Results 1,761-1,780 of 13,253 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Rail Freight. (6 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: While this will be done in a way that requires all to act, it will not be done, as some would do, in a manner that would undermine Irish employment. Progress on meeting our Kyoto obligations involves a range of measures. For example, our major industries were one of the first to become part of the EU emissions trading scheme. The greener homes grants scheme has been an outstanding success...

Written Answers — Harbour Authorities: Harbour Authorities (6 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The Ports Policy Statement, published in January 2005, states that the continued operation of the regional harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance. The Policy Statement reiterated the view that most of these harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to local authority ownership or, where this...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (7 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together. I recently announced the arrangements for a new Rural Transport Programme (RTP). This new Programme builds on the success of the pilot Rural Transport Initiative and puts it on a permanent mainstreamed basis. In line with commitments in Towards 2016 and in parallel with the implementation of Transport 21, €9 million is being provided...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: Responsibility for Arklow Harbour and for 12 other regional harbours operating under the Harbours Act 1946, transferred from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to the Department of Transport with effect from 1 January 2006. Arklow Harbour Commissioners have recently sought additional funding for remedial works at the harbour. The funding proposals and those of...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: There is no EU Directive on the manning of regular passenger and ferry services operating between member states, in force or being considered by member states. If the Commission were to initiate a proposal it would be given careful consideration. In 1998 there was an EU Commission proposal: Commission communication on a common policy on manning of regular passenger and ferry services...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 631 and 632 together. The position in respect of Westport Harbour's Integrated Development Plan, including the proposal to construct a marina, is that a payment of €94,276 was made to the Westport Harbour Commissioners in December 2002, for expenditure incurred on that plan up to that date. The payment was made on the strict condition that there could be no...

Written Answers — Ferry Services: Ferry Services (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: A copy of the report, which will be published on my Department's website, has been issued to the Deputy on 12 March 2007. This study was commissioned in March 2002, in relation to the feasibility of a ferry service linking Achill Island with the Erris Peninsula. It was carried out by Tourism and Transport Consult International and the final cost of the study was €46,355. The study found...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The position with regard to the individual concerned remains as outlined in my reply to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question No. 438 of 20 February 2007.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The law as it stands does not impede the establishment of barrier-free tolling. The whole purpose of this Bill, as I outlined on Second Stage, is to strengthen the enforcement mechanisms to facilitate the introduction of barrier-free tolling on tolled national roads. While I appreciate Senator Paddy Burke's point, amendment No. 1 would make barrier-free tolling compulsory on every tolled...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I confirm it will apply to all roads in the State.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The amendment refers to political accountability. As Senator Paddy Burke has pointed out, the issue has arisen in respect of many other bodies, such as An Post or the HSE, where the respective Ministers are politically responsible for their activities. In this case, the Department of Transport is responsible for the National Roads Authority and the Road Safety Authority. The Minister has...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: These are drafting amendments and technical changes, and there is a minor consequential change. Amendment No. 4 is a drafting amendment to remove the words "service of" in page 6, line 1 of the Bill, as these words are superfluous. Amendment No. 6 is a drafting amendment to section 7(a). Amendment No. 12 is a technical change so that the subsections will appear as subsections (5) and (6)...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: This is a technical amendment intended to bring the section more precisely into line with local government legislation following the Local Government Act 2001.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: Government amendment No. 8 encompasses the principles expressed in Senator Paddy Burke's amendment. We are anxious to find a practical solution to the difficulties that arise in terms of parking on public roads, whether adjacent to Croke Park or around O'Donnell Park in Letterkenny, where Donegal plays Kerry next Sunday.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: One glove does not fit all hands. Amendment No. 8 introduces a framework which, as the Minister, Deputy Cullen, indicated on Second Stage, will allow local authorities to take the necessary actions. Subsidiarity should be considered in this context and I do not believe any Member would wish to introduce legislation in micro-form. Local councillors should be able to introduce bye-laws to...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The Road Traffic Act 2006 provides for an appropriate form of roadside mandatory alcohol testing to increase the chance of being breathalysed and to provide an increased deterrent effect. I was happy to learn from the Garda that it has acted as a deterrent, despite the number of fatalities over the weekend, including five in my own county. I would like to sympathise with the families...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: No, a feasible basis for the introduction of a scheme for roadside drug testing has not been established but the Department and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety are monitoring developments.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The driving testing service operates under the provisions of section 33 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 and in accordance with the regulations made under it. The driving test is also governed by requirements of EU directives which stipulate the manoeuvres to be carried out which are also set down in regulations under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. The Road Safety Authority, RSA, is...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I expect it will be introduced quite soon because from 1 July 2007, a person wishing to become an instructor for the first time must undergo the registration process. That will involve proving one is a person of good repute. A person must pass a test of knowledge on driving theory and an extended driving test. There is a lead-in time. The 1 July 2007 date is written in stone. Existing...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The Road Safety Authority will.