Results 5,261-5,280 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey
- Written Answers — Congestion Charges: Congestion Charges (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: At present tolls are the only charges, of the type referred to by the Deputy, made on motorists. The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000). There are currently no proposals to introduce any other charges of the type referred to by the Deputy.
- Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: Transport 21 provides for the construction of the Interconnector Tunnel and the electrification of the Dublin suburban rail network which will provide a DART-type service between Maynooth and Bray and Hazlehatch and Balbriggan subject to final decisions on the extent of the electrification. The projected completion date is under Transport 21 2015.
- Written Answers — Heavy Goods Vehicles: Heavy Goods Vehicles (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: I take it that the Deputy is referring to the issue of a maximum vehicle height. While at present the maximum height of goods vehicles is not regulated, my predecessor announced in January last year his intention to introduce a national maximum vehicle height of 4.65 metres. Draft Regulations to give effect to this decision have been received from the Road Safety Authority and are currently...
- Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in their areas is a matter for local authorities to be funded from their own resources supplemented by State Grants. The initial selection of projects or works to be funded under the various grant categories is also a matter for local authorities. In 2007, grants totalling â¬23.531 million were allocated to Kildare County Council...
- Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: The upgrade of the Edenderry to Enfield road is being undertaken by Kildare County Council with grant assistance provided by my Department. The design of the route is a matter for the local authority. Before works of this nature may proceed, the local authority is obliged to comply with requirements of planning legislation. I understand that those requirements, which include extensive...
- Written Answers — Regional Development: Regional Development (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: On 24 January 2008, I jointly announced with the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, that the Government has approved an Economic and Tourism Development Plan for Shannon Airport and its wider catchment area. The Report is available on the websites of both departments. The Economic and Tourism Development Plan will facilitate the completion of a package of measures leading to improved road...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: The two remaining Minister's Nominees were appointed to the Board of Aer Lingus with effect from 31 January 2008. Under Company Law all directors are obliged to pursue the best interests of the company. Subject to that duty, the three Minister's Nominees on the Board of Aer Lingus will seek to ensure that all future decisions of the company that have significant implications for wider...
- Small Craft Register. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: The Mercantile Marine Act 1955 sets out the requirements for registering vessels in Ireland. Irish-owned vessels over 15 net tons are required to be registered under the Act. However, for vessels under 15 net tons, registration is voluntary and owners may register such a craft if they so wish. Small leisure craft would fall into this category. The 1955 Act and the system of registration in...
- Small Craft Register. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: The process of change is under way at present. As is the nature with all such issues, it is necessary to have consultations, otherwise one would be accused of acting in a unilateral manner. When the consultation process is complete, proposals will be put forward in line with the Deputy's request. Following that, it will be necessary to put legislation in place. When drafting legislation of...
- Small Craft Register. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: We are only three minutes in and already I am not doing my job properly. It usually takes a few minutes longer than that.
- Small Craft Register. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: I have been in this job for approximately eight months. As I said to the Deputy, this matter is in hand and legislation will be put in place. Revenue may have only one vessel patrolling our coasts but the Naval Service patrols the coast and is used to assist in this area. It is doing an excellent job.
- Small Craft Register. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: I would not like to send out signals to drug smugglers that we only have one boat to look after the coast of Ireland.
- Congestion Charges. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: Though specific proposals for the introduction of congestion charging are not being considered at the moment, the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 states that consideration will be given to the potential introduction of fiscal measures, including road pricing or congestion charging, to reduce transport demand, once adequate supply-side infrastructure is in place. Congestion charges...
- Congestion Charges. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: The Deputy has posed a range of specific questions as to what may or may not happen, but this matter has not been given detailed consideration in my Department. While I am not avoiding the question, I cannot say how much it might cost or whether it will be revenue neutral or self-financing. The issue has not been dealt with in that kind of detail, although it has been mentioned in the...
- Congestion Charges. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: The Deputy will be pleased to know that I expect to publish the DTA Bill in the course of this month and we will then be able to discuss it.
- Congestion Charges. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: I am announcing now that it will be available before the end of the month.
- Carbon Emissions. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: A number of measures relating to transport are included in the climate change strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These include rebalancing of motor taxes, mineral oil tax relief for biofuels, a modal shift through Transport 21 and the achievement of a 5.75% biofuels blend in fuels by 2010. In all, the transport sector will provide up to 13% in total national emission savings under...
- Carbon Emissions. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: The Deputy is correct in stating that greenhouse gas emissions from transport increased 165%, from just over 5.17 megatonnes in 2005 to 13.72 megatonne equivalents in 2006. As the Deputy rightly said also, however, those figures are a consequence of our economic success. So many people are now staying in Ireland, whereas when I started out in politics people were emigrating. We have...
- Carbon Emissions. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: It never fails to amaze me how powerful Deputy O'Dowd thinks I should be in this job.
- Carbon Emissions. (5 Feb 2008)
Noel Dempsey: The DTA will not stop people buying cars.