Results 4,421-4,440 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Rural Transport Services. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 134 and 413 together. The rural transport programme, RTP, administered on behalf of my Department by Pobal, put the pilot Rural Transport Initiative 2002-2006 on a permanent basis from February 2007. Reflecting the Government's intent for the programmed development of rural transport, Towards 2016 provides for increases in the annual RTP allocation over...

Rural Transport Services. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I agree with Deputy Broughan that it is an important area of transport policy. It is also an important area of social policy, including social inclusion policy, and local community policy. I do not agree with him — it would not be strange for us to disagree on something or other — that the amount in question is derisory. We put the scheme in place as a pilot scheme to see how well it...

Rural Transport Services. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I accept that, but if the operational decisions were decided in Dublin by Bus Éireann, or in Mitchelstown, good decisions would not be made either. Doing so would introduce rigidities to the system that would not be good. I know the Deputy is suggesting that the overall network might be good but this might defeat the purpose of what we are talking about. I would like to see further liaison...

Rural Transport Services. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I will ask officials in my Department to talk to those in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government about that point. There is considerable merit in trying to use the rural transport system to link up to major arteries and other routes, and to the public transport system. It is not possible to put buses on every single route. We will consider the advocated approach...

Road Network. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 123 together. 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. In 2007,...

Road Network. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As I have stated previously to the Deputy, I agree with his view that this will become an important part of the infrastructure for the north east, the north Leinster area and for the city of Dublin. This is the reason I stated in my reply that my Department continues to liaise with roads and planning authorities to ensure that the route options are preserved free of impediment for the...

Road Network. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: If the Green Party does not intend to be in government after 2012, that is its decision.

Road Network. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: It was never envisaged that this project would take place or would be built during the lifetime of this Government and no commitment was given to provide it in that time. Were the port of Bremore to go ahead, obviously during the associated planning process issues such as access to and from it and so on would be critical to the final decision that will be made. This certainly could make a...

Accident Investigations. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I have recently decided that the air accident investigation unit of my Department, the railway accident investigation unit within the Railway Safety Commission, and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board should be located together. The Government has recently accepted, as part of its decentralisation programme, that Drogheda should be the location for these functions. Furthermore, I have...

Accident Investigations. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I thank the Deputy for his support of the decision made to create a single accident investigation unit between the air accident investigation unit of my Department, the railway accident investigation unit within the Railway Safety Commission and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. There are no plans to have anybody other than the Garda and, where appropriate, the Health and Safety...

Accident Investigations. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I do not agree with the Deputy on this matter. I would not impugn the Garda or its investigative abilities into road accidents.

Accident Investigations. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I did not make any allegation.

Accident Investigations. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy should check the record of the House. I made no allegation. I said I would not impugn the integrity of——

Accident Investigations. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy can take any implication he likes out of what I said. I would not impugn the integrity of the Garda or its investigation of road traffic accidents.

Accident Investigations. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: There was a full investigation of this matter by the Garda, with a prosecution and a court case. All the facts were made known. My Department has been assured by Dublin Bus that any issues arising have been dealt with fully regarding the safety of public transport.

Public Transport. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The transport programme in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides for a total investment of €32.9 billion over seven years and identifies the Government's priorities for investment in roads, public transport, airports and ports sectors. In 2007, expenditure under the NDP transport programme exceeded its projected level by €178 million. The Exchequer provision for the transport...

Public Transport. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I cannot give the Deputy that assurance. The budget of almost €33 billion in respect of Transport 21 is a multi-annual package which ensures funding for a project which does not commence on time owing to planning delays and so on will not be returned to the Exchequer at the end of the year as is the position in regard to unspent departmental funding. I cannot assure the Deputy that money...

Public Transport. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I think what the Deputy is asking is if, as of today, there are proposals to defer any of these projects on the basis of the current financial situation. I can categorically state that as of today there are no such proposals.

Electric Transport. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The document referred to was only received in my Department on 12 June and is still under consideration. The range of fiscal incentives and infrastructural measures suggested in the document are more appropriate to the Ministers for Finance and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Nevertheless, the potential of electric cars is something that will have to be availed of as part of...

Electric Transport. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Dempsey: We received the discussion document last week. Some of the ideas contained in it had already been submitted to the Department as part of the sustainable transport and travel action plan and we shall consider each one carefully. Many of the issues mentioned by the Deputy are not directly within our remit. Following the 500 submissions we received we are endeavouring to engage with other...