Results 3,661-3,680 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Under the State Airports Act 2004, the boards of Cork and Shannon airports 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 the Minister for Finance and myself. Among the requirements to be satisfied in advance of separation is the need to ensure the financial...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 119 and 160 together. The Agreed Programme for Government includes a commitment to improving bus services under Transport 21 by reforming the bus licensing provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932, to facilitate the optimum provision of services by providing a level playing field for all market participants, both public and private. The legislative...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 204 and 205 together. My priorities for national roads are the completion of the major interurban network by 2010 and the progressive development of the Atlantic Road Corridor. I understand from the NRA that it is currently in the process of drawing up its programme of works for 2009 based on its funding allocation for the year. I cannot comment,...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 148 together. A smart card for public transport services in the GDA is available on Luas services. In recent months all buses in the Dublin Bus fleet have been fitted with smart card validators. Smart cards are now in use on these buses in respect of a number of ticket products such as annual and monthly bus tickets, annual and monthly integrated bus...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As I have indicated previously, pending the establishment of the Dublin Transport Authority, the Dublin City Manager chairs the Dublin Transport 21 Implementation Group which co-ordinates and oversees the investment programme in Dublin. The Group comprises the chief executives of the principal implementing agencies, an Assistant Secretary from my Department, the Fingal County Manager, the...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 127, 141, 146, 163 and 199 together. Pobal administers the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) on behalf of my Department and is working with 37 individual rural transport groups around the country to expand it on a phased basis in response to local public transport service needs and having regard to the availability of resources. While the provision of...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has received a comprehensive submission from cyclist.ie, the recently formed umbrella group of seven Irish cyclist advocacy groups, in relation to cycling issues. I will bear the group's views in mind in finalising a National Cycle Policy, which I intend to bring to Government before the end of the current year, and in developing an implementation programme.

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 140 together. The emerging preferred route for Metro West was announced by the RPA in July 2007. A further round of consultation is now underway to provide greater definition to certain elements of the route after which the RPA will proceed with the preparation for a Railway Order application to An Bórd Pleanála during 2009. On the 10th of October...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The RPA continues to make good progress on the PPP tender process for Metro North. The initial phase of the PPP public procurement process was conducted in 2007 resulting in the formation of four pre-qualified consortia for the purpose of tendering for the project. Tender documentation was formally issued to the four pre-qualified consortia on 12th May 2008. Since then the Railway...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community came into force on the 1st November 2008. This Regulation is directly applicable in all Member States. It sets down common European rules in relation to licensing of air carriers, access to intra-community air routes and transparency of air fares....

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 152 together. In the current difficult financial climate, all sectors of the economy have had to endure reductions in spending. The capital allocation for public transport in 2009, at €916.5 million, is considerably higher than the funding made available to the sector prior to the current year. In 2007, the capital allocation for public transport...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The case for the allocation of further funding for the purchase of additional buses by Dublin Bus will be considered in the light of the outcome of the cost and efficiency review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann which is under way.

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 168 together. Transport 21 provides for the development of a Luas line from St. Stephen's Green to Liffey Junction (lines BX, D), using the old Broadstone railway alignment. Luas line BX runs from St. Stephen's Green to O'Connell Street while Luas line D is the onward extension of the line from O'Connell Street to Liffey Junction. Earlier this year,...

Written Answers — Rail and Road Network: Rail and Road Network (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The construction and bringing into operation of the Cork to Midleton rail link is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I understand from the company that it expects to have the link operational by mid-2009. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: All transport capital projects are appraised in accordance with the Department of Finance Guidelines for the Appraisal and Management of Capital Expenditure Proposals in the Public Sector and the Department of Transport Common Appraisal Framework, which provides for the inclusion of environmental factors. I am aware that an interdepartmental working group, chaired by the Department of...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I have used rail, bus and Luas services at various times on official business since 2007 and I have not submitted any claims for reimbursement to the Department of Transport. Where possible, I have used public transport to travel to and from official engagements/business, all of which are on public record.

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The planning and design of the DART Underground (as the Interconnector is now known) is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I understand from the company that work is currently underway on the scheme design, geotechnical investigations and preparation of an environmental impact study including a detailed archaeological report. I understand that Iarnród Éireann expect to submit an application...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 200 together. I have not had contact with Aer Lingus management or unions nor have I been briefed by the State-nominated directors on the Board in relation to the current industrial relations issues at the airline. The conduct of industrial relations is a matter for the company and the State's shareholding does not confer on me any direct role in this...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 206 and 207 together. Ireland's aviation policy as set out my Department's current Statement of Strategy is to promote regular, safe cost effective and competitive air services linking the country with key business and tourism markets. To this end, within the European Union, Ireland has consistently supported market liberalisation measures, which have to...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (12 Nov 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question Nos. 119,120 and 121 on 22 October, which sets out the position regarding Transport 21 investment overall including investment in rail services.