Results 4,681-4,700 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Road Network. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: An in-depth analysis is carried out in respect of every PPP that is proposed in order to discover whether the best value for money will be obtained. I do not have an ideological hang-up about these things.

Road Network. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: If the Deputy will allow me to finish——

Road Network. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: If the Deputy is stating that the Labour Party does not have an ideological hang-up in respect of PPPs, it is news to me.

Road Network. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I listened to members of that party condemn the fact that we were able to build six schools through the mechanism of PPPs. When one refers to the cost of PPPs——

Road Network. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Even if it is necessary to spend a little bit more on a PPP, when one balances out the cost over the lifetime of the project, one will see that good value for money is obtained. When the project has been completed, a road will be in place which would not otherwise have been constructed if one was obliged to wait until the money became available. If we had not put in place the PPP project,...

Light Rail Project. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I do not accept that there has been a planning failure as suggested by the Deputy. Transport 21 will provide for five additional interchanges for passengers on the Maynooth and west Dublin suburban rail line to which the Deputy's question refers. These interchange points will be with metro west at Porterstown, the cross-city Luas line at Liffey Junction, metro north at Drumcondra, the...

Light Rail Project. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy will be aware that the Luas line was subject to much consultation. I was accused of delaying it and of not meeting a target date for it — the Deputy will remember attacking me for that at one stage.

Light Rail Project. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The reason it did not meet its completion date was that extensive consultation took place, which moved this line further out than was originally intended. The railway order was obtained for this, which, unfortunately, moves it 350 m from Docklands station. However, there are plenty of opportunities for people to connect. The interconnector will come into this particular Luas site. It is...

Light Rail Project. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: With regard to the first part of the question, I have a map that I can use. There is plenty of opportunity for interconnection from any of these stations and from the conference centre. There will be, even from Navan, in which I take a great interest——

Light Rail Project. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I am satisfied that there will be a proper degree of interconnection in this regard. I have not had talks with the proposed developers of Spencer Dock. I would imagine that in the context of the development of that site the developers may be interested in ensuring there are very good public transport links and transport links generally. If they want to talk to us in that context, we will...

Light Rail Project. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I will not say something in the House and then be accused of being misleading. Subject to correction, in regard to the interconnector Iarnród Éireann is assembling its experts on various aspects, including the PPP. While I do not want the Deputy to hold me to this, the railway order is supposed to go in early next year.

Freight Transport. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 21, 23 and 31 together. My Department has recently received a report from Inter-trade Ireland, in association with the Joint Business Council, which addresses key issues and makes recommendations in terms of freight transport, both within and beyond the island of Ireland. The report is a very comprehensive and substantial document. The efficient movement...

Freight Transport. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy states, it is an important report that puts forward many recommendations and ideas, which we are examining. On the questions it raises, I am aware of all the points the Deputy highlights from the report in regard to port access at Drogheda, the road system in Cork and the Dublin outer orbital route. The Deputy will be aware that the National Roads Authority is examining the...

Freight Transport. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Rail freight is an issue that has raised its head in recent years and we are considering it in the context of the sustainable travel and transport action plan. To be honest with the Deputy, I had a number of discussions with Iarnród Éireann on the matter. It made efforts some years ago to increase the level of rail freight but these efforts were not successful. It is not a convenient way...

Decentralisation Programme. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Work was completed in respect of the decentralisation of both departmental and Road Safety Authority staff in July 2007. The decentralisation of 50 staff to Loughrea was among the priority moves in the Government's programme. Decentralisation to Ballina of an additional 62 Road Safety Authority posts — which were not part of the original Government decision — was also achieved. My...

Decentralisation Programme. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The move to Drogheda is still under consideration. Originally we were only supposed to locate 37 staff there. An internal Department report suggested, for reasons of organisational efficiency, that we should move the Maritime Safety Directorate to Drogheda. It is still under consideration and is tied in with the question of the marine rescue co-ordination centres in Malin and Valentia.

Decentralisation Programme. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I am awaiting receipt of the report and I will make a decision as quickly as possible thereafter.

Road Safety. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012, approved by the Government in October 2007, identifies the need to legislate for and introduce a reduction in the legal blood-alcohol content, BAC, for drivers but does not specify what that level should be. In determining what the BAC limit should be reduced to the advice of the Road Safety Authority, RSA, was sought. The RSA's recommendations have been...

Road Safety. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Government has accepted the road safety strategy and this means the blood-alcohol content limit will be reduced. I brought the report to Cabinet last week to inform the Government of the recommendations and to allow me to publish it as I received it from the RSA. The Government has made no decision on whether it will accept the recommendations on the blood-alcohol content limits. I was...

Road Safety. (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: No decision has been made on the recommendations, other than to publish the report and for me to draft legislation on the basis of it. A decision will then be made by the Government on the basis of the completed legislation.