Results 81-100 of 193 for speaker:Jim McDaid

Seanad: School Accommodation. (12 Feb 2004)

Jim McDaid: As I read this response, it seemed to me a very positive outcome for Lucan. I thank the Senator for raising the issue and apologise on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science who is unfortunately unable to be here. On the Minister's behalf, I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity of outlining to the House both the extensive actions already taken by the Department of...

Seanad: Teacher Training Colleges. (12 Feb 2004)

Jim McDaid: I thank Senator Fergal Browne for raising this issue and I agree with certain parts of his contribution. I apologise for the absence of the Minister for Education and Science, who asked that I relay his response to the Senator. The primary sector has experienced a shortage of trained teachers in recent years mainly as a result of the substantial number of teaching posts which this and the...

Seanad: Road Network. (12 Feb 2004)

Jim McDaid: I thank Senator Paddy Burke for raising this issue. I am well aware of the road between Castlebar and Westport as I worked in Castlebar hospital for a time and lived in Westport. Since the Department of Transport was established we have spent €1.2 billion per year on the national routes. I am from the west and I realise that the BMW region has lagged behind. Of the €1.2 billion, more than...

Seanad: Road Network. (12 Feb 2004)

Jim McDaid: As I said, the Department of Transport has only been in existence for a year and a half. While there was a certain lagging behind in infrastructure, there has been a 60% increase in spending in the BMW region this year. I am sure the matter will progress once the planning and design stages, for which the sum of €230,000 has been allocated this year, have been completed. In the next few...

Written Answers — Speed Limits: Speed Limits (17 Feb 2004)

Jim McDaid: Discussions are ongoing between my Department and the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, SIMI in relation to the proposed changeover to metric values for speed measurement by 31 December 2004. The requirements in relation to speedometers arising from metrication and motor vehicle type-approval form part of these discussions.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (17 Feb 2004)

Jim McDaid: The production of an NCT certificate when taxing a motor car has not been a requirement since 12 December 2001 when, arising from an industrial dispute at National Car Testing Service Limited earlier that year which affected testing, some motorists were experiencing difficulties in arranging tests in sufficient time to obtain the NCT certificate needed for their motor tax application. On the...

Written Answers — Air Traffic Control: Air Traffic Control (17 Feb 2004)

Jim McDaid: The European Commission's revised proposal to update Regulation 3922/91, which will encompass flight and duty time limitations, has just been published today. Until such time as the amended proposal has been examined it will not be possible for me or the other member states to formulate a position on this issue and this matter will not now be the subject of substantial discussions at the...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: The main purpose of this Bill is to give effect to the employee share ownership plan agreed by the Government and Aer Lingus unions and to provide for a legal framework to facilitate a process of external investment in the airline in the event that the Government embarks on such a process. The Bill also includes an enabling provision for the establishment of new pension schemes by Aer Lingus...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: The PSOs are already doing that.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: I do not think the Senator understands the point. If we pursued the Senator's point, Shannon would have no future because of the EU-US debate that is ongoing. The Senator is trying to leave us outside, suggesting that we do not talk to the US. How will the US know what we want when it is not talking to the EU?

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: We are not doing that at all.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: We are doing that.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: We do not own them.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: After all the debate this afternoon I find it impossible to deal with all the issues, including the slots about which there is much confusion. I shall deal first with those who are opposed to the Bill, namely, the Labour Party and Senator Quinn. Senator Quinn commenced by saying he felt there was a wake in regard to four years ago. If there is a wake, the person tends to be dead. I would...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: I will bring the points raised to the attention of the Minister and they can be discussed on Committee Stage.

Seanad: Rural Transport Initiative. (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: It is a pity the Senator cannot be truthful with the pensioners he purports to support. Instead of telling them there has been a cut in Government funding he should tell them there has been a 20% increase. He has confused the people working on this worthwhile initiative. The issue has been confused by the Senator's use of the word "cutback" when there has been an increase. Mismanagement by...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: Most of the amendments being considered today have arisen from the debate in the Dáil. I appreciate the Senator's point of view. There is no question about the brain power in both Houses of the Oireachtas. Unfortunately the Minister for Finance is the main shareholder in the airline. I am informed that in the case of Eircom it was stated the Minister could not dispose of any shares in the...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: I agree with the Senator. It was raised by Fine Gael Members in the Dáil. Accountability is very important in this case and I believe that is what the Senator is asking for. The Senator has not tabled an amendment to section 3(5) which provides for the laying of the principles of a sale for approval by the Dáil. The text used in subsection (5) follows precedent as it is similar to that used...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: There are many areas which the Department of Transport has sought to fund. For example, tolls should be ring-fenced for the Department. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world and the Department of Finance seems to rule the roost. I have been informed that acceptance of the amendment, as read, would not necessarily mean the Department of Finance could use the capital for capital...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: I thank the Senators for accepting this. It was a matter with which I, the Minister or anyone else had no major hang-up. It is understood that the proposed amendment would have been tabled in the belief that such amendments would facilitate the issue of ESOP shares to Aer Lingus employees who have recently left the company. This is not so. The legislation does not determine who gets the...