Results 6,361-6,380 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Roads Bill 2007, which will provide the legislative basis for open road tolling, is currently before the House. I hope that it will be enacted before the Summer recess. The principal purpose of the Bill is to provide the necessary statutory basis to facilitate the implementation of free flow open road tolling (also known as 'barrier-free' tolling) on toll-based national road schemes...

Written Answers — Economic Development: Economic Development (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Earlier this year the EU and the US reached agreement on a multilateral air transport agreement 'Open Skies' which envisages more liberalised air service arrangements on the transatlantic market. The agreement on Open Skies follows several years of negotiations at EU US level and marks an historic step in advancing the development of international regulation of aviation and is expected to...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Department of Transport has recently issued 'Guidelines on a Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes' to its agencies. The Guidelines apply to all Exchequer funded and PPP projects in the transport sector. Project appraisals are carried out by the relevant implementing agency. The appraisals are subject to audit by the Department of Transport. The Guidelines...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: There is no anomaly in the Road Traffic Acts in relation to the scope of the application of the Acts. The application of this legislation only applies to public roads. A public road is a road that has been taken in charge by a road authority and as a consequence of executing that statutory procedure the road authority takes on responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of that road....

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Both Irish Rail and Luas already deploy real time information systems. Bus Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath are both proceeding with the introduction of automatic vehicle location technology on board buses. This technology will create the platform for, the deployment of real time passenger information. Bus Atha Cliath has in recent weeks put forward initial proposals for funding for a...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The main contributory factors in road traffic fatalities and injuries are speeding, drink-driving and the non-wearing of seat belts. The influence of drugs on driving behaviour is an issue of increasing concern and has thus been given recognition in the previous Government Strategy on Road Safety. It is already illegal in this country to drive while under the influence of drugs to such an...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Following the events of September 11th, aviation insurers worldwide withdrew 3rd party war and terrorist risk insurance from airlines, airports and ground handling companies. Without such insurance these undertakings could not operate and Governmental support was required. As a result the Air Navigation and Transport (Indemnities) Act 2001 was enacted which gave the Government power to...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 55 together. As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the relevant local authorities concerned....

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 30 and 63 together. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for developing a new Road Safety Strategy for the period 2007-2011. They went out to public consultation in October last year and received a substantial number of suggestions and proposals as a result of this process. The RSA also engaged in a process of direct consultation with key...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The primary purpose of bus lanes is to facilitate and promote bus based public transport and the use of bus lanes is provided for in the Road Traffic (Traffic & Parking) Regulations 1997 and 1998. Many representations have been received by my Department over the years seeking to extend access to bus lanes to a wide range of other road users. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) carried out and...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 51 and 77 together. Prior to the dissolution of the 29th Dáil, significant progress was made on the preparation of legislation to establish a statutory Dublin Transport Authority. Mr. Tom Mulcahy was also appointed as chairman designate of the proposed Authority last February to commence the process of putting the necessary organisational arrangements in...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Government Programme identifies clear transport investment priorities which are largely consistent with the existing Transport 21 plans. The Programme commits the Government to the ongoing review of our transport needs and where agreed to proceed with new projects. The Programme also refers to a number of studies to be undertaken which will inform that review.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Government Programme refers to studies of a number of additional public transport projects as follows: extending Luas to Rathfarnham subject to a feasibility study, examining the feasibility of reopening the railway line from Claremorris to Sligo, conducting feasibility studies to be completed within two years into Luas-style light rail transit systems in Cork, Galway, Limerick and...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Road authorities already have power under article 38 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 to apply restrictions on the parking of large vehicles. The regulatory provision applies to any type of large vehicle, for example, a goods vehicle, a passenger vehicle such as a bus or machinery plant such as a JCB unit and the like. This power is applied by a road authority...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Aviation Action Plan, adopted by Government in May 2005 mandated the building of the second terminal at Dublin airport by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). This decision was driven by the urgent need to provide for additional capacity at the airport in response to the significant growth in passenger numbers there in recent years. Under the DAA Capital Investment Programme, provision is...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 are kept under on-going review in my Department and have been revised on five occasions over the intervening years to address new circumstances. Proposals for amendments that are received in my Department are examined on their merits and feed into an ongoing review of the regulatory measures. Not only are the provisions for parking in...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: As part of the overall objective of developing transportation in a sustainable manner, CIE was requested to plan to achieve a 30% bio-diesel blend in all new buses. Dublin Bus secured a commitment from the relevant engine manufacturer, Volvo, that would allow new buses to be modified to operate on a 30% biofuel mix without affecting the warranty. My Department is continuing to work with CIE...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Road Traffic Acts provide that a member of the Garda Síochána may require a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle to provide a preliminary breath specimen where the vehicle is involved in a road collision. Garda discretion in relation to the use of preliminary roadside tests in such circumstances is necessary, having regard to possible injuries sustained, and I do not...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the difficult operating conditions faced by Dublin Bus and other bus operators in providing services within the Dublin City centre area. To deal with this situation, Dublin Bus and the relevant local authorities are working closely together through the DTO City Centre Working Group to address the situation through a series of actions and measures including additional bus...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The re-opening of the Clonsilla to Navan line is proposed under Transport 21 in two phases — Clonsilla to Pace by 2009 and Pace to Navan by 2015. Iarnród Éireann expects to complete shortly the preliminary design and EIS on Phase 1, Clonsilla to Pace. The Company will shortly thereafter submit an application for a Railway Order to An Bord Pleanála. Iarnród Éireann expects to start the...