Results 9,081-9,100 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Schools Building Projects. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I am replying to this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science. Scoil Bhríde has a principal plus 19 teachers and four learning-resource teachers. In September 2008, it had 520 pupils and has seen a 24% increase in its enrolments over the five years up to September 2008. The project is in an area experiencing rapid growth and has a band rating of...

Hospital Services. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I am replying to this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I welcome the opportunity to set out the current position on cancer services at Sligo General Hospital. Deputies may recall a previous debate relating to the transfer of breast cancer diagnostic and surgical services from Sligo General Hospital to University Hospital...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: In the period 1997 to 2009 over €3.03 billion in Exchequer subvention has been paid to CIÉ towards the operational cost of loss making socially and economically necessary services. The allocation of €303m in 2009 represents an increase of 127% in the 1997 figure, but a decrease of 1.7% on the 2008 provision and a decrease of 1.1% on the 2007 provision. In addition an amount of €3.2...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I was not briefed by the State appointed directors on the Board of Aer Lingus Group plc on the company's cost restructuring plan. A representative from the company briefed officials from my Department immediately following the company's announcement to the Stock Exchange on 7th October and my officials then briefed me on the matter. Decisions on commercial and operational matters at Aer...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 51 together. I recently announced the appointment of Mr. John Fitzgerald as chairperson and Mr. Gerry Murphy as chief executive designate of the Dublin Transport Authority. On the passing into law of the Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 which is currently before the Dail, the Dublin Transport Authority will be renamed as the National Transport...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports and as such the preparation of a contingency plan in the event of a strike is a matter for the company. In fulfilling its remit the DAA has informed me that it seeks to ensure that continuity of service is maintained across the wide range of services it provides...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 33 and 127 together. An Bórd Pleanála adjourned the Oral Hearing into the Railway Order application for Metro North in April this year, to allow consideration of further information requested from the Railway Procurement Agency. An Bórd Pleanála subsequently wrote to the Agency requesting further additional information in respect of the application....

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Dublin Bus has reported good progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the Deloitte report on the cost and efficiency review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. In line with the recommendations of the report and taking account of the need to reduce its operating deficit, Dublin Bus is, inter alia, redesigning its network based on most recent pattern of demand/demographics and...

Written Answers — Vehicle Testing: Vehicle Testing (5 Nov 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 commercial vehicles. One of the early tasks for the RSA was to undertake a comprehensive review of the arrangements for the roadworthiness testing of commercial vehicles in Ireland. In 2008, I...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 28, 43 and 53 together. I published the Road Traffic Bill 2009 on Friday 30 October 2009. It provides for the lowering of the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) from 80 mg of alcohol (per 100 ml of blood) to 20 mg for learner, novice and professional drivers, and from 80 mg of alcohol (per 100 ml of blood) to 50 mg for other drivers. The Bill also...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 39 together. There are commitments to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) in the National Development Plan, Towards 2016 and the Department of Transport's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. The development of rural transport is also a key objective in the Government's sustainable travel and transport plan Smarter Travel - A Sustainable...

Written Answers — Motor Insurance: Motor Insurance (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Third Party motor insurance is required by law for the use of all mechanically propelled vehicles in a public place. Motor insurance is provided by private companies in an open and competitive market where consumers interests can exert influence by seeking quotes and comparing costs, before purchasing. Insurance companies, numbering 29 at present, are regulated by the Financial Regulator....

Written Answers — Ports Security: Ports Security (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The seizing of contraband cigarettes is a matter for the Customs and the Garda Síochána. My Department is responsible for the implementation of International and EU security requirements at Irish ports. The annex to the International Convention for the Safety at Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974 was amended in 2004 to include a new chapter concerning maritime security and which introduced the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Preliminary work is underway in my Department on the identification and development of possible measures to be included in a Sustainable Travel and Transport Bill. Bearing in mind the priority legislation that I wish to progress in the current year and available resources, I expect to be in a position to present a Sustainable Travel and Transport Bill to the Houses of the Oireachtas during 2010.

Written Answers — Road Haulage Industry: Road Haulage Industry (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Every licensed commercial road transport business, both haulage and passenger, must have a transport manager, who holds a Certificate of Professional Competence. A consultation paper was issued to all licensed Road Transport Operators in March 2009 proposing a number of changes to the existing Transport Manager Policy. The document was also placed on my Department's Website (ww...

Written Answers — Travel Projects: Travel Projects (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I launched two funds this summer, to support innovative sustainable travel projects, the Smarter Travel Project Fund, and the National Competition for Smarter Travel Areas. The Smarter Travel Project Fund was established to: assist the development of demonstration projects that can deliver sustainable transport initiatives at both a national and local level, achieving real and...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: While I have not recently met with or been directly briefed by representatives of the travel and tourism industry, I am fully aware of the negative impact that the current difficult economic situation is having on the aviation sector and am closely monitoring developments. My Department is liaising with the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism in the context of implementing recommendations...

Written Answers — Public Transport Safety: Public Transport Safety (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The investigation of collisions on the road is a matter for An Garda Siochana. Neither my Department nor the RSA have a function in this area and I have no plans to change that. Road traffic accidents involving light rail trams are also subject to investigation by the Railway Accident Investigation Unit in accordance with the provisions of the Railway Safety Act 2005. In relation to the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The National Roads Authority has not taken over management responsibility for regional and local roads. They remain the statutory responsibility of the local authorities. From 1st September last, the National Roads Authority was tasked with undertaking certain functions relating to regional and local road grants on behalf of my Department. This was done on foot of an agreement negotiated by...

Written Answers — Taxi Industry: Taxi Industry (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The regulation of the taxi industry is, in accordance with the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, a matter for the Commissioner on Taxi Regulation and the Minister for Transport has no role in relation thereto. Proposals from the Commission to provide funding towards the upgrading of the wheelchair accessible fleet are under consideration in my Department.