Results 4,221-4,240 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my response yesterday to question 309. As the Deputy is aware, the cost of diesel is determined by international market forces over which I have no control.

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together. The Government remains committed to the implementation of the Metro North project which is a critical element of the Transport 21 strategy to transform the public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area. The primary purpose of Metro North is to provide a high quality public transport service for north Dublin. It will serve a number...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Government remains committed to the implementation of the Metro West project, which is contained in the Transport 21 strategy to transform the public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area. The emerging preferred route for Metro West was announced by the RPA in July 2007 following an extensive consultation process on route options which included the public, residents, property...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Transport 21 provides for the electrification of the Maynooth, Kildare and Northern lines in the context of the DART Interconnector project. The detailed planning and design of the project is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I understand that Iarnród Éireann intend to undertake the electrification project on a phased basis commencing with the Maynooth and Northern lines over the period...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: There has been no change in the prioritisation of Metro North, Metro West and the Maynooth line upgrade.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together. A cost and efficiency review of both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann has commenced and it expected that a final report will be received in the Autumn. The funding of further new buses will be considered in the light of the outcome of this review and the available funding.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has not refused Dublin Bus any proposed changes to its Route 37 bus service. Where proposed services by the Company are deemed to be in competition with services that are the subject of a licence held by a private bus operator issued under the Road Transport Act, 1932, Dublin Bus is required to obtain my consent under section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 before the Company can...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Road Transport Act 1932 provides the statutory basis for regulating the provision of public bus services by private bus operators. The Act provides for the grant of annual continuous licences, annual seasonal licenses and occasional licences. Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus are not subject to licensing in accordance with the provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932. However, the initiation...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Programme for Government 2007-2012 contains a commitment that my Department will build on the success thus far of the Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) and extend the Rural Transport Programme nationwide. My Department is giving effect to this commitment through the Rural Transport Programme (RTP), launched in February 2007, which places the former pilot Rural Transport Initiative on a...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 to 190, inclusive, together. The maintenance and development of the railway network, including stations, and railway services are a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I am informed by the company that Cahir, Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir are currently served by 8 trains per day (four in each direction between Waterford and Limerick Junction, with connections to...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The series of amendments under discussion is not necessary in the context in which I operate. Once the Bill has been enacted, the Minister for Transport will be accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas in respect of the DTA in accordance with the normal arrangements made under Dáil and Seanad Standing Orders. Under the aforementioned Standing Orders, the Minister is answerable to the...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Generally, I do not involve myself in the parliamentary question system. There is a system in place. The Department decides whether parliamentary questions are for the Minister when submitted. I do not know what happens after this. It is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas——

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: A specific question relating to a decision on infrastructure, etc., for which the DTA would have responsibility would have to be answered by it.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: If, for instance, I were to issue a policy decision or guideline that, for a variety of reasons, we should have increased bus services in the greater Dublin area because there was not enough capacity on train services, it would be a matter for me to answer questions on the matter in the House.

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Deputy O'Dowd made the original suggestion in respect of this matter. As drafted, the Bill merely indicated that subsidiaries might be established. The Deputy made a strong case in respect of ensuring that subsidiaries could not remain in operation for an indefinite period without a review of their activities being carried out. These amendment represent an honest attempt to try to meet his...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: It will be directly responsible for the management of the company or the subsidiary and will be answerable to the Minister and the Oireachtas through committee. Before any of these subsidiaries can be established, democratic accountability will be ensured through the requirement in section 24 for approval by the Ministers for Transport and Finance. Accountability will, therefore, be...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: It may surprise people to know that I do not disagree with points made about the closeness of Drogheda and south Louth to the greater Dublin area and the population growth and development that have taken place. That is why we have included specifically in the Bill the power to extend the greater Dublin area. Section 54 states that the Minister may designate bus and rail services originating...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I have touched on many points and noted what the Deputies said. The procedure is that local authorities in an area must first decide if they want to take a particular route and make this known to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, and me. A decision would then be made. A consequence of authorities being included in the GDA might be that they...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (2 Jul 2008)

Noel Dempsey: On a point of order, I have in my possession a copy of an e-mail sent by my Department to Deputies Thomas Broughan, Frank Fahey, Michael Kennedy and Fergus O'Dowd at 3.23 p.m. on 25 June 2008. The subject heading is "DTA Bill Committee Stage amendments". It states that on Committee Stage of the Dublin Transport Authority Bill last week, further briefing was promised on three of the...