Results 10,561-10,580 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: A copy of Sir Peter North's report, which was published on 16 June 2010, is currently being examined by my officials. Following the completion of that process, I will consider any recommendations contained in the report, which would be beneficial in an Irish context.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. A total of €1.15 billion is being...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I understand that Aer Lingus recently launched four new routes from Shannon to the UK, under its Aer Lingus Regional franchise with Aer Arann. I also understand that extra capacity will be deployed at Shannon for winter 2010 with a larger A321 aircraft to service the Shannon Heathrow route. The Government regrets the decision of Aer Lingus to suspend transatlantic services from Shannon for...

Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The current Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts for services linking Dublin Airport with the regional airports at Derry, Donegal, Sligo, Ireland West Airport Knock, Galway and Kerry Airports commenced on 22 July 2008 and are due to expire on 20 July 2011. Under updated EU legislation governing these services, more stringent conditions will apply to future PSO arrangements, having...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Ireland implements an effective port state control regime and the Port State Control Officers from my Department each year inspect approximately 400 foreign flagged ships. They detain any of these ships which have serious safety or environment related deficiencies. The inspections include enforcement of the provisions for living and working conditions. Following recent assessment visits by...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Directive 2002/15 – the Working Time Directive for Mobile Workers - applies to self-employed drivers, among other mobile workers. Following a detailed study and impact analysis of various options in relation to the implementation of the Directive, and in line with that study's recommendations, the European Commission made proposals to amend the Directive, including a proposal to exclude...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to PQ No. 213 answered on the 5th May 2010. The position remains the same.

Written Answers — Transport Policy: Transport Policy (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's plans for air transport are to facilitate the growth of competitive air links, in order to promote the development of Irish business and tourism; to ensure the sustainable development of the State and regional airports; to ensure that Irish aviation safety and security policies and practices meet the highest international standards and to provide for effective air navigation...

Written Answers — Parking Facilities: Parking Facilities (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: This is an operational matter for the relevant transport providers and not one in which I have any role.

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Substantial progress has been made to date on the transport projects contained in the National Development Plan. The major inter urban roads programme, linking Dublin with Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and the Border with Northern Ireland, is on target for full completion in 2010. The upgrade of the M50 motorway is also on target for completion in 2010. On public transport, new railway...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Funding is provided by my Department to a range of bodies and groups which are instrumental in carrying out the functions and achieving the objectives set out in my Department's Statement of Strategy. As part of the annual estimates process my Department critically examines the value for money aspect of all expenditure programmes. These programmes are subject to both internal and external...

Written Answers — Transport 21: Transport 21 (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Transport 21 is the Government's multi-billion investment programme, which provides for investment in our national roads and public transport network. Transport 21 is made up of two investment programmes – a national programme and a programme for the Greater Dublin area. The main objectives of the programmes are - · to create a high quality, efficient national road and rail network...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: As the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop the three state airports, operational costs at these airports are a matter for the DAA and I have no function in the matter. As the six regional airports are owned and operated independently, operational costs at these airports are similarly a matter for each airport. In relation to comparative...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The first phase of the Western Rail Corridor was opened on 29th March 2010. Issues relating to the scheduling of passenger services and freight facilities are entirely day to day operational matters for Iarnród Éireann. The next step will be for Iarnród Eireann to undertake a detailed evaluation of Phases 2 and 3 with a view to arriving at precise costs to undertake the works. As I have...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The amendment proposes the insertion of a new paragraph in section 18(3). The section deals with the making of chemical tanker rules. Specifically, it sets out the matters to which the Minister for Transport may have regard in respect of the categorisation of ships into different classes when making chemical tanker rules. The subsection relates to rules under SOLAS with regard to chemical...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The Senator has raised an important point which I am delighted to clarify for him. Subsection (5) puts a statutory onus on the owner or master of an Irish ship to report to the chief surveyor - this refers to the Department of Transport - if an accident occurs or a defect is discovered - I presume this is the point to which the Senator was referring - particularly if it affects the safety...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I do not remember whether the section contains that phrase, but I will take the Senator's word for it. The Senator is correct on this. I have often put forward the argument that making legislation too specific can sometimes tie us up at a later stage and give "outs" to people. However, the extent of the detail in this chapter is such that everything is covered that needs to be covered. It...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I take the Senator's point, but we are providing here that the owner or master of the ship commits an offence if he fails to comply with the duties imposed on him, and then is liable for the €5,000 or the €100,000 fine. The duties consist of the duty to ensure that the ship complies with the nuclear carriage rules, the duty to have the ship surveyed as and when required, and the...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The reason it must be visible on the ship is to ensure compliance. There is provision only for a copy to be kept on the ship. The Senator has raised an interesting point. I do not want to amend or delay the Bill, but perhaps the regulations can provide for the keeping of a copy. I can see the point the Senator is making. We are complying with international regulations and standards. I...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Obviously, the person on board the vessel can view the document and see, for example, that there should be a crew of ten. I will ask my officials to raise at international level the point that there should be an obligation on state authorities to keep a copy in their files for cross-checking purposes.