Results 3,861-3,880 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: My question relates to the road traffic Bill. Earlier in the year, the number of road deaths was down 20% on the corresponding period last year. Now, however, road deaths are at the same level as 2008. In view of the lack of Garda enforcement as a result of cutbacks in overtime in the traffic corps-----

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: In view of the €150 million cutback in the regional and local roads programme-----

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: When will the road traffic Bill be introduced and will it include a provision in regard to the mandatory testing of persons at the scene of accidents?

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: When will there be reform of the Road Transport Act 1932, as promised by the Minister for Transport, in view of the serious cutbacks in Bus Éireann services throughout the State, including commuter and rural transport services?

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is promised.

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (21 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 23: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the percentage of people covered by the full medical card and the doctor only card respectively, in view of the recent downturn in the economy and the number of people out of work; the estimated percentage increase for end of 2009; the thresholds for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20625/09]

Rural Transport Services. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 48: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to improve public transport in communities outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21639/09]

Rural Transport Services. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Notwithstanding the Minister's reply, the fact is that in Dublin Bus - even during the boom when capital investment in the industry was at its height - the number of passengers travelling to work by bus was falling. At this moment Bus Éireann is facing cutbacks due to the €30 million reduction in funding from the Department. We have heard that 150 buses may be withdrawn from routes...

Rural Transport Services. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have the press release here from Bus Éireann that states the company will have to make cutbacks of €30 million in its programme. Part of that is a result of the cuts in the subsidy from the Department while some of it is due to not enough people travelling to work by bus. The fact is that Green Party policy has not been effective in Government and the Minister is cutting back in the...

Rural Transport Services. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is not true.

Public Transport. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 50: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on public transport cutbacks since 2007; the percentage decrease year on year for the public transport investment programme since 2007; the budget reductions implemented via supplementary estimate since 2007; the discussions that he has had with other Departments regarding the projects that he will now prioritise in view of the...

Public Transport. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: The public transport investment programme has been cut by 29% in the Minister's budget this year compared to last year. That is a reduction of €262 million. The Green Party put much emphasis on public transport and the Minister has done his best, however they have lost the budget battle at Cabinet. The Minister is attacking very important and constructive projects which are needed in the...

Public Transport. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: My question related to what is not being proceeded with. We know those projects are proceeding but what is not going ahead? When one takes €262 million from the programme there must be cutbacks. The Minister says he cannot give them here, but the Green Party route to power, getting into bed with Fianna Fáil, has proved ineffective in the context of Green policies on increased public...

Public Transport. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Where will the cutbacks be? Where will they fall?

Road Safety. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Question 51: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether the reduction in the local and regional road maintenance budget will have a negative effect on road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21641/09]

Road Safety. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: Earlier this year we were, thankfully, 20 deaths down on last year. While every death in a road accident is appalling and regrettable, 70% of all fatal accidents occur on country roads. The Department of Transport's website states that these roads are the economic arteries of local communities, and we all agree. Local and regional roads account for more than 94% of the Irish road network....

Road Safety. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: We were talking about cutbacks in Government waste, including on FÁS, the HSE and in Departments. We were not talking about what the Minister is doing. He is cutting back on safety and he cannot avoid the issue. If road potholes cannot be filled and if road surfaces are crumbling in every county, town and village, the Minister is making these roads extremely unsafe and dangerous by...

Light Rail Projects. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: We all agree it is very important that metro north proceeds. Members of the Opposition have been approached by the different consortia in regard to the issues which have arisen. I have no preference for any one nor have I any interest in it but the point has been made to us that some consortia cannot raise the funds to tender for this project while others can do so. The Minister referred to...

Light Rail Projects. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am not talking about that.

Light Rail Projects. (26 May 2009)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will make the point I made earlier but perhaps in a better way. I appreciate nobody can intervene in this process but if there are two competitive tenderers and the cheaper of the two does not have the same access to finance it would have had if the financial crisis had not occurred, it would be reasonable to try to ensure, through the RPA or otherwise, that every effort is made to make...