Results 10,801-10,820 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Rail Accidents (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I do not want to say anything that might prejudice any action the Railway Safety Commission might take, and I hope the Deputy will respect that. I agree with him it was a miracle nobody was killed or seriously injured. I also agree that we should not depend on miracles to prevent accidents such as this happening or to prevent fatalities. Although I do not want to prejudice anything that...

Rail Accidents (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Regarding the Deputy's general question on the commission, the teeth given to it by the legislation are based on the EU's railway safety directive. We closely follow the systems and procedures mandated at EU level and implemented throughout the EU. The Department of Transport meets the RSC formally once every six months to review corporate governance issues and other matters that arise from...

Rail Accidents (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I am not aware of any State body, Department or organisation in the public sector that is not looking for more resources. They would all like to get more resources and I would like more resources for my Department. Nevertheless, investment in rail safety amounted to €1.172 billion between 1999 and 2008. A further investment programme provides for a total expenditure of €513 million...

Rail Accidents (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The RSC has confirmed that it has responded fully to the report and to the recommendation that affected it directly. The commission will ensure it will not find itself in the same position again.

Rail Accidents (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: With more than €1 billion invested in the past ten years, it would be unfair of the House to send the message that we are still operating on railways that are more than a century old. There are places where the railways are more than 100 years old but substantial parts-----

Rail Accidents (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: -----of the railways, including all of the viaducts and bridges to which the Deputy referred, have been inspected and cleared since the incident in question. Recommendations Nos. 1 to 3 have been implemented in full. Recommendations Nos. 4 to 6 are taking longer to progress because of training matters and so on. Recommendations Nos. 8 and 9 have been implemented in full, but recommendation...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware that the Local Government Efficiency Review Group recommended the introduction of new tolling schemes on national roads, both new and existing, based on an equitable distribution of tolling points across the national network, with a proportion of revenue being used to invest in local and regional roads. The Infrastructure Investment Priorities document 2010-2016 also refers to the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads is 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 projects to be...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The European Commission has advised Member States that as a follow-on from a negative vote by the European Parliament concerning proposed amendments to the Directive 2002/15/EC, which would have excluded genuine self-employed drivers from the scope of the rules on the working time, the Commission has decided to withdraw its proposals in that regard. This means, in effect, that the Directive...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: In 2007 the Commission for Taxi Regulation recruited a dedicated enforcement team for the industry. An Garda Síochána are also authorised officers under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. The Commission team of 9 officers work closely with other enforcement agencies, including the Gardaí, Revenue Commissioners and Department of Social Protection to ensure effective compliance in the industry....

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Taxi Regulation (CTR) favours the provision of some financial assistance to wheelchair accessible licence holders to upgrade their vehicles by 2012. I have referred the CTR proposal to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for its consideration and decision as financial assistance will be a matter for the NTA following the incorporation of the CTR into the NTA. The Taxi...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: An Garda Síochána are the licensing authority for the grant of a small public service vehicle (PSV) driver licence. One of the requirements for the grant of a PSV driver licence is a full Irish driving licence or an equivalent licence from an EU or EEA Member State or another recognised State for which there is provision for mutual recognition of driving licences.

Written Answers — Rural Transport: Rural Transport (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: I understand that the Value for Money Review of the Rural Transport Programme will be completed later this year. In line with the Department of Finance's Value for Money and Policy Review Guidance Manual, the Review will be submitted to Government and will be published thereafter.

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The first phase of the Western Rail Corridor was opened on 29th March 2010. The Department has received an application for funding from Iarnród Éireann for the detailed design and tender preparation stage for Phase 2. This will involve a detailed estimate of costs for the construction of Phase 2. The exact timeframe for when the project will move to construction will be influenced by the...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The Aviation Action Plan, adopted by the Government in May 2005 mandated the building of the second terminal at Dublin airport by the Dublin Airport Authority. The Government decision was based on a detailed consideration of how best to provide additional terminal capacity at Dublin airport, given the significant growth in passenger numbers there at the time. The decision took into account...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: On 22nd February, I announced the 2010 regional and local road grant allocations. A total of €411.409 million is being provided to local authorities this year for the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads. In deciding on allocations for 2010 the first priority was to ensure the protection of the existing road network and, particularly the Exchequer investment of €6...

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The possibility of the Air Corps providing a Maritime Search and Rescue service was considered by both the Department of Transport and the Department of Defence. The Department of Defence consulted with the Air Corps at that time. However the potential for the Air Corps to re-enter this area of operations was not considered feasible. The contract for this service was publicly advertised. It...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: An Bórd Pleanála announced its decision in June 2010. Since then I have received an interim report for the first six months of this year from Dublin Port Company, which includes an update regarding the planning decision. Clearly the decision has implications for the port's future development plans, and the company is reviewing the decision in that light. I am due to have an annual meeting...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: Section 35 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, which has not been commenced to date, provides for an appeal procedure in respect of refusal to grant, suspend or revoke a small public service vehicle (SPSV) drivers licence or vehicle licence. An Garda Síochána is the licensing authority for SPSV drivers licences and the Commission for Taxi Regulation (CTR) is the licensing authority for...

Written Answers — Rural Transport: Rural Transport (6 Oct 2010)

Noel Dempsey: The development of rural transport is a key objective in both the Government's sustainable travel and transport plan 'Smarter Travel – A Sustainable Transport Future' and separately in my Department's sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. Reflecting the Government's continued commitment in this area, €11 million is being provided for the Rural Transport Programme in 2010. It is...