Results 2,401-2,420 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The review referred to previously is nearing completion within my Department, and I expect that both a report and recommendations for amendments to the scheme will be submitted for my approval shortly.

Written Answers — Ministerial Expenses: Ministerial Expenses (16 Sep 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Department of Transport was newly created in 2002. The amount claimed in expenses by each senior and junior Minister in the Department is set out in the table below. Senior Minister Year Expenses claimed Ms. Mary O' Rourke, T.D. 2002 €11,284 Mr. Seamus Brennan, T.D. 2003 €22,552 Mr. Seamus Brennan, T.D. 2004 €30,563 Mr. Martin Cullen, T.D. 2005 €28,699 Mr. Martin Cullen,...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: All the amendments we are bringing back are technical, minor, drafting style amendments so I will address most of them together. The amendments to sections 3 and 21 on the long title arose out of proposals originally put forward by the Seanad. This Bill was the subject of an intensive and lengthy debate in this House on Second and Committee Stages. Arising out of those debates several...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Senators have finished the debate on this legislation in the same constructive manner with which they approached it throughout. It is the better for its passage through this and the other House. We all recognise the importance of our commercial ports in facilitating economic growth and development. I am confident that the changes introduced in this Bill will ensure that our ports are...

Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Does the Deputy mind if the Cabinet sees it first?

Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Cabinet is entitled to see it first.

Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Not half as anxious as the Members opposite.

Departmental Expenditure. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. This will include consideration of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.

Departmental Expenditure. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy will be aware that we did not make any proposals. We were asked questions about the various programmes. We gave an outline of those programmes and it is up to Mr. McCarthy to make up his mind and make his decision on what he feels might or might not be cut to ensure the levels of expenditure generally across Government are reduced. The Deputy will be aware that we are talking in...

Departmental Expenditure. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy seems to be under some misapprehension as to the process in regard to an bord snip nua. I did not talk to an bord snip nua. I had no contact with it. I was not asked to have any contact with it. An bord snip nua can make whatever recommendations it likes but at the end of the day I will outline my priorities and those of the Government. If programmes are suggested for cuts,...

Taxi Regulations. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Officials of my Department recently met representatives of several different organisations representing taxi interests. They set out the concerns of their members relating to the taxi industry including, in particular, in relation to taxi numbers. The taxi representative bodies were encouraged by the officials to participate fully within the advisory and consultative structures provided for...

Taxi Regulations. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: It would be helpful if the Deputy knew the structure for the control and regulation of the taxi industry. It would make answering some of his questions a little easier. In addition to that, matters legal and for enforcement are a matter for the Garda as well as the taxi regulators.

Taxi Regulations. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy should be well aware, both the Garda and the transport officers are involved, and we have approximately 14,000 gardaí in the country. On the economic review, the Deputy has selectively quoted from that. He fails to note that the economic review also states that taxi journeys have increased by 25% in recent years.

Taxi Regulations. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: It is an increase. Demand has grown by 25%. The number of cabs has increased from almost 3,000 in 2000 to almost 27,500 in 2008. The current status of the industry, according to the Goodbody report, from the point of view of vehicle standards, knowledge and so on, is that "current overall level of cab services provided in Ireland as well as vehicle quality, vehicle cleanliness and...

Taxi Regulations. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the work of the CTR. I am also aware of the work done by the Joint Committee on Transport. A process of consultation is under way and the fair and reasonable approach is to wait until all of that work is compiled, look at it and then decide if further action is required in the areas for which I have direct responsibility. I will do that.

Public Transport. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I understand from Dublin Bus that it has commenced implementation of the recommendations of the Deloitte report. The implementation process includes the application of the principles identified in the report, such as the amalgamation of route legs and the use of even headways between buses, as part of its cost recovery plan. The company has also commenced work on the review and redesign of...

Public Transport. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The total cost of integrated ticketing will be €54 million. The amount spent so far is €19 million.

Public Transport. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Yes, to the stage it is now at. The estimated total cost was in the region of €49 or €50 million. When tenders came in that was revised up to €54 million. That is the figure we are looking at. I hope the Dublin Transport Authority will be established and operational before the end of this year. The new chief executive officer has been notified of his appointment and some matters...

Public Transport. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I accept the Deputy's basic point. I am sure Bus Átha Cliath will take note of the fact that there are areas where there are no services. I have seen some maps which illustrate this lack. There is nothing to stop private sector companies from operating in those areas. The forthcoming public transport Bill, which will reform the 1932 Act, will be a big help in attracting the private sector.

Public Transport. (9 Jul 2009)

Noel Dempsey: No, it does not.