Results 6,401-6,420 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (28 Jun 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 oversight of the operation of the driver licensing system including the preparation of proposals for draft regulatory provisions relating to driver licensing and testing. The Road Safety Authority has been examining the driver licensing...

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

Noel Dempsey: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) responsibility for vehicle standards, including matters relating to vehicle equipment, construction and use, has been transferred to the Road Safety Authority. Technical standards for frontal protection systems (bull bars) for motor vehicles (passenger cars and small vans) have been provided...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (28 Jun 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 (RSA) has responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of road safety and seeks (in partnership with other organizations such as schools and the Gardaí) to promote proper cyclist behaviour from an early age. An updated Rules of the Road was published last...

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

Noel Dempsey: The capacity and frequency of services on the railway network in respect of both intercity and suburban rail has been substantially increased in recent years on foot of improved and extended infrastructure and the acquisition of additional rolling stock. Transport 21 includes ambitious plans for the expansion of the rail network up to 2015. In the short term, capacity on both intercity and...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The situation in relation to Bus Éireann remains unchanged. I understand that, to date, no employee has indicated a wish to move and I have, therefore, asked the Company to consider how decentralization can be achieved.

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

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to question no. 16501 answered on 26 June. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I am conscious that enforcing penalties for road traffic offences on foreign registered drivers raises many legal, organisational and procedural issues which make it very difficult for any one State to enforce such penalties. For that reason, my Department is pursuing this question at the European, British/Irish and North/South levels where mutual recognition and cross border enforcement...

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

Noel Dempsey: The motorway driving rules set out in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 specify that the categories of vehicles that are subject to an ordinary speed limit not exceeding 80 km/h are prohibited from using the lane next to the central median. The categories of vehicles in question are heavy goods vehicles, buses and any vehicle towing a trailer etc. This provision of 1997...

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

Noel Dempsey: It is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) and local authorities to identify and pursue the provision of service and rest areas on the national road network. It is not my intention to invoke the provisions of Section 41 of the Roads Act, 1993 in connection with the provision of rest and service areas. I understand that, in light of the significant developments and improvements...

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

Noel Dempsey: I have no legislative proposals under consideration that would make it compulsory for cyclists to wear reflective clothing at night. To make the wearing of reflective clothing mandatory would be to create a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Acts for any person who committed an offence for non-compliance with the regulatory provision to wear such clothing. Persons who would breach the...

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

Noel Dempsey: The initiation or alteration of a bus service by Dublin Bus is subject to compliance with the necessary regulatory requirement of giving advance notice to my Department and with the provisions of Section 25 of the Transport Act, 1958 concerning competition with licensed private operators. On 23rd March, 2007 Dublin Bus notified my Department of its proposal to re-route one of its Route 33X...

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

Noel Dempsey: 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 stakeholders in December 2006. The volume of submissions...

Written Answers — Railway Stations: Railway Stations (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 to 143, inclusive, together. While the selection of particular stations for the development and the extension of car park facilities is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and the local authority in the first instance, my Department has approved investment in park and ride facilities at Iarnród Éireann rail stations totalling €10.915 million, including the...

Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The six regional airports discharge an important function within the national transport network by providing air transport access for their respective catchment areas, thereby boosting the potential for attracting inward investment and tourism business. Their activities complement the facilities provided by the State airports and help to ensure that the economic and social benefits of air...

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Irish Coast Guard of my Department manages Ireland's air/sea rescue services and I am satisfied that the arrangements in place compare favourably with best international practice. The Coast Guard co-ordinates air and sea search and rescue operations, including those services provided by charitable and voluntary organisations. It also ensures that appropriate personnel, training,...

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

Noel Dempsey: Excellent and tangible progress is being made on the implementation of Transport 21 within the available capital envelope. In 2006, 14 national road projects were completed and 11 started. In 2007, the NRA is on target to complete 9 projects and to commence 7 projects. The momentum is also building on the implementation of the public transport programme. 183 diesel railcards will be put in...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Road traffic offences committed by road users such as non-compliance with traffic lights, which is often referred to as 'red light running', are enforced by the Garda Síochána. The Gardaí have power to gather evidence of the commission of such offences through the use of cameras or other such technology. Dublin City Council set up a traffic camera at a specific junction on a pilot basis...

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

Noel Dempsey: Iarnród Éireann commenced last year a feasibility study into a rail link to Shannon Airport. The company engaged consultants to undertake this work and a steering group, which included a wide range of local interests, was established to oversee the study. A report is now with the Steering Group for consideration. Subject to the final views of the Steering Group, it will be a matter for...

Taxi Regulations. (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I completely agree with the Deputy in respect of this matter. As soon as a very robust business case is made available to the Department, I will consider the matter. However, I am not going to spend taxpayers' money without first being in possession of a proper, fully costed proposal. Such a proposal has not yet been forthcoming. I would be very favourably disposed towards increasing...

Taxi Regulations. (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I will look at the issues raised by both Deputies. I am aware of the outline of the proposal put by the commission. We have responded to the commission in respect of the initial proposal and asked it to be more firm on matters like purchase prices and to give us a better business case in respect of that issue. It is the proposal discussed by the Deputy. I will look at the issue raised by...