Results 921-940 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

EU-Australia Agreement: Motion (25 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: Yes. All in all there are sufficient checks and balances——

EU-Australia Agreement: Motion (25 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: ——in the agreement to ensure the highest possible protections for EU PNR data. Deputy Durkan raised a number of issues, including the purpose for which the data will be used. The agreement has strict limitations on the purposes for which the data can be used which are combatting crime, terrorism, including organised crime, and flights from warrants or custody for these particular types...

EU-Australia Agreement: Motion (25 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion, provided by Article 1.11 of the Treaty of Amsterdam, to notify the President of the Council that it wishes to take part in the adoption of the following proposed measure: Agreement between the European Union and Australia on the processing and transfer of EU-sourced passenger name record (PNR) data by...

EU-Australia Agreement: Motion (25 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: This motion, under Article 29.4.6 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, seeks the approval of the House for Ireland to participate in the adoption of a new agreement between the EU and Australia concerning the collection, storage, use and transfer of passenger name record, PNR, data. Following a request from the Australian authorities, the European Commission presented a recommendation to the Council in...

EU-Australia Agreement: Motion (25 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: No, it is not, but both Australia and Slovenia have shown great interest in the matter. Irish-Australian relations go back for many generations and a sizeable number of Australians claim Irish ancestry. The descendants of the many Irish men and women who settled in Australia have played a significant role in that country's economic, social and political developments. While these links of...

Seanad: Bus Services. (24 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: I thank Senator O'Malley for raising the matter. On behalf of Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, I am glad of the opportunity to outline to the House the arrangements planned to upgrade bus services in the Dublin area. Bus services are and will remain the predominant mode of public transport in the Dublin area. More than 147 million passengers were carried by bus in the greater...

Seanad: Air Services (18 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: I thank Senator Keaveney for raising the matter but it is up to the airlines to come up with the most attractive packages in terms of price and operational arrangements, such as aircraft types and service timetables, which meet the basic specifications laid down for the PSO programme. I have heard what the Senator stated in that when this flight began, there were no subsidies. There is now a...

Road Safety. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 68 together. The Road Safety Strategy 2007 to 2012, as approved by the Government in October 2007, identifies the need to legislate for and introduce a reduction in the legal blood alcohol content, BAC, level for drivers, but does not specify what that level should be. The advice of the Road Safety Authority, RSA, on the lower levels was received in...

Road Safety. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy is right to point out that Ireland's limit of 80 mg is not in line with the limits in most other countries. We have the same limit as the UK. The limit in most other European countries is 50 mg. The road safety strategy, which was launched last year, set out the Government's position in this regard.

Road Safety. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: I am speaking for the Government. We are doing this on a stage-by-stage basis. We made it clear in the strategy that we will provide for a reduction. The Road Safety Authority's report, which was published recently, has been sent to and noted by the Government. We are working on the general scheme of the legislation that will make the changes.

Road Safety. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: It is Government policy, as outlined in the strategy. I cannot——

Road Safety. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: We are talking ordinary.

Road Safety. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: I have mentioned the Government's strategy. We are now preparing legislation. That will be brought to the Government in the coming period.

Road Safety. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: Having dealt with the issue of drugs when I was based in another Department, I know what Deputy Broughan is concerned about and I fully support his remarks. I accept that prototype tests are available in some countries, including Australia. However, we do not have a feasible basis for doing that in Ireland. I would like to get to that stage. The old regime, whereby a garda has to form the...

Road Safety. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: I saw the newspaper article in question. I know nothing about it. That did not come from us. Policy is made by the Government, rather than by the newspapers. There was a brief discussion on this matter during the debate on the Estimates this day last week. It was suggested that a committee should consider this matter and make a submission to the Department. I have outlined the options....

Road Safety. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: The provision of roadside testing devices is at prototype stage. The Medical Bureau of Road Safety is keeping abreast of developments in this regard. I am aware such devices are available in Australia and wish they were the norm here. The medical bureau is following up on the matter. I look forward to these devices being accepted in Europe and recommended for use here. On administrative...

Road Safety. (17 Jun 2008)

Noel Ahern: We have received the Deputy's recommendation. The Department is considering the matter and will shortly bring legislation to Government.

Seanad: Public Transport (21 May 2008)

Noel Ahern: I understand the concern of the Senator, but it was discussed in this House on Committee Stage of the Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008. Transport 21 will transform our transport infrastructure. In Dublin, the delivery of projects such as metro north, the interconnector, metro west and new Luas lines will provide an integrated network of rail services, which will bring significant...

Seanad: Public Transport (21 May 2008)

Noel Ahern: That will be outlined in the environmental impact statement.

Seanad: Public Transport (21 May 2008)

Noel Ahern: Yes. That will have to go through the planning process, which will outline it in detail. Generally, it is expected that everything will go back to the way it was. The bible for that will be the planning process, what is included in the conditions and what is drawn from the environmental impact survey.