Results 4,961-4,980 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (6 Mar 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 of an additional 62 Road Safety Authority posts (which were not part of the original Government decision) to Ballina was also achieved. The transfer of...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 69 together. Following representations received from various bodies, my Department has consulted the Office of the Attorney General on the amendment of current legislation to achieve compulsory roadside testing for intoxicants of drivers involved in collisions. The current position is that a member of An Garda Síochána may require a driver involved in...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: My Department supports the use of the Port Tunnel by any bus operator, whether it is Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann or a private operator, as a means of obtaining faster journey times for commuters. The provision of public bus services on specific routes to serve particular areas is an operational matter for the companies themselves. The Road Transport Act, 1932, as amended, provides the statutory...

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: €402,705.65 was paid by this Department to the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO) in 2007 in respect of the One Small Step campaign. €500,000 is budgeted for the campaign in 2008. It is a matter, in the first instance, for the DTO, which initiated and is responsible for the running of the campaign, to monitor and ensure its successful delivery. The DTO has commissioned research, the...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Road Traffic Act 2004 the default speed limit on a rural national road is 100km/h and the default speed limit on a rural regional & local road is 80km/h. A county council or a city council can intervene through the making of special speed limit bye-laws to apply a higher or lower speed limit value in lieu of the default speed limit. When a new national road by-pass or motorway road...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Since 2006 my Department has held a number of informal meetings with the US authorities exploring the scope for establishing pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon airports for U.S. bound passengers. In December last I met with the Secretary and senior officials of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to discuss the issue further. Formal negotiations on pre-clearance proposals...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. As the Deputy is aware, the implementation of individual national road projects, including the Dublin Port Tunnel, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No 477 of 2006) responsibility for driver awareness and education measures now lies with the Road Safety Authority.

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The market for air services in the Community was liberalized in the 1990s. The internal market has removed all commercial restrictions for airlines flying within the EU, such as restrictions on the routes, the number of flights or the setting of fares. Under the provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2409/92 Community air carriers can freely set their air fares. The broader issue of...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's continued commitment to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) is reflected in Towards 2016 which includes phased increases in the annual RTP allocation over time to about Euro 18 million. In addition, the National Development Plan 2007-2013 — Transforming Ireland, commits some Euro 90 million to the Programme over its full term. I was delighted to announce recently an...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Under the terms of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2408/92 of 23 July 1992, a Member State may, in limited circumstances, impose a Public Service Obligation in respect of an air service and may subvent that service if no airline is prepared to operate it on a commercial basis. My Department had discussions recently with the EU Commission about air connectivity from the West of Ireland and in...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The issue of train service delays is currently dealt with under Iarnród Éireann's customer charter, which is available on the company's website. It is my intention that the forthcoming Dublin Transport Authority Bill and the Public Transport Regulation Bill will introduce a contracting regime governing a range of customer and operational issues.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I met with representatives of the PARC group on 27 February 2008. The principal issue discussed was the proposed amendment to Road Traffic legislation to make it mandatory for drivers involved in collisions to be tested for alcohol consumption subject to medical circumstances. I confirmed that this issue would be included in a Road Traffic Bill that I will be progressing in the latter half of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has prepared the heads of a Harbours Bill to support further implementation of national ports policy and to update existing legislation, the main body of which dates from 1996. The Bill will, inter alia, facilitate development of a proposed new port facility at Bremore in Fingal County. I have received Government approval for the drafting of the Bill, which has been referred to...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Responsibility for vehicle testing and enforcement of safety requirements was transferred to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006). I have accepted recommendations from the RSA for reforming the roadworthiness testing regime and for addressing a number of other related issues. Details of the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: State grants for regional and local roads paid to local authorities in each of the years 1997 to 2007, and the allocation for 2008, are set out in the following table: Year Grant € Million 1997 225.82 1998 261.11 1999 307.51 2000 341.23 2001 400.92 2002 435.46 2003 436.59 2004 480.20 2005 501.27 2006 557.73 2007 607.52 2008 (Allocation) 618.71 The Memorandum on road grants,...

Written Answers — Carbon Emissions: Carbon Emissions (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Figures in respect of carbon emissions from aviation can be accessed on the following website: Sustainable Energy Ireland: http://www.sei.ie Sustainable Energy Ireland estimate that aviation in Ireland accounted for 2,953.4 kilotonnes CO2 or 18.3% of total transport emissions in 2006. The level of emissions from aviation is calculated using aviation kerosene sales in the State as a proxy....

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: There is no legal prohibition on any local authority in relation to the engagement of traffic wardens to enforce parking law and other functions through the affixing to vehicles or issue to registered owners of fixed charge notices under the Local Authorities (Traffic Wardens) Act 1975 to 2006. The mode of enforcement selected for any area is a matter for the local authority to determine.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Responsibility for driver testing was transferred to the Road Safety Authority in September 2006, under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006). The arrangements in relation to testing and the number of applicants for tests are therefore a matter for that authority. A recent statement to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport by the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. As the Deputy is aware, the implementation of individual national road projects and the allocation of funding in relation to the construction or maintenance of such projects are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act,...