Results 11,161-11,180 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Severe Weather Events (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: I acknowledge what the Deputy said in respect of front-line staff. I do not agree with him that the response to the severe weather in December was not much improved on what happened last January. As stated earlier, there were only 10,000 tonnes of salt in the country in January of last year. In December, supplies of some 50,000 tonnes were on hand. Those supplies were managed much better...

Severe Weather Events (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: The responsibility for local and county roads is a matter for the local authority, within its resources. The primary source of resources for gritting local and regional roads should be the local authorities but, unfortunately, it is not, as the taxpayer is the central source. However, the local authorities are the bodies which advise the NRA on the actual routes that are to be gritted, and...

Severe Weather Events (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: As I said, that is part of the review process. Following the incident this time last year, I had meetings with the IFA in regard to the possibility of enlisting its aid. While it has welcomed that, we need to move that process forward. The question of guidelines and plans is under review and, while there is a plan, it needs to be updated and improved. To be fair, if one considers what...

State Assets (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy will be aware that part of the terms of reference of the review group on State assets and liabilities, chaired by Mr. Colm McCarthy, is to consider the potential for asset disposals in the public sector, including commercial State bodies such as the Dublin Airport Authority. When that review has been completed, I will consider any recommendations with regard to the Dublin Airport...

State Assets (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: To put the Deputy's comments in context, the airport charges at Dublin Airport are well below the average and, if I recall correctly, are probably one of the lowest sets of airport charges anywhere in Europe for an airport of its size. Therefore, I would not start from the premise that our airport charges are higher than elsewhere or that we are not in line with the rest of Europe. The...

State Assets (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy is incorrect in assuming that the reason for the fall-off in passenger numbers is the increase in airport charges. The reduction in passenger numbers, as is the case with CIE and other public transport companies, has more to do with general economic activity and the very severe hit we have taken in the context of the international recession. People are travelling less because...

State Assets (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: With a 9% fall in economic activity last year, it is true that we have been more severely hit than other countries. I am not comparing airport charges at Dublin Airport to those at airports in large cities such as Paris; the figures to which I referred relate to capital city airports throughout Europe which are of comparable size, serve a similar population and so on. The reduction in...

Road Network (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: 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 2010-2016 document also referred to the possible...

Road Network (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: We have not yet published the report from the NRA because I have not completed my consideration of it and have not brought it to my Government colleagues for their information and consideration. On the second point, that is a matter for the NRA, which has direct responsibility in this regard. It is a contractual matter and not one in which I have a role.

Road Network (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: As I said, this is a contractual matter between the NRA and the tolling company. It is not one in which I, as Minister, have a direct control or say. Given that the matter may end up in court, I do not want to be in a position where I might jeopardise anything the NRA may do. As far as I am concerned, the cheaper the toll charges, the better for motorists.

Road Network (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: Under the agreement of March 2007 between the Irish and British Governments on a funding package to support the restored Northern Ireland Executive, the Government made a commitment to provide funding of £400 million, or €580 million, in a roads investment package for Northern Ireland which will contribute to the upgrading of the A5 road from Aughnacloy to Derry to dual carriageway status....

Road Network (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: If one makes a commitment at a time when money is available, one cannot really decide to renege on it when a project starts. I do not think that would be helpful in any context, but particularly in the context of the peace process. This agreement was made in the context of the overall agreement leading to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive in 2007. We agreed to provide the...

Road Network (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: It sounds to me very much as if the Deputy is looking for a way to renege on this commitment, if he gets into Government after the next election. I hope that is not true because if he does so he will renege on the people of Donegal, apart altogether from the commitment to the peace process of which this is a part. This was agreed as part of the deal that restored the Northern Ireland...

Road Network (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: It is the only thing I can conclude. I am a reasonably intelligent person.

Road Network (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: Given the whole tone of the questions posed by the Deputy and the line he is following, it would appear to me that he believes this money can be reneged on, that we can renege on the people of Donegal, and that we do not need this road. We got involved in this project because the Government felt this was in our mutual interest. It was certainly helpful for the peace process but was also...

Transport Services (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: My Department and I keep in regular and ongoing contact with the various transport agencies on matters relevant to general transport policy. Transport 21 is the Government's multi-billion euro integrated investment programme, which provides for investment in our national roads and public transport network. The objectives of the programme include improved accessibility, sustainability,...

Transport Services (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy has asked me a specific question on integrated ticketing. I will not give him a response off the top of my head in case it is incorrect other than to say that during the course of this year, starting in the first quarter of the year, the integrated ticketing project will continue to roll out. The Deputy is probably aware that a number of the transport companies have already...

Road Network (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 76, 89 and 91 together. 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, including the cost of winter maintenance, are a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads...

Road Network (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: What I did last year was give the local authorities their allocations and more discretion in the way they would spend that funding. I asked them to focus on repair of roads badly damaged during the winter. When I have a finalised report from the local authorities on the recent spell of very bad weather it is my intention to do the same this year to allow maximum discretion in that regard. I...

Road Network (18 Jan 2011)

Noel Dempsey: If the Minister for Transport or any other Minister has to tell a local authority that it must keep its roads from being potholed it does not say much for the members of the local authorities concerned. In fairness, most of the local authorities take their responsibilities seriously in this particular area. There is always a dilemma at this time of the year regarding roads that are damaged,...