Results 8,521-8,540 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (10 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has statutory responsibility for safety regulation of civil aviation under the 1993 Irish Aviation Authority Act. I am advised by the IAA that any aircraft, including an aircraft involved in flight training within the State has to comply with the regulations as set out in the Irish Aviation Authority, (Rules of the Air) Order Statutory Instrument (SI) 72 of...

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to say a few words during this important debate. I served as Minister at the Department of Education and Science for two and a half years, during which time I dealt with this issue and met with many of the survivors individually and in groups. At all times during my meetings with the survivors they stated their need to be believed, to get an...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Both Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann have commenced work on the implementation of the Deloitte report's recommendations. Furthermore, implementation of recommendations in the report relating to bus priority, integrated ticketing, demand management measures, bus licensing and the move to PSO contracts are already being pursued by my Department, in conjunction with Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus,...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Transport 21 capital investment programme for rail is the strategy for the development of our rail network. Under this programme, Iarnród Éireann have already delivered and are continuing to deliver projects to significantly increase the frequency and capacity of rail services throughout the State. These include: - A new fleet of trains including new Intercity trains on all lines, and...

Written Answers — Air Accident Investigations: Air Accident Investigations (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: On 21 April 2009, following consultation with all interested parties, the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport published a Synoptic Final Report into a Serious Incident concerning an MD-83 aircraft near Dublin Airport on 16 August 2007. The Investigation of this Serious Incident was conducted in accordance with the Annex 13 provisions to the Convention on...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Yes, I am agreeable to the amendment.

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Having considered further the provisions of sections 3 and 5 of the Bill, I have decided to propose to amend the Bill to create the new subsections (3) and (4) to section 3. That is what this amendment is about. The proposed subsection 3(3) provides that in proceedings regarding a failure to make an accurate written declaration of all goods required to be declared, it shall be a good...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I understand the concern behind amendments Nos. 3 and 4 but amendment No. 3 would appear to do the opposite to what the Senators intend. The intent of the legislation is that there be limited searching powers for preclearance officers and provision in this regard is included in the Bill. The proposed amendments relate to the functions of preclearance officers, specifically in regard to the...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: This is a technical amendment to correctly align the reference to the preclearance officer in line 31 of page 7 to ensure there is no doubt that the powers of the preclearance officer refer to the entirety of subsection (3) as intended. The amendment clarifies that issue.

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The first purpose of the Government's amendment No. 6 is to correctly align the words "may without warrant" in line 21 of page 8 so that there is no doubt that they refer to the entirety of subsection (1) as intended. That is a technical change. There is a further proposed change at paragraph (1)(B)(II) clarifying the reference to a designated medical practitioner. The amendment specifies...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: No, it does not. I understand the Senator's concern, but the intent in the legislation, as is clearly stated, is that this cannot happen with a person of the other sex present except where it is otherwise expedient. The inclusion of the words "otherwise expedient" does not remove the previous obligation, it just adds a protection for people such as minors. I understand the Senator's point...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: This amendment arises under section 13, which provides for privileges and immunities for citizens of the USA who are assigned to carry out preclearance functions. Section 13(4) provides that the Minister may, after consultation with the US, require the departure from the State of a preclearance officer in certain circumstances, which are outlined. The provision in the Bill reflects the...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I thank the Senator for his amendment. He was correct in stating there is already a provision under existing legislation with regard to this issue. The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 outlines the penalties for the offence of assaulting a member of the Garda Síochána, which carries a higher penalty on indictment than that outlined in this Bill. I agree with the Senator that...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 75 of 26 May 2009 issues relating to business matters generally and employment levels in particular at the three state airports are day-to-day commercial matters for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) in which I have no statutory function. As also indicated in my previous reply, I know that following the announcement of its annual results for 2008,...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The key objectives under Ireland's first National Cycle Policy Framework (NCPF) are to create a culture of cycling in Ireland and to achieve a 10% share of the travel market for cycling by 2020. I have already commenced delivery of actions under the NCPF, including National Bike Week, which is taking place this week, and through approval of demonstration projects such as the delivery of...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take questions 152 and 153 together. At the time of the Aer Lingus IPO the company had rights to 23 daily slot pairs at Heathrow and this remains the case. Arrangements to safeguard against any disposal of Heathrow slots were built into the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association at the time of the IPO and any change to the Memorandum and Articles would require a...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Aer Lingus has opened two new bases outside the Republic of Ireland since the IPO in 2006. A base at Belfast was opened in early 2008 and a new base at Gatwick opened in spring 2009. The development of new bases outside Ireland by Aer Lingus is entirely a commercial matter for the Board of the company. The exploitation of new business opportunities by Aer Lingus is to be encouraged,...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: As I advised the Deputy in my previous reply of 9th June 2009, the company to which the Deputy refers was advised by my Department on 26th May 2009 of the new terms on which a licence could be granted in respect of the operation of the services in question, following an appeal by the applicant concerned in which the applicant amended its original application. A response to my Department's...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: A number of pilot initiatives have taken place both in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann in relation to more sustainable fuels for its fleet. The commitment in the Programme for Government relating to biofuels has been superseded by the more ambitious targets for transport as set out in the Government's Smarter Travel policy, launched by me in February, 2009. Specifically, in relation to public...

Written Answers — Service for People with Disabilities: Service for People with Disabilities (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I understand from the firm that provides taxi services to my Department that 10% of its fleet are wheelchair accessible. The cost of taxi services provided to my Department was €23,737 in 2008 and €6,487 in 2009 (to date). Insofar as the agencies under the aegis of my Department are concerned, the arrangements for the procurement of required taxi services are matters to be dealt with...