Results 1,201-1,220 of 20,758 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Kelly: I move amendment No. 102: In page 62, before the Schedule, to insert the following new section: “PART 10 AMENDMENT OF SECTION 2 OF METROLOGY ACT 199662.—Section 2(1) of the Metrology Act 1996 is amended—(a) by inserting after the definition of “stamp” the following:“ ‘taximeter system’ means a taximeter and distance signal generator...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Kelly: I move amendment No. 103: In page 7, line 14, after “AMEND” to insert the following:“SECTION 2 OF THE METROLOGY ACT 1996, THE DUBLIN TRANSPORT AUTHORITY ACT 2008 AND”.—

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (26 Sep 2013)

Alan Kelly: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009, including responsibility for SPSV licensing requirements and the development and administration of the area knowledge and skills development test.   Your correspondence has been forwarded to the NTA for direct reply....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (26 Sep 2013)

Alan Kelly: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. This includes, as provided for under Sections 11 and 50 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, powers to give financial assistance to Local Authorities for the development of infrastructure for the small public...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Taxi Regulation Review Report Implementation (1 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy and many others have raised this issue with me. There is market failure in rural areas as regards services and the provisions introduced through the legislation. The NTA regulations need to ensure an appropriate service in rural areas where there is market failure. I understand the Deputy's concerns and the NTA is going through a process with the taxi advisory committee to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (1 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 84 together. These questions are about the National Transport Authority's transport assessment study. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has a statutory responsibility for the strategic planning of transport in the Greater Dublin Area.  In the performance of that function, they have commenced a transport assessment study in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (1 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 119, 120 and 136 together. Dublin Bus has incurred accumulated losses of €75m over the period 2007 to 2012, a position which is unsustainable. Minister Varadkar and myself, along with our Departmental officials, have been engaged almost constantly over the past 18 months in dealing with the financial situation in CIÉ and the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly:  I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 88 together. These questions relate to the current financial position of the CIÉ group. Since 2008 , the financial performance of CIÉ has been severely affected by the economic recession which has resulted in a significant reduction in passenger numbers. CIÉ recorded total losses, before pension cost...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (1 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 128 together. These questions are about the future of Irish Rail. Since 2008, the financial performance of Irish Rail has been severely affected by the economic recession which has resulted in a significant reduction in passenger numbers. Irish Rail passenger numbers have dropped by 21% in the period 2008 to 2012 and has recorded...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities (1 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Both myself and my Department are fully supportive of the development of greenways particularly projects that enhance co-operation and exchange between North and South.  Such projects provide exciting opportunities for authorities and communities on both sides of the border to collaborate and align common objectives.  It is well recognised that the provision of...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputies for their comments. I accept the thrust of the amendment as indicated previously. The regulation is in place to actualise what he is asking for. The Bill sets out the general licensing principles and the powers for the National Transport Authority to make licensing regulations. Following the recommendations of the taxi regulation review report, the NTA has already...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Absolutely, enforcement is going to improve dramatically, as set out in the Bill. There is provision to provide for many more enforcement officers across this city and across the country. As a result, the National Transport Authority has been in the process of putting in place such a larger enforcement regime, which is necessary. Despite the massive amount of regulatory changes that I have...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I cannot accept these amendments, as the Deputy is well aware at this stage. We have been around the houses on this point, on Second Stage, on Committee Stage and on a few radio stations. These amendments seek dispensation in the Bill for those convicted of offences covered by the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. It is simply not inappropriate for me to specify such an exclusion in the...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I must take issue with the Deputy. As regards the different treatment of categories of offenders, the context for that debate in these Houses was set in the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012. It would be incongruous for me to make provision in taxi legislation in the context of the Good Friday Agreement that would override the terms of such legislation as the Criminal Justice...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy's party did not do so. There were no amendments to the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy will see that they are if he reads the Bill.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: To be fair, the Deputy has acknowledged the fact the Bill is dealing with all the issues he raised. They need to be dealt with, although I will not go over our history of lax regulation. I will not look to make political points or deal with individuals who had to look after regulatory affairs. It was an absolute mess and this legislation will work hand in glove with regulations that are to...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: Regulations.

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Alan Kelly: I do not wish to drift into a debate on everything related to the taxi industry. Taxis are allowed to use bus lanes and that should not be changed. Ensuring drivers are using the lanes legitimately is a larger enforcement issue. Deputies will accept I must work within the legal frameworks of the State and I must accept the advice I receive. I have gone as far as I can on this issue. I...