Results 2,801-2,820 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 64 and 88 together. I have been briefed by the company on the deterioration in its financial position due in the main to declining demand, revenue and increased costs. Decisions in relation to service rationalizations are a matter for the company itself. I understand that Bus Éireann are currently engaged in detailed discussions with its staff and their...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Traffic management in Dublin City centre is a matter for Dublin City Council, and I have no function in the implementation of such schemes.

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: It is not open to Ireland to introduce national legislation as the operation of air services, including the setting of fares, is the subject of common EU rules which are set down in Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008 which is directly applicable in the State. European carriers providing commercial air services can freely set their fares. This has been the case since 1992 when the market was first...

Written Answers — Light Rail Projects: Light Rail Projects (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The start and completion dates for projects which are yet to commence construction, including Metro West, Luas Line BXD, and the DART Underground, will be determined as appropriate by the outcome of public consultation, the statutory planning approval process, the public procurement process and the funding available during the current difficult economic climate. The provision of increased...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: In January 2009, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Public Transport Regulation Bill which contains proposals for a new bus licensing regime which will replace the Road Transport Act 1932, and the provisions of the Transport Act 1958 that relate to the provision of bus services by the State bus companies. In accordance with the Programme for Government commitment, the proposed...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Funding of Euro 11 million is being provided by my Department for the Rural Transport Programme in 2009, an increase of Euro 1 million on the outturn for 2008. This will maintain the existing level of service for this year. Funding for the Programme beyond 2009 will be considered in the context of the Estimates process for 2010.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 74 together. Since 2000 my Department has received 22 complaints in relation to anti-competitive practices by State funded transport operators. In eight of the cases my Department issued written warnings to State funded transport operators. All of the cases have been resolved apart from one, which is ongoing. It is envisaged that this investigation...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 237 together. The priorities of the Government in relation to further improving and encouraging the greater use of public transport services is set out in the Government's sustainable transport policy, Smarter Travel published in February 2009. It is clear from the public consultation undertaken for this policy document that among the key issues in...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The day to day operation of train services, including scheduling of trains, is an operational matter for the relevant company and I have no function in this matter. Significant investment is also being provided to ensure the safety, enhance the quality and increase the capacity of the rail network. Work on three new Luas lines is currently underway as is work on the new commuter line in Cork,...

Written Answers — Transport 21: Transport 21 (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 241 together. Transport 21 continues to provide the strategic framework guiding Government investment in transport up to 2015. Over 60% of the major inter urban roads programme, linking Dublin with Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and the Border with Northern Ireland, has been completed and the remainder is under construction and on target for...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Issues relating to business matters generally and employment levels in particular at the three state airports are day-to-day commercial matters for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) in which I have no statutory function. The reality is that the world wide economic downturn has had a seriously negative impact on the aviation industry generally and this in turn has severely affected the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The drafting of a Road Traffic Bill, which inter alia includes measures for the mandatory testing for alcohol of drivers involved in road traffic collisions, is near completion. It is my intention to publish it in this session. The Road Traffic Acts already provide that a member of An Garda Síochána, if of the opinion that a driver is under the influence of an intoxicant or intoxicants to...

Written Answers — Transport 21: Transport 21 (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: In the absence of a new Programme for Government the issue of what projects may or may not be included does not arise.

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The proposal to transfer the function of small public service vehicle driver licensing from An Garda Sióchána to the Commission for Taxi Regulation will require additional staffing levels in the Commission. It is not envisaged that this proposal will be delayed indefinitely. However, in light of the current moratorium on recruitment in the Public Service, the proposal will need to be...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 90 together. My most recent meeting with Dublin Bus was on 9 March when I was briefed on the financial position of the company and the arrangements in place for the implementation of the recommendations of the Deloitte report. Operational matters including service rationalisations are a matter for the company. I understand from Dublin Bus that it has...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I refer to the reply by the Minister for Finance to Question Number 157 on 19 May in which he referred to a number of issues that had arisen in relation to the implementation of the scheme in the civil service. Any clarification required in relation to such issues is a matter for the Department of Finance. In relation to the date on which the scheme will become fully operational, the...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Smarter Travel, the new sustainable transport policy, specifically mentions eco-driving. Action 36 states: We will include a module on efficient driving as part of the rules of the road and national driver test. We will also require that all public authorities ensure that their drivers are trained in efficient driving and that this is part of their job specification. We will ensure that,...

Written Answers — Haulage Licences: Haulage Licences (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: A Road Haulage Operator's Licence is granted under Section 2 of the Road Traffic and Transport Act 2006, and entitles the holder to carry on a road haulage business for hire or reward. The criteria for the grant of a Road Haulage Operator's Licence are set out in Irish and EU legislation. The three criteria that must be met by every applicant are: 1.Good Repute, 2.Professional Competence,...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The National Cycle Policy Framework is a long-term vision that stretches from 2009 to 2020. The cost of delivery of the 109 actions that the NCPF envisages is estimated to be in the region of €2.3 billion. The key ambition under NCPF is an increase in the modal share enjoyed by cycling from its current level of around 2% to 10%. I believe that this is an ambitious, yet achievable, target...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (26 May 2009)

Noel Dempsey: The road grant allocations to Cork County Council for regional and local roads in each of the years 2006 – 2009 are set out in the following table. Year €million 2006 52.825 2007 60.726 2008 65.335 2009 43.881