Results 8,381-8,400 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Official Engagements. (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The intention is that we will fund the extra service, not that we will cut back on any services.

Official Engagements. (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Off the top of my head, the change made will amount to an extra €2.5 million of Exchequer funding. I will check that for Deputy O'Dowd.

Airport Development Projects. (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, operates under a clear commercial mandate and its capital investment programme is entirely funded from its own internal resources with no Exchequer funding involved. Accordingly, decisions on the delay or cancellation of aviation projects fall within the responsibility of the management and board of the DAA. Following the announcement of its annual results...

Airport Development Projects. (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Any proposed cut in jobs, whether in a semi-State body or in the private sector, is of concern. I do not interfere directly in the day to day operation of the DAA. All aspects of the aviation industry are suffering greatly. There are some small signs of recovery but in the current economic circumstances the company has a duty and a responsibility to live within its means and that is what...

Airport Development Projects. (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The DAA and I are conscious of what Deputy O'Dowd said. The DAA will advance planning for all projects and bring them as close to shovel-ready as possible before making a decision on whether the projects can go ahead and take advantage of any upturn.

Written Answers — Haulage Licences: Haulage Licences (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 98 and 99 together. A number of complaints have been received in the Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit of my Department. These complaints have come from a variety of sources, including individuals and organisations such as the Road Safety Authority and the Revenue Commissioners. However, it is not possible to indicate the exact number of complaints...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for matters relating to vehicle testing, including Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). The RSA was tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of the arrangements for the for the roadworthiness testing of commercial vehicles in Ireland. In early...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 82 together. Following the enactment of the Dublin Transport Authority my Department is proceeding with preparations for the establishment of the Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) during 2009. A key part of those preparations is the recruitment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) designate. The recruitment process which was overseen by the Public...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The fixed charge system is an important element of the enforcement of road traffic offences, which is provided for in the Road Traffic Acts. While enforcement and issuing of notices is a matter for the Gardai, I would not agree that road safety is suffering in this regard. The key indicator of road safety is the number of fatalities on the road, and we are still on target to reduce road...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Driving under the influence of intoxicants, drugs as well as alcohol, is one of many key issues in road safety, and the testing of drivers in relation to drugs is already provided for in the Road Traffic Acts. Currently, where a member of the Garda Síochána is of the opinion that a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place is under the influence of a drug or...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Section 17 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 provides for the appointment of an Advisory Council to perform the following functions - -making recommendations to the Authority on a draft transport strategy, draft integrated implementation plan and draft strategic traffic management plan, -monitoring the implementation of the transport strategy, integrated implementation plan and...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 64 and 88 together. I have been briefed by the company on the deterioration in its financial position due in the main to declining demand, revenue and increased costs. Decisions in relation to service rationalizations are a matter for the company itself. I understand that Bus Éireann are currently engaged in detailed discussions with its staff and their...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Traffic management in Dublin City centre is a matter for Dublin City Council, and I have no function in the implementation of such schemes.

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: It is not open to Ireland to introduce national legislation as the operation of air services, including the setting of fares, is the subject of common EU rules which are set down in Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008 which is directly applicable in the State. European carriers providing commercial air services can freely set their fares. This has been the case since 1992 when the market was first...

Written Answers — Light Rail Projects: Light Rail Projects (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The start and completion dates for projects which are yet to commence construction, including Metro West, Luas Line BXD, and the DART Underground, will be determined as appropriate by the outcome of public consultation, the statutory planning approval process, the public procurement process and the funding available during the current difficult economic climate. The provision of increased...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: In January 2009, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Public Transport Regulation Bill which contains proposals for a new bus licensing regime which will replace 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. In accordance with the Programme for Government commitment, the proposed...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Funding of Euro 11 million is being provided by my Department for the Rural Transport Programme in 2009, an increase of Euro 1 million on the outturn for 2008. This will maintain the existing level of service for this year. Funding for the Programme beyond 2009 will be considered in the context of the Estimates process for 2010.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 74 together. Since 2000 my Department has received 22 complaints in relation to anti-competitive practices by State funded transport operators. In eight of the cases my Department issued written warnings to State funded transport operators. All of the cases have been resolved apart from one, which is ongoing. It is envisaged that this investigation...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 237 together. The priorities of the Government in relation to further improving and encouraging the greater use of public transport services is set out in the Government's sustainable transport policy, Smarter Travel published in February 2009. It is clear from the public consultation undertaken for this policy document that among the key issues in...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The day to day operation of train services, including scheduling of trains, is an operational matter for the relevant company and I have no function in this matter. Significant investment is also being provided to ensure the safety, enhance the quality and increase the capacity of the rail network. Work on three new Luas lines is currently underway as is work on the new commuter line in Cork,...