Results 11,441-11,460 of 13,214 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The amendment refers to political accountability. As Senator Paddy Burke has pointed out, the issue has arisen in respect of many other bodies, such as An Post or the HSE, where the respective Ministers are politically responsible for their activities. In this case, the Department of Transport is responsible for the National Roads Authority and the Road Safety Authority. The Minister has...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: These are drafting amendments and technical changes, and there is a minor consequential change. Amendment No. 4 is a drafting amendment to remove the words "service of" in page 6, line 1 of the Bill, as these words are superfluous. Amendment No. 6 is a drafting amendment to section 7(a). Amendment No. 12 is a technical change so that the subsections will appear as subsections (5) and (6)...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: This is a technical amendment intended to bring the section more precisely into line with local government legislation following the Local Government Act 2001.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: Government amendment No. 8 encompasses the principles expressed in Senator Paddy Burke's amendment. We are anxious to find a practical solution to the difficulties that arise in terms of parking on public roads, whether adjacent to Croke Park or around O'Donnell Park in Letterkenny, where Donegal plays Kerry next Sunday.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: One glove does not fit all hands. Amendment No. 8 introduces a framework which, as the Minister, Deputy Cullen, indicated on Second Stage, will allow local authorities to take the necessary actions. Subsidiarity should be considered in this context and I do not believe any Member would wish to introduce legislation in micro-form. Local councillors should be able to introduce bye-laws to...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The Road Traffic Act 2006 provides for an appropriate form of roadside mandatory alcohol testing to increase the chance of being breathalysed and to provide an increased deterrent effect. I was happy to learn from the Garda that it has acted as a deterrent, despite the number of fatalities over the weekend, including five in my own county. I would like to sympathise with the families...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: No, a feasible basis for the introduction of a scheme for roadside drug testing has not been established but the Department and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety are monitoring developments.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The driving testing service operates under the provisions of section 33 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 and in accordance with the regulations made under it. The driving test is also governed by requirements of EU directives which stipulate the manoeuvres to be carried out which are also set down in regulations under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. The Road Safety Authority, RSA, is...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I expect it will be introduced quite soon because from 1 July 2007, a person wishing to become an instructor for the first time must undergo the registration process. That will involve proving one is a person of good repute. A person must pass a test of knowledge on driving theory and an extended driving test. There is a lead-in time. The 1 July 2007 date is written in stone. Existing...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The Road Safety Authority will.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: This legislation will allow us to redesignate high quality dual carriageways to motorways. I cannot give the Senator an exact timeframe. It is being dealt with by the National Roads Authority. I will prevail upon it to act as quickly as possible taking into consideration any practical issues which may arise.

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (7 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together. I recently announced the arrangements for a new Rural Transport Programme (RTP). This new Programme builds on the success of the pilot Rural Transport Initiative and puts it on a permanent mainstreamed basis. In line with commitments in Towards 2016 and in parallel with the implementation of Transport 21, €9 million is being provided...

Written Answers — Harbour Authorities: Harbour Authorities (6 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The Ports Policy Statement, published in January 2005, states that the continued operation of the regional harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance. The Policy Statement reiterated the view that most of these harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to local authority ownership or, where this...

Rail Freight. (6 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: While this will be done in a way that requires all to act, it will not be done, as some would do, in a manner that would undermine Irish employment. Progress on meeting our Kyoto obligations involves a range of measures. For example, our major industries were one of the first to become part of the EU emissions trading scheme. The greener homes grants scheme has been an outstanding success...

Rail Freight. (6 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "—notes that Transport 21, which provides for an investment of €16 billion in public transport, is focused on the delivery of a state-of-the-art transport system that will, inter alia, promote sustainable transport solutions, including a modal shift from private to public transport; welcomes...

Rail Freight. (6 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: Some 67 new carriages have entered service on the Dublin-Cork route at a cost to the Exchequer of €117 million. A targeted investment in the development and enhancement of the Dublin suburban rail network has been ongoing since 1997 in recognition of the role played by rail in providing a real alternative to the use of the private car and tackling congestion and related environmental...

Rail Freight. (6 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: We would not have the problem had the Deputy's party not been in government. Since 1997 over €177 million has been provided for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann for the expansion and modernisation of their fleets, resulting in improved fleet quality and reliability, as well as providing for increased services. It has also facilitated the upgrading of many stations throughout the Bus Éireann...

Rail Freight. (6 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: In 2006 alone over €40 million was allocated to these combined projects.

Rail Freight. (6 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: Transport 21 will build on our achievements since 1997.

Rail Freight. (6 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: In the greater Dublin area it will put in place an integrated public transport system, to which there are a number of elements. Two metro lines are planned, metro north and metro west. Metro north will be completed six years from now in 2012 and will make it possible to travel from Dublin Airport to the city centre in 17 minutes. Metro west will be a western orbital route around the outer...