Results 8,541-8,560 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Proposals for the reopening of closed railway lines are a matter for Iarnród Éireann to consider in the first instance. There is no plan to reopen the line from Midleton to Youghal in the short to medium term, and the project is not included in Transport 21. However, I understand that the Cork County planners have preserved the existing railway line for the potential reopening of the...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Irish Coast Guard officials are in discussion with the Office of Public Works concerning planning arrangements for the commissioning and installation of an Integrated Communications System (ICS) at Valentia and Malin Head Marine Rescue Coordination Sub-Centres.

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I made it clear on Committee Stage that preclearance officers will not be allowed to carry any weapons in the preclearance area. The use of any type of weapon by preclearance officers was entirely rejected by the Irish negotiating team during the preclearance discussions. We were specific and clear on the matter and that was agreed. It was made clear beyond doubt in the agreement that...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I very much appreciate what the Senator is trying to do and I do not disagree with his intent in this regard. I gave the matter some thought following the discussion we had. I know Senator Ryan feels strongly that the Bill should be reworded to avoid the use of "expedient" and "expediency". These probably have a different meaning in everyday language than in legal parlance and that is...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The reason I quoted the example of a minor was that it was only one possible case and was not intended to be an exhaustive list of cases. The Senator came up with some examples in his amendment. I will look at it again to see whether there is any wording or phrase we might use to try to meet the concern of everybody. I will consider leaving out "or is otherwise expedient" but I believe...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: This Government amendment was drafted on foot of a similar amendment by the Labour Party Senators and is purely technical, concerning the alignment of the words "shall not enter" in section 7. In the printed text of the Bill the words are associated with section 7(1) (d) when the intention is that they also refer to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of section 7(1). The amendment now makes it...

Seanad: Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (16 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I thank the Senators for engaging in such a positive way with the passage of the Bill and for proposing amendments. There were not many because the Bill was reasonably straightforward, although its drafting was complicated. I thank the Senators for the proposals and amendments. I thank the staff in the House, my staff and everybody involved in bringing forward the Bill.

Written Answers — Marine Accidents: Marine Accidents (17 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The MCIB, in exercise of its functions, is independent from me as Minister for Transport. The Deputy should contact the MCIB directly (www.mcib.ie). The incident referred to by the Deputy is under investigation by the Garda, with assistance from relevant officials of my Department.

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (17 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Officials in my Department informed me on 5 June 2009 that they had received information that Aer Lingus was finalising its winter 2009/10 schedule and that suspension of some transatlantic routes from both Dublin and Shannon were being considered by the company in that context. Aer Lingus had previously indicated in an interim management statement issued on 28 April that it was reviewing...

Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy is speaking for Ryanair.

Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy is supporting Ryanair. Michael O'Leary would be proud of him.

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (18 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The State retained a 25% ownership in Aer Lingus to protect strategic interests. The primary concern in this context was to provide a basis to oppose a takeover of the company that may not have been in Ireland's strategic interests. The value of the State's stake in this context has already been demonstrated. As a 25% shareholder, the Government has no role in the day-to-day management of...

Written Answers — Penalty Points System: Penalty Points System (18 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.

Order of Business (23 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: An Opposition that cannot fill the time it seeks.

Order of Business (23 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Which were voted down.

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (23 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: There are no plans to suspend the operation of the Rural Transport Programme in County Donegal, funded by my Department.

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (23 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: While I am satisfied regarding the strength of the air and sea rescue services I am always striving to improve the level of coverage available on all Irish coasts to meet growing demands both offshore and onshore and to ensure the coverage continues to meet both national and international requirements for marine search and rescue operations. Major strides have been made in recent years in...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (23 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: In August 2008, Dublin Port Company made an application to An Bord Pleanála under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 to reclaim 21 hectares in order to facilitate proposed infrastructure development. While planning applications are operational matters for the port company, the strategic infrastructure planning regulations list a number of prescribed bodies that...

Written Answers — Air Accident Investigations: Air Accident Investigations (23 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 32 of 11 June 2009 concerning the same matter.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Jun 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The transport subsidies paid by my Department in 2008 and to date in 2009 are as follows. 2008(€m) 2009(€m) Rail Services 191.2 102.6 Dublin City Bus Services 80.8 42.2 Provincial Bus Services 37 23.8 Rural Transport Programme 9.9 5.5 Regional Airports 15.3 7.2