Results 3,981-4,000 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: I have provided €4.395 million to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety for 2009. While my Department provides annual funding to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, the allocation of resources to the various programmes is a matter for the bureau itself.

Written Answers — Ferry Services: Ferry Services (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 165 together. The Cork Swansea Ferry Company suspended its service in 2007. I can appreciate the concerns that have been expressed in the region in response to this development. The Port of Cork Company is continuing to engage in discussions with a number of interested parties and stakeholders with a view to the latter commencing a new passenger and...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Government recently gave its approval to the drafting of a Road Traffic and Transport Bill, which inter alia deals with the legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level for drivers. The processing of prosecutions for intoxicated driving offences is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: The changed economic climate has inevitably impacted on the volume of trade through the State's ports. In September the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) published its mid-year analysis of traffic volumes through the ports. This showed that throughput fell during the first half of 2008. The IMDO's analysis shows that roll-on/roll off (ro-ro) volumes were down 4%, lift-on/lift off...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Primary purpose and aim of the Road Safety Action Plan is to save lives and reduce injuries on our Roads, by reducing fatalities to no more than 60 fatalities per million or 252 fatalities per year. The 1 Primary Action of saving lives is supplemented by 125 other specific actions, designed to bring about the objective expressed in the primary action. The Strategy is being successfully...

Seanad: Dental Services. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. As the Senator will know, and it is important to point out, responsibility for the Competition Act rests with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. That Department is currently engaged in a review of the Competition Act and has been having consultations with...

Seanad: Dental Services. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: I cannot give the Senator that assurance. From the reply——

Seanad: Dental Services. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: Judging from the reply it seems that as of now she has a particular——

Seanad: Dental Services. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: She has a particular view. However, views can be changed if a good case is made by the other side. However, the ball is in the Irish Dental Association's court. As I said, the Minister has not concluded that there is a case for adopting a similar approach to other professional representative bodies, including the Irish Dental Association. Any such case would need to be examined in light...

Seanad: Dental Services. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: Maybe it is an invitation for the Irish Dental Association to make its case strongly. I understand the logic of the Senator's question. It has an opportunity to put its case face to face next week. However, it would need to put its case strongly and well. I would not say she has a closed mind, but she has formed a particular view up to now and she will need to be persuaded if she is to...

Seanad: Road Network (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: I thank the Senator for raising the matter of the bridge at Ballinagar, Lixnaw, County Kerry, and for giving me some history which I did not know. I recall the accident he mentioned. I would like first to make a number of general points about the resourcing of regional and local roads. Responsibility for the provision and improvement of regional and local roads, including bridges, in its...

Seanad: Regional Airports. (13 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. He appears to have a good feel of the situation judging by his figures. The Department provides direct financial support for the six regional airports under two schemes, one relating to operational expenditure and the other to capital investments. In the case of operational expenditure, a new scheme introduced in 2006 provides for an annual...

Seanad: Regional Airports. (13 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: I hear what the Senator says, but I hope the airport board does not take such a negative view of the situation. There is a delay in what is likely to happen, but there is no rowing back or cancellation, although the Senator did not use that word.

Seanad: Regional Airports. (13 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: There is a delay in the process with regard to projects that were to get the go ahead next year. However, I hope that while there may be a delay, the airport board in Waterford will still progress its thinking and plans. I am trying to offer encouragement. I have heard what the Senator said about the potential of the airport and while there may be a delay, I hope people will remain...

Written Answers — Driving Schools: Driving Schools (18 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: There are no prohibitions or restrictions applied under road traffic legislation relating to where vehicles may be used in the course of driving instruction. Permissible sound levels and exhaust systems for motor vehicles are set out in Directive 70/157/EEC, as amended, in relation to the registration and entry into service of new motor vehicles in the European Union. Vehicle in-service...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (18 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: There are nine regional harbours, which are State assets managed under the Harbours Act 1946 by a harbour authority composed of commissioners whose duties include the management, control, maintenance and operation of the harbour. Policy in relation to the regional harbours, as published in the Ports Policy Statement in 2005, is that their continued operation under the outdated provisions of...

Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (18 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Minister for Transport may, under section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, give general or particular directions to the road authorities in relation to traffic signs. Directions are contained in the manual "Traffic Signs Manual 1996" in relation to the use of Irish and English on traffic signs. I am satisfied with these directions and I do not intend to make any amendment.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (25 Nov 2008)

Noel Ahern: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the prosecution of offences arising from those functions transferred to the Authority, including for example of offences in respect of tachographs and vehicle standards. I can assure the Deputy that no prosecutions for such offences are brought by...

Written Answers — Coast Guard Services: Coast Guard Services (2 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Irish Coast Guard has fifty-five Stations from which marine rescue services are delivered by volunteer units available for emergency callouts. Each Unit has an Area Officer and a Deputy Area Officer. These officers are paid an annual retainer of €888.80 and €444.40 respectively. Accordingly, the cost incurred for pay for each station for each of the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 was...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No 477 of 2006) this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. Information regarding the appeals process is available from the Road Safety Authority at 'www.rsa.ie'