Results 261-280 of 20,758 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Public Transport (20 Apr 2011)

Alan Kelly: As a former tourism executive, I am aware of the huge merit of such visits and their potential for the country. As far as the Government is concerned, the review that has been carried out is working. The main features of the redesigned network are an increase in the number of high frequency routes, more direct alignment of routes to and from key areas of work and leisure, greater use of...

Public Transport (20 Apr 2011)

Alan Kelly: To be fair, it is impossible to find more funding in this environment. I have some sympathy for the argument that the subvention given to Dublin Bus is low by comparison to that given to similar operators in other countries. It is a fair point and one I have made on previous occasions. The economic environment in which we find ourselves is very unfortunate. If we take money from another...

Public Transport (20 Apr 2011)

Alan Kelly: The review will not be stopped. It is not fair to describe its purpose as being to secure cutbacks. Its purpose is to obtain as much as possible for what we have. I have made an offer on specific hardship cases which need to be addressed and this will be done. We must be realistic, however. While routes and other issues raised by the Deputy are matters for Dublin Bus, in a number of cases...

Public Transport (20 Apr 2011)

Alan Kelly: While I would not necessarily fully subscribe to the option to which the Deputy refers, every option is on the table and will be examined, including, if necessary, by the relevant committee.

Public Transport (20 Apr 2011)

Alan Kelly: I understand and respect the reason this issue raises passions in local communities. We have encouraged as much consultation as possible. While I am open to correction, I understand demographic profiling has been done. I will ensure a full answer is provided to the Deputy's questions in this regard. When I meet the relevant authorities I will emphasise again the need for skeleton services,...

Road Network (20 Apr 2011)

Alan Kelly: Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority in December 2009, responsibility for the delivery of an integrated transport system, including funding for quality bus corridors in the greater Dublin area, is a matter for the National Transport Authority. I have, therefore, asked the National Transport Authority to send the relevant information to the Deputy. I ask him to...

Road Network (20 Apr 2011)

Alan Kelly: I presume the Deputy's concerns relate to the greater Dublin area. The National Transport Authority is examining this matter, although it is not the subject of a review. I could request that such a review be carried out to examine matters such as the times at which the bus corridors can be used by vehicles other than buses, the success rate of each bus corridor measured against key...

Commission of Inquiry into Banking Sector: Statements (20 Apr 2011)

Alan Kelly: When reading the Nyberg report last night, I recalled a moment when the scale of the devastation the Irish banking crisis came to the fore at the European Parliament. In my former capacity as an MEP, I was attending a private meeting with Commissioner Almunia - the man in charge of state aid rules in Europe - to discuss the matter of the bailout of Anglo Irish Bank. The Commissioner,...

Residential Mortgage Debt: Motion (Resumed) (4 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: It is clear from the statements made so far that there is much in common between the concerns expressed by Members of the Technical Group about the plight of ordinary homeowners facing the challenges of making ends meet and honouring their mortgage commitments in the current economic climate and the sentiments expressed in the programme for Government on this issue. Nevertheless, I will...

Jobs Initiative 2011: Statements (Resumed) (11 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: I wish to share time with Deputy Peter Mathews.

Jobs Initiative 2011: Statements (Resumed) (11 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: The jobs initiative represents the first of what could be 1,000 steps taken towards bringing about a full recovery of our employment, banking and public debt crises. Let us not pretend to be unaware of the scale of the problem, which is, to say the least, of potentially enormous and hugely challenging proportions. Turning it into a shouting match will not solve anything. It may well take...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (17 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: 1Authorised persons, appointed under Section 49 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, have the power at any reasonable time to enter the premises or place where any taxi activity takes place. Members of the Gardaí are also deemed to be authorised persons under the 2003 Act. In addition, section 49(5)(b) of the 2003 Act requires the presence of a Garda Síochána in cases where a taxi vehicle is...

Written Answers — Taxi Hardship Panel: Taxi Hardship Panel (18 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy's original question did not issue to the agency due to revised procedures in my office, and I apologise for that. My Department contacted Pobal in this regard last week and I understand that the response will issue to the Deputy this week.

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: My Department does not provide funding assistance under the Dormant Account Scheme or any other funding scheme that would be appropriate to the specialist services engaged in by the group mentioned. I understand that the Dormant Account Fund Disbursements Board is under the remit of the Department for the Environment, Community and Local Government and I will forward the Question to my...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: With effect from 1st January 2011, the former Commission for Taxi Regulation (CTR) was subsumed into the National Transport Authority (NTA). I understand that the accumulated surplus of the CTR at the end of 2010 was approximately €20m. The use of income from fees set in respect of the licensing of small public service vehicles is a matter, in the first instance, for the NTA in accordance...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: The Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, does not provide for the introduction of a moratorium on the issue of new taxi licences. Among other things, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory objective of promoting the provision and maintenance of quality services by small public service vehicles and their drivers. Last week, I confirmed that a full scale review of the taxi industry...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: Upon the dissolution of the Commission for Taxi Regulation (CTR) on 1 January 2011, all the regulatory functions provided for under section 9 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003 were transferred to the National Transport Authority (NTA). The Taxi Regulation Directorate of the NTA administers these functions. All former staff of the CTR were transferred to and became employees of the NTA with...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 447 together. The regulation of the taxi industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). Inspection and enforcement are also the responsibility of the NTA in cooperation with An Garda Síochána. NTA compliance officers have extensive enforcement powers as authorised officers under section 49 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. However...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: The vetting of applicants for small public service vehicles (SPSV) driver licences and the issue of such licences is currently the responsibility of An Garda Síochána. Current obligations on taxi vehicle licence holders is a matter for the NTA and I have referred your Question to the NTA for direct reply. Please notify my Office if you do not receive a reply with ten working days. I should...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: The regulation of the taxi industry, including the enforcement of driver identification display in taxis, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have referred the Deputy's Question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten days.