Results 4,101-4,120 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Sea Pollution: Sea Pollution (24 Feb 2009)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 251 together. The Irish Coast Guard of my Department has the role of safeguarding the quality of the marine environment from ship sourced pollution through the provision of an efficient and effective response to marine casualty and pollution incidents from vessels and offshore platforms in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone. This includes casualty...

Written Answers — Sea Pollution: Sea Pollution (24 Feb 2009)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 252 together. The Sea Pollution (Amendment) Act, 1999 prohibits refuelling at sea in Irish waters except by permit of the Minister. The Irish Coast Guard of the Department of Transport in its role to safeguard the quality of the marine environment from ship-sourced pollution issues such permits under a detailed schedule of procedures based on...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (24 Feb 2009)

Noel Ahern: The Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport carries out the measurement of tonnage for all vessels, including fishing vessels, which fly the Irish flag. However, it has no role with respect to the regulation and monitoring of gross tonnage and registered kilowatts in the fishing industry. This is a function of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (24 Feb 2009)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions 246 and 254 together. Under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2002 when a licence holder has 12 or more penalty points endorsed on their licence, a notice of disqualification issues from the National Vehicle and Driver File offices in Shannon specifying that the person will be disqualified for a period of 6 months beginning on the appropriate date and directs...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (24 Feb 2009)

Noel Ahern: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) this is now a matter for the Road Safety Authority.

Seanad: Report on Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann: Statements (25 Feb 2009)

Noel Ahern: I welcome the opportunity to take part in this discussion on the cost and efficiency review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. We welcome all contributions in considering the future of bus services in Ireland. It is important we consider the context in which the review was undertaken. Current and capital Exchequer investment in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann over the past ten years has been at...

Seanad: Report on Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann: Statements (25 Feb 2009)

Noel Ahern: I thank Members for their constructive comments. We had a good discussion. It is evident that people wish Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann well and that they would like to see a greater use of public transport. Senator Donohoe referred to the danger of a hammer blow in the event of a strike. Today we are discussing the Deloitte & Touche report and the strike relates to day-to-day public...

Seanad: Report on Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann: Statements (25 Feb 2009)

Noel Ahern: Everything links to people's belief that any switching means a delay or problem. Were the service good and reliable, people would get past that belief. This is a report from a consultant that is trying to say what is probably obvious and to have the workers and company sit down together. Implementation plans are being drawn up. The Department is not a bus operator and, at policy level,...

Cost and Efficiency Review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann: Statements (26 Feb 2009)

Noel Ahern: This has been an interesting debate judging by the extracts I saw on the monitor. While we may differ on the approach to be taken we are all agreed on the fundamental importance of a good bus service as part of a well functioning public transport system. This Deloitte report, of itself, will not solve all of the problems. It is an interesting report which, when we get the implementation...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (26 Feb 2009)

Noel Ahern: Details of expenditure for Coast Guard Units in the Leinster area for the last three years are as follows: 2006 2007 2008 Volunteer Costs 38,285 83,219 116,314 Equipment 9,788 43,412 33,109 Fuel 351 0 97 Building Maintenance 49,140 71,540 93,544 Events 1,511 9,953 2,129 Training 24,016 24,507 62,718 Other Costs 35,385 34,306 140,598 Total 158,476 266,937 448,509

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (3 Mar 2009)

Noel Ahern: A review of Ireland's preparedness and capacity to respond to ship-sourced pollution has been taking place over recent months and is almost complete. Recent events will be taken into account in determining future strategy in this area. I am satisfied with the action taken to date. The incident highlights the constant need for our Coast Guard and harbour and local authorities to be ready to...

Written Answers — Marine Accidents: Marine Accidents (10 Mar 2009)

Noel Ahern: One of the responsibilities of the Irish Coast Guard of my Department is to provide a national marine search and rescue response service. The Coast Guard Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre or Marine Rescue Co-ordination Sub-Centre that receives the emergency call records details of all incidents reported and updates that record as the incident progresses. However our systems do not...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (10 Mar 2009)

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. With regard to insurance cover, under the Road Traffic Acts all mechanically propelled vehicles used in public places must have third party liability motor insurance. The enforcement of this legislation is a matter for an Garda Síochána.

Written Answers — Port State Control Inspections: Port State Control Inspections (10 Mar 2009)

Noel Ahern: Surveyors from my Department boarded the Cambodian flagged Latvian managed ship "M/V Defender" in Cork on the 4th of March to carry out a Port State Control Inspection. The Surveyors noted several deficiencies including watch keeping arrangements, safety management and matters related to living and working conditions onboard, which warranted the detention of the ship. My Department does not...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation (11 Mar 2009)

Noel Ahern: I thank the Senator for raising the matter. As the House will be aware, the Commission for Taxi Regulation published a comprehensive review of the small public service vehicle sector on Monday. The review covers a wide range of issues affecting the industry and makes a number of important recommendations for the regulation of the industry in the future. The commission is now following up...

Taxi Regulations. (12 Mar 2009)

Noel Ahern: As the Deputy stated and as the House is aware, last Monday the Commission for Taxi Regulation published an economic review into the small public service vehicles sector. This comprehensive review contains a wide range of detailed data regarding the demand for and the supply of taxi, hackney and limousine services. The review of the period until the end of last year demonstrates there has...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (12 Mar 2009)

Noel Ahern: The allocation to the Road Safety Authority for 2009 will be published in the Revised Estimates Volume in due course.

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (12 Mar 2009)

Noel Ahern: Currently, this section only allows for consideration of leases and licences approvals or consents actually granted under the Foreshore Act and this is in contrast to the subsection regarding regulatory requirements under the planning Acts where consideration of both applications and permissions granted is specified. To ensure consistency, it is proposed to amend section 3 to allow for...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (12 Mar 2009)

Noel Ahern: The principle underpinning this amendment is sound. I thank the Senators for tabling these amendments. Senator McCarthy admitted that this amendment is technical in nature, as are the others. Following our raising this matter with the Parliamentary Counsel, he identified an additional change to the collective citation in section 21 that needs to be inserted along with these proposed...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (12 Mar 2009)

Noel Ahern: We discussed this matter on Committee Stage on foot of a proposal by Senator Donohoe regarding the principles and policies to which a Minister should have regard when making an order to extend a company's harbour limits. We forwarded that amendment to the Parliamentary Counsel for consideration and drafting. Following discussions with him, he proposed an amendment which is slightly...