this. I take on board everybody's views. To be fair with regard to the points the Senator has made during my four or five visits to this House, I have taken on board some of his comments and we have made a number of changes based on all of the comments made in the...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: Again, these are drafting amendments to provide for more precise text in section 43 by deleting the text, "or direction", in all instances where it occurs in the section. There is no provision in the Bill, as drafted, in respect of the issue of directions.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: These amendments will provide for an upper limit on the amount the National Transport Authority can prescribe as a fixed payment for any of the offences specified as such under section 46. In the case of fixed payment offences, under road traffic legislation the Minister prescribes the fixed payment amount which, in principle, should be a fraction of the fine on conviction for the offence,...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: Again, these are drafting amendments to provide more precise text in section 48.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: I cannot accept these amendments. Amendments Nos. 67 and 68 are unnecessary and, therefore, not appropriate inclusions in the text of the Bill. Section 58 provides for balanced representation on the advisory committee, including representation of consumers, business and tourism. The Competition Authority is, in fact, represented on the committee. It is also a function of the authority,...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: The Senator just gave me the nod.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: Having heard my answer, the Senator can give me the question.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Alan Kelly: These amendments provide that demerits, under Part V of the Bill, will only apply to substantial breaches of the SPSV regulations under section 19. Representatives of the taxi industry indicated their concern about attaching demerits to minor breaches of SPSV regulations. Their view is that it could potentially, very quickly, lead to suspension of SPSV licences for what are minor matters...