Results 7,541-7,560 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Taxi Regulations. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: We will shortly be undertaking a review of our sectoral plan. There has been discussion on the progress made and on where we need to go over the next few years. We will be producing that document towards the end of this month. The issue will be discussed then. I cannot give a timescale for the discussions with the taxi regulator, but I do not think there will be any undue delay. It is a...

Taxi Regulations. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The number of licensed wheelchair accessible taxis increased from 840 in 2000 to 1,504 in December 2007. A further 216 applications for wheelchair accessible taxis were received by the commission up to the end of September this year. Under Transport 21, the Department has a provision of €14 million in 2008 for funding accessibility improvements. Some of the money for the scheme would...

Taxi Regulations. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The issue initially raised in the Deputy's supplementary question is a matter for the taxi regulator. I am not privy to the details of what progress has been made in that regard. I am sure, however, that if she said she would have the standards protocol in place in January, she will do so. As regards the moratorium, I have followed with interest the discussions at the Joint Committee on...

Taxi Regulations. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I agree with the Deputy about that. For a long number of years in this House, Deputies on all sides were complaining that it was impossible to get a taxi in Dublin——

Taxi Regulations. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: ——and, indeed, in rural areas. The High Court decision reversed that trend. The belief now, particularly among taxi drivers, is that there are too many licences, but the law is as it currently stands. With the introduction of improved standards by the taxi regulator, many of the concerns currently being expressed can be met. Deputy Stanton referred to the introduction of a pilot...

Human Rights Issues. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 145 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government recently established a Cabinet committee on aspects of international human rights. At the first meeting of the Cabinet committee, it was agreed that the statutory powers available to the civil authorities and to An Garda Síochána regarding the search and inspection of aircraft, including those...

Human Rights Issues. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I agree with the Deputy that these matters should be dealt with as quickly as possible. I note he accepts that the Government is, and always has been, completely opposed to the practice of extraordinary rendition.

Human Rights Issues. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: We need to say that all sides of the House are so opposed. There should be no undue delay in reviewing all the relevant legislation. However, gardaí must always be mindful that they have to form reasonable opinions that something illegal is going on. The fact that a plane might at some stage have been involved in extraordinary rendition in some other country is, of itself, not enough in...

Human Rights Issues. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I am sure the Deputy would not expect me to suggest I would support a Labour Party Bill without having sight of the Bill. That would not be good practice.

Human Rights Issues. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I respectfully suggest that when Deputy Michael D. Higgins is drafting that Bill that he remind himself we must operate under the Chicago Convention which means any legislation in this area——

Human Rights Issues. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: ——would have to comply with it. There is not much point in producing legislation that ignores international treaties. I am not for one minute saying that the Deputy would do that. The review of security and customs and excise at airports is a matter in the first instance for either the Minister for Finance or the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I understand there is a...

Human Rights Issues. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: This will certainly be considered as part of the review.

Light Rail Projects. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 129 together. We made a commitment to have an investigation of Luas light rail systems for Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, within two years. I asked the city authorities to carry out those studies. The Cork study is being carried out under CASP, the Cork area strategic plan, and is now substantially complete. In the case of Limerick, a...

Light Rail Projects. (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Agreed.

Written Answers — Transport Infrastructure: Transport Infrastructure (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 99 and 128 together. The findings of the report cited by the Deputy do not reflect the high level of investment in transport infrastructure in recent years. The Government has regularly acknowledged the deficit that exists in the country's transport infrastructure and has set out, over a number of years, to address this deficit through the provision of...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Transport 21 provides for the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor on a phased basis in the period to 2015. Work on the line between Ennis and Athenry is due for completion in May 2009. Planning and design work on phases 2 (Athenry — Tuam) and 3 (Tuam — Claremorris) is a matter for Iarnród Éireann as part of its Transport 21 programme. Transport 21 provides for the development of the...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: My Department provided €5.1 million for the pilot Rural Transport Initiative in 2006, €9.0 million for the Rural Transport Programme in 2007 and will provide €10m for 2008. Pobal, which administers the RTP on behalf of my Department, is developing the Programme on a phased basis in consultation with individual RTP groups, with a goal of achieving nation-wide coverage in due course in...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The commitment to plan and deliver strategies for the future development of integrated public transport in cooperation with the relevant local authorities included two provisions — the preparation of integrated transport and land use plans for the NSS Hubs and the completion of feasibility studies into light rail transit (LRT) systems for Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. As regards...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects, including the provision of traffic calming measures, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. I...

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

Noel Dempsey: I am pleased with the progress being achieved, by all the agencies concerned, in respect of reducing fatalities nationally from road traffic accidents. I am satisfied with the roles being performed by the National Roads Authority and the local authorities in respect of identifying roads where safety is an issue and implementing road improvements. I have no plans to initiate an audit of road...