Results 11,661-11,680 of 13,339 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: It looks as if we will be in power longer.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: With the Labour Party standing at 10% in the opinion polls, it does not look as if it will have a chance——

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: The public is not recognising that in the opinion polls. I appreciate Deputy McEntee's concerns and we will continue to address them.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: When the 15% kicks in after the 100 buses are provided, I expect the authority to examine new routes. We cannot be firm and fixed in our views. If the current routes can be improved with a mix of private and public operators, we would not tie the authority's hands in the matter.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: Any regulator should have the responsibility to ensure the best services are made available from the funding that will be provided.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: On whether there will be a rush prior to the introduction of the legislation, it is a matter for each individual company to submit their applications. Under the 1932 Act, it is the first company that applies, providing it meets all the criteria. There is no subvention in such cases.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: When the 1932 Act is amended, it will ensure a level playing field for all operators. The Department is examining bus service applications. There may be some scope for additional services. Commercial opportunities identified by the private sector may not be where additional bus service obligations are required. Regarding north Kildare, the Department has authorised a significant increase...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 13 together. The Minister set out the position in regard to the integrated ticketing project in his response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 13, 41 and 91 on 28 September 2006. The chairman of the integrated ticketing project board submitted the first report of the board to the Minister on Tuesday, 9 October 2006 and the Minister has since considered...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: As I outlined, we expect the report of the integrated ticketing project board to be made available to the Minister by the end of this month. There are genuine business issues in terms of the cost of the project and the phased timing of its introduction. On the question of implementation, we must, as always, abide by the procurement policies. Although it sounds simple, the development of...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: All of us would be pleased if the integrated ticketing system were already in place. However, I have outlined the facts of the case and pointed to the further information that will be available by the end of November. It will take two years before the system is in operation because of the various obstacles we must overcome. It was in March 2002, not 2000, that the RPA was given statutory...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I hope it will be available in the Oireachtas Library before the end of the year.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: As of now, the licences that are being issued, including one to Deputy Catherine Murphy's constituency this week, will not be based on a precondition that the holder must provide integrated ticketing. In future, however, we will do our utmost to ensure integrated ticketing is included. We cannot cover the entire country immediately——

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: We cannot cover the entire country immediately.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: It will be done on a phased basis. We will look at the greater Dublin area initially, after which we will endeavour to ensure the service is available throughout the State and that all those who receive licences are in a position to provide integrated ticketing facilities.

Road Safety. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006, SI 477 of 2006, the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the oversight of the operation of the driver licensing system, including the preparation of proposals for draft regulatory provisions relating to driver licensing and testing. In this context, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for bringing...

Road Safety. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I understand the Road Safety Authority is on course to introduce such a scheme by 1 July next year. A working group comprising motorcycle interests has been considering the appropriate standards with which instructors will have to comply. Overseeing the introduction of such training is now the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I am sure the criteria laid down will be quite...

Road Safety. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: I cannot dispute the fact that many young people on motorbikes are killed. We wish to ensure the new instructors, whether for cars or motorbikes, are registered from 1 July 2007. I take on board what the Deputy said about compulsory training.

Road Safety. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: We will take the opportunity to discuss compulsory training and the Road Safety Authority's proposals when we meet it in the near future.

Road Safety. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: At the outset, I apologise to the House for the inability of the Minister, Deputy Cullen, to attend as he has been ill in recent days. I have no doubt Members opposite will accept why he is not present. I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (SI No. 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority, RSA, has...

Road Safety. (2 Nov 2006)

Pat Gallagher: We have asked the RSA to consider the provision of closed driver training grounds and it is doing so. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, and I will have the opportunity to discuss this with the chief executive and the board in the near future. Regarding the request for a structural transition from the provisional licences to learner permits and restricted category drivers, the...