Results 20,501-20,520 of 21,047 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (10 Jul 2012)

Alan Kelly: Matters relating to the consideration of PSO contracts, discussions with bus operators regarding government support and the development of local public transport network strategies fall within the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have therefore referred these elements of the Deputy's question to the NTA for their direct reply. Please advise my office if you have not received...

Written Answers — Rural Transport: Rural Transport (10 Jul 2012)

Alan Kelly: I established the National Integrated Rural Transport Committee (NIRTC) earlier this year to oversee and manage a partnership approach to implementing integrated local and rural transport. The Committee which is chaired by the National Transport Authority, is drawn from organisations representing key stakeholders in the local and rural transport integration process including rural transport...

Coast Guard Stations (10 Jul 2012)

Alan Kelly: I thank both Deputies for their question. I will take this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Varadkar. As part of the Croke Park agreement, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport engaged a specialist international maritime transport management consultancy, Fisher Associates, to undertake value for money reviews of services provided by the Irish Coast Guard and the Marine...

Coast Guard Stations (10 Jul 2012)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputies for their comments. Although they did not mention them, I take it that they accept the many other recommendations made in the report with regard to training and upgrading of volunteers, which are necessary. I take it they also accept the recommendations regarding risk reviews and the need for a programme of work in the area of pollution control and measures to be taken...

Written Answers — Public Bike Schemes: Public Bike Schemes (3 Jul 2012)

Alan Kelly: I am committed to exploring a range of mechanisms to seek to secure public bikes schemes in other cities in the state, building on the success of the Dublin Bikes scheme. While schemes in other cities are technically feasible, their commercial viability would require a collaborative approach with the private sector. Funding provision to meet the capital investment costs of the roll-out of...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (3 Jul 2012)

Alan Kelly: The question relates to railway safety. Matters relating to upgrading works at individual level crossings on the rail network are operational day to day matters for Iarnród Éireann. My Department is fully aware of the importance of railway safety and continues to provide substantial Exchequer investment in railway safety despite the significant financial challenges. The overall...

Public Transport (3 Jul 2012)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy's question relates to meetings with trade unions representing workers in Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. I have not formally met trade unions working on behalf of any of the three companies. As I am sure the Deputy is aware, discussions have taken place between unions and Irish Rail, the outcome of which was recently accepted after a ballot of members. In the...

Public Transport (3 Jul 2012)

Alan Kelly: In my portfolio I have travelled around the country quite a bit and engaged in dialogue with the relevant workers. As recently as yesterday, I met workers during my travels. In the case of CIE, I will continue to engage with the workers informally and their representatives formally. The situation is not pretty and is difficult to address, as I hope the Deputy appreciates. Passenger...

Public Transport (3 Jul 2012)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his comments. Irish Rail engaged in very detailed negotiations with unions and I am pleased the ballot was passed and the negotiations concluded in a satisfactory way. There are ongoing negotiations with the representatives of staff in Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus which preclude me from commenting in detail on the outcome. I am enthusiastic about the co-operation...

Written Answers — Tax Credits: Tax Credits (28 Jun 2012)

Alan Kelly: I have no plans to introduce any financial incentives for individuals to exit the taxi market such as those measures suggested by the Deputy. I am aware of the challenges facing the taxi industry and, indeed, all sectors of the economy in the current difficult economic climate. I consider that the implementation of the Taxi Regulation Review recommendations will lead to a more professional...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Kelly: The issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail. I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days. A copy has also been sent to the National Transport Authority for information.

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Kelly: The Athlone to Ballinasloe route will be delivered by Roscommon County Council, with a planned completion date of October 2013. There are currently no specific plans in place for extension of the cycle route on to Galway City. In this regard I would note that the recent National Cycle Network (NCN) funding call has assigned NCN funding for 2012 and 2013. A further NCN funding call will be...

Written Answers — Bus Services: Bus Services (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Kelly: The issue of security on board Dublin Bus Nitelink services is a matter for the company in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. I have referred the Deputy's question to Dublin Bus for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Smarter Travel: Smarter Travel (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Kelly: The promotion of smarter travel is a key policy objective of my Department, and indeed of the Government. Our aim is to make smarter travel choices available for all, by establishing safe walking and cycling routes, by funding national and local public transport services and by actively promoting smarter travel. My Department is pursuing the smarter travel agenda through programmes which use...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Kelly: The development of plans for cycling and walking routes along the abandoned rail line from Clifden to Galway would be a matter for the Local Authority to progress. My Department has provided funding for a number of projects to deliver greenways along abandoned rail lines, most recently through the National Cycle Network (NCN) funding call. The project plans for routes were developed by the...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Kelly: I am committed to exploring a range of mechanisms to seek to secure public bicycle schemes in other cities, including Galway. Although a scheme in a city such as Galway is technically feasible, its commercial viability would require a collaborative approach with the private sector. Funding provision to meet the capital investment costs of a scheme has been identified within the five-year...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (19 Jun 2012)

Alan Kelly: Responsibility for implementation of the integrated ticketing system became a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30 September 2010. The timeframe for the introduction of the facility to enable Irish Rail customers top up their Leap Cards at railway stations is an operational issue for the Authority and I have no function in such matters. Noting this, I have...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (14 Jun 2012)

Alan Kelly: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003 and is also the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report. I understand from the NTA that work is progressing on all 46 Actions proposed and eight of the short-term actions have been...

Written Answers — Rural Transport: Rural Transport (12 Jun 2012)

Alan Kelly: I established the National Integrated Rural Transport Committee (NIRTC) last April to oversee and manage a partnership approach to implementing integrated local and rural transport. The Committee which is chaired by the National Transport Authority, is drawn from organisations representing key stakeholders inlcuding rural transport groups, the HSE, Pobal, Local Authorities, Bus Éireann and...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (7 Jun 2012)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together. The regulation of the taxi industry, including issues pertaining to vehicle age limit, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). As to the specific case mentioned by the Deputy, I have arranged for your question to be forwarded to the NTA for a direct response. If you do not receive a response within ten working days,...