Results 681-700 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Road Traffic Offences. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: Driving under the influence of intoxicants, which includes prescription, non-prescription drugs and alcohol, is one of the primary causes of road fatalities and a serious road safety issue. The Road Traffic Acts provide for the testing of drivers under the influence of drugs. If a garda is of the opinion that a driver is under the influence of a drug or drugs to such an extent as to be...

Road Traffic Offences. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: I used to have responsibility for the drugs strategy and I am aware of the issues referred to by the Deputy. At present, there is no recognised system by which the Garda can test people on the road. In some countries throughout the world trials are ongoing and we will wait and see how they develop. Such trials are not at the stage where they could be in place on a legal basis, because...

Road Traffic Offences. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: I accept trials are ongoing in different parts of the world.

Road Traffic Offences. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: They are not yet at a stage where they would stand up to a rigorous legal system.

Road Traffic Offences. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Medical Bureau of Road Safety is especially keen to keep abreast of such developments. As soon as such trials can stand up to such rigour, I hope they will be introduce as quickly as possible. Under the current system, if tests prove negative for alcohol, they are automatically tested for drugs. That is already in place. We wish to reach a stage where there is the equivalent of...

Road Traffic Offences. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: There is another parliamentary question tabled dealing with testing at the scene of accidents.

Road Traffic Offences. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: We will include measures related to that in the new Bill. Deputy Ring referred to people driving like lunatics. I accept there are some people using drugs and that we must deal with them. However, the number of road fatalities this year is reduced considerably from the numbers of previous years. While there are people transgressing the law who we wish to catch, we must accept that...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (16 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 to 260, inclusive, together. Dublin Port Company was incorporated in 1997 under the Harbours Act 1996. In accordance with the Act, the company is required to take all proper measures for the management, control, operation and development of the port and is required to conduct its business in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Advertising expenditure...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (16 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Government recently gave its approval to the drafting of a Road Traffic and Transport Bill, which inter alia proposes a reduction in the legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level for drivers and measures to put in place the compulsory testing of drivers at road traffic collisions. It is hoped to have the Bill published early next year.

Seanad: Road Safety (16 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Mary Hanafin, had to rush away after dealing with the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 and she asked me to thank the Senators for their co-operation on the Bill. I thank the Senator for raising this issue. The Government has invested significant resources in the area of road safety in recent years. The Road Safety...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (11 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: The vehicle height limit of 4.65 metres was introduced in the interests of public safety and the protection of costly road and rail bridge infrastructure from accidental damage by high vehicles, and was made following a very extensive public consultation process and prior notification to the European Commission. With a limit of 4.65 metres, I am satisfied that the objective of bringing about...

Seanad: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (11 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: I thank the Senator for raising the matter on the Adjournment. It affords me the opportunity to clarify for the House the appropriate steps taken in recognition of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and the Government's continued commitment to improving road safety here. Sunday 16 November was World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which happens every year on...

Seanad: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: I thank Senator Doherty for raising this matter. I am taking the Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Michael Finneran, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on issues pertaining to social and voluntary housing and co-operative housing in particular. This has been the best year on record in terms of investment in...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (10 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Government recently gave its approval to the drafting of a Road Traffic and Transport Bill, which inter alia deals with the legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level for drivers and breath testing at road traffic collisions. It is hoped to have the Bill published early next year.

Written Answers — Comharthaí Bóithre: Comharthaí Bóithre (9 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: Is féidir leis an Aire Iompair, faoí alt 95 den Act um Thrácht ar Bhóithre 1961, ordacháin ghinearálta nó áirithe a thabhairt dos na h-údaráis bóithre maidir le síneacha tráchta. Tá ordacháin le fáil sa lámhleabhar "Traffic Signs Manual 1996" maidir leis an nGaeilge agus Béarla a úsáid ar shíneacha tráchta. Táim sásta leis na h-ordacháin seo agus níl sé ar intinn...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: 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. Information regarding the appeals process is available from the Road Safety Authority at 'www.rsa.ie'

Seanad: Tax Code (3 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: The European Union energy tax directive incorporated special derogations which allowed specific excise duty reliefs to be applied in several member states below the EU minimum duty rate. In the case of public transport services, these derogations included reduced rates which applied to fuel used for scheduled bus services. Scheduled bus services include bus passenger services provided by...

Seanad: Food Labelling (3 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I thank Senator Keaveney for raising these matters as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the Seanad the measures in place in regard to both food safety, in terms of bottled water, and dangerous substances, in terms of party pills. The Food Safety Authority of...

Seanad: Food Labelling (3 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: I do not know and since I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, I will not pronounce on it. However, it may be that the phrase I mentioned at the end of my reply referred to secondary legislation. I am not sure. Certainly magic mushrooms were banned not through primary legislation but by a ministerial order. However, the process to achieve this took some...

Seanad: Food Labelling (3 Dec 2008)

Noel Ahern: I accept what the Senator says in that it is often difficult to understand why things take so much time. I referred to legislation but agree that the last time such action was taken it was not through a Bill. However, since then there has been a tightening on the use of secondary legislation. I am not sure, therefore, what is intended in this regard.