Results 2,241-2,260 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: No, it will not.

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: [Seanad] Second Stage (3 Nov 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 for the consideration of the House. This Bill places the bus passenger at the centre of a new transformed national bus licensing regime which will replace the current antiquated and inadequate regime that has applied for the past 77 years and brings the legislation governing...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: This is a matter for the agencies concerned.

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (21 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Dublin Port Company and Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company were both incorporated under the Harbours Act 1996. In accordance with the Act, the companies are required to take all proper measures for the management, control, operation and development of their harbours and are required to conduct their business in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Capital expenditure by the port companies is...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (21 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together. The provision for Exchequer subvention to CIÉ for 2009 is €303.189m of which approximately €45m will be allocated to Bus Éireann. The amount is not broken down by reference to routes or areas. Funding of €11m is being provided for the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) in 2009. Pobal, which administers the RTP on behalf of my...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (21 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Road Transport Act provides the statutory basis for regulating the provision of public bus services. In accordance with that legislation, private bus operators apply to my Department for licences to operate scheduled bus passenger services within the State. Applications are dealt with in date order from the date of their receipt. Two applications have been lodged with my Department for...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: A Road Traffic Bill, which inter alia provides for a reduction in the drink driving limit (Blood Alcohol Concentration levels) for drivers, is nearing completion and I hope to publish it this month. The Bill takes account of the proposed BAC levels made by the Road Safety Authority last year.

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 317 together. Decisions on commercial and operational matters at Aer Lingus are a matter for the Board and management of the Company and it is not open to the Government to intervene in such matters. Aer Lingus is an independent Company and it has to make decisions on a commercial basis. The State's 25% shareholding does not confer on the Government...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 332 together. Good progress is being made on the development of an interurban National Cycle Network. Two projects have been approved in Cork; the Passage West to Rochestown route, and the Carrigaline to Crosshaven route, and work has commenced on the former. In Mayo works are already underway to provide 17.5km of cycle route from Newport to Mulranny....

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Smarter Travel policy which is aimed at delivering sustainable transport, embraces activities across many Government Departments. Within my own Department various elements of expenditure contribute to the delivery of Smarter Travel, including the public transport investment under Transport 21, which in 2009 includes a provision of €2 million for sustainable transport measures. I assume...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I have received the report referred to by the Deputy and I will be placing a copy of it in the Oireachtas library. References to persons and to some internal Irish Rail business practices have been deleted by the company in the interest of not prejudicing legal proceedings that are being pursued by the company and in relation to matters that have been referred to the Garda Síochána. I have...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Based on the Deputy's question it is assumed that the report being referred to is MCIB/159, just recently received by my Department, regarding a tragic incident on board the Fishing Vessel "Róise Catríona". The report contains two recommendations, (1) the implementation of Council Directive 92/29/EEC on the minimum safety and health requirements for improved medical treatment on board...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993 (Section 32(3)(a)) requires me, as Minister for Transport, to appoint a person to carry out an examination of the performance by the company of its functions in so far as they relate to the application and enforcement of technical and safety standards in relation to aircraft and air navigation every three years. The IAA is also subject to frequent...

Written Answers — Rail Safety: Rail Safety (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I understand from Iarnród Éireann that there are occasions when demand for regular services on the Sligo-Dublin line exceeds seating capacity, but the company states that the issue of crowding is one of passenger comfort rather than a safety issue as all Iarnród Éireann passenger trains are constructed to modern design standards and operate safely when fully loaded with seated and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Following full implementation of the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER) and allowing for retirements outside of the Scheme, it is expected that my Department will have 1 Secretary General, 4 Assistant Secretaries and 16 Principal Officers. This total of 21 represents 3.9% of current staff numbers.

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: In an introductory meeting with the new CEO of Aer Lingus Group plc on 17th September, the CEO indicated to me that the company expected to announce a cost-restructuring plan in October and that very hard decisions would have to be taken if the company was to survive in the long term. I outlined clearly to the CEO Government aviation policy on connectivity & competitiveness, and regional...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: In regard to the completion of the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor, I refer the Deputy to my answer given to PQs 201 and 202 on Wednesday 14th of the present month. The position remains unchanged. The audit of the business case for the reintroduction of passenger rail services between Ennis and Athenry undertaken by Goodbody Economic Consultants in 2006 included an analysis of...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The number, location and size of commercial airports must be assessed by reference to overall aviation policy objectives and the costs and benefits of exchequer support for regional airports in particular. Our major aviation policy objective is to promote regular, safe, cost effective and competitive air services linking the country with key business and tourism markets. The sustainable...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my answer given to PQs 201 and 202 on Wednesday 14th of the present month. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (20 Oct 2009)

Noel Dempsey: This is a matter for the agencies concerned and I have no function in the matter.