Results 7,021-7,040 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Road Transport Act 1932 provides the statutory basis for regulating the provision of public bus services by private bus operators. The Act provides for the grant of annual continuous licences, annual seasonal licenses and occasional licences. Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus are not subject to licensing in accordance with the provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932. However, the initiation...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Programme for Government 2007-2012 contains a commitment that my Department will build on the success thus far of the Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) and extend the Rural Transport Programme nationwide. My Department is giving effect to this commitment through the Rural Transport Programme (RTP), launched in February 2007, which places the former pilot Rural Transport Initiative on a...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 to 190, inclusive, together. The maintenance and development of the railway network, including stations, and railway services are a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I am informed by the company that Cahir, Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir are currently served by 8 trains per day (four in each direction between Waterford and Limerick Junction, with connections to...

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: It is one thing not to get the answer right but there is a problem if the question is wrong.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy will be the first person to be in order so far today, other than Deputy Michael D. Higgins.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: We do not need legislation for it.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: We do not need legislation for it.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy should submit a parliamentary question.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Did the Deputy not get the answer to the question asked yesterday?

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I will send yesterday's answer to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Work was completed in respect of the decentralisation of 50 Departmental and Road Safety Authority (RSA) staff in July 2007. The decentralisation of 10 posts from the Department's Road Haulage functions and 40 RSA posts to Loughrea was among the priority moves in the programme. This represents 10% of the original target of 497 posts. In relation to Drogheda, The original proposal to move 37...

Written Answers — Efficiency Reviews: Efficiency Reviews (3 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The following proposals were included in my Department's report to the Department of Finance regarding the efficiency review of administrative expenditure: 1. Replacement of the current system for telecommunications with local authority motor tax offices (Eircom frame relay system) by use of spare capacity on the Government Virtual Private Network 2. Move to online entry of change of...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I am providing the information requested by Deputy Burton on an academic year basis as follows: Academic year beginning in 2004 — 8 staff; Academic year beginning in 2005 — 10 staff; Academic year beginning in 2006 — 16 staff; Academic year beginning in 2007 — 8 staff; Academic year beginning in 2008 — not yet finalised.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: With regard to amendment No. 7, the objectives of the DTA include the provision of a safe public transport system. It is a normal duty imposed on any provider of transport that the service should be provided in a safe manner. However, that is not the same as providing the DTA with a regulatory role with regard to safety, which would be the effect of amendment No. 7. I do not intend that...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I know I am confined to two minutes so I will be brief. In respect of the Kentstown bus accident, the gardaí on the scene made it clear that they were going to prosecute that case. The HSA came in more on the roadworks element of it. Incidents like that can be dealt with either by the gardaí, the HSA or, in the case of railway safety, the Railway Safety Commission. The spirit of this...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Section 11 sets out the principal functions of the DTA, one of which is to regulate fares. The effect of the amendment is to state the DTA may regulate fares subject to ministerial direction as provided for in section 26, which gives the Minister power to give policy directions to the DTA on the carrying out of any of its functions. The power is already in the Bill to allow me as Minister...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: With regard to CER, I had no say and the Minister has no say. CER is an independent regulator and the DTA is a different animal. The Minister with responsibility for energy has no say and cannot interfere in the price mechanism established with regard to the Commission for Energy Regulation. This Bill gives the Minister the power, if he or she chooses to exercise it, to give policy...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: That is not how the Deputy presented it.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As far as I am concerned no leaks occurred. I made clear very publically on a number of occasions that I did not agree with the policy being pursued by the regulator. I thank the Deputy for giving me credit for the fact that the regulator saw the wisdom of my approach and reduced prices.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy is correct that this was debated on Committee Stage and we had a good discussion. This is a matter for reform of the Road Transport Act 1932 and the Transport Act 1958. It is my intention to include proposals for an entirely new bus licensing regime in a public transport regulation Bill and I hope to bring that to Government and the House quickly. It is early to be too precise...