Results 281-300 of 20,758 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (26 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together. The forthcoming review of the taxi sector will be undertaken in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government and its Terms of Reference will be announced shortly. The review will enable stakeholder consultation so that the views of both the taxi sector as well as the interest of consumers can be addressed. To date I have met...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (26 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: An Garda Síochána is responsible for the vetting of Small Public Service Vehicle driver licence applicants and the issue of such licences. It has also a key role in taxi regulation enforcement, which it carries out in cooperation with the National Transport Authority under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. Members of An Garda Síochána are authorised persons for the purpose of Section 49 of...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (31 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: Under Section 49 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 Members of An Garda Síochána are authorised persons for the purpose of enforcement of the 2003 Act. A range of fixed charge offences, which can be issued by authorised persons under Section 46 of the 2003 Act, is set out in the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 722 of 2007). In practice only the...

Departmental Programmes (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: The Government recently announced a comprehensive review of capital spending which is now under way. The review will examine capital proposals across all sectors of the economy to establish a set of priority projects and programmes that will support economic recovery and provide new employment opportunities. The results will form the basis of a new national development plan. The preparation...

Departmental Programmes (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: To clarify, there are four projects in the mix, as we have stated clearly on several occasions. After the spending review, after the information has been provided to the Department and the process has gone through the Government, we will hopefully be in a position to go ahead with one of them. We are aware of all the issues raised by the Deputy, particularly those concerning north Dublin,...

Departmental Programmes (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: All variables will be taken into consideration. All the projects have merit in what they are trying to achieve. We are aware that the project to which Deputy Ellis refers has great merit. The cost benefit analysis across all projects is quite good and we will take that into account. It is incumbent on us to examine all projects. A fourth project has been brought to our attention and we...

Road Safety (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: The promotion of cycling continues to be a key element in the sustainable transport strategy being pursued by this Government. This strategy includes investment in infrastructure designed to enhance cycling facilities and support increased usage as well as promotional campaigns such as Bike Week. Infrastructure projects under way include the Dublin canals cycle route and the fisheries...

Road Safety (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: I hope to be in a position to extend cycling facilities across the country in the future. It is an objective of the Government, as stated in the programme for Government. It is my ambition to be able to deliver on various project but that is a matter for the future. We must assess the funding required. The safety campaign was a good one. The campaign cost €53,000. It concentrated not...

Rural Transport Scheme (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: Some 36 rural community transport groups are being funded under the Department's rural transport programme, RTP, which is operational in every county and plays an important role in combating rural isolation. These groups are working towards maximising coverage in their operational areas having regard to local public transport service needs and the availability of resources. The RTP is...

Rural Transport Scheme (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: That is a main consideration for the Department and I intend to do so. We are committed to this and there is a commitment in the programme for Government regarding integrated transport in rural areas. This scheme must be taken into consideration with regard to that commitment. I am working closely with the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Health and Children and a...

Rural Transport Scheme (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: I take on board the Deputy's comments and share his view on the importance of providing services to rural areas. I am from a rural area and am familiar with the scheme mentioned by the Deputy as it is not too far from me. I look across the water to it. The intention is to bring together an integrated programme following the publication of the review. We will work with the various agencies...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 47, 51, 56 and 58 together. Terms of reference and the overall approach to the forthcoming review of the taxi sector are close to finalisation and will be announced shortly. The review will be undertaken in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. The review will enable necessary further qualitative reforms of the sector to allow...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: Terms of reference and the overall approach to the forthcoming review of the taxi sector are close to finalisation and will be announced shortly. The review will be undertaken in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. The review will enable necessary further qualitative reforms of the sector to allow consumers to have confidence in the taxi system while also ensuring...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (2 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: The issue raised is the direct responsibility of 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 working days.

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (7 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: With effect from 1 January 2011, the former Commission for Taxi Regulation (CTR) was subsumed into the National Transport Authority (NTA) under section 36 of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. The NTA is funded from an exchequer grant and taxi licence fees. Section 50 (2) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, prescribes that income from taxi licence fees received by the NTA shall be applied...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (9 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: The enforcement of driver identification regulations is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in cooperation with An Garda Síochána. However the future of the rules governing this area is something the review of the taxi industry (the terms of which I announced yesterday) will examine further. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (15 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: The regulation of the taxi industry, including the issuing of small public service vehicle (SPSV) licences, 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 Office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (15 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: The NTA is currently reviewing appropriate small public service vehicle standards for consumers. The NTA will start a public consultation on proposed measures this year with a view to advancing new regulations to come into force in early 2012. As part of the review of the taxi sector announced by me on 8 June last, the current NTA examination of appropriate vehicle standards including the...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (15 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: Decisions regarding the location and operation of taxi ranks on public roads, as well as funding for the provision of taxi ranks, are primarily matters for the relevant local authority. Under section 84 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended, a local authority is empowered to make by-laws in respect of the places at which taxis may stand for hire. The making of such by-laws is a reserved...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (15 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: The regulation of the taxi industry, including fees payable in respect of licensing, is a matter for the National Transport Authority as provided for under Section 34 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days. I recently announced the Terms of...