Results 7,761-7,780 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — School Travel Patterns: School Travel Patterns (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: School travel patterns are influenced by a wide range of factors including distance of residence from the school, availability of choice in relation to transportation, existence of safe routes to schools, standards of roads and footpaths in the vicinity of schools and personal choice. The Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan, which I intend to publish early in 2009 and which...

Written Answers — Light Rail Projects: Light Rail Projects (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of increased capacity will be a key consideration in determining investment priorities in the coming years. Earlier this year, I mandated the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) to proceed with planning the delivery of Line BX/D, based on the Agency's preferred route for Line BX and the use of the Old Broadstone railway alignment for Line D. It will not be possible to fully...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's continued commitment to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) is reflected in Towards 2016 which includes phased increases in the annual RTP allocation over time. Euro 9 million was provided for the RTP in 2007 which led to an increase in the frequency of a number of existing services, extended area coverage, and additional groups of passengers accessing rural transport. Euro...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 288 and 295 to 298, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputies to my response to a priority PQ answered today, Dáil Question No. 60. On 3 December, I accepted a request from the CEO of Ryanair, as a courtesy, for an informal meeting at which the CEO outlined, in general terms, the main features of their proposed cash offer for all shares in Aer Lingus. On...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Gardai are responsible for prosecutions of all offences under the Road Traffic Acts. In addition, the Road Safety Authority since its establishment in 2006, is responsible for the enforcement of legislation in relation to licensing, breaches of drivers hours and tachograph rules, the roadworthiness of vehicles and safety standards and the prosecution of related offences. My Department...

Written Answers — Light Rail Projects: Light Rail Projects (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: In the 2007 Programme for Government, we made a commitment to carry out feasibility studies into Luas-style Light Rail Transport (LRT) systems in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford within two years. I have since asked the local authorities undertaking the studies to include consideration of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). I expect these studies to be completed within the original timeframe and...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Proposals for a new bus licensing regime will be contained a forthcoming Public Transport Regulation Bill which is currently being drafted. The Bill will deal with the replacement of the Road Transport Act 1932 and the provisions of the Transport Act 1958 that relate to the provision of bus services by the State bus companies. It will also encompass provisions relating to the subvented bus...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: There have been considerable fluctuations in the functions of my Department since its inception in 2002 including taking on responsibility for maritime matters in 2006 and for regional and local roads and the management of the National Vehicle and Driver File in January 2008. The net effect has been a significant increase in both the policy and service delivery functions of the Department and...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The State Airports Act, 2004 provides the framework for the establishment of Shannon and Cork as independent airports. As part of the airport restructuring process the boards of Cork and Shannon airport are required to prepare business plans for eventual separation. All three airport business plans have to be coordinated by the Dublin Airport Authority for eventual approval by myself and...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I was very pleased to sign an Inter-Governmental Agreement for the provision of Pre-Clearance services at Irish airports with Secretary Chertoff of the US Department of Homeland Security in Washington last month. The agreement provides for the pre-clearance of passengers in respect of U.S. customs, immigration and agricultural matters prior to boarding of aircraft in Ireland for U.S....

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: My Department, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, has agreed a multi-annual maintenance programme which is designed to ensure that the Department's building stock is retained in good condition. This programme consists of a variety of maintenance measures that will progressively improve and upgrade the standard of accommodation. My Department is also engaged in a consolidation of...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: While I had previously indicated my intention to publish the Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan by end 2008, it is now my intention to publish it as early as possible in 2009.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in respect of the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act 1993 in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. Neither Transport 21 nor the...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 106 together. An average 10% fares increase was recently approved for Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to cover cost increases in fuel earlier this year, labour, other general costs and also taking into account the overall financial position of the CIE companies. The fares increase was granted subject to the implementation of a package of...

Written Answers — Park and Ride Facilities: Park and Ride Facilities (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: My Department supports park and ride as having a role to play in encouraging commuters to switch to public transport. The provision of dedicated park and ride facilities at railway stations is a matter for Irish Rail, and at Luas and proposed Metro sites it is a matter for the RPA. Local authorities also have a role in providing commuter park and ride facilities. In the Greater Dublin Area,...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Provision will be made in the 2009 grant allocations to facilitate significant progress in the planning and design of Metro West. The RPA intends to submit an application for a railway order for the project by the end of 2009. The start and completion dates of Transport 21 projects, which have not yet commenced, will be determined by the outcome of the statutory approval and procurement...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Dáil Question No. 62, which I answered earlier today.

Written Answers — Light Rail Projects: Light Rail Projects (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) lodged their application for a railway order for Metro North with An Bord Pleanála on 18th September last. Subject to the grant of an enforceable railway order, preparatory works such as utility diversions will commence in 2009. Good progress is also being made in planning work for the DART underground (Interconnector) and Irish Rail has set itself a...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: It is my intention to establish the Dublin Transport Authority as early as possible in 2009 once I am satisfied that it has the financial and staffing resources necessary to enable it discharge effectively the functions assigned to it by the Oireachtas under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. Discussions are currently taking place between my Department and the Department of Finance on...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, the Commission for Taxi Regulation is the independent public body responsible for the development and maintenance of the regulatory framework for the control and operation, including licensing, of taxis, hackneys, limousines and their drivers. However, the Commission does not have any remit or statutory power under the Taxi Regulation Act in relation to...