Results 3,061-3,080 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: At the outset I would like to emphasise that as Minister for Transport my focus is on ensuring that viable and sustainable air transport services operate from Irish airports. This will continue to have the potential to generate aviation related job creation, whether in aircraft maintenance or other spin-off activities in and around our airports. As regards the Deputy's specific questions in...

Written Answers — Job Protection: Job Protection (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Statutory responsibility for regulation of the travel trade rests with the Commission for Aviation Regulation. As the existing legislative framework for the regulation of the travel trade has been in existence since 1982 in May last year I asked the Commission for Aviation Regulation, to undertake a comprehensive review of the travel trade legislation. The purpose of the review was to...

Written Answers — Fuel Prices: Fuel Prices (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Diesel and oil prices are not subject to price controls in the State. These prices are determined by the international oil commodities markets and influenced by supply considerations, economic growth in the major consuming economies, exchange rate volatility, market speculation and production and refining costs. Any changes in the rate of duty on diesel is a matter for the Minister for Finance.

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my previous answer to Parliamentary Question No. 273 answered on 17 February 2009. The position remains the same.

Written Answers — Transport Industry: Transport Industry (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Transport industry costs arise from a diverse range of sources that my Department has no direct control over.

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Notwithstanding the current difficult economic climate, this Government is committed to continuing investment in the national road infrastructure. The priority up to end 2010 will be the completion of the five major interurban routes (MIUs). Significant progress continues to be made in their delivery. The M1 from Dublin to the Border was completed in 2007, while work on the other routes is...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: This is a day-to-day operational matter for the relevant transport provider and not one in which I have any role.

Written Answers — Transport Services: Transport Services (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: In accordance with the Agreed Programme for Government commitment, the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 was enacted in July 2008 and provides for the establishment of the Dublin Transport Authority, the DTA. For the first time, we have the law in place to ensure that a single body will be in charge of surface transport in the Greater Dublin Area. The DTA Act 2008 gives the new Dublin...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together. My Department's Statement of Strategy for the period 2008-2010 sets out our overall aviation strategy for the period. In general terms, the aim is to promote the development of regular, safe, cost-effective and competitive air services linking the country to key business and tourism markets around the world. Our policy on the development...

Public Transport. (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: CIE derives the bulk of its revenue from fare income. The Exchequer subvention to CIE in respect of its public service obligation amounted to 27% of its operating costs in 2007 compared with 22% in 1997. This growth in the proportion of costs accounted for by the Exchequer subvention reflects increased Government support for the provision of more and better public transport services and the...

Public Transport. (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I do not accept that there is logic in the Deputy's argument in respect of the introduction of competition. There in competition in the bus market. Anyone can apply for a licence for any route. There are specific issues and considerations related to the issuing of a licence, but anyone may compete. Also, with the new directive in place from December of this year, there must be open...

Public Transport. (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Over the past number of years, my predecessors and I have increased the subsidy substantially. It is not my business to get passengers for Bus Átha Cliath or Bus Éireann. That is a matter for the companies.

Public Transport. (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I regulate a small proportion of the——

Public Transport. (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: No.

Public Transport. (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I do not regulate all of the fares, as only a small proportion is approved by the Minister.

Public Transport. (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: All of the promotional fares are a matter on which the companies decide and over which I have and seek no control. Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann are losing money because they are losing passengers.

Public Transport. (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: There is not much point in running buses around the place just to have them running around.

Public Transport. (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Some 1.7 million people live in the greater Dublin area. It is a large market. If Dublin Bus management and unions get on with the job of reforming and putting networks, automatic vehicle location systems and so on in place, there will be a bright future.

State Airports. (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: Last December, I announced the deferral until 2011 of a decision on the separation of the three State airports under the State Airports Act 2004, given the difficulties in the aviation market. Up to that time, the boards of Cork and Shannon airports were required to finalise business plans for eventual separation for approval by both the Ministers for Transport and Finance. This...

State Airports. (2 Apr 2009)

Noel Dempsey: I will get the information for the Deputy. I do not have it to hand, but I will request it from the airports.