Results 8,781-8,800 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The airline industry, along with other industries within the transport sector and beyond, continues to go through a difficult trading period. However, the Government does not accept that the decline in passenger numbers experienced by the airports in the State is due to the introduction of the air travel tax. The difficult trading period in the airline industry arises primarily from weak...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 46 together. In December last, following the recommendations of the boards of the three State Airport Authorities, I announced the deferral until 2011 of a decision on the separation of the Airports under the State Airports Act, 2004 given the current very difficult circumstances for the aviation sector. When I considered the business plans of the three...

Written Answers — Transport Costs: Transport Costs (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Comparative data on transport costs are not readily available from respected international statistical sources such as Eurostat and the International Transport Forum. Cost competitiveness is a key consideration for Ireland as an open export–oriented economy and transport costs are one of the many factors influencing that competitiveness. Ireland's peripheral location impacts on transport...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 50 and 447 together. The provision of public transport services in rural areas is being progressed in the context of my Department's Rural Transport Programme and the Government's sustainable travel and transport plan Smarter Travel - A Sustainable Transport Future. Thirty seven rural community transport groups are being funded under my Department's Rural...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I presume that the Deputy is referring to the research study Towards A Sustainable Rural Transport Policy relating to the challenges of developing more sustainable travel patterns for persons living in rural areas, which Comhar, the Sustainable Development Council, commissioned Irish Rural Link to undertake. The research findings in the Comhar/Irish Rural Link report are broadly consistent...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 57 together. The aviation sector and particularly the airline sector is extremely cyclical in nature. The airline sector is being badly affected by the current global economic downturn which has led to a significant reduction in consumer demand for air travel, particularly on long-haul routes. The International Air Transport Association, which...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: In September 2004 the Government confirmed the Office of Public Works (OPW) as the State's lead agency in flooding, to be tasked with delivering an integrated, multifaceted programme aimed at mitigating future flood risk and impact. As regards flooding of roads, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a matter for the relevant local authority, to be funded from its own...

Written Answers — Transport Policy: Transport Policy (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have been in contact with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on the plans for electric cars. In February I launched Smarter Travel, Ireland's new sustainable transport policy. It contains a commitment that electric cars will form 10% of the market by 2020. The most recent figures available to my Department (May 2009) indicate that 0.2% of vehicles (3,758) are a...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The following table provides the information requested by the Deputy. Grade Number Secretary General 1 Assistant Secretary 5 Principal Officer 21 Assistant Principal 45.63 Higher Executive Officer 80.53 Administrative Officer 8 Executive Officer 89.33 Staff Officer 17.7 Clerical Officer 144.26 Ministerial staff 5 Services Officer 16.1 Telephonist 2.03 Irish Coast Guard -...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Road Safety Strategy 2007 – 2012 outlines a range of measures to be considered in relation to a Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS). The driver licensing regulations, which were made in October 2007, providing for the introduction of a learner permit to replace the provisional licence and some other measures, were the first step in the introduction of a GDLS. A progressive...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have no role in determining the per passenger charges at Dublin airport. The Commission for Aviation Regulation is the independent regulatory body responsible for setting maximum passenger charges at Dublin Airport.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Jul 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 — Penalty Points System: Penalty Points System (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have not received a submission from the organisation on the matter referred to. However a number of amendments to the fixed charge system are included in the forthcoming Road Traffic Bill.

Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Financial contributions made by my Department to City of Derry Airport during the period in question are outlined in the following table. No payments were made from 2002 to 2007 inclusive. 2008 2009 (to date) € € 5,059,011 1,438,524 The payments refer to a runway safety project which is co-financed by the Irish and UK Governments under an agreement which recognises the benefits of...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Dáil Question No. 313 on the same issue given to the Deputy on 7 July 2009.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: There are no staff in my Department based in County Louth.

Written Answers — Public Service Review: Public Service Review (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I can confirm that my Department, in response to a request from the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, submitted a briefing document to the Group outlining the scope and nature of the Department's expenditure and work programmes. I understand that my colleague the Minister for Finance will be bringing the Group's Report to Government in the near future. I...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Taxi Regulation is preparing proposals for the further development and the improved regulation of the sector taking account of the response to the public consultation on the economic review commissioned by it. I understand that the Commission expects to finalise these proposals in consultation with the Advisory Council during August. I will consider the outcome of this...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) will be established later this year. A competition for the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) designate has been concluded and the outcome will be announced shortly. The Authority's organisational structures will be determined following the appointment of the CEO designate. Section 10 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 requires the...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have not issued any policy directives to the agencies under my control with regard to increases in licence fees.