Results 20,781-20,800 of 21,489 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (16 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1142 and 1151 together. As part of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011, the proposal for a prohibition on the transfer of small public service vehicle (SPSV) licences reflects the Review Group view that a licence should determine a person’s suitability to carry out a function and it should not have monetary value or be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (16 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: In line with Action 31 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011, the National Transport Authority (NTA) made regulations on 20 December 2012 under statutory instrument no. 535 of 2012, requiring a semi-permanent decal to be affixed to taxis and wheelchair accessible taxis. With effect from the 1st January 2013 the approved external signage is a requirement for the grant or...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Transport (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: On 24 July, the Government decided to provide additional PSO funding of €36 million to CIE to ensure that the companies could continue to operate for the rest of 2012.  This would bring the total PSO subvention for this year to €278 million, higher than the subvention level for 2010, and the fifth highest level of subvention ever. In November, €16...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Transport (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: There is no doubt that 2013 will be a tough year for CIE. A certain level of funding is available and the Department must find the funding for the coming years. We have put in place a three year programme and next year CIE will receive €226 million. We are working closely with the company to ensure it can provide the services with that subvention in 2013. There are cost cutting...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Transport (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: It is certainly Christmas time in here, that question was teed up. The Government is committed to public transport and I assure the Deputy that I work very closely with Deputy Varadkar on the issues he has raised. We all know 2013 will be a challenging year but we are working with everyone every day to maintain services and ensure they are delivered in a satisfactory manner. The push...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: I acknowledge the Deputy is making these comments sincerely but if we were to do everything he said, Dublin Bus would not be sustainable. It is unfortunate that fares had to be increased modestly. The Network Direct project has been successful in many ways and I acknowledge people have issues with it. Nobody knows that better because they come to me as well. It was necessary to ensure...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy is passionate about these issues. He has spoken previously to me about them and I have some sympathy for his position. It is something we will examine in the future but there is no precedent for such fines. I have witnessed the same issues and, at certain times of the day, they could cause serious disruption.

Other Questions: Transport Policy (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: That does not need a response.

Other Questions: Penalty Points System (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: The Minister and I are aware of the claims regarding the alleged quashing of penalty points for road traffic offences. When provided with the documents the Minister forwarded a list of all the allegations to the Minister for Justice and Equality expressing his concern and asked that the matter be fully investigated. The Government believes the matter must be fully investigated. I...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 32 together. According to the census in 2011 around 1.14 million people drove to work or were passengers in a car, representing 69% of commuters. That was very similar to 2006 when around 1.18 million people drove to work or were passengers in a car. Despite the fall in car commuting numbers, due to lower numbers in employment, car...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: I have taken the Deputy's comments on board. Everything is being done to ensure the public transport network is maintained and enhanced from a qualitative perspective, in particular, to make customer journeys a better experience, whether that is through WiFi, the RTPI, the leap card and many other adjustments. While I was surprised by some of the figures produced by the analysis, I was...

Other Questions: Penalty Points System (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: This year marks the tenth anniversary of the introduction of a system of penalty point offences in this country.  Earlier this year, the Department undertook a review of the system to determine whether any changes would be appropriate.  The finalised review was forwarded to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and...

Other Questions: Penalty Points System (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: I could not agree more with the Deputy's last point. I also take on board his reference to efforts by previous Governments, in co-operation with the Opposition, in this vital area. We can never be complacent in this regard and must always seek to improve existing legislation. That is why, following on from the assessment of the Oireachtas committee, that the changes we are proposing will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Regional Airports (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his comments. He has spoken on this issue previously and he holds his opinion passionately. Knock airport is not under threat. It is a fine, successful airport, a fact that must be acknowledged. The Deputy's references to statements by my colleague, the Minister, should be taken in context. Those comments were more a reflection on Shannon's situation than on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Regional Airports (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: I will take that message to him.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Taxi Regulations (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: I met with the Garda Commissioner as recently as last month on the matter of enforcement. To enforce the taxi regulations, including pursuit of the offences mentioned in the Deputy’s question, the role of the Garda Síochána is critical to support the work of the enforcement officers of the National Transport Authority, NTA, who have responsibility for nationwide...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Taxi Regulations (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: I thank Deputy Ellis for his contribution. I note from previous contributions he has made and conversations I have had with him that he has a strong interest in the issue of taxis. The taxi Bill to be introduced in the Seanad early in the new year is the most comprehensive legislation on taxis in the history of the State. I hope everyone will support the Bill as it offers the only way...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Taxi Regulations (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: It is coming up to Christmas and we are all feeling flaithiúlach.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Regional Airports (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: In the first instance, there is not a support package in place for Shannon Airport. The Deputy will recall that the Minister for Finance announced in his recent budget speech that he will put in place measures to facilitate the construction of hangars and ancillary facilities that will be key to attracting additional aviation sector organisations. However, these are based on...

Topical Issue Debate: Taxi Regulations (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: That started as a compliment but I do not know how it ended.