Results 5,741-5,760 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (13 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Deloitte & Touche Irish Coast Guard Study, which reported in 2002 and made recommendations for the future development of the service having regard to international best practice and value for money cost approximately €145,000.

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (13 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Transport 21 does not include the double tracking of the railway line between Athenry and Galway. I understand, however, that Galway City Council is considering seeking funding for such a project as part of its bid for funding for Galway under the Gateway Innovation Fund under the NDP.

Written Answers — Strategic Management Initiative: Strategic Management Initiative (13 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The legislation under my Department's remit is kept under review and proposals for its amendment, repeal, and / or consolidation is considered from time to time in the light of experience of its effectiveness in meeting the purpose of the legislation.

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (13 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I would refer the Deputy to my response to Written PQ No. 299 of 9 October 2007. The current position is that HSE and Pobal will now be meeting my Department later this month to report on the potential for closer co-operation between rural transport groups and the HSE. I await the outcome of that meeting.

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (13 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Taxi Regulation is responsible for the granting of small public service vehicle licences in respect of taxis, wheelchair accessible taxis, hackneys and limousines under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. The issuing of these licences is administered by the National Car Testing Service Limited (NCTS) on behalf of the Commission.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (13 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has prepared an Economic and Tourism Development Plan for the Shannon Airport catchment area. The Plan has been prepared in consultation with the Department of Finance, the Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism, the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and will be finalised in the context of the forthcoming...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (13 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: For some time my Department has been in informal discussions with the U.S authorities on the introduction of full pre-clearance facilities for U.S. bound passengers at Dublin and Shannon Airports. Currently my officials are in contact with a number of other Departments on certain aspects of these discussions. When introduced, the operation of these facilities would be subject to an...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (13 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The State is entitled under the Memorandum and Articles of Association to appoint three directors to the board of Aer Lingus. Currently there is one State appointed director serving on the board and it is now proposed that two further appointments will be made in the near future. The State's appointees will seek to ensure that all future decisions of the Company, which have significant...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (13 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The current fuel duty rebate scheme for passenger bus transport services is a matter for the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. I understand that in March of this year the European Commission published its decision to refuse all requests for the retention of the fuel duty rebate scheme. Officials from my Department are currently engaging with officials from the Department of...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (13 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that during 2008 it will be undertaking a major renewal project on the Shannon river bridge at Drumsna, Co Leitrim on the Dublin to Sligo line. The project will be funded under the Railway Safety Programme as part of Transport 21. On completion of the scheme by the end of 2008, trains will be able to pass over the renewed bridge at the line speed of 75 mph.

Written Answers — Marine Safety Staff: Marine Safety Staff (8 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: At present there are 17 posts in each of the centres at Malin Head and Valentia. Staff have yet to be canvassed on who will relocate voluntarily and until figures are known for this, it is not possible to make out a migration plan. Discussions with staff on this matter are expected to commence shortly.

Written Answers — Infrastructural Projects: Infrastructural Projects (8 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: At the launch of Transport 21, the Government identified the projects and programmes in the national roads, public transport and regional airports sectors that it wishes to see prioritised for development in the ten-year period from 2006 to 2015 and estimated the cost of implementing these at €34 billion, in current cost terms. The huge scale of the Transport 21 programme is such that...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (8 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together. I understand that, before submitting her report to me on Thursday, 25 October, the Secretary General showed drafts of her report to: those officials specifically referred to in it (viz. the relevant Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer and Assistant Principal and the Secretary General to the Government); the independent Chairman of the...

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy is correct. Work is ongoing on that Bill between different Departments. It is hoped to bring something forward.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: It is proposed to take No. 1, Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad] — Second Stage and No. 13, statements on the Government statement on the Irish language and the Coimisiún na Gaeltachta Report 2002. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 13 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.30 p.m....

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Dublin Transport Authority Bill is promised for publication by the end of this session. It is on time and on schedule.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: As I said, work is continuing on the Dublin Transport Authority Bill and we expect to publish it during this session, which is up to the end of January. The Deputy is being very selective in regard to Transport 21. Most of the national roads projects this year under Transport 21 have been completed on, or ahead of, schedule. All the seven projects opened to date have been——

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I want to inform the Deputy because she seemed to be anxious.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Newry-Dundalk motorway was three months ahead of schedule, the Tyrellspass-Kilbeggan motorway was six months ahead of schedule——

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2007)

Noel Dempsey: People need not be concerned about the fact that non-national roads are moving to my Department. I have plenty of experience in that area and will be well able to handle them. On the Noise Bill which will strengthen the legislative basis to address local neighbourhood environmental noise issues, the background proposals are being drafted and we expect to publish the Bill some time late in 2008.