Results 7,841-7,860 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take questions Nos. 553 and 572 together. The Government has rejected Ryanair's Cash Offer of €1.40 per share for the State's 25.1% shareholding in Aer Lingus. Government took the view that the Ryanair Offer greatly undervalued Aer Lingus. Competition in the Irish airline sector was also a major consideration. The cornerstone of Irish aviation policy is, and has been for many...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The text of a Road Traffic and Transport Bill, which inter alia proposes a reduction in the legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level for drivers and measures to put in place the mandatory testing of drivers involved in road traffic collisions, is currently being drafted with a view to having it published in the spring of this year.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The initiation or alteration of a bus service by the Dublin Bus is subject to compliance with a requirement to give advance notice to my Department and to compliance with the provisions of Section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 concerning competition with licensed private operators. Where proposed services by the Company are deemed to be in competition with services that are the subject of a...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The amount spent by me, the Minister of State and officials of my Department on foreign travel in the period 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008 is €506,456.23 including costs for travel, subsistence, incidental expenses and Club Travel management fees. Agencies, offices and other bodies under the remit of the Department arrange and pay for their own travel and the cost of foreign travel in...

Written Answers — Rail Accidents: Rail Accidents (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Railway Safety Act 2005 a report of an investigation into an accident should be published not later than 12 months after the date of the accident. Therefore I expect the Railway Accident Investigation Unit to publish its report by the end of February 2009. I am informed by the Railway Accident Investigation Unit that the report is at an advanced stage.

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The details of staff in my private and constituency offices are outlined in the attached table. The salary cost, including overtime, expenses and allowances for the staff in my private office in 2008 was €477,032 and in my constituency office was €182,734. Grade Number Office Appointed personally by Minister Personal Assistant 1 Constituency Yes Personal Secretary 1 Constituency Yes...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I intend to publish a National Cycle Policy Framework shortly. I intend that the National Cycle Policy Framework will be not only a comprehensive response to current difficulties faced by the cycling community in terms of road priority and safety issues, but will also prove to be a springboard to creating a culture of cycling in Ireland.

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The cessation of the Fastrack service provided by Iarnród Eireann is a day to day matter for the Board, in the light of the company's overall financial position.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I set out the position regarding the financial position of CIÉ and its subsidiary companies in my reply to Question No. 62 on 17th December 2008. It is a matter for CIÉ and its subsidiary companies, within the resources available to them from fare revenue and Exchequer subvention to optimise the management of their services to ensure the financial stability of the companies and the CIÉ...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The report referred to by the Deputy was received last week and was published yesterday. Copies have been placed in the Oireachtas library.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Metro North is being delivered as a Public Private Partnership (PPP). In January last year, the Government approved the funding structure for the Metro North PPP, including an Exchequer provision for advance works ahead of the main PPP contract and a capital contribution during construction. Good progress is being made in the delivery of Metro North. The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA)...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Dublin Airport Authority operates under a clear commercial mandate and its capital investment programme, including the proposed new parallel runway, is entirely funded from its own internal resources. Proposals in relation to the development of Dublin Airport are, in the first instance, a matter for the DAA, which has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop the airport...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Under Company law all directors are obliged to pursue the best interests of the Company. Subject to that duty, in January 2008 the State's nominees on the Board of Aer Lingus were issued with a mandate to ensure that all future decisions of the company that have significant implications for wider Government, aviation or regional development policies are considered at Board level. In...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The service referred to by the Deputy would be categorised as an occasional international passenger service and no licence is required under the Road Transport Act, 1932.The operation of an occasional international passenger service is governed by Council Regulation 684/92 on common rules for the international carriage of passengers by coach and bus. An occasional service is carried out under...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: While no measures have been put in place to compensate for the withdrawal of the fuel duty rebate I have, insofar as Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann are concerned and taking account of the increased costs facing the companies including the withdrawal of the fuel duty rebate, approved a 10% average fares increase. The compensation to be paid to CIÉ in 2009 in respect of its PSO has been increased...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The management of their procurement function by State agencies, under the aegis of my Department, including the use of companies that provide consultancy services including the provision of procurement related services, is a matter for the Boards and management of the agencies and not one in which I have any role.

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 579 together. Iarnród Éireann are currently in the process of finalising their detailed investment plans for 2009. I understand that excellent progress has been made to date on the Kildare Route Project and that it is expected to finish on time and on budget in early 2010. There are no plans at present to extend the Project as far as Sallins. As...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 574 and 575 together. There are 3 civil servants engaged in constituency work on behalf of the Minister of State in this Department; however, they are also involved in other departmental functions. Their salary details are as follows: Grade Number Salary Scale € p.a. Executive Officer 1 32,179 – 51,054 Clerical Officer 2 24,397 – 39,558...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 576 and 577 together. There are two civil servants engaged in constituency work in my Department, however, they are also involved in other departmental functions. Their salary details are as follows: Grade Number Salary Scale € Executive Officer 1 32,179 – 51,054 Clerical Officer 1 24,397 – 39,558 Accommodation costs are not assigned on an...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (27 Jan 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I understand that Iarnród Éireann is making progress in their preparation of proposals jointly with the local authorities for the closure of the levels crossings on the Maynooth line and replacement with road bridges. According to Iarnród Éireann, Dublin City Council has commenced the process to amend the development plan to facilitate the replacement of Reilly's crossing with a road...