Results 8,841-8,860 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Road Traffic Regulations: Road Traffic Regulations (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: It is already a requirement for the registration and entry into service of new motor vehicles in the European Union that they have type-approval in accordance with Directive 70/157/EEC, as amended, which sets down the permissible sound levels and exhaust systems for motor vehicles. In-service vehicle standards are specified in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles)...

Written Answers — Regional Road Network: Regional Road Network (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, including bridges, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 528, 564 and 567 together. As you are aware, the Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Lenihan T.D., established a Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, under the chairmanship of Mr. Colm McCarthy, to examine the current expenditure programmes in each Government Department and to make recommendations for reducing public service numbers...

Written Answers — EU Surveys: EU Surveys (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 529 and 549 together. I have not received a cost benefit analysis from the European Commission in regard to eCall. I understand that an impact assessment on eCall, being undertaken under the auspices of the Commission, is not completed yet.

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

Noel Dempsey: I have been briefed on Bus Eireann's plan. The Company is currently pursuing a cost recovery plan to deal with the company's growing operating deficit arising from cost pressures and changes in passenger demand. This is after account is taken of a subvention grant of €45m in 2009 towards loss making services. The plan is the subject of discussion between Bus Éireann and its unions. I...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy is aware, the mandate of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes was to examine all current expenditure programmes across all Government Departments and agencies to see where expenditure and staff savings might be made, as necessary, in the current difficult economic climate so as to ensure a return to sustainable public finances. The Special...

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

Noel Dempsey: In recent days Bus Éireann has provided my Department with its comments on the recommendation in the Special Group's Report on the sale of Bus Éireann. As I indicated in a separate reply today, the Special Group's recommendation will be considered as part of the budgetary process for 2010 and it would not be appropriate, for me to comment on any particular recommendation at this stage.

Written Answers — Driving Licences: Driving Licences (16 Sep 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.

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

Noel Dempsey: The integrated ticketing system in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is being introduced on a phased basis, based on smartcard technology. A progressive approach is being adopted to allow customers to familiarise themselves with using the new system and to permit transport operators to undertake the necessary testing with the integration of the technologies involved. The project is now firmly in...

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

Noel Dempsey: I understand from the RPA that construction work on the new Luas spur from Belgard to Citywest and Saggart (4.2km) commenced earlier this year and is expected to be completed by end 2010 with services operating on the line in early 2011.

Written Answers — National Cycle Manual: National Cycle Manual (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Work is at an advanced stage on the drafting, by the Dublin Transportation Office, of the National Cycle Manual 2009. While an initial draft has been circulated to city and county councils, a number of Departments (including my own) and other agencies, I understand from the Dublin Transportation Office, that a wider consultation to include the cycling community will commence in late October....

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Under EU Council Regulation 2408/92, my Department provides compensation to contracted regional air carriers for the operation of air services under the Public Service Obligation (PSO) regime between Dublin and Galway, Kerry, Knock, Sligo, Donegal and City of Derry regional airports. The services for Sligo/Donegal and Knock/Derry are provided under combined contracts. The contracts are fixed...

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

Noel Dempsey: As set out in my Department's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005, the Department of Transport's Guidelines for the Consideration of Passenger Road Licence Applications under the Road Transport Act 1932 encourage all licence holders to use accessible vehicles. In addition, section 48 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 sets out how bus services are to be procured under the Act...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 539, 551 and 552 together. Given the very significant investment involved in the construction of the preclearance facility at Shannon, I would hope that as many flights as possible would use the preclearance services there. However, I understand that Aer Lingus would face severe logistical difficulties in U.S. airports in a situation where their ex-Shannon...

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

Noel Dempsey: 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 in the aviation sector. I took the view at the time that it would be best to provide a reasonable period of time to enable the...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 542 together. The Road Safety Authority recently conducted a consultation process on a Graduated Driver Licensing System which could include a night time curfew for learner drivers. I will give careful consideration to whatever proposals are submitted to me in due course, on foot of this consultation process. As no proposals have as yet been...

Written Answers — Rail Safety: Rail Safety (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 543 and 546 together. In accordance with section 58 of the Railway Safety Act 2005, the Railway Accident Investigation Unit (RAIU) is now investigating all aspects of the cause of the collapse of the Malahide viaduct. The RAIU is obliged, other than in exceptional circumstances, to issue a report no later than 12 months after the date of occurrence of the...

Written Answers — Dublin Port Study: Dublin Port Study (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The references in the attached information to the Dublin Port Study published in August, and available on my Department's website, are accurate. In relation to Dublin Port Company's planning application the Minister for Transport is a "prescribed body" for such an application and I was duly consulted on the application by An Bord Pleanála. I have brought the recently published study to the...

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

Noel Dempsey: I have noted the matters raised in the letter referred to by the Deputy. The position with regard to Terminal Two in Dublin Airport is that its construction is in accordance with Government policy on the strengthening of airport capacity. However, airport operational issues, such as the opening of the terminal, are the responsibility of the Dublin Airport Authority. In 2008, on the...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I can only comment on the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts, which relate to vehicles illegally parked on public roads or in local authority car parks. Section 101(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended, allows an authorised person to fix an immobilisation device (clamp) to a vehicle while it remains in the place where he finds it or to move it from that place to another place and fix...