Results 221-240 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (1 Jun 2004)

Séamus Brennan: Section 7 of the Road Transport Act 1932 prohibits the carrying on of a passenger road service without a licence. However, section 24 of the Transport Act 1958 provides that this does not apply to the State bus companies. Section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 then goes on to provide the State bus companies may not, without the consent of the Minister, initiate any passenger road service or...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (1 Jun 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 to 299 inclusive. The Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998 provided for the vesting of the three State airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork in Aer Rianta and for the establishment of the latter as a normal commercial State owned company. Prior to the passing of the 1998 Act, Aer Rianta operated and managed the three airports on behalf of the...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (17 Jun 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I understand from the Railway Procurement Agency that the board has agreed to conclude negotiations with the Department of Social and Family Affairs on a package which will allow all free travel pass holders unlimited access to Luas services.

Seanad: Light Rail Project. (30 Jun 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I thank Senator Brian Hayes for tabling this matter and giving me the opportunity to say a few words about Luas. I have listened carefully to what he said and I will insist on a number of free days being made available as requested. I will make a formal request to the RPA in that regard. The Senator is right in saying that the days of free celebratory travel were greatly welcomed today. It is...

Seanad: Hazardous Waste. (7 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. On his behalf I thank Senator O'Meara for raising the issue. I will ensure her comments are brought to the attention of the Minister. I note that this subject has been extensively covered in previous motions, the latest being on 22 October 2003, so a great deal of background detail is hopefully not...

Seanad: Rail Services. (7 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I thank the Senator for raising this matter and for his comments. He will be aware that I appreciate his special interest in transport, which is even evident on the head bills of his letters to me. I am being genuine, not patronising, in informing him that I take particular account of proposals he makes because of his special interest in transport which I have observed over the past two...

Seanad: Quality Bus Corridors. (8 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: The Senator is correct in that the Luas has exceeded my expectations for its first few days of operation. The promotion of public transport is central to easing congestion in the greater Dublin area. A key element of this strategy is the delivery of quality bus corridors. As a result of work by the Dublin Transportation Office and the greater Dublin area local authorities, there are nine...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: The policy that underlies this legislation is in keeping with the wider package of Government policies designed to strengthen national and regional competitiveness. I want to ensure that the country's principal gateway airports are in a position to provide cost competitive services and appropriate infrastructure to meet the current and future needs of airlines and other aviation companies...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I am referring to notes.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: My contribution will be on the record. Lending to State companies is an attractive proposition for banks. I deplore the leaking of financial information which seems consistently designed to undermine the determination of this Government and these Houses in doing their duty. I turn now to another issue which seems to be causing some confusion among media commentators. I emphasise that the...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: It is the Irish for "plc" — comhlacht poiblí teoranta.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: After enactment of the legislation two companies will be established which will be designated as the Cork and Shannon Airport authorities and these companies will, in due course, own and operate their respective airports once sufficient distributable reserves are available to transfer the relevant assets. Prior to the assets being vested in those two companies their boards would be charged...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: It is not going to Clare, however.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I will.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators for what has been a full debate on this legislation over almost six hours. I have listened carefully to everything that has been said and will take the issues on board and deal with them as best I can. The issue of funds was raised. I wish to state clearly and unambiguously that there is no risk whatsoever from the bond holders in any area related to the...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I assume he has survived despite the big players. The various boards will have to make business decisions regarding the other assets. With regard to airport charges, irrespective of whether this legislation is enacted, charges will rise at Dublin Airport, as PricewaterhouseCoopers reported, because of pre-existing financial challenges. The much needed investment that was made must be...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: No Member can tell me that over the past 40 years the Aer Rianta board has never had a plan for Cork or Shannon Airports. The boards knew every detail, figure, aeroplane, staff member and overtime chit. The board members cannot look me in the eye and tell me they had no plans for Cork and Shannon Airports. No self-respecting plc would not have a business plan. PricewaterhouseCoopers...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: With regard to Shannon Airport——

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: A Chathaoirligh, am I over my time?

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: Shannon Airport was the first one I ever stood in and I am proud of it, knowing it will be a huge success. The new airport authority is the only way to deal with future concerns about its operations. Senators Dooley and Daly are right to be concerned about the future of the stopover and the EU-US talks and Aer Lingus's plans. However, who is best placed to deal with those issues, a board...