Results 821-840 of 2,569 for speaker:Peter Fitzpatrick

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am not asking the Minister to take sides. I am asking him to ask Bus Éireann to withdraw the letter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I have always operated on the basis that solutions can be found if all parties are making a genuine effort to participate. Bearing this in mind, I feel it is unreasonable to change the terms and conditions of Bus Éireann drivers so drastically, as suggested by the company. What does the Minister see as a realistic solution to this issue and to the current crisis in Bus Éireann?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Does the Minister believe that where the same routes are being operated by Expressway and by private operators, this is happening on a level playing pitch? If the Minister does not believe Bus Éireann and private operators are competing on an equal basis, does he have any suggestions for ensuring this can happen?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Yes. I think it is wrong that the Minister is not intervening by asking Bus Éireann to withdraw the letter I have mentioned. The last thing we want is a prolonged strike that affects the people of Ireland. We keep hearing about rural Ireland, but I am talking about the whole of Ireland. Will the Minister ask Bus Éireann to withdraw the letter?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am asking the Minister to take the letter away because it is an obstacle and its removal would create a level playing field. Sometimes there are obstacles in disputes. The main obstacle in this dispute is the letter. I do not mean to keep repeating myself. As a former businessman, I think the letter is wrong and is not achieving anything. The Minister is a good Minister who does not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: There are preconditions with the letter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I will start off with the Irish Road Victims' Association. I thank its representatives for appearing before the committee today. I was deeply moved to hear the families' stories. To lose a family member as a result of a traffic accident must be traumatic, but to lose them as a result of drink-driving or dangerous driving must be heartbreaking. I understand completely the families'...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I would also like to welcome the assistant commissioner and his colleagues. I was alarmed at the number of pedestrian deaths recorded in the 50 km/h zones - the assistant commissioner stated 16 - while there were no pedestrian road deaths recorded in the 30 km/h zone. This is very revealing and it suggests that we must look at the 50 km/h zone and, where possible, look to have those zones...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I also know from the data supplied that the number of road deaths has fallen from almost 400 in 2005 down to under 200 in 2016. While I welcome this dramatic reduction in the number of road fatalities, I am concerned that the number has risen in the past couple of years. What is the reason for the increase? What immediate measures can be taken to ensure we halt a worrying upward trend?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Alcohol is still a major contributory factor in road deaths and was responsible for almost 40% of road deaths in 2016. Can the witnesses tell me why the figure is so high and rising? How does the figure compare with other types of addictions? What measures are needed to curb drink-driving in Ireland from the point of view of the Garda?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: As I have stated in the House, I am 100% behind zero tolerance. I firmly believe that if one has a drink then one cannot drive. I have pushed the Minister and told him the sooner that we criminalise drink-driving the better.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I have asked the families in the IRVA what do they want. Garda resources have been mentioned. Has the assistant commissioner received a commitment that some of the 800 new recruits will be deployed to the traffic corps? He has said that he is happy enough with the resources available, the data, new cars and everything else. I have been lucky that none of my family has every been connected...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Most of my questions concern the alcohol issue for a particular reason. It is surprising that 4% of fatalities are on motorways. One might think because a car is travelling at 120 km/h, there would be many more accidents. Although 4% still equates to a large number of deaths, why are there comparatively few incidents on a motorway? Is it because people feel there is a far better Garda...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: When people leave their home in the morning, get into their car and start it, the most important thing is that they get home safely. What impact do GoSafe vans have on road safety? When people see them, they put their foot on the brake so it is a deterrent for speeding, but what impact do they have on saving people's lives? Does the Garda have any say in their locations? If so, why? I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Do the vans take a picture or is it a video? Mr. O'Donohue mentioned dangerous driving. Could the vans catch a person driving dangerously?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: It does not do a video.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: That means it cannot really catch anyone for dangerous driving?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Are the GoSafe vans manned the whole time?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Sometimes I look and cannot see anybody in them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: We need to do something when we leave the meeting today. Repeat offenders should be punished. It is important for us as legislators and for the Garda assistant commissioners to address this. I imagine they have been in constant contact with the Minister. We need to push from both ends. I am a firm believer that everyone deserves one chance in life. However, when a person makes one...