Results 2,201-2,220 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Railway Procurement Processes. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I am not sure that Deputy O'Dowd asked a question.

Railway Procurement Processes. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have told the Deputy twice that I have asked for a report on the measures being taken to ensure adequate controls in areas of expenditure that were not covered by the Baker Tilly report. The report will cover the work of audit committees, etc. When I get that information, I will decide what I need to do.

Rural Transport Services. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: There are commitments to the rural transport programme in the national development plan, Towards 2016, and in the Department of Transport's sectoral plan under the Disability Act 2005. The renewed Government programme contains a commitment to explore the provision of a full-scale transport system in rural areas, using the network expertise of Bus Éireann and the resources of the school and...

Rural Transport Services. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Deputy Broughan is being very unfair because he was not present at our meeting in Athlone, at which this was one of the two major issues raised by the backbenchers of the Fianna Fáil Party-----

Rural Transport Services. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: -----to let me know exactly how important this was. Nobody in the House needs to lecture a Fianna Fáil Minister on how important the rural transport network is because a Fianna Fáil Government initiated the scheme in 2002. It has increased the money made available to it since then. The initial figure was €3 million and this was increased incrementally to €4.5 million, €5.1 million...

Rural Transport Services. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The roll-out of the speed cameras and the signing of the contract are a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I ask him about it every day, as he will probably confirm. I am told we are very near the signing of the contract. I will leave it to my colleague to make the actual announcement.

Rural Transport Services. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Very soon.

Rail Network. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Earlier this year, my Department allocated €404 million to Iarnród Éireann for investment in the development of the rail network and railway safety. Of this, €90 million was allocated to the railway safety programme. As is normal for a programme of the range and complexity of the public transport capital programme, a number of adjustments were made during the year and an additional...

Rail Network. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I agree with the Deputy that safety must be of paramount importance. The safety procedures in place should be adhered to at all times by Iarnród Éireann and the rest of the companies in the CIE group. I share the Deputy's concern in this regard but I know from speaking to Iarnród Éireann officials that the track movement recording vehicle passed over the viaduct the day before the...

Rail Network. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I agree. If there are checks to be carried out, they should be carried out. I do not want to say very much more about this until the Railway Safety Commission makes its findings known and we have all the facts. However, I share the Deputy's concern.

Rail Network. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The role of the Minister in this matter is to ensure that legislation is in place and that finance is available to implement the railway safety programme. The first railway safety programme, which covered the period 1999 to 2003, benefited from an investment of €600 million. Four hundred miles of track were renewed and 220 miles of fencing was erected. From 2004 to 2008, the total...

Road Safety. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have included provision for the mandatory testing for alcohol of drivers involved in road traffic collisions in the new Road Traffic Bill, which was published on 30 October 2009. The proposal is that mandatory testing of a driver at a collision will be undertaken by a member of the Garda Síochána where an injury is caused to another person that requires medical assistance. This...

Road Safety. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: In recent years, in line with a commitment made by this and previous Governments, the number of members of the Garda traffic corps, which was specifically set up to target road traffic offences, has been increased. The commitment was made to 1,200 members and that level has been reached. The members are dedicated primarily to road traffic duties. The effects of that change are clear to...

Road Safety. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Given the current economic circumstances the Garda overtime bill, which is not a matter for me - so I will not comment on it - has been reduced. There is no doubt about that. In the current circumstances, there is a general acceptance that we must reduce or adjust our expenditure to the tune of approximately €4 billion in this year's budget. That cannot be done without changing work...

Road Safety. (5 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006, SI No. 477 of 2006, the Road Safety Authority, RSA, has responsibility for matters relating to vehicle testing, including commercial vehicles. One of the early tasks for the RSA was to undertake a comprehensive review of the arrangements for the roadworthiness testing of commercial vehicles in Ireland. In 2008, I...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (4 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have no plans to amend the legislation on this matter.

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (3 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Transport 21 provides for the development of the Navan Rail Link on a phased basis in the period to 2015. Work commenced on the construction of the Clonsilla – Pace section (Phase 1) in December 2008 and is on target for delivery next year. The current position regarding the Pace – Navan section (Phase 2) is that the preferred route was chosen earlier this year. The selected route...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (3 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Drogheda Port Company, together with their private sector partners Castlemarket Holdings, are continuing to progress their plans to develop a deepwater port facility at Bremore. I understand that pre-planning consultations have taken place with An Bord Pleanála. However, to date no planning application has been lodged in respect of the development. Any such planning application would be...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (3 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 641 and 642 together. The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Iarnród Éireann is as follows: Year Subvention€000 No. of Passengers (DART) No. of Passengers (Mainline Intercity & Commuter 2004 171,421 20.6m 13.8m 2005 179,991 16.2m 21.3m 2006 188,716 19.7m 23.6m 2007 189,910 20.2m 25.3m 2008 181,152 19.4m 23.9m The allocation of the...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (3 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 643, 646, 648, 655 and 674 together. There are commitments to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) in the National Development Plan, Towards 2016 and the Department of Transport's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. The renewed Government Programme also contains a commitment to explore the provision of a full-scale transport system in rural areas...