Results 20,681-20,700 of 21,489 for speaker:Alan Kelly
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: I cannot agree to amendment No. 26. This amendment would see section 16 set out that the function of the National Transport Authority is "to develop, operate and maintain a regulatory framework for the quality licensing and regulation of... standards". There is a fundamental question as to the meaning of the phrase, "quality licensing and regulation" in legal or any other terms. The...
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: Briefly, as previously stated in this House on numerous occasions, there is nothing in this Bill that provides for quantity restrictions. As the Senator has already stated, the courts already have decided on that issue and nothing in this Bill changes that. Apart from that, as I already have explained to the Senator, from a legal wording point of view, the wording as suggested in the...
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: Section 13, concerning the transfer of SPSV licence, does not provide for an exemption to be made concerning a consequent revocation of an SPSV upon the death of an SPSV licenceholder. Therefore, in the event of the death of an SPSV licenceholder, as a consequence of section 13, the SPSV licence would stand revoked. As indicated previously in this House and in other areas, I have been...
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: This is a minor amendment to correct a drafting error.
- Magdalen Laundries Report: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: Hear, hear.
- Magdalen Laundries Report: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: Hear, hear.
- Topical Issue Debate: Rural Transport (26 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputies for the passion with which they have represented this issue. Indeed, it is an issue I am also very passionate about. As the House knows, I come from a very rural part of the country. I am probably one of the most rural Deputies in Leinster House. There will be change but not all change has to be seen as negative. Change can be very positive. In this case, change is...
- Topical Issue Debate: Rural Transport (26 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputies who have collectively raised this issue of genuine concern. I wish to make it absolutely clear that there are no plans to abolish the rural transport programme. On the contrary, the intention is to strengthen the programme by ensuring a more efficient delivery structure and maximising integration with other State transport services. My ambition is to ensure the...
- Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Industry (21 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: Before the establishment of the Taxi Regulation Review Group in 2011, I spent considerable time consulting the various taxi representative groups. In addition, the review group which I personally chaired and which reported at the end of 2011, included industry stakeholders and representative bodies. I stated at the time that representation of the taxi sector...
- Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: I welcome this opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill 2013. The Bill represents an important step for this country, one that allows us to contemplate a better time even though the country is currently in a difficult position. However, we have hope. We are beginning to build towards periods of stability. I hope in the years ahead that will help us to a great extent but we must face many...
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: Amendments Nos. 20, 21 and 23 address areas of representation and appeals under section 12 where there was procedural ambiguity and thereby strengthen the legality of the process, if challenged. Taken together, amendments Nos. 20 and 21 provide for the commencement date of any suspension or revocation of a licence on foot of a decision of a licensing authority to commence after any appeal to...
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: Amendment No. 22 is a textual amendment to correct a minor drafting error and does not entail any change to the substance of the section. Amendment No. 24 concerns a technical legal matter. It provides that the representation and appeals process under section 12 does not apply to a revocation of a licence by a court consequent upon conviction for an offence as provided for under section 43,...
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: Despite what Senator Barrett has said on numerous occasions, the Department does not have all encompassing powers in regard to all bus operators. That would be a matter between them and their employees. From a legal point of view, the Attorney General is quite happy with this. This empowers the National Transport Authority. I want to re-emphasise that it is not a draconian move but it is...
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: Despite what Senator Barrett has said on numerous occasions, the Department does not have all encompassing powers in regard to all bus operators. That would be a matter between them and their employees. From a legal point of view, the Attorney General is quite happy with this. This empowers the National Transport Authority. I want to re-emphasise that it is not a draconian move but it is...
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: The amendment will not be withdrawn. No issue arises over privacy, nor does one arise over contracts of employment. This legislation has been examined by the legal advisers in the Office of the Attorney General. What we are doing is addressing an issue of safety. It is quite clear that if somebody?s job requires driving for a long time, his driving a taxi after work - which would involve...
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: Amendment No. 17 introduces a new section to the Bill that places an obligation on an applicant for or holder of a licence to drive a special public service vehicle, SPSV, to inform the licensing authority of any other occupation of his or hers involving driving vehicles and so on. This amendment derives from a recommendation under action 3 of the taxi regulation review report 2011 which aims...
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: I thank the Senator for highlighting this matter. There is joined-up thinking on the part of the Government on this matter. We are involved in discussions. Section 10 of the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill expressly provides that the general effect of section 5 of that legislation which relates to the right of non-disclosure of certain convictions shall not apply to applications...
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: I will agree to amendment No. 12 but with the following text change, which I hope he will support.
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: Section 9 of the Bill provides for the licensing authority, subject to its assessment of suitability under section 10, to grant or not to grant an application for a licence. Section 9(10) provides that when granting a licence, the licensing authority may attach such terms and conditions to it as it sees fit. This seems to be an integral part of the functioning of a licensing authority....
- Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2013)
Alan Kelly: These are technical agreements concerning cross-referencing in sections 10 and 12 of the Bill. The amendments do not change the substance of the sections. Section 10(1) states that the licensing authority shall not grant a licence and this is now clarified by reference to section 9, which is the relevant section of the Bill under which the licensing authority can grant a licence or not....