Results 3,441-3,460 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I have confidence in the technical ability and competence of my officials in the information and communications technology area to deliver quality service to my Department. However, I agree with the findings of the recently published Organisation Review Programme Report (ORP) that long-term unfilled vacancies together with increased workload consequent, inter alia, on the acquisition of new...

Written Answers — Cycling Strategy: Cycling Strategy (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: It is my intention to publish a national cycling policy as early as possible in 2009 following the publication of the Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan. This is in line with the commitments that I made earlier in the year and which never included a target of the second quarter 2008 for publication. The final approved policy will set out the detail of the measures which will range...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I expect to receive shortly the cost and efficiency review of both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann and I will arrange to have it published on my Department's website in due course. When I have considered the Report I will be in a position to determine if any amendments to legislation are required.

Written Answers — Transport Infrastructure Projects: Transport Infrastructure Projects (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 83, 88 and 120 together. At the launch of Transport 21, the Government identified the projects in the national roads, public transport and regional airports sectors that it wishes to see prioritised for development in the ten-year period from 2006 to 2015 and provided indicative completion dates for the major projects contained. Significant progress has...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Meaningful progress towards reducing transport greenhouse gas emissions will only be achieved through undertaking a comprehensive set of measures over an extended period. The present National Climate Change Strategy contains a number of measures to reduce transport emissions, including technology improvements, excise relief for biofuels, traffic measures in the Greater Dublin Area,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As part of an overall review of my Department's staffing requirements and following a review of ICT strategy, 8 additional posts were allocated to Information Services Division during 2007. While a number of these vacancies were filled, a number of other staff left the Division due to, for example, promotions, staff rotations and the need to release staff under the Decentralisation programme....

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As already stated in my answer to question numbers 28 and 33 on 1 October last and to eight subsequent questions in the House, the Finance Act 2008 provided for the removal of excise duty reliefs in the bus sector with effect from 1 November 2008. Since this is in line with our EU obligations, there is no power to restore the scheme. The position in regard to school transport is a matter for...

Written Answers — School Travel Patterns: School Travel Patterns (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: School travel patterns are influenced by a wide range of factors including distance of residence from the school, availability of choice in relation to transportation, existence of safe routes to schools, standards of roads and footpaths in the vicinity of schools and personal choice. The Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan, which I intend to publish early in 2009 and which...

Written Answers — Light Rail Projects: Light Rail Projects (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of increased capacity will be a key consideration in determining investment priorities in the coming years. Earlier this year, I mandated the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) to proceed with planning the delivery of Line BX/D, based on the Agency's preferred route for Line BX and the use of the Old Broadstone railway alignment for Line D. It will not be possible to fully...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's continued commitment to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) is reflected in Towards 2016 which includes phased increases in the annual RTP allocation over time. Euro 9 million was provided for the RTP in 2007 which led to an increase in the frequency of a number of existing services, extended area coverage, and additional groups of passengers accessing rural transport. Euro...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 288 and 295 to 298, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputies to my response to a priority PQ answered today, Dáil Question No. 60. On 3 December, I accepted a request from the CEO of Ryanair, as a courtesy, for an informal meeting at which the CEO outlined, in general terms, the main features of their proposed cash offer for all shares in Aer Lingus. On...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Gardai are responsible for prosecutions of all offences under the Road Traffic Acts. In addition, the Road Safety Authority since its establishment in 2006, is responsible for the enforcement of legislation in relation to licensing, breaches of drivers hours and tachograph rules, the roadworthiness of vehicles and safety standards and the prosecution of related offences. My Department...

Written Answers — Light Rail Projects: Light Rail Projects (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: In the 2007 Programme for Government, we made a commitment to carry out feasibility studies into Luas-style Light Rail Transport (LRT) systems in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford within two years. I have since asked the local authorities undertaking the studies to include consideration of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). I expect these studies to be completed within the original timeframe and...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Proposals for a new bus licensing regime will be contained a forthcoming Public Transport Regulation Bill which is currently being drafted. The Bill will deal with the replacement of 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. It will also encompass provisions relating to the subvented bus...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: There have been considerable fluctuations in the functions of my Department since its inception in 2002 including taking on responsibility for maritime matters in 2006 and for regional and local roads and the management of the National Vehicle and Driver File in January 2008. The net effect has been a significant increase in both the policy and service delivery functions of the Department and...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The State Airports Act, 2004 provides the framework for the establishment of Shannon and Cork as independent airports. As part of the airport restructuring process the boards of Cork and Shannon airport are required to prepare business plans for eventual separation. All three airport business plans have to be coordinated by the Dublin Airport Authority for eventual approval by myself and...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I was very pleased to sign an Inter-Governmental Agreement for the provision of Pre-Clearance services at Irish airports with Secretary Chertoff of the US Department of Homeland Security in Washington last month. The agreement provides for the pre-clearance of passengers in respect of U.S. customs, immigration and agricultural matters prior to boarding of aircraft in Ireland for U.S....

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: My Department, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, has agreed a multi-annual maintenance programme which is designed to ensure that the Department's building stock is retained in good condition. This programme consists of a variety of maintenance measures that will progressively improve and upgrade the standard of accommodation. My Department is also engaged in a consolidation of...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: While I had previously indicated my intention to publish the Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan by end 2008, it is now my intention to publish it as early as possible in 2009.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in respect of the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act 1993 in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. Neither Transport 21 nor the...