Results 11,481-11,500 of 13,264 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: Before I deal with the questions raised, I wish to thank Senators for their interest in the Bill and for dealing with this matter so promptly. I welcome the overall positive and constructive contributions from Senators. I dealt with the Bill on Committee Stage and Report and Final Stages and I am aware of the clear understanding of the Bill evident from Senators Paddy Burke and Wilson. I...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (28 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: It may well, but that is something of which the NRA will take cognisance and I will discuss the matter with it.

Written Answers — Water Safety: Water Safety (27 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: Under the Maritime Safety Act 2005 local authorities have been given the powers to regulate and control fast powered craft in their functional areas. The legal framework to regulate fast powered craft, provided for in the Maritime Safety Act 2005 arose from the Report of the Action Group on Small Powered Recreational Craft (including personal watercraft) in 2000 which concluded that the...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: Responsibility for Arklow Harbour and for 12 other regional harbours operating under the Harbours Act 1946, transferred from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to the Department of Transport with effect from 1 January 2006. Arklow Harbour Commissioners have recently sought additional funding for remedial works at the harbour. The funding proposals and those of...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: There is no EU Directive on the manning of regular passenger and ferry services operating between member states, in force or being considered by member states. If the Commission were to initiate a proposal it would be given careful consideration. In 1998 there was an EU Commission proposal: Commission communication on a common policy on manning of regular passenger and ferry services...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 631 and 632 together. The position in respect of Westport Harbour's Integrated Development Plan, including the proposal to construct a marina, is that a payment of €94,276 was made to the Westport Harbour Commissioners in December 2002, for expenditure incurred on that plan up to that date. The payment was made on the strict condition that there could be no...

Written Answers — Ferry Services: Ferry Services (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: A copy of the report, which will be published on my Department's website, has been issued to the Deputy on 12 March 2007. This study was commissioned in March 2002, in relation to the feasibility of a ferry service linking Achill Island with the Erris Peninsula. It was carried out by Tourism and Transport Consult International and the final cost of the study was €46,355. The study found...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (20 Mar 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The position with regard to the individual concerned remains as outlined in my reply to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question No. 438 of 20 February 2007.

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

Pat Gallagher: The law as it stands does not impede the establishment of barrier-free tolling. The whole purpose of this Bill, as I outlined on Second Stage, is to strengthen the enforcement mechanisms to facilitate the introduction of barrier-free tolling on tolled national roads. While I appreciate Senator Paddy Burke's point, amendment No. 1 would make barrier-free tolling compulsory on every tolled...

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

Pat Gallagher: I confirm it will apply to all roads in the State.

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.