Results 20,761-20,780 of 21,047 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Rural Transport Scheme (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: I take on board the Deputy's comments and share his view on the importance of providing services to rural areas. I am from a rural area and am familiar with the scheme mentioned by the Deputy as it is not too far from me. I look across the water to it. The intention is to bring together an integrated programme following the publication of the review. We will work with the various agencies...

Departmental Programmes (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: The Government recently announced a comprehensive review of capital spending which is now under way. The review will examine capital proposals across all sectors of the economy to establish a set of priority projects and programmes that will support economic recovery and provide new employment opportunities. The results will form the basis of a new national development plan. The preparation...

Departmental Programmes (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: To clarify, there are four projects in the mix, as we have stated clearly on several occasions. After the spending review, after the information has been provided to the Department and the process has gone through the Government, we will hopefully be in a position to go ahead with one of them. We are aware of all the issues raised by the Deputy, particularly those concerning north Dublin,...

Departmental Programmes (1 Jun 2011)

Alan Kelly: All variables will be taken into consideration. All the projects have merit in what they are trying to achieve. We are aware that the project to which Deputy Ellis refers has great merit. The cost benefit analysis across all projects is quite good and we will take that into account. It is incumbent on us to examine all projects. A fourth project has been brought to our attention and we...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (31 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: Under Section 49 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 Members of An Garda Síochána are authorised persons for the purpose of enforcement of the 2003 Act. A range of fixed charge offences, which can be issued by authorised persons under Section 46 of the 2003 Act, is set out in the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 722 of 2007). In practice only the...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (26 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together. The forthcoming review of the taxi sector will be undertaken in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government and its Terms of Reference will be announced shortly. The review will enable stakeholder consultation so that the views of both the taxi sector as well as the interest of consumers can be addressed. To date I have met...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (26 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: An Garda Síochána is responsible for the vetting of Small Public Service Vehicle driver licence applicants and the issue of such licences. It has also a key role in taxi regulation enforcement, which it carries out in cooperation with the National Transport Authority under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. Members of An Garda Síochána are authorised persons for the purpose of Section 49 of...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: My Department does not provide funding assistance under the Dormant Account Scheme or any other funding scheme that would be appropriate to the specialist services engaged in by the group mentioned. I understand that the Dormant Account Fund Disbursements Board is under the remit of the Department for the Environment, Community and Local Government and I will forward the Question to my...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: With effect from 1st January 2011, the former Commission for Taxi Regulation (CTR) was subsumed into the National Transport Authority (NTA). I understand that the accumulated surplus of the CTR at the end of 2010 was approximately €20m. The use of income from fees set in respect of the licensing of small public service vehicles is a matter, in the first instance, for the NTA in accordance...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: The Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, does not provide for the introduction of a moratorium on the issue of new taxi licences. Among other things, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory objective of promoting the provision and maintenance of quality services by small public service vehicles and their drivers. Last week, I confirmed that a full scale review of the taxi industry...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: Upon the dissolution of the Commission for Taxi Regulation (CTR) on 1 January 2011, all the regulatory functions provided for under section 9 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003 were transferred to the National Transport Authority (NTA). The Taxi Regulation Directorate of the NTA administers these functions. All former staff of the CTR were transferred to and became employees of the NTA with...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 447 together. The regulation of the taxi industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). Inspection and enforcement are also the responsibility of the NTA in cooperation with An Garda Síochána. NTA compliance officers have extensive enforcement powers as authorised officers under section 49 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. However...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: The vetting of applicants for small public service vehicles (SPSV) driver licences and the issue of such licences is currently the responsibility of An Garda Síochána. Current obligations on taxi vehicle licence holders is a matter for the NTA and I have referred your Question to the NTA for direct reply. Please notify my Office if you do not receive a reply with ten working days. I should...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (24 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: The regulation of the taxi industry, including the enforcement of driver identification display in taxis, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have referred the Deputy's Question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten days.

Written Answers — Taxi Hardship Panel: Taxi Hardship Panel (18 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy's original question did not issue to the agency due to revised procedures in my office, and I apologise for that. My Department contacted Pobal in this regard last week and I understand that the response will issue to the Deputy this week.

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (17 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: 1Authorised persons, appointed under Section 49 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, have the power at any reasonable time to enter the premises or place where any taxi activity takes place. Members of the Gardaí are also deemed to be authorised persons under the 2003 Act. In addition, section 49(5)(b) of the 2003 Act requires the presence of a Garda Síochána in cases where a taxi vehicle is...

Jobs Initiative 2011: Statements (Resumed) (11 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: I wish to share time with Deputy Peter Mathews.

Jobs Initiative 2011: Statements (Resumed) (11 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: The jobs initiative represents the first of what could be 1,000 steps taken towards bringing about a full recovery of our employment, banking and public debt crises. Let us not pretend to be unaware of the scale of the problem, which is, to say the least, of potentially enormous and hugely challenging proportions. Turning it into a shouting match will not solve anything. It may well take...

Residential Mortgage Debt: Motion (Resumed) (4 May 2011)

Alan Kelly: It is clear from the statements made so far that there is much in common between the concerns expressed by Members of the Technical Group about the plight of ordinary homeowners facing the challenges of making ends meet and honouring their mortgage commitments in the current economic climate and the sentiments expressed in the programme for Government on this issue. Nevertheless, I will...

Rail Interconnector (20 Apr 2011)

Alan Kelly: It is clear that traffic congestion has reduced as a result of the economic downturn but a number of pinch points remain, especially during peak periods. I will ask the National Transport Authority, which is responsible for traffic management in the greater Dublin area, to provide an update to the Deputy on traffic management activities and proposals for Dublin. As regards transport policy...