Results 5,481-5,500 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Since the announcement by Aer Lingus of its decision to withdraw from the Shannon Heathrow route, Shannon Airport Authority has been actively engaging with airlines with a view to securing new services that would redress the reduction in connectivity that will follow from withdrawal of the Aer Lingus service. With a view to promoting the development of new services, the airport has published...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The number of news items which were included on the Department's intranet page on 13 and 14 June 2007 was 54 and 49 respectively. I am arranging to have details of the news items forwarded to the Deputy. All of these news items were placed on the intranet page in accordance with established practice, which is based on the allocation of each news item to the relevant sector concerned. These...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (6 Dec 2007)

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 — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The issue of funding and resources for the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) is under consideration in the context of the overall funding and resources for my Department and its non-commercial state agencies for 2008. With regard to drug testing of drivers, the Road Traffic Acts already provide that a member of the Garda Síochána may, where he or she is of the opinion that a person in...

Written Answers — Western Rail Corridor: Western Rail Corridor (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 49 of Thursday, 18 October 2007. The position remains the same.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to improve bus services under Transport 21 by reforming bus licensing to facilitate the optimum provision of services by providing a level playing field for all market participants. The new licensing regime will be designed in a manner consistent with the recently adopted EU Regulation on Public Service Obligations in the transport sector....

Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 56 and 57 together. Responsibility for securing new services to an airport rest with the relevant Airport Authority. I have had no discussions with my EU colleagues as regards attracting new airlines and business to the Shannon region. Neither have I had discussions to date with my UK counterpart concerning the establishment of a PSO on the Shannon...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The funding provided to the Road Safety Authority is agreed in the context of the annual Estimates, and has been finalised for 2008. It is a matter for the Road Safety Authority to manage resources in line with the funding provided by Budget 2008. In relation to the standards for testing of commercial vehicles, a fundamental review of the arrangements for the compulsory periodic...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The N21 Adare Bypass is included in Transport 21, the implementation of which is contained in the National Development Plan 2007-2013. 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 N21 Adare...

Written Answers — Transport Policy: Transport Policy (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Given the scale of investment in Transport 21, the monitoring arrangements supporting the framework must be sufficiently robust to ensure that the projects and programmes identified are proceeding as planned and are properly appraised and provide value for money. Structures are in place in my Department to provide these assurances. A High Level Monitoring Group has been set up comprising...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has had discussions with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in relation to motor tax in the context of our overall responsibility for transport policy. I support any measures that help in delivering more sustainable transport and in the near future, I intend embarking on a public consultation process to help inform the preparation of a Sustainable...

Written Answers — Transport Policy: Transport Policy (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos 61 and 129 together. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the development and promotion of all national transport policies. My Department's Statement of Strategy 2005-2007 provides details of these, together with the intended actions in respect of each of those areas. The Department's Annual Report provides information on key achievements,...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Drogheda Port Company has for some years been developing a proposal for a new port facility at Bremore in Fingal County. The company conducted an open competition to select a preferred joint venture partner. The competition elicited considerable interest in the market and Castle Market Holdings, a subsidiary of Real Estate Opportunities Limited, were selected after a detailed evaluation and...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the trends from the 2006 Census. It shows a continuation of the growth in the use of the private car and a decline in the numbers commuting by bicycle. My Department has provided funding to support the development of cycle routes and facilities. It has also assisted specific initiatives such as the Safe Routes to Schools Programme supported by the Dublin Transportation...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the driving test and the issuing of certificates of competency. The RSA has briefed me from time to time on progress in driver testing arrangements, including arrangements with SGS Ltd. I have not asked the RSA to undertake an...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: In line with developments across the EU, rail freight is fully liberalised in Ireland since 1st January, 2007. No proposals have been made to my Department for entry to the market to date. I would welcome any expressions of interest. In the absence of real opportunities or proposals for viable long term rail freight business, the development and use of fiscal incentives has not been considered.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Issues relating to the use of speed cameras in the enforcement of speed limits are matters for the Garda Authorities and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Road Traffic Act 2002 provides for the notification to a person of the endorsement of penalty points, and where appropriate, of the imposition of a six-month disqualification. Where a disqualification is applied, the 2002 Act provides that the licence holder must return their licence to the licensing authority that granted the licence within 14 days of the appropriate date and that...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Taxi Regulation published new National Vehicle Standards — Requirements for Small Public Service Vehicles on 26 November 2007, which include new accessible vehicle standards for licensing as wheelchair accessible taxis and wheelchair accessible hackneys. My Department is in discussion with the Commission for Taxi Regulation in relation to a proposed subsidy arrangement...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (6 Dec 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The number of marine surveyors employed by my Department currently stands at 24. The number of "spot check" inspections carried out on foreign flag merchant ships visiting Irish ports (Port State Control) under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control and EU Directive 95/21, as amended, is as follows: In 2003, a total of 430 inspections were completed. In 2004, a total of...