Results 901-920 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

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

Noel Ahern: The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey met with representatives of the PARC group on 27 February 2008. The principal issue discussed was the proposed amendment to Road Traffic legislation to make it mandatory for drivers involved in collisions to be tested for alcohol consumption subject to medical circumstances. Minister Dempsey confirmed that this issue would be included in a Road Traffic...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (9 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: With effect from Monday 30 June of this year, all learner drivers must be accompanied by a driver who holds a full driving licence continuously for the previous two years. This provision, introduced in Regulations in October last year, amended the position where drivers on a second provisional licence could drive unaccompanied. The current provisions relating to drink driving apply to the...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (9 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: Following representations received from various bodies, my Department has consulted the Office of the Attorney General on the amendment of current legislation to achieve compulsory roadside testing for intoxicants of drivers involved in collisions. The Attorney General has now advised on possible amendments to legislation, which continue to take overriding medical circumstances into account....

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (9 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 to 224, inclusive, together. As was indicated to the deputy in response to questions on this subject in March 2008, my Department is examining this matter in consultation with the Road Safety Authority and the Taxi Regulator. These consultations are not yet complete but I have asked my officials to finalise their consideration of the issues and to report...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (8 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: Following representations received from various bodies, my Department has consulted the Office of the Attorney General on the amendment of current legislation to achieve compulsory roadside testing for intoxicants of drivers involved in collisions. All correspondence received by my Department up to and including July — have been responded to by my Department. The Attorney General has now...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (1 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: Responsibility for driver licensing and testing was transferred to the Road Safety Authority in September 2006, under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006). The arrangements in relation to driver testing and licensing are therefore a matter for the Road Safety Authority. The granting of tax reliefs is a matter for my colleague the...

Seanad: Rail Network (1 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: I welcome the opportunity to reaffirm the Government's commitment to the re-opening of the western rail corridor as provided for in Transport 21. Work is under way on the re-opening of the Ennis-Athenry section of the link, involving a complete renewal of the track and signalling and the re-opening of stations at Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell. When complete, the re-opening of this section...

Seanad: Rail Network (1 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: Perhaps the Senator does not view the road projects as public transport exclusively.

Seanad: Rail Network (1 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: It is clear that the Government is committed through Transport 21 to ensuring that the west has the transport infrastructure necessary to support ongoing growth and development. I heard one of the radio programmes to which the Senator referred. No matter how good the Government is, however, it cannot control economists, be they based in Dublin or the west. They are a law and a breed unto...

Seanad: Rail Network (1 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: It depends on which section to which he was referring. Not all of the corridor is being worked on or will open this year.

Seanad: Rail Network (1 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: I would need to know what the Deputy stated. Work is under way and other sections are being planned. The Senator's comments on freight trains were not true because not all CIE services are subsidised. The Government will consider the financial situation when the six-month figures become known tomorrow.

Seanad: Rail Network (1 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: In this atmosphere, people outside the Government and the Houses, such as the economists to which the Senator referred, are pushing the pet projects in which they have an interest. As much as we would like to, we cannot control them. I have given the Senator the Government's commitment, work is under way and other sections are being planned.

Seanad: Rail Network (1 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: I do not want to get into local politics——

Seanad: Rail Network (1 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: ——between the Senator and Deputy Fahey. I would rather they have their argument in the west. I have provided Senator Healy Eames with the Minister's statement and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the re-opening of the western rail corridor as provided for in Transport 21.

Seanad: Public Transport (1 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: On 19 June 2008, my Department was advised by the Circle Line company that it was going into voluntary liquidation and that bus services it was providing to and from Celbridge and Lucan, which were the subject of licences issued under the Road Transport Act 1932, would cease to operate from Friday, 27 June 2008. I very much regret the loss of employment and the loss of the significant level...

Seanad: Public Transport (1 Jul 2008)

Noel Ahern: The previous legislation dealt with the Dublin transport authority. Many Governments in the past have spoken about the need to reform the 1932 Act. It could have been dealt with in the Dublin Transport Authority Bill but it was considered best to deal with the DTA first and then deal with the fundamental issue. The energies of the Department have been focused on the Dublin Transport...

EU-Australia Agreement: Motion (25 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: I thank Deputies for their comments and contributions. I accept it is an important issue and I understand and appreciate the frustrations and concerns expressed about the way it came forward so late and the limited time Deputies were given to consider it. It was put in the Oireachtas Library yesterday——

EU-Australia Agreement: Motion (25 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: ——which is only one day earlier than today. It might be wrong to state it is only available since lunchtime. It was put in yesterday. I do not suggest——

EU-Australia Agreement: Motion (25 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: I do not suggest that one day earlier makes it okay and I regret it. It was due to a combination of factors outside our direct control. Negotiations concluded in May and the justice and home affairs Ministers agreed a general approach at their meeting on 5 and 6 June, pending the lifting of parliamentary reserves by member states. The final text became available on 10 June. I am not sure...

EU-Australia Agreement: Motion (25 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: All in all, there are——