Results 841-860 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Seanad: Parking Regulations (7 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: Given that I live in an area not far from the one in question, I understand the problem. The role of the Department of Transport is the setting and implementation of national transport policy. We do not micromanage issues at local level. I believe very strongly in local authorities managing their own affairs regarding these matters, subject to general policy directions from national...

Seanad: Parking Regulations (7 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: Metro north is part of Transport 21 and, as far as I know, the Railway Procurement Agency applied for the railway order a few weeks ago. It is a case of going full steam ahead and there is no change in that regard. Four major groups have made their pitch and the Department of Finance will issue final approval when it sees the final tender price, which is quite reasonable. From the point of...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: Driving under the influence of intoxicants, drugs as well as alcohol, is one of many key issues in road safety, and the testing of drivers in relation to drugs is already provided for in the Road Traffic Acts. A member of the Garda Síochána, where he or she is of the opinion that a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place is under the influence of a drug or...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (1 Oct 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.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: The operation of the penalty points system is kept under review and I have no plans at this point for the introduction of any new legislative measures in relation to this system.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: Responsibility for commercial vehicle testing is a matter for the Road Safety Authority under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No 477 of 2006). In December 2007 my colleague Minister Dempsey accepted the recommendations made by the RSA for reforming the commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing regime and for addressing a number of other related...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: My colleague, Minister Dempsey, intends to bring the Heads of a Road Traffic Bill, which includes a proposed reduction in the legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level for drivers, to Government for consideration very shortly. Following a decision by Government and the preparation of the necessary legislation, the implementation of reduced Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels for drivers will...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: All drivers are subject to road traffic law and enforcement is a matter for An Garda Síochána. The realisation of any fines or penalties imposed by the Courts is a matter for the Courts Service. The enforcement on foreign registered drivers of penalties for road traffic offences is a complex legal and administrative matter for many States, and my Department is pursuing this question at...

Written Answers — Comharthaí Bóithre: Comharthaí Bóithre (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: Féach ar an bhfreagra a tugadh ar cheist Uimhir 217 de 28ú Feabhra 2007 ar an ábhar seo. Is féidir leis an Aire Iompair, faoi alt 95 den Act um Thrácht ar Bhóithre 1961, treoracha ghinearálta nó áirithe a thabhairt dos na h-údaráis bóthair maidir le síneacha tráchta. Tá treoracha le fáil san lámhleabhar "Lámhleabhar na Síneacha Tráchta 1996" maidir leis an úsáid a...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: While my Department provides annual funding to the Road Safety Authority, the allocation of resources to the various programmes is a matter for the Authority itself. Exchequer funding of €39.1 million is provided to the RSA in 2008.

Written Answers — Ferry Services: Ferry Services (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Cork Swansea Ferry Company suspended its service in 2007. I can appreciate the concerns that have been expressed in the region in response to this development. I understand that a number of interested parties and stakeholders have been in discussions with the Port of Cork Company about the possibility of commencing a new passenger and freight service out of the port. Port of Cork Company...

Written Answers — Coast Guard Service: Coast Guard Service (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: It is my intention that the Irish Coast Guard and Maritime Administration will be strengthened to meet the needs of this country well into the 21st century. I am still considering the matter referred to by the Deputy.

Driver Licensing Regulations. (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: The driver licensing regulations, which were made in October 2007, represented the first step in the fundamental reform of the arrangements for the formation and licensing of learner drivers. The replacement of the provisional licence with the learner permit was designed to emphasise the fact that extra caution and supervision are required when drivers are in the learning phase of driving....

Driver Licensing Regulations. (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: I thank Deputy McEntee for his favourable comments. I am sure those in the Road Safety Authority and the Department who have been dealing with this matter for some years will be heartened by the Deputy's comments. While a single fatality is one too many, the reduction of 32 in this year's number of fatalities is great. We would like to think we could achieve a similar reduction every year,...

Driver Licensing Regulations. (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: Having said that, I am heartened by Deputy McEntee's comments. I agree that there is still huge room for improvement in the number of fatalities. As the five-year strategy is implemented, I hope we can meet our target of having fewer than 20 fatalities every month. I accept that the Deputy wishes to raise certain issue with Mr. Noel Brett. Perhaps it will be appropriate to do so when Mr....

Driver Licensing Regulations. (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: We will encourage local authorities to do so. I agree that education is a major part of the strategy dealing with young people. It may not do much for short-term figures but if young people can be reached and made aware of the dangers it is beneficial. I support all of Deputy McEntee's suggestions.

Road Safety. (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: My officials are aware, from ongoing contacts with the Road Safety Authority, of the recent initiative on road safety cameras by the Danish authorities. My understanding is that those authorities have decided to launch an experiment with fixed safety cameras on selected roads to deter speeding. Inappropriate speeding has been identified as one of the primary causes of death and injuries on...

Road Safety. (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: I agree with the Deputy that speed is a major cause of accidents and fatalities. As Deputy Broughan stated, the preferred bidder has been selected but the entire road safety strategy is covered by a number of Departments and agencies. Having the 6,000 hours is a key part of the strategy but the Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform are responsible for this....

Road Safety. (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: It is the intention to have signage where we have speed traps. Last week it was highlighted that the Garda Síochána stated gardaí are not hiding and that their preference is for people to see them, take note and stop speeding. The aim is to stop speeding and not necessarily to catch people.

Road Safety. (1 Oct 2008)

Noel Ahern: With regard to foreign drivers or drivers from the North, a number of months ago the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, and I attended a meeting with representatives from the North and Britain where we discussed doing this. It will be dealt with in two phases, bringing together and recognising disqualifications from one another's administrative area and further down the road recognising...