Results 41-60 of 193 for speaker:Jim McDaid

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: Yes. If it is found that a person has obtained a licence by deceit, that will be taken into consideration and the commission will have the power to revoke the licence. That provision already exists in the road haulage sector, where a licence is obtained under three headings, one of which is repute. If a person does not give the full facts and his or her repute is not of the optimum, it can be...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: We looked up "grant" in the Oxford English Dictionary and the definition of the word incorporates the words "re-issue" and "renewal". The reference to the granting of a licence in this section incorporates the renewal of a licence, by definition.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: The offences that would generate a disqualification under the Bill are, by their very nature, limited to those areas of behaviour that would place a question mark over the fitness of a convicted person to be engaged in the delivery of individual transport services. All such convictions are recorded by the Garda. This information can be passed on to the commission under agreed arrangements,...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: I cannot accept the amendment or the point made by the Deputy. If we insert the amendment in legislation, we would all be before the courts because I am sure a constitutional issue would arise. When the legislation is passed and we have set up the commission, the commission will be responsible for setting its own parameters and the pros and cons of the legislation. It is not for us to...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: I have said before in regard to issues such as this that it is normally people who are experienced and who possess integrity and competence who are appointed by the Government to the various boards. It is always a point of contention with the Opposition that competent people may be appointed to boards who might be a member of one party or other. My party obtained up to 40% of the poll at the...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: When an advisory board is appointed to a commission, one does not ask that the advice given to a board should be made public. The advice is given on the basis that this is an advisory council. I have no intention of making such advice public. However, Senators should note that the Government amendment to the original section 29 of the Bill specifically provides that in its annual report the...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: I do not accept the Senator's comments. As I argued previously, the Commission for Taxi Regulation may be brought before any committee of the Houses, including the Joint Committee on Transport. In addition, the Minister will answer parliamentary questions on policy. The board will act in an advisory capacity. Those appointed to an advisory council have a right to offer advice in private. It...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: Yes.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: That will depend on circumstances and the nature of the freedom of information request. Even under the Freedom of Information Act, certain areas are protected. I cannot accept the amendment for the reasons I have outlined, namely, that the board will be an advisory council to an independent commission.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: That is not the case. If one examines the Freedom of Information Act, particularly the changes introduced recently—

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: it does not give credence to the Senator's argument. I maintain that the body in question is an advisory council. It is sometimes difficult to attract people to positions on such bodies. If information on the advice they have given to the best of their ability was to be exposed, we would put—

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: Exactly, which is the reason I am allowing members of the board to offer advice to the commission freely. It will then be a matter for the commission to decide whether it will accept it. Amendment put and declared lost. Section 55 agreed to. Sections 56 and 57 agreed to.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: Am I permitted to respond to the amendment?

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Jul 2003)

Jim McDaid: I thank Senators for their contributions to this open and fair debate. It is clear that all sides of the House recognise the need for a new and enhanced legislative basis for the licensing and operation of taxis, hackneys and limousines. As the responsible Minister of State, Bobby Molloy introduced deregulation which resulted in the liberalisation of the taxi industry. We are grateful for his...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. - Local Radio Licensing: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: As the Minister for Communications, the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Ahern, is not present I shall ask the officials to convey to him the views expressed here. I thank Senators who contributed to the debate and I thank the House for the opportunity to conclude the debate on behalf of the Minister.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: The Luas will be here next year.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: The Senator will be requesting that it serve her area as well.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: I agree with Senator Ryan's points in regard to signage at toll booths and the problems in regard to the use of sterling coins on the Dublin-Belfast motorway. The latter problem is caused by the banks because they do not accept sterling coins. I have experienced the problem myself and will examine it further. I agree with the general theme expressed by Senator Terry and others that we do not...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: Every Senator who contributed to tonight's debate referred to the Red Cow roundabout. I cannot imagine what will happen to the Opposition's arguments when we manage to find a solution, which we will. The Red Cow roundabout was conceived in 1984, when the thinking was that in 2014 it would be capable of handling 45,000 vehicles. Our recent economic success, which as Senator McDowell said...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim McDaid: They should check the newspaper archive in the Oireachtas Library to see what was said about the DART then.