Results 4,761-4,780 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: In regard to amendment No. 5, as Senator Norris indicated, it is presumed when passing legislation that it is for everybody and that it does not need to be explicitly stated. The Senator made the point well and I do not need to elaborate on that. Nevertheless, it does not do any great damage to the Bill to include the phrase "for all users". I have no objection to that and I accept the...

Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: There is no legislation promised.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (1 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 97 together. Transport 21 represents the largest capital investment commitment ever made by Government to the development of transport infrastructure in this country. The projects comprising Transport 21 will greatly improve our national roads and public transport system over the ten year period to 2015, involving a total investment of €34 billion....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (1 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: This matter is presently under consideration by this Department, and when a decision has been reached, a reply will be conveyed to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (1 May 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The licensing of small public service vehicles (i.e. taxis, wheelchair accessible taxis, hackneys and limousines) was a function of individual local licensing authorities at the time of liberalisation in November 2000. Taxi licence information from 1999 to 2005 available to my Department is based on statistical returns made by individual local authorities who had declared taximeter areas...

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (30 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Taxi Regulation was established under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 and is an independent public body. The Commission has a current approved staff complement of 22 staff in addition to which, at 31 March 2008, the Commission employs 13 staff on a contract basis. The operational cost of the Commission in 2007 was €8,812,838, which was funded primarily from small public...

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (30 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation was established under section 54 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 with effect from 4 November 2003. The role of the Council is to advise the Commission for Taxi Regulation and the Minister for Transport, as appropriate, in relation to issues relevant to small public service vehicles and their drivers. The Advisory Council consists of...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (30 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Taxi Regulation was established under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 and is the independent public body responsible for the development and maintenance of the regulatory framework for the control and operation of small public service vehicles, taxis, hackneys and limousines, and their drivers. In exercising its principal function, the Commission is guided by a range of...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (30 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The EU Committee on Petitions carried out a fact-finding mission in Ireland on 3 and 4 April 2003 in connection with the effects of taxi liberalisation. The then Minister for Transport met with the delegation from the Committee on 4 April 2003 and outlined the background to taxi liberalisation and the establishment of the Taxi Hardship Panel to them. It was also explained that based on...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (30 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I assume the question relates to the INTERREG IVA Programme 2007-2013. This Programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The submission of applications to the SEUPB is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) in the case of national roads. My Department has not submitted any regional or local road projects in any of the Border counties for aid under the Programme.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (30 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: It is Government policy is to facilitate and encourage as wide a range as possible of reliable, regular and competitive commercial air services for Irish tourism, trade and industry. My Department is currently consulting with the relevant authorities in Egypt with a view to commencing formal negotiations on a bilateral Air Services Agreement between Ireland and Egypt in the coming months.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (29 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (29 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The majority of the Dublin Airport Authority's employees are members of the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (the IAS Scheme). The IAS scheme is operated in conjunction with Aer Lingus and SR Technics. Pension entitlements under this scheme are primarily matters for the Trustees, the members of the scheme and the companies participating in the scheme. An actuarial...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (29 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I briefed the chairpersons of CIE and the Dublin Transportation Office, the Commissioner for Taxi Regulation and the Dublin City Manager on the Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008. In addition my officials have provided briefings on the Bill to the Deputy and his colleague Senator Paschal Donohoe, to Deputy Tommy Broughan and to the Steering Committee of the Dublin Transportation Office.

Written Answers — Departmental Legislation: Departmental Legislation (29 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply on 22 April to Parliamentary Question No. 220. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The management and oversight arrangements for the A5 Derry — Aughnacloy road project have been agreed in the North-South Ministerial Council and are now operational. The Technical Group is comprised of senior expert officials from the National Roads Authority and Road Services Northern Ireland. It is not my intention to seek any expansion in the membership of the Group.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together. Surface dressing operations on regional and local roads are undertaken mid year (generally during the May to August period) when weather conditions permit. An estimate of the cost per kilometre of the surface dressing operations to be funded under the 2008 State funded Restoration Maintenance Programme is currently being compiled by my...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together. The upgrade of the Edenderry to Enfield road is being undertaken by Kildare County Council with grant assistance provided by my Department. The design of the route is primarily a matter for the local authority. Before works of this nature may proceed, the local authority is obliged to comply with requirements of planning legislation. I...

Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (29 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The road authorities are responsible for the provision and maintenance of traffic sign road markings. Statutory directions regarding the provision and use of road markings are set out in the Traffic Signs Manual. A comprehensive review of the Manual is nearing completion and it is proposed that an updated Manual will be published later this year.

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (29 Apr 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The data requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.