Results 2,461-2,480 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Fifth Report of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security: Motion (11 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: When the Greens were in Opposition.

Fifth Report of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security: Motion (11 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: That comment from the Minister of State makes it all the more disappointing that he has not taken on board what the Opposition parties are now saying. In many cases the Opposition parties have learned from many of the arguments made by the Green Party five or six years ago and they now accept this should be mainstream opinion. Now that the Greens are in Government, they believe that only a...

Fifth Report of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security: Motion (11 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: I hope that is the case but I have learned to adopt a wait and see approach with regard to this Government. I hope the heads of the Bill will be published next week and I assure the Minister of State that my party will give it as fair a hearing as I can provide. I look forward to the Bill coming before the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security for a frank and open...

Written Answers — Hospital Staff: Hospital Staff (11 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: Question 13: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason St. Vincent's Hospital has more radiologists than Tallaght hospital, in view of the fact that Tallaght hospital conducts twice the amount of X-rays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41928/10]

State Airports (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: Question 43: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department plans any asset sales from within the Dublin Airport Authority to assist paying off its debt; the level of debt now being serviced by the DAA; the strategy planed to reduce airport charges and drive up passenger numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42988/10]

State Airports (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: In the light of terminal two, T2, being opened on Friday, will the Minister say whether he considers it is value for money to open a terminal that has cost somewhere between €600 million and €700 million, at a time when passenger numbers going through Dublin this year will be less than 18 million, and each terminal has the capacity of up to 15 million? I understand this was a long-term...

State Airports (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: That is the context of the question.

State Airports (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: I have already asked two or three questions-----

State Airports (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: -----and I am just finishing the last one, if that is all right. In the context of passenger numbers increasing in the vast majority of European countries, does he consider that it is time the Government had a fundamental review of aviation policy in Ireland, to increase passenger numbers?

State Airports (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: I have two specific questions. Could the Minister explain why the Government did not follow independent advice, when the building of a second terminal at Dublin Airport was being planned, to have it built and operated by an operator independent of the Dublin Airport Authority? Has the Government considered the option of either leasing or selling one of the terminals at Dublin Airport, in...

State Airports (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: That is not true.

Local Authority Services (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: Question 46: To ask the Minister for Transport following the severe winter weather of 2009/2010, his plans to ensure that there will be no shortage of salt and grit; the structures of responsibility to deal with gritting on national and non-national roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42651/10]

Local Authority Services (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: The Minister will recall the lack of leadership from himself and his Department last January, which surprised many people involved in this area. I am somewhat reassured that plans have been put in place to ensure there is not a repeat this winter. I have two specific questions for the Minister. How much salt, which it is appropriate to put on the roads, is currently in storage here? If...

Local Authority Services (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: That is simply untrue.

Local Authority Services (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: How much salt is stockpiled?

Local Authority Services (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: How much salt is stockpiled?

Local Authority Services (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: Will the Minister repeat his answer to the question about whether local authorities ran out of salt last year? Is he suggesting no local authority in Ireland ran out of salt last year during the big freeze when it is a fact that Cork County Council had to supply Kerry County Council with significant tonnage of salt? The Minister should rethink his reply to that. How much salt is stockpiled...

Road Network (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: Question 47: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to proceed with a strategy to place new road toll collection points on motorway and national road infrastructure in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42991/10]

Road Network (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: That is convenient. There is a great deal of concern that additional tolls will be placed on our motorway infrastructure and it would be helpful if the Minister clarified whether he intends to use additional tolling to raise revenue, whether that be for infrastructure or for the Exchequer. There is potential for a huge waste of money because he has asked the NRA to put considerable work...

Road Network (16 Nov 2010)

Simon Coveney: Will the Minister consider whether it makes sense to charge people and, in doing so, discourage them from using the safest, quickest, most direct infrastructure on which we have spent a fortune constructing, thereby increasing traffic on secondary roads and sending it back into towns and villages, which is contrary to the motorway strategy in place? If he is considering introducing new...