Results 20,321-20,340 of 21,042 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport (30 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: With regard to the Deputy's question on whether the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) will be continued, I would like to assure the Deputy that since being given responsibility for Public and Commuter Transport, I have been actively working towards delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government “to maintain and extend the Rural Transport Programme with other local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (29 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues relating to suitability tests, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (29 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: The NTA is the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011, including implementation of Action 46 of the Report, which proposes a local area hackney licence. The aim of the proposed local area hackney licence is to facilitate the low cost entry to the hackney market for transport provision in rural...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: I thank Senators for their contributions and will endeavour to respond to points in as much detail as I can. I really enjoy coming to this House where it is good form to tease out and debate issues. I have attended on the subject of taxis in general as some months ago there were statements on the issue. Much of the commentary has been on the regulatory side, as were many of the points...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: No.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: I shall be there next week

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: I did not say that. I said there were approximately 6,000 who had some form of criminal conviction.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: I am glad to see Members again so soon after our discussions on the recently enacted Transport (Córas Iompair Éireann and Subsidiary Companies Borrowings) Act 2012, and I thank the House for its co-operation on that. I must hold some sort of record as this is the second Bill I have introduced as a Minister of State that has begun in this House in the space of about two months. On this...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (23 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the SPSV industry under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, including the entry requirements for limousines and area knowledge testing. I have referred your Question to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for a direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities (22 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, funding for delivery of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of cycle lanes in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is a matter for the NTA. The NTA can provide details of expenditure on cycling routes in the GDA and I have asked them to forward the information...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (16 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues relating to the area knowledge test, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (16 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: The regulation of the taxi industry, including enforcement issues, is the overall responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA), assisted by the Garda Síochána. I want to discourage the rogue operators who make it tough for the legally compliant operators to earn a living.  Many of the key recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011 relate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (16 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: Under Section 15 of the Road Traffic Act, 2002, Dublin City Council, in consultation with the Commissioner of An Garda Siochána, is responsible for the making of bye-laws in respect of the area comprising of the city of Dublin, including bye-laws regarding the location and number of taxi ranks. I have no function in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (16 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1142 and 1151 together. As part of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011, the proposal for a prohibition on the transfer of small public service vehicle (SPSV) licences reflects the Review Group view that a licence should determine a person’s suitability to carry out a function and it should not have monetary value or be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (16 Jan 2013)

Alan Kelly: In line with Action 31 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011, the National Transport Authority (NTA) made regulations on 20 December 2012 under statutory instrument no. 535 of 2012, requiring a semi-permanent decal to be affixed to taxis and wheelchair accessible taxis. With effect from the 1st January 2013 the approved external signage is a requirement for the grant or...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Transport (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: On 24 July, the Government decided to provide additional PSO funding of €36 million to CIE to ensure that the companies could continue to operate for the rest of 2012.  This would bring the total PSO subvention for this year to €278 million, higher than the subvention level for 2010, and the fifth highest level of subvention ever. In November, €16...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Transport (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: There is no doubt that 2013 will be a tough year for CIE. A certain level of funding is available and the Department must find the funding for the coming years. We have put in place a three year programme and next year CIE will receive €226 million. We are working closely with the company to ensure it can provide the services with that subvention in 2013. There are cost cutting...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Transport (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: It is certainly Christmas time in here, that question was teed up. The Government is committed to public transport and I assure the Deputy that I work very closely with Deputy Varadkar on the issues he has raised. We all know 2013 will be a challenging year but we are working with everyone every day to maintain services and ensure they are delivered in a satisfactory manner. The push...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: I acknowledge the Deputy is making these comments sincerely but if we were to do everything he said, Dublin Bus would not be sustainable. It is unfortunate that fares had to be increased modestly. The Network Direct project has been successful in many ways and I acknowledge people have issues with it. Nobody knows that better because they come to me as well. It was necessary to ensure...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (20 Dec 2012)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy is passionate about these issues. He has spoken previously to me about them and I have some sympathy for his position. It is something we will examine in the future but there is no precedent for such fines. I have witnessed the same issues and, at certain times of the day, they could cause serious disruption.